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Find out if you qualify for this Texas financial aid program to help pay for your education at ����ר��.

What is the TEG?

The Tuition Equalization Grant is a state-funded grant that helps students attend private colleges and universities in Texas. Since it is a grant and not a loan, it is not expected to be repaid.

Who is eligible?

To qualify you must:

• Meet Texas residency requirements (verified through the TXCORE form)
• Demonstrate financial need
• Enroll as a degree-seeking student at an eligible Texas institution
• Enroll in at least 9 credit hours as an undergraduate or 7 as a graduate student
• Not receive athletic scholarships
• Be registered for Selective Service (unless exempt)

What is the award amount?

For the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Undergraduate and graduate students with financial need and a Student Aid Index below 24,200: $3,873
• Undergraduate students with financial need and a Student Aid Index below 3,698: up to $5,810 (depending on funds available)

Which degree programs qualify?

The TEG supports most degree programs at private Texas institutions, including:

• Bachelor's degrees
• Master's degrees
• Doctoral degrees

Note: Theology programs leading to preaching licensure are not eligible.

Are graduate students eligible?

While graduate students may qualify, funding priority goes to undergraduate students.

What are the academic requirements?

First-year recipients must meet ����ר��'s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy in order to continue receiving the grant. After your first year, you must maintain:

As an undergraduate:

• 2.5 minimum GPA
• 24 completed credit hours per year
• 75% course completion rate

As a graduate student:

• 2.5 minimum GPA
• 18 completed credit hours per year
• 75% course completion rate

Are there any exceptions to these requirements?

Yes. The Texas Education Code allows for exceptions to be made when students are experiencing certain hardships. These hardship conditions include:

• a severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the 
  student's academic performance;
• responsibility for a dependent that is sick, injured, or needy and the provision of care may affect their academic performance;
• the birth of a child or placement of a child with the student for adoption or foster care that may affect the student's academic performance; or
• a student's need to complete fewer than the required minimum number of hours in a given term in order to complete a degree (amount will be prorated).

If you have experienced one of the above hardship conditions, and it resulted in a loss of eligibility for TEG, please reach out to the ����ר�� Mane Desk at manedesk@smu.edu to discuss what documentation will be needed to determine if Financial Aid Services may make an exception.

How do I apply?

If you are a Texas resident, simply submit a completed (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).