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Financial Aid

Funding Your Future

Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas. On top of that, more than 70% of our students receive financial aid. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship.

Financial Aid Basics

Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work study programs.

Financial aid is offered to degree-seeking students who complete a FAFSA or TASFA based on their eligibility. You must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester to be eligible for financial aid. Funding for grants and work study opportunities is limited, so complete your FAFSA or TASFA as early as possible. Also, consider applying for university scholarships and searching for outside scholarships.

Scholarships are sources of financial aid that do not have to be repaid. These can originate from the university or from outside sources.

Most grants do not have to be repaid and are given to students based on financial need.

Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support for graduate education. Assistantships may be awarded to qualified graduate students who have received full or conditional admission to a master's or specialist program or full admission to a doctoral program. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments. In addition to funding graduate education, assistantships provide students with opportunities for professional growth.

Learn More

There are several types of student loans: federal, state and private. Unlike scholarships and grants, a loan is borrowed money that must be paid back with interest. If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand the terms and conditions.

Graduate: Financial Aid :: Applying for Financial Aid – Graduate Student Aid copied

Graduate Student Aid

If you are enrolled in any graduate program and taking at least 6 hours, you may be eligible for financial aid.

These grants are available for Texas residents and have limited funding. Eligibility is based on financial aid need as determined by completion of the FAFSA or TASFA. Awards vary based on funding levels for the academic year and your financial need. You must be enrolled in no less than six graduate credit hours. Early application is recommended.

The grant may pay up to $1,000 per semester, provided all eligibility is met each year, for up to two years or graduation, whichever comes first.

The grant may pay up to $1,500 per semester, provided all eligibility is met each year, for up to two years or graduation, whichever comes first.

The grant may pay up to $1,500 per semester, provided all eligibility is met each year, for up to four years or graduation, whichever comes first.

  • Texas resident
  • Fully or conditionally admitted to the Graduate School
  • Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree
  • Financial need as determined by completion of the FAFSA/TASFA and all verification documentation by the priority deadline, January 15.
  • Must be enrolled in 6 credit hours each long semester and summer session(s)
  • You must meet the Financial Aid Standards of Progress requiring 3.0 GPA for each semester and institutional cumulative GPA
  • This grant is renewable provided a FAFSA/TASFA is completed each academic year, financial need is demonstrated each year and the Financial Aid Standards of Progress are met at the end of each payment period
  • Funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis after all financial aid requirements are met

Note: Awards are predicated on the availability of funding.

Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), provides a limited annual supply of fee reduction certificates for the GRE. A limited supply of the fee reduction certificates are made available to colleges and universities and are disbursed based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be required to pay 50% of the full test fee.

You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien who is a college senior or an unenrolled college graduate.

  • Receiving financial aid through an undergraduate college in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, and
  • A dependent, who has a FAFSA that shows parental contribution (EFC) of no more than $2,500 for the senior year, or
  • Self-supporting and has a FAFSA that shows a contribution (EFC) of no more than $3,000 for the senior year

  • Have applied for financial aid and
  • Have a FAFSA that indicates self-supporting status and a contribution of no more than $3,000.

  • The ETS GRE Fee Waiver process has changed. Schools are no longer directly involved as in years past.
  • If you are interested in applying for a GRE Fee Reduction Waiver you will need to complete the Reduction Waiver and attach a copy of the current FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR).

View more information about the GRE Fee Reduction Certificate.

Must be fully admitted into an eligible program. Provisional admitted students are not eligible. Contact the Graduate School to confirm full admission.

You must submit a copy of your certification/deficiency plan to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Non-degree programs are not eligible.

  • Students in these programs may have limited loan eligibility due to loans borrowed to complete their undergraduate degree(s).
  • Certification students should contact the Graduate School and/or the Certification Office to confirm full admission.
  • Pell Grants are not available for certification students at East Texas A&M.

