What is a grant?

FINANCIAL AID

The 2025-26 FAFSA is now available via studentaid.gov. To ensure successful completion, read our webpage about applying for aid. If you have been selected for verification, a 2023 IRS tax transcript can be requested via irs.gov.

View important financial aid dates and deadlines.
 

Grants are, essentially, gifts.

You receive a set amount of money from the government, a private source or a nonprofit organization to help with your university expenses, and you don't have to pay it back as long as you follow the grant's guidelines.

Note: If you withdraw from school before a semester is complete, you may be required to refund some or all of your grant money.

Grants only pay for courses that are in a student's degree program. Therefore, any electives or courses you take that aren't on your degree plan will need to be covered outside of your grant funds.  Learn more about this on the plan of study webpage.

Grant eligibility

Grants are need-based, and eligibility is determined by the FAFSA application. Some grants also require a minimum GPA.

Federal, state and institutional grants

There is no separate application for grants. Submit your completed FAFSA and your eligibility will automatically be considered for several grants at the federal, state and institutional levels.

Federal Pell Grants

For low-income undergraduates and, in some cases, students pursuing a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate. Pell Grant awards are based on your Student Aid Index (SAI), the cost of attendance, and enrollment status.

TEACH Grants

If your area of study is eligible and you're offered a TEACH Grant, you must sign an agreement to serve or repay and complete the required counseling.

Contact SFA's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at finaid@sfasu.edu to see if your area of study is TEACH-Grant-eligible. 

Texas Public Educational Grants

Students who are enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester at SFA and meet the program's eligibility requirements are automatically considered once their FAFSA is received.

TEXAS Grants

In addition to being classified as a Texas resident, there are several criteria that must be met to qualify. Renewal of the grant funds are offered to eligible students who continue to meet qualifying criteria, follow HOP policy 04-115, maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and earn at least 24 semester credit hours in an academic year. Eligibility for the TEXAS Grant ends once 150 semester credit hours or the equivalent have been attempted, unless the student receives a hardship extension.

Transfer students: If you received a TEXAS Grant at your previous school, you might be able to renew those awards at SFA. Send an email to finaid@sfasu.edu with your name, SFA ID number, type of award received and the college or university you were attending when you received it.

Lumberjack Grant

SFA sets aside funding from tuition and fees to offer students this grant. If you're classified as a Texas resident and enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester, you may qualify. The Lumberjack Grant has less stringent financial-need requirements than some of the other grant programs.