Texas A&M University- Commerce is implementing a new program called the Pride Promise Program. Students whose household income is less than $30,000 annually will be eligible for this funding.
Funding for this program is coming straight from The University.
“We want to assist as many students as possible who meet the criteria,” Dolly Lasater, the director of financial aid and scholarships said. “It will give students a guarantee cover of tuition and mandatory fees.”
According to Lasater, qualifications for this program include fifteen hours of enrollment per semester, maintaining a GPA of 2.5 and official admittance to A&M-Commerce. Students also have to be a Texas resident and have completed the FAFSA by April 1 of the previous year in which they are applying.
If a student qualifies for a pell grant, then the Pride Promise Program will pick up what the grant didn’t cover. No numbers have been run yet to see about how many students are expected to participate in the program, but thousands are anticipated.
The program is based on a first come, first serve basis, so the students that turn in their FAFSA earlier will receive a better package.
“I really want to stress the deadline of April 1st, students won’t even be considered for the program if they submit it after this date,” Lasater said.
The University will begin advertisement in the form of ad campaigns, flyers and mass e-mail by fall 2009.
“I really think this is a positive program; it makes college more affordable, it relieves the burden of debt … awesome retention, plus I think it will really impact our enrollment. If anyone has any questions about the FAFSA or anything, we’ve got five financial aid advisors available for assistance,” Lasater said.