  • Students must contact Undergraduate Admissions to confirm full admission.
  • Students in these programs may have limited loan eligibility if they have other student loans.
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Applying for Financial Aid

Your first step in applying for financial aid of any kind is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Aid (TASFA). You may qualify for low-interest, forgivable federal loans as well as other kinds of scholarships and grants after federal aid is applied .

FAFSA OR TASFA? Applying for FAFSA Applying for TASFA

  • FASFA is for U.S. citizens, permanent U.S. residents and eligible non-citizens.
  • TAFSA may be for you if you are not a U.S. citizen but you graduated from a Texas high school.
  • If you are an international student, you are likely not eligible to complete the FAFSA or TASFA, but you may be eligible for scholarships and private loans.

  • U.S. Citizen
  • Permanent U.S. resident with an Alien Registration Card (I-551)
  • Conditional permanent U.S. resident with visa type I-551C
  • Citizens of the Freely Associated States: the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands

  • Eligible non-citizen with an Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) showing one of the following:
    • Refugee
    • Asylum granted
    • Parolee (for a minimum of one year)
    • Cuban-Haitian entrant

  • Your Social Security number (it’s important that you enter it correctly on the FAFSA!)
  • Your parents Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student
  • Your driver’s license number if you have one
  • Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. citizen
  • Federal tax information or tax returns including IRS W-2 information for you (and your spouse, if you are married), and for your parents if you are a dependent student IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ
  • Foreign tax return
  • Tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia or Palau
  • Records of your untaxed income such as child support received, interest income, and veteran’s non-education benefits, for you, and for your parents, if you are a dependent student
  • Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate but not including the home in which you live; and business and farm assets for you, and for your parents if you are a dependent student.

  • When you are ready to complete your FAFSA, select “Filling Out a FAFSA” in Section 2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  • You may also obtain a paper version of the FAFSA from your high school counselor or from the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office. Please note that the paper FAFSA can take 3-5 weeks to be sent to East Texas A&M.
  • How to Fill out the FAFSA video

  • If you or your parent has completed your taxes for the appropriate FAFSA year, you may be able to upload the required income information directly from your or your parents IRS tax return to your FAFSA. This step is highly encouraged because it can assist you in processing your FAFSA faster.
  • IRS Data Retrieval Tool

  • You’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) Information Acknowledgment in the mail about 2 weeks after submitting your online FAFSA. If you provided a valid email address, you’ll receive an email with a link to your SAR information on the web within 5 days.
  • To check the status of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), click Log In on the FAFSA on the Web home page to log in; your FAFSA status can be found on the “My FAFSA” page, which displays immediately after you log in if you have already started or completed a FAFSA.

  • When you receive your SAR, read the comments section and review. If you find any errors correct them. Remember: If you are a dependent student, your parents must sign the correction also.
  • After the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office receives your FAFSA, you will be sent an email to your university email account on myLEO. You will then be required to log on to your myLEO account to complete any other requirements before you are awarded financial aid. Complete any outstanding requirements as soon as possible otherwise your financial aid will be delayed and you will not be awarded in a timely manner.

*Applications for assistance cannot be fully considered until all of the required application forms are received by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office and the applicant is fully admitted as a regular degree-seeking student. Contact the Admissions Office for admission information. East Texas A&M officially corresponds with students through their assigned East Texas A&M email account myLEO.

Important Dates

The application period begins on October 1 of each year for the following academic year. You should complete the FAFSA or TASFA as soon as possible for each academic year so put it on your calendar!

Application Priority Deadlines

To receive the best possible combination of financial assistance, an applicant should submit all required application forms to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office by the priority deadline dates listed below. Applications received after these deadline dates are awarded based on funds available.

Fall/SpringJanuary 15th
Spring OnlyNovember 15th
SummerApril 15th

Deadline for 2021-2022 FAFSA or TASFA

Financial aid applications for the 2021-2022 year need to be received in the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office by June 30, 2022. Due to the various processes required, applications will not be accepted after June 30, 2022.

In 2001, the Texas Legislature passed legislation allowing certain categories of foreign students to meet state requirements for residency. This classification enables these students to pay resident tuition and fee rates while attending public institutions of higher education in Texas. The classification also allows these students to meet residency requirements for some state financial aid programs.

