Grant, Exemptions and Employment

Grants

The various grants that are available at TVCC are explained below. Grants, whose funding is limited to a set government allocation, are awarded to student on first come, first awarded, greatest need, and eligible basis until the allocation is exhausted. Certain grants have additional requirements that must be met. Grants are gift aid and do not have to be paid back.

Federal Pell Grant (Pell)

The Federal Pell Grant is designed to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students. It is considered the “foundation” of the financial aid award and may be combined with other forms of aid to help meet the costs of education. The award amount ranges from $750-7395 and are based on the enrollment level, cost of education, and the Student Aid Index (SAI).

Pell Grants are awarded at full time amounts, once a student registers for class.  The amount is prorated to match the students current enrollment. The awarded amount is frozen on the Census Date for the semester. Pell is prorated based on enrollment intensity at the following enrollment levels:

 12 (or more) hours = 100% of PELL awarded

11 hours= 92% of PELL awarded

10 hours= 83% of PELL awarded

9 hours= 75% of PELL awarded

8 hours= 67% of PELL awarded

7 hours= 58% of PELL awarded

6 hours= 50% of PELL awarded

5 hours= 42% of PELL awarded

4 hours= 33% of PELL awarded

3 hours= 25% of PELL awarded

2 hours= 17% of PELL awarded

1 hour= 8% of PELL awarded

        *Note: A student whose SAI is higher may not have Pell disbursed if not enrolled full-time.

Federal law limits the amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime to the equivalent of 6 years. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive, each year is equal to 100%. The six-year equivalent is 600%. Students who have received their maximum amount of Pell funding will not be awarded Pell. Students who are close to their maximum amount of Pell funding, will be awarded appropriately and monitored closely to ensure they are only awarded up to their 600%. FAFSA will notify students of being at or near the limit on their Student Aid Report.

More information in regards to Financial Aid can be found at https://www.tvcc.edu/Financial-Aid/?d=204. 

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This federal grant assists students attending public institutions of higher education. To be eligible a student must have remaining financial need and be Pell eligible. Awards range from $100-$1000 annually. The amount is prorated to match the students current enrollment and student must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester for this grant to disburse.

Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)

TPEG funding is subject to government allocation. This state grant assists students attending public institutions of higher education. To be eligible, a student must have remaining financial need and a Pell eligible SAI. TASFA students (non-citizens) must have a filed a FAFSA or TASFA to be awarded.

Texas Education Opportunity Grant (TEOG)

Recipients of this grant must be a Texas resident, not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance, have an SAI that falls within the range specified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the aid year.  They must also demonstrate financial need, be registered for Selective Service or be exempt, and be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. For an initial award, students must have less than 30 attempted credit hours. For 2nd year TEOG awards, a student must have met the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) of 2.5 cumulative GPA and successfully completed 75% of attempted hours.

Exemptions

Exemptions are a type of financial assistance allowing some Texas residents to attend a public college or university in Texas without paying tuition or, in some cases, tuition and fees.  Contact the TVCC Financial Aid Office for more information about any of the exemptions listed below.

Exemption programs available to Texas residents are listed below. For detailed information about any exemption listed below, visit College for All Texans.

  • Adopted Students formerly under the Conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS);
  • Blind/Deaf Student Exemption Program;
  • Children of Disabled or Deceased Firemen, Peace Officers, Game Wardens, and Employees of Correctional Institutions;
  • Concurrent Enrollment Waiver;
  • Exemption for Highest Ranking High School Graduate;
  • Exemption for Peace Officers Disabled in the Line of Duty;
  • Exemption for Peace Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses;
  • Exemption for the Surviving Spouse and Minor Children of Certain Deceased Public Servants (Employees);
  • Exemption Program for Children of Professional Nursing Program Faculty and Staff;
  • Exemption Program for Clinical Preceptors and Their Children;
  • Firefighters Taking Fire Science and Related Emergency Medical Services Courses;
  • Hazlewood Exemption (for Texas Veterans);
  • Military: Children of U.S. Military who are Missing in Action or Prisoners of War (MIA/POWs);
  • Military: Orphans of Texas Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard;
  • Tuition Exemption for Current or Former Foster Care Students under the Conservatorship of the Texas; Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS).

Employment

Many students work to earn part of their aid that covers their educational expenses while they are attending school. There are several programs at Trinity Valley that enable a student to work on campus. Students who are interested must fill out a student worker application in the Financial Aid Office.  A list of student jobs available at TVCC is on the TVCC website. Serious applicants should inquire about student employment at TVCC offices for which they are interested in working. A list of jobs available on campus can be found under Work Study at https://www.tvcc.edu/Financial-Aid/.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

The FWS Program is a federal campus-based aid program which provides part-time employment for students who have financial need. Students working in on-campus positions are paid minimum wage. All usually work 12–19 hours per week. The amount the student can earn in a year is determined by the amount of financial need after other aid is awarded. Students are paid on the 5th and 20th of each month. Trinity Valley is required to place seven percent (7%) of work-study funds toward community service employment. Federal work study awards are made during the first two weeks of each regular (fall and spring) term to students who acquire a position. A student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards in order to continue to participate in the federal work-study program.

Texas College Work-Study Program (TWS)

The TWS program is a state aid program that provides jobs to students who have financial need. Students are paid minimum wage and usually work 12–19 hours per week on campus. Students are paid on the 5th and 20th of each month. A student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards in order to continue to participate in the Texas work-study program.

Institutional Work Study Program

The Institutional Work Study Program is a part time employment program for TVCC students. Students do not have to show financial need to work under this program. The program offers part time jobs in various offices on campus. Students are paid minimum wage and work no more than 19 hours per week. Paychecks are distributed on the 5th  and 20th of each month.