Trinity offers the three types of need-based assistance listed below. To determine if you are eligible, you must submit the FAFSA annually. Eligible students will be considered for all types of need-based aid.

Please note that institutional, state, and some federal funds are limited based on funding allocations.

Need-based aid is renewable each year, provided that the recipient meets each award’s specified criteria and submits updated documentation annually. Detailed information about renewal policies and standards will be included in the student’s financial aid package.

1. GIFT AID: A variety of grants, which do not have to be repaid, are available, including federal, state, and University grants.



2. WORK-STUDY: The Federal Work-Study program allows students to be employed on campus, usually between eight to ten hours per week. Student workers generally earn $2,000 per year and are paid every two weeks.



3. SUBSIDIZED LOANS: Government subsidized student loan programs, such as the Perkins and the Stafford, permit borrowers to defer paying educational costs until they finish college. These loans feature low interest rates that do not begin to accrue until after graduation, and are generally repaid over ten years starting after students earn their degree.

GIFT AID/GRANTS
Students who apply and qualify for need-based aid are considered for grant funds from a variety of programs. Grant funds are limited; families are advised to submit the FASFA by the preferred deadline of February 1. Renewal eligibility for grants is based on continued demonstrated need (according to your annual FAFSA results), funding levels, and a student’s satisfactory academic progress.

FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor's degree. Pell awards are based on the expected family contribution (EFC) as determined annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Amounts can change yearly. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the award range is $890 to $4,731 for a full-time student (minimum 12 credit hours per semester).


Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Like the Pell Grant, the SEOG is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. This program was established to assist students who receive a Federal Pell Grant, but still need additional funding to meet educational expenses.

Based on your EFC, our office will determine the amount of SEOG funds for which you are eligible. SEOG funding is limited, so prospective students should complete the FAFSA by the priority date of February 1 to be considered. For the 2009-2010 academic year, Trinity offered annual SEOG awards in the range of $1,000 to $4,000 for a full-time student (minimum 12 credit hours per semester).


Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The ACG is awarded to full-time first and second year highly qualified, Pell-eligible students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 (if a first year student), and after January 1, 2005 (if a second year student). This grant program provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study. Second year students must also have earned a minimum cumulative Trinity GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).


National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

The National SMART Grant is awarded to third and fourth year Pell-eligible undergraduate students. This grant program provides up to $4,000 for each of these years.



In addition, students must earn a cumulative Trintiy GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and major in one of the following academic areas to be eligible for SMART Grant funds:


• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Physical Sciences
• Critical Foreign Languages
• Technology
• Life Sciences
• Multidisciplinary Studies


A list of SMART Grant-eligible major areas is available here.



STATE PROGRAMS

Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG),
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (LEAP), and
Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (SLEAP)

These need-based grants are awarded to Texas residents to help them meet the cost of attending a private university in Texas. LEAP/SLEAP are federal funds that must be matched with TEG awards. Since funds are limited, priority in awarding is given to students who demonstrate significant financial need and complete the FAFSA by the preferred deadline of February 1.

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible for TEG, LEAP, or SLEAP funds:


• U.S. citizen and Texas resident
• demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA
• parents’ adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $95,000
• full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credit hours per semester)
• minimum of 24 credit hours completed in the previous academic year
• minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average


INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS

Trinity General Grant

The General Grant is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need using funds underwritten by gifts from alumni, foundations, businesses, and friends of the University who all share in Trinity's commitment to providing assistance to deserving and talented students. Award amounts are dependent upon financial need and may vary from year to year if there are changes to your family’s financial circumstances.


2009-2010 FAST Grants (Financial Aid for Science and Technology)

Trinity's new Financial Aid for Science & Technolgoy (FAST) student grants will be available to select academically talented new students with financial need who plan to major in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics. These $4,600 annual awards are designed to replace need-based student loans and are renewable for up to four years.

HOW TO APPLY:
To be eligible for a FAST grant Trinity applicants must:

• Submit the FAST application form by February 1. Online forms and downloadable pdf files are available at www.trinity.edu/fast.
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Trinity's FAFSA filing priority date is February 1.
• Be eligible for federal student aid based on citizenship status.
• Demonstrate outstanding academic ability, as indicated by your Trinity application for admission.
• Indicate a strong intention to study/major in one of the “STEM” science areas: Astronomy, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Engineering Science, Geoscience, Mathematics and/or Physics through your application for admissions and FAST application form.