  • Students who are not able to complete the FAFSA due to their immigration status may be able to file the TASFA.
  • Classified as a Texas resident
  • Eligible to pay the Texas in-state tuition rate, not due to waivers such as an in-state scholarship or an assistantship

To receive this classification, you must be able to meet one of the three criteria below:

  • You must hold a visa that enables you to domicile in the United States. You (or your parent(s) if you are a dependent) must be gainfully employed in Texas for at least 12 months.
  • You (regardless of INS status) have petitioned for permanent residency status (have filed an I-130 or I-140).
  • You have resided in Texas for three years leading up to graduation from high school or the receipt of a GED certificate, living at least part of that time with a parent or court-appointed legal guardian. You have not established a residence in another state or location and have not taken ANY college hours prior to fall 2001 that required admission to an institution of higher education (this includes hours taken through dual enrollment while attending high school).

If you qualify for resident status based on one of the three criteria listed, you are eligible to apply for state aid. Please complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid.

  • It is extremely important to understand the questions on the TAFSA, especially in reference to dependency status.
  • For more information on your dependency status, please refer to the TASFA Notes for the appropriate year under Step 4 – Fill Out the Online Form below.

For 2022-2023 TASFA, you will need to gather the following:

  1. Parent's 2020 Tax Return Transcript (for Dependent students only).
  2. Parent's 2020 W-2 forms (for Dependent students only).
  3. Student's 2020 Tax Return Transcript (if student worked and filed taxes for the 2019 year).
  4. Student's 2020 W-2 forms (and spouse, if married).

For 2023-2024 TASFA, you will need to gather the following:

  1. Parent's 2021 Tax Return Transcript (for Dependent students only).
  2. If unable to attach Parent’s Tax Return transcript, please attach Parent's 2021 W-2 forms (for Dependent students only).
  3. Student's 2021 Tax Return Transcript (if student worked and filed taxes for the 2021 year).
  4. If unable to attach Student's Tax Return Transcript, please attach Student's 2021 W-2 forms (and spouse, if married).
  5. Student's Selective Service Registration Acknowledgement Card (students born male only).
  6. TASFA Signature Page signed in ink. If you are a Dependent student, it will need to be signed by Student AND Parent.”

  • Click below to submit your TASFA and required documents
  • Allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
TASFA 2022-2023 NOTES
Submit 2022-2023 TASFA
TASFA 2023-2024 NOTES
SUBMIT 2023-2024 TASFA
TASFA Signature Page

  • After the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships receives your TAFSA, you will be contacted via LeoMail (through your myLEO account) if any additional information is needed.
  • Complete any outstanding requirements as soon as possible otherwise your financial aid will be delayed and you will not be awarded in a timely manner.

*Applications for assistance cannot be fully considered until all of the application forms are received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the applicant is fully admitted as a regular degree-seeking student. Contact the Admissions Office for admission information. East Texas A&M officially corresponds with students through their assigned East Texas A&M email account within their myLEO.

Important Dates

The application period begins on October 1 of each year for the following academic year. You should complete the FAFSA or TASFA as soon as possible for each academic year. Mark it on your calendar as a reminder.

Application Priority Deadlines

To receive the best possible combination of financial assistance, an applicant should submit all required application forms to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by the priority deadline dates listed below. Applications received after these deadline dates are awarded based on funds available.

Fall/SpringJanuary 15
Spring OnlyNovember 15
SummerApril 15

Deadline for 2022-2023 FAFSA

Financial aid applications for the 2022-2023 year need to be received in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by June 30, 2023.

Deadline for 2023-2024 FAFSA

Financial aid applications for the 2023-2024 year need to be received in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by June 30, 2024.

Graduate: Financial Aid :: Awarding Financial Aid copied

Awarding Financial Aid

We make every effort to meet your financial need through a combination of aid programs. Awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited funds are available, and they will be based on:

  • The financial need of the applicant
  • The limitations imposed by the various financial aid programs
  • The availability of funding

  • An award notice will be sent to you, the applicant, through your myLEO email account. The notice will indicate the types and amounts of aid offered.
  • You must review your award notification in myLEO and accept or decline all the financial assistance offered to you.

