Grants

Federal Pell Grants are awarded based on your financial need, the cost of attendance at your school, and other criteria.

To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year using TSTC’s Title IV School Code, 003634. After submission, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), which includes your Student Aid Index (SAI) and indicates your eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant (for first-time undergraduate students). Your FSS information is sent to TSTC electronically. 

The FAFSA is a tool used to assess your family’s ability to contribute to your college costs. It calculates a Student Aid Index (SAI) using a standardized federal formula based on student and parent income and assets. Financial need is determined by subtracting the SAI from the cost of attending TSTC for one year. 

The best way to apply for federal financial aid is to complete the FAFSA online.  Students should begin filing the FAFSA the year before attending TSTC (senior year- for those coming directly from high school). Typically, the FAFSA should be available on October 1st.   

You may be required to turn in additional documentation to your Enrollment Coach before you can receive your financial aid offer.

Before applying for the FAFSA, please review the items you need to complete the application.

Two tax credits that college students should study up on.

The maximum scheduled Pell Grant award for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 award year is $7,395 for full-time students.

The maximum amount can change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount you get will depend on your:

• Financial need
• Costs to attend school. Please see tuition page.
• Status as a full-time or part-time student
• Plans to attend school for a full academic year or less

Key concepts and definitions

Annual grant limits are tied to the completion of an academic year. TSTC’s definition of an academic year is 30 weeks, during which we expect a full-time student to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours.

Students are awarded 50% of their scheduled Federal Pell award each semester.

Beginning with Summer 2018, Pell grant-eligible students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Pell award each year. You may receive a Federal Pell Grant for up to twelve full-time semesters or six years.

To check your Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU), log in to your account on the StudentAid.gov website using your FSA ID and password, then navigate to the “My Aid” section to view your percentage. The Department of Education limits total Pell Grant usage to 600% (roughly six years of funding).

Pell grant funds will only be awarded for courses:

• That are in your degree plan.
• For which you have registered.
• In which you have participated before the census date for that class.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 states that the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is for undergraduate students who are not Pell Grant eligible, whose parent/guardian died in the line of duty in Iraq/Afghanistan after 9/11/2001 may be eligible for additional Pell grant funds. Contact financial aid at 844-341-5841 for more information.