While all eligible applicants will be considered, first generation and students of color are especially encouraged to apply.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@trinity.edu or 210-999-8315.

Partial support for this program was provided by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed regarding the FAST Grant are those of Trinity University, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.


2009-2010 San Antonio First Generation Access Scholarship

This scholarship program offers four first year full-tuition scholarships awarded to high achieving first generation students from low socio-economic status households who attend San Antonio public schools. The mission of this scholarship program is to enroll an outstanding, diverse student body and to meet the needs of the greater community.

Application Details:
To be eligible for a San Antonio First Generation Access Scholarship Trinity applicants must:
• Submit the San Antonio First Generation Access Scholarship application form by February 15. The application is available online at http://www.trinity.edu/departments/admissions/mz3/SAfgen.shtml .
• Complete the Common Application for admission by February 1.
• Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by February 15.

For more information, please contact Karly Barraza Brockett, Assistant Director of Admissions, at karly.brockett@trinity.edu or 210-999-7207.

WORK STUDY
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a student employment program that allows participants to earn money by working part-time on campus or for certain off-campus non-profit organizations. The U.S. Department of Education allocates funds annually to Trinity, and the University awards FWS to students as a part of their financial aid package.

While most need-based aid is credited to your student account, FWS earnings are paid directly to the student every two weeks. Generally, the award is $2,000 for the academic year. Earning the maximum amount allotted will typically require you to work only 8-10 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters.

For detailed information about how to secure FWS employment, click here.

NEED-BASED LOANS
Government subsidized student loan programs permit borrowers to defer paying educational costs until they finish college. These loans feature low interest rates that do not begin to accrue until after graduation, and are generally repaid over ten years starting after students earn their degree.

NEED-BASED FEDERAL LOAN PROGRAMS - all borrowers must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens


FEDERAL SUBSIDIZED STAFFORD
FAFSA application required.

Description/Requirements:

• Fixed interest rate: 6% for 2008-2009 (5.6% for 2009-2010)
• Online application process
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Freshman (0-29 completed hours) annual limit $3,500
• Sophomore (30-59 completed hours) annual limit $4,500
• Junior (60-89 completed hours) annual limit $5,500
• Senior (90+ completed hours) annual limit $5,500
Repayment/GPA Information:

• Repayment begins 6 months after graduation or less than half-time enrollment
• 10-year repayment period
• No interest while borrower is enrolled at least half–time
• Continued eligibility requires satisfactory academic progress

Trinity University participates in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program to provide Stafford loans for students. If you are eligible for a subsidized loan, the government will pay the interest while you are in school and for the first six months after you are no longer enrolled at least half-time. For 2008-2009, the fixed interest rate for the Subsidized Stafford loan is 6% (5.6% for 2009-2010). A 1% (0.5% for 2009-2010) origination fee and a 1% default fee may be deducted from the loan proceeds.

Repayment of the loan begins six months after the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time. A student has up to ten years to repay and may defer payment of principal and interest while enrolled in graduate or professional school.

Renewal eligibility for Stafford loan funds is based on completion of the FAFSA, demonstrated need, and satisfactory academic progress.

Depending on your financial need as determined by your FAFSA results, you may borrow subsidized funds for an amount up to the annual loan limit for your academic level (completed hours). Typically, first year students are eligible to borrow up to $3,500.

For detailed information on how to apply for a Subsidized Stafford loan, click here.



FEDERAL PERKINS
FAFSA application required. Student must demonstrate financial need.

Description/Requirements:

• Fixed interest rate: 5%
• Online promissory note
• Annual borrowing limit: $4,000
Repayment/GPA Information:

• Repayment begins 9 months after graduation or less than half-time enrollment
• 10-year repayment period
• No interest while borrower is enrolled at least half–time
• Continued eligibility requires satisfactory academic progress

Trinity administers this need-based loan program that uses a combination of federal and University funds. The interest rate is fixed at 5% and it begins to accrue at the time of repayment, nine months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time. Students have up to ten years to repay the Federal Perkins loan. Students may defer (i.e. postpone) payments while enrolled in graduate or professional school. There are no additional charges associated with the Perkins loan.

Students can borrow up to $4,000 for each year of undergraduate study, based on demonstrated need, up to an aggregate total of $20,000. Funding for this program is limited; students are advised to complete the application process as early as possible. Please contact the Student Accounts and Loans Office at (210) 999-7330 or loans@trinity.edu for answers to any questions regarding the Perkins loan.

For detailed information on how to apply for a Perkins loan, click here.