Your total calculated need will likely not be met with gift-aid (grants and scholarships). In order to meet as much of the documented need as possible, you may apply for self-help programs (loans or employment). If, after the aid package has been awarded, it is determined that an additional resource(s), such as outside scholarship(s) and/or third-party payments are available to help meet the cost of attendance, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will:

  • Recalculate your (the applicant’s) eligibility to include the additional resource(s).
  • Adjust your award to prevent an over-award situation. Adjustments may include canceling or decreasing previously awarded aid.
  • Send a revised email to you indicating any revisions made to the aid package.

Based on current laws and regulations overseeing federal and state financial aid programs, eligible disbursements can be credited to university student accounts no more than 10 days prior to the first day of classes. Courses taken in sub-terms within the traditional fall/spring semester may have different release dates based on the earliest start date of coursework. In addition, specific online programs have different release dates due to the length of the terms.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships authorizes eligible disbursements to student accounts beginning at 5 p.m. on release days. These dates are subject to change should federal and/or state laws and regulations change.

For information about financial aid refunds, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at 903.886.5050 or 903.886.5501. You can also email Student Accounts, visit their website or visit the refunds webpage.

  • Courses taken by audit
  • Credit hours earned by placement exams
  • Non-credit coursework
  • Transient and transfer students attending for only one term
  • Non-degree students who will not seek a degree from East Texas A&M
  • Course(s) being repeated where a passing grade was earned and are accepted towards the degree
  • Course(s) where a passing grade was earned and the course(s) is being repeated for the sole purpose of improving the GPA
  • A course where a passing grade was earned and the course is being repeated in combination with another course for purposes of receiving financial aid
  • Course(s) taken outside of a student’s degree program and not required for graduation

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Graduate: Financial Aid :: How to Accept Your Financial Aid Award copied

How to Accept Your Financial Aid Award

These will be the steps you will follow to accept your financial aid.

Log in to your MyLEO. Select the “Student Resources” tab and scroll to the bottom of the menu to click on the link titled “Your Financial Aid.” This opens your personalized financial aid homepage. Be sure to select the appropriate award year.

Select the “Award Offer” tab to accept or deny any offered financial aid by using each drop-down box. Please keep in mind, if aid is awarded for fall and spring, the amount awarded will be split between the terms, whether or not you modify the award.

Click on the submit button on the bottom right of the “Award Offer” page.

Acknowledge the terms and conditions, if prompted, and click “Accept Award” to confirm your decisions.

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Graduate: Financial Aid :: Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress copied

Standards of Academic Progress

MAINTAINING YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Stay on track; keep your financial aid intact! To remain eligible for financial aid, you will need to meet the government’s standards for academic progress.

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, mandates institutions of higher education to establish a minimum standard of satisfactory academic progress for students who receive financial aid. These standards shall apply to all students who receive financial aid, unless the terms of a particular grant provide otherwise. These provisions apply to students who, at any point in their educational career, apply for financial aid.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will review each financial aid recipient for overall academic progress as well as end of term progress (fall/spring/summer II). All terms will be reviewed, including those for which financial aid was not requested.

Student records will be reviewed to ensure that the following criteria are met:

  • Qualitative progress: Both institutional cumulative and semester/term GPA requirements are met.
  • Quantitative progress: The required number of credit hours are completed each semester/term and, overall, the student has not exceeded the maximum number of credit hours allowed to complete degree (see below).

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

Students must maintain both institutional cumulative and term GPA standards.

Student classificationGPA required
Undergraduate students 2.0
Graduate students3.0

Hours Requirement

In general, to be eligible for financial aid in any semester/term:

  • Undergraduate* and graduate students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours
    • *Federal Pell Grant eligible undergraduate students may receive a minimum Federal Pell Grant for enrollment of less than six credit hours.
  • All students must complete a minimum of 67% of the number of credit hours they attempted in a semester/term and overall (including transfer work).
    • Calculation: Hours completed divided by hours attempted x 100
    • Example: Student attempted 12 hours but withdrew from a three-hour class, completing only nine hours (9 hrs/12 hrs x 100 = 75%).

