TEXAS PROMISE

Beginning with the Class of 2016, the Texas Promise will provide Texas high school graduates the
opportunity to attend a community or technical college free of tuition and fees.
WWW. L E T I CI AVANDE P UT T E . COM
What is the Texas Promise Scholarship Program?
The Texas Promise is a program that would offer Texas high school graduates the opportunity to
attend two years of college at any public community college, technical college or two-year state
institution free of tuition and fees.
The Texas Promise will apply to freshman enrolled for the fall of 2016. It will provide students with
a last-dollar scholarship to cover two years of tuition and fees after proceeds from federal or state
fnancial assistance are applied to the cost of tuition and required fees.
To receive the Texas Promise Scholarship, a student must:
1. Apply their senior year and meet established application deadlines.
2. Graduate from a Texas eligible high school with at least one endorsement.
3. Qualify for in-state tuition as defned by Texas code.
4. Attend mandatory academic counseling and college orientation.
5. Begin at an institution in the fall directly following high school graduation.
6. Enroll in an academic program - working towards a licensure, certifcation, or associates degree.
7. Maintain at least 12 hours a semester.
8. Remain at an eligible institution for consecutive semesters.
9. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1st of each year
beginning in high school and throughout his/her postsecondary experience.
10. Maintain Satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the institution, each semester.
11. Complete at least 8 hours of work study, an approved internship, or approved volunteer program
each term the student is awarded the scholarship.
WWW. L E T I CI AVANDE P UT T E . COM
Who is eligible?
Any high school senior who graduates from an eligible Texas high school and qualifes for in-state
tuition as defned by Texas code.
Where can they attend?
One of Texas' 50 community colleges, Texas State Technical Colleges or Lamar State College.
Are part-time students eligible for a Texas Promise scholarship?
No. In order to be eligible, a student must attend full-time.
What if a student needs to take a leave of absence but later returns - would
he/she be eligible for the scholarship?
A student who has an approved medical or personal leave of absence may continue to receive the
scholarship upon resuming his/her education so long as the student continues to meet all applicable
eligibility requirements, and as long as the sum of all approved leaves of absence do not exceed six
months.
How does a student retain the grant from one year to the next?
In order to retain the grant from year to year, a student must remain at an eligible institution for
consecutive semesters, enroll in a minimum of 12 hours, and meet satisfactory academic progress as
determined by the college.
How will the funding work?
The Texas Promise is a last dollar scholarship. Students must exhaust their state and federal grant aid
before they are eligible. Proceeds from federal or state fnancial assistance would be applied to the cost
of tuition and required fees. Texas Promise would make up the difference; in the case of students who
do not qualify for federal or state fnancial assistance,Texas Promise would pay the full amount.
How will you pay for this?
Texans will have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to set up a Texas Promise Fund.
Texans will vote on making a one-time investment from existing funds to start the Texas Promise Fund.
The interest from this permanent fund would provide a sustainable source of revenue to cover the cost of
this program.
FAQ:
WWW. L E T I CI AVANDE P UT T E . COM
Why focus only on community colleges, technical colleges and the Lamar
state college system?
There are several reasons to focus the Texas Promise on certifcate and two-year programs:
1. While we will need more of all degrees, forecasts show that much of our increased workforce demand
will be in skills that are provided at our community colleges and technical colleges.
2. They are cost effective for the state, allowing the state to cover more students.
a. The average tuition and fees at a Texas 4-year public institution is $7,116 while the average tuition
and fees at a Texas 2-year public institution is $1,762.
3. They save students money.
a. Students can live at home while attending a community and technical college since they are
located closer to home.
b. Students can take care of their basic courses before transferring to a four year institution.
4. They are teaching institutions that can provide basic academic supports. Over 51% of frst-time
entering community college students need remediation. Community colleges and technical colleges
are teaching institutions, not research institutions, and are therefore more equipped to provide
students who need remedial support with personal attention.
How is this program different from Strayhorn Texas NextStep?
What it covers: Texas Promise Scholarship does not cover textbooks.
Time it covers: NextStep allowed students to complete up to two years' work (a maximum of 90 semester
credit hours) in a three-year period. Texas Promise is no less than 12 hours per semester for 2 years.
When it applies: TexasNextStep applied to students within 16 months of their graduation. Texas Promise
requires students to enroll the fall immediately following graduation.
How is this program different from Tennessee Promise?
It is signifcantly based on the bipartisan program: Tennessee Promise.
Service requirement: Tennessee Promise requires completion of 8 hours of community service per term
enrolled to be completed before the start of the term.
Texas Promise provides a broader array of opportunities to fulfll work study requirement and allows
them to be completed before the start of or during the term:
Texas Promise requires that students complete at least 8 hours of work study, an approved internship, or
approved volunteer program each term the student is awarded the scholarship.
Graduation requirement: Texas Promise requires a student to graduate with at least one endorsement.
Endorsements are unique to Texas diplomas. Requiring an endorsement in addition to a foundation
diploma maximizes the intent of H.B.5 to best prepare students for the workforce.
FAQ (cont.):
WWW. L E T I CI AVANDE P UT T E . COM
Pol. ad. paid for by the Leticia Van de Putte for Lt.
Governor Campaign. Joe J. Bernal, Treasurer.
Printed in-house using volunteer labor
WWW. L E T I CI AVANDE P UT T E . COM
How is this program different from TEOG?
Eligibility: Under the Texas Promise there is no need or merit requirement for eligibility. Need
requirement for TEOG requires a 9 month EFC of no more than $4,800.
Enrollment hours requirement: TEOG allows students to be enrolled at least half-time and awarded in
the frst 30 hours of an associates degree or certifcate program (excludes credits for dual enrollment
or by examination); Texas Promise requires full time (12 hours) enrollment and requires student to
apply during senior year and enroll in fall after graduation.
MISC:
Difference from other programs:
The Georgia HOPE Grant: can be used at any time after high school graduation.
Florida Bright Futures: for 4 and 2 year institutions: 3 different types of grants - award amount based
on award level (merit based), institution type, and credit type; have up to 3 years to enroll; eligible for
up to 5 years after graduation.
FAQ (cont.):