Undergraduate students

The number of credit hours a student attempts may not exceed 150% of the number of credit hours required for graduation in his or her program of study, as published in the university catalog. If the published number of hours required for graduation is 120, a student may not attempt more than 180 credit hours (120 x 150% = 180) and continue to receive financial aid. All periods of enrollment are considered, including those where the student did not receive financial aid as well as hours transferred from another school. If the number of attempted hours reaches 150% of the hours required for graduation, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid.

Students will be limited to the following number of attempted hours to complete their degree or certification program:

Degree or programAttempted hours
Undergraduate degree180
Second undergraduate degree45
Teacher certification45

Graduate students

To coincide with East Texas A&M’s Graduate School policy, graduate students pursuing a master’s degree must complete their degree program within six (6) years from the time they are admitted to their respective master’s program. Graduate students pursuing a doctoral program must complete their degree program within ten (10) years from the time they are admitted to their respective doctoral program. All periods of enrollment are considered, including those where the student did not receive financial aid as well as hours transferred from another school. Once the maximum time frame has been reached, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid.

Graduate students who have been placed on a financial aid suspension for the 150 rule but have not reached their maximum year limit are advised to email [email protected] to request a manual Satisfactory Academic Progress review. This will allow the financial aid office to verify the students account information and remove the notification, if applicable.

In order to receive financial aid, you are required to successfully complete 67% of the classes attempted each semester and cumulatively.

Example: You’ve registered for 15 hours at the beginning of the semester but dropped a 3 hour class and received an F in another 3 hour class. Therefore, you’ve attempted 15 hours and completed 9 hours resulting in a completion rate of 60% (9/15 = .60).

Example: You’ve transferred from another school with 30 attempted hours but only completed 25 hours. You then attempt 15 hours at East Texas A&M but only complete 3 hours. Therefore, you have a total of 45 attempted hours and 28 completed hours resulting in a completion rate of 62% (after rounding – 28/45 = .6222).

NOTE: Summer terms (Summer I & Summer II) are considered one entire semester. Therefore, if you take 3 hours in each term, you attempted a total of 6 hours for the Summer terms.

The first time you fail to meet financial aid SAP standards, you will be placed on financial aid warning status. A notification will be sent to you via myLeo email. You will be eligible for financial aid while in a warning status; however, you must make satisfactory academic progress during the semester/term to remain eligible for financial aid.

In the event, you do not meet the requirements for SAP while on financial aid warning status, you will be placed on financial aid suspension. Notification will be sent to you via myLeo email. You will not be eligible for any type of federal, state or institutional aid while in suspension status.

Note: If you completely withdraw from all courses in a semester/term or receive all Fs for a semester/term, your aid will be canceled for any future aid periods. Students will automatically be on financial aid suspension.

If you have successfully appealed your financial aid suspension, you will regain aid eligibility for one semester/term under financial aid probation. While on financial aid probation, you must meet satisfactory academic progress/educational plan requirements during your probationary semester/term to regain eligibility for future semesters.

Attempted hours include all registered hours per semester whether or not the student earns a grade or receives credit.

The following are considered hours attempted, but not completed:

  • F grades for undergraduate students
  • D or F grades for graduate students
  • W or withdrawal from courses for all students
  • Q dropped course(s), but still enrolled for all students
  • I, incomplete, ip, in progress, or x incomplete grades for all students
  • U unsatisfactory grades for all students
  • All transfer hours attempted, but not completed for all students

The following are considered completed hours and include all semester hours for which the student earns a grade:

  • A through D grades for undergraduate students
  • A through C grades for graduate students
  • S satisfactory grades for all students
  • All transfer hours completed for all students

Financial assistance is usually not provided for repeated coursework. However, if a higher grade for a particular course is required for that course to be accepted to the student’s official program of study, financial assistance can be provided on an individual basis.

Certain courses, in the school of music and the department of art, though they appear to be repeat courses are not repeated courses. The course needs to be taken several semesters in order to obtain the necessary credit hours within the course.

Are you a student receiving financial aid and considering dropping a class or completely withdrawing? Below are just a few things you should know before you withdraw.

All students must successfully complete minimum credit hour and minimum GPA requirements in order to receive financial aid funds each semester. Failure to do so can endanger your ability to receive financial aid for future semesters.

More information about Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Return of Financial Aid Funds: You may be required to repay a portion of the aid you’ve received, causing you to owe a balance to the university.

Outstanding Student Account Balance: Monitor your student account balance before and after you withdraw. You are responsible for any account balances. Outstanding balances can prevent you from registering, receiving an official transcript, plus much more.

Several types of financial aid, such as Federal Pell Grant and Direct Student Loans, have limitations regarding the amount of funds you can receive in your lifetime. Once they are used, you cannot get those funds back; therefore, the longer you delay, the more you pay for your education.

Students who are no longer enrolled at least half-time will be required to begin repaying their student loans after their six-month grace period has ended. In addition, exit loan counseling will be required. It is important that students always know their student loan history. This information is always available at www.studentaid.gov for every loan at any institution attended.

For more information, contact your college financial aid advisor.

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Graduate: Financial Aid :: Financial Aid Consequences for Drop copied

If you are considering dropping a class, you need to know how this can affect your financial aid and much more.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

If you do not meet SAP standards, you will lose your financial aid eligibility. Students are required to successfully complete 67% of the classes they attempt along with the minimum GPA requirement for your classification. For more details see Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Return of Financial Aid Funds

Students that drop a class on or before the census day of the semester may no longer be eligible for all the financial aid they originally received. Several awards such as the Federal Pell Grant and Direct Loans have enrollment requirements in order to receive them. The Financial Aid Office will adjust your award accordingly and any funds that have been disbursed will result in a balance owed to East Texas A&M.

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Graduate: Financial Aid :: Appeal Information & Forms copied

Appeals

Priority Appeal

  • Summer 2023 – June 2, 2023
  • Fall 2023 – August 14, 2023

Final Appeal

  • Summer 2023 – July 7, 2023
  • Fall 2023 – October 20, 2023

Submitting an appeal prior to the final deadline does not guarantee approval of the appeal for the intended term. When on financial aid suspension and pursuing an appeal you must plan to make alternative payment arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts while the appeal is under review. Although the intent of the committee is to review appeals in 2-3 weeks after an appeal is submitted, the process may take longer, depending on the volume of appeals received. Appeal decisions may take up to 3-4 weeks for processing from the date you submit the appeal. It is your responsibility to submit the appeal with supporting documentation. If documentation is incomplete, the appeal will be rejected and a new appeal must be submitted with supporting documentation.

If eligibility for financial aid has been suspended, you may appeal the decision with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if extenuating circumstance(s) led to your unsatisfactory progress. Extenuating circumstances consist of but are not limited to personal illness, medical problems and death in the family. Documentation is required to substantiate the extenuating circumstance(s).

An appeal consists of the appropriate appeal form and supporting documentation. You will complete the appeal form based on the reason you were placed on financial aid suspension. Please review the appeal form for examples of appropriate supporting documentation. Note that all appeals require an educational plan, regardless of your academic history. Please refer to the educational plan section below for more details.

Appeals are reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee and decisions are sent to you in writing via your myLEO email. You must use your myLEO email address when completing the form.

If you are not satisfied with the decision sent by the Financial Aid Committee, the final option for you is to appeal to the University Financial Aid Appeals Committee. You must request this by completing a new appeal form. You must indicate on the form that you wish to have your appeal reviewed by the University Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Only one appeal for each classification will be eligible for review by the University Committee. The decision of the University Financial Aid Appeals Committee is final and cannot be overturned. The University Financial Aid Appeals Committee will notify the Financial Aid Committee of the decision. The Financial Aid Committee will notify you of the committee’s decision in writing via your myLEO email. You must use your myLEO email address when completing the form.

There is one appeal form for all suspension types (not to include scholarship or athletic appeals).

NOTE: If you are on suspension for GPA, completion and/or maximum time frame you must select both reasons in the appeal form.

Summer Appeal Form | Spring Appeal Form | Fall Appeal Form
Use these forms if you are on financial aid suspension for GPA and/or Completion Hours and/or All F’s and/or Maximum Time Frame.

You are on a suspension for one or more of the following reasons:

GPA: you did not earn a minimum semester/term and institutional GPA required for your classification (2.0 undergraduate or 3.0 graduate and doctoral)

Completion of Hours: you did not Complete a minimum of 67% of your attempted credit hours for the semester/term and overall (including transfer work).

All F’s– you received all F’s in a semester/term.

Maximum Time Frame– you exceeded 150% of the allowable credit for your degree program.

All appeals will require an educational plan to be completed by your academic advisor. Once you submit the form, they will be notified electronically that their portion of the form is ready to be completed. See more in the Educational Plan Basics section below.

Athletic Scholarship Appeal
Use this form if you are in receipt of an athletic scholarship and are appealing for the prior term.

Scholarship Appeal
Use this form if you are in receipt of a university scholarship and are appealing for the prior term.

Educational plans outline student expectations and the time frame needed to return to meeting standards of progress. The student will agree to the conditions of the educational plan. Should the student not agree to the plan, the student will forfeit future financial aid. The student will need to reinstate their financial aid through the reinstatement process.

  • Students who complete a semester with all F’s and submit the “Financial Aid Standards of Progress: All F’s Appeal Request” form will be placed on an educational plan immediately following the semester of all Fs.
  • Students who complete the “Financial Aid Standards of Progress: Appeal Request for GPA and/or Completion Hours” form may be placed on an educational plan depending on the academic history review.
  • If, during the academic history review, it is found the student can meet financial aid standards of progress within the next semester, the student will be placed on probation without the need for an educational plan.
  • If, in the next semester of enrollment while on probation, the student again does not meet financial aid minimum standards of progress, the student will be required to meet with a representative of the academic advising center and establish an educational plan.
  • Note: A student placed on an educational plan must follow that plan for the duration outlined on the plan. Should a student not be able to meet the conditions of that plan, the student will be allowed only one additional appeal to modify the plan. When a modification to an educational plan is complete and the student is not be able to meet the conditions of the modified plan, the student will forfeit future financial aid.

Request for Financial Aid Reinstatement

After a financial aid suspension, if a student chooses not to submit an appeal or if a student has lost all appeal options, a student can reinstate their financial aid for a subsequent term. To reinstate financial aid, a student must:

  • enroll at least half time (6 credit hours) in East Texas A&M courses within your degree program and pay the expenses related to that enrollment for one semester at East Texas A&M. For example, payments can include those from individual checking/savings accounts, credit cards and/or a private education loan. University funds are not eligible forms of payment for re-instatement.
  • complete at least 67% of attempted hours for the semester.
  • obtain the appropriate end-of-term and institutional cumulative GPA (undergraduate minimum is 2.0; graduate minimum is 3.0).

A student who successfully meets the requirements for reinstatement and all other conditions regarding financial aid standards of progress will be placed on financial aid probation and will be eligible to apply for financial aid. After a student has met all conditions of financial aid standards of progress for two consecutive terms, the student will be back in good standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have no more appeals left, what are my options?

I have no more appeals left; what are my options?

Students who have exhausted all available financial aid appeals have the following options:

  • Reinstatement of financial aid through the reinstatement process. This process requires the following to occur: Register for a minimum of 6 credit hours in the semester; pay out of pocket for tuition and fees for the registration; complete all courses attempted with the minimum end-of-term GPA (undergrad requires no less than a 2.0 GPA; grad requires no less than a 3.0 GPA). Once all the steps are complete, students will need to submit a Request for Financial Aid Reinstatement Form.
  • Private education loans programs. These types of educational loans are available from lenders and agencies outside the university. These programs are based on the credit worthiness of the borrower and may require a co-signer. The terms and conditions and repayment plans of these loans vary from program to program. Our office works with all programs and we do not endorse any one particular program. Further information can be found on our web site at Private Education Loans.
  • Tuition loan and installment plans. These are available through the Office of Student Accounts. Both programs are short term in nature as full repayment is required in the semester for which the tuition loan (short-term loans) or installment plan are utilized. The installment plan can be initiated through LeoPay in your myLEO student portal (Summer terms may not be eligible for tuition loans and installment plans. Contact the Office of Student Accounts for more information).

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This is my second appeal, what do I do?

A second financial aid appeal (non-scholarship) requires you to submit another appeal form/educational plan, completed by your academic advisor, as well as supporting documentation. Supporting documentation must confirm the statements made in the appeal form.

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How long is the appeal process?

Appeals reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships may take 2-3 weeks to process from the date of receipt (3-4 weeks during peak periods). Appeals with the University Financial Aid Appeals Committee have no set time frame as these are reviewed outside of our office by campus partners. You will need to make alternate payment arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts while your appeal is under review to avoid being dropped for nonpayment.

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What is the university appeals committee process, in general?

If you do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for the first time you will be placed on financial aid warning for the following semester. If you continue to fail to meet the minimum SAP standards, you will be placed on financial aid suspension. You must then appeal with the financial aid office to regain eligibility.

If you make all F’s in a semester you will be automatically placed on financial aid suspension with no warning. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the end of each semester/term. To appeal, you must submit the following documentation to our office for review by the University Financial Aid Appeals Committee: The appropriate appeal form/educational plan, completed by your academic advisor, and supporting documentation. Once a decision has been made, your account is updated and you will be notified by university email of the changes made to your account. For further details and instructions, review the Appeals Process section of the East Texas A&M website.

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Graduate: Financial Aid :: Veterans and Military Services – Benefits Information copied

Veterans and Military Services

Your GI Bill benefits will go further at East Texas A&M. With some of the lowest tuition rates in the state, we make it easier for our veterans to earn a college degree.

East Texas A&M, with the support and cooperation of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Texas Veterans Commission, is proud of and dedicated to serving veterans and their dependents in their pursuit of higher learning. Find out how to make the most of your military training and benefits as you convert that experience into a highly valued education that will enable you to succeed in the marketplace.

Visit Veterans and Military Services for more information.

Applications for benefits for new veterans and their dependents can be made online directly to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA will mail a Certificate of Eligibility showing eligible benefits.

Veterans will upload the COE and DD 214 to the Request for Certification form.

Dependents will upload the COE to the Request for Certification form.

Transfer students utilizing CH.33 Post 9/11 will need to complete VA Form 22-1995 to inform the VA of the change in place of learning.

Transfer students utilizing CH.35 will need to complete VA form 22-5495 to inform the VA of the change in place of learning.

Every semester a Request for Certification (PDF) form for all students receiving a GI Bill must be submitted to receive benefits.

HE-V Application for Veterans

HE-D Application for Dependents

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Forms

Instead of using email, please use the Secure Upload Tool to submit your forms and documents.

General Special Circumstance Verification

Please use the correct form below if your financial or family status has changed since you completed your 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 FAFSA.

Graduate: Financial Aid :: Financial Advisor Contact copied

Meet Our Staff

Ladosia Arize Associate Director
Kathy Hall Financial Aid Advisor II
Alum Jenise Huggett Financial Aid Business Analyst
Jonathan Jordan Associate Director of Financial Aid
O’shuan Lewis-Phillips Financial Aid Advisor II
Crystal Lindley Associate Director
Alum Dillon Russell Assistant Director
Alum Nathan Shankle Financial Aid Advisor II
Carla Taylor Financial Aid Advisor I
Alum Renee Walker Director of Financial Aid
Christina Yoakum Assistant Director

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