New tuition assistance for students
The launch of the new Javelina Promise Program gives hope and assurance to Texas A&M University- Kingsville (TAMUK) students to continue their education without the worry of a financial burden. On Thursday, Jan. 27, TAMUK hosted an event to promote the university’s latest financial assistance program.
In order to be eligible for the Javelina Promise, students must be a Texas resident, submit a FAFSA/TAFSA application, have a total family income of $65,000 or less, maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher, and enroll for at least 12 credits each semester as part of their undergraduate degree plan.
Unlike scholarships, there is no application process to be considered for the promise. Students do not need to reapply each semester.
The university first applies federal and state aid, such as scholarships and grants, to student tuition and fees and any remaining costs not covered by those programs will be covered by TAMUK’s Javelina Promise.
If eligible, students will receive aid for all four years of attendance at the university if they continue to meet the requirements and enroll for at least twelve hours.
This announcement event was open to university leaders, K-12 school district leaders and some community colleges who feed into TAMUK’s transfer program.
“The idea behind the Javelina Promise Program was to look for ways to provide greater access to students. We know that financial barriers often stop students from coming to college and we don’t want that to happen,” Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Darin Hoskisson said.
The university plans to use the financial resources it has to allow students to get the education they need.
“I think they’re moving in the right direction towards assisting all students in obtaining college educations without overwhelming student loans,” freshman psychology major Joseph Hatcher said.
The students the university can help with the new promise are not specified to one group. It is open for all incoming, continuing, transfer and returning students.
“We know our transfer students do really well once they come to school here so to be able to offer this promise to our transfer students is really important. It’s going to be a game changer,” Vice President of Enrollment Services and Student Affairs Dr. Rito Silva said.
The university planned the launch of Javelina Promise several months before the announcement of the event took place.
“We had to make sure that we had the money, make sure that our systems were set up to be able to find students who were eligible, and we had to decide what those eligibility requirements were, so there was a lot of planning that went into this,” Hoskisson said.
As students apply for the university, they will automatically be considered to receive the promise award.
“As long as they meet the eligibility requirements, we will do this for every single student that is eligible,” Hoskisson said.
While other university’s offer similar programs, TAMUK is slightly different.
“I don’t know of another program that only goes to 12 hours. We know that our students have another life outside of the classroom. I think the 12 hours is a very special part of the program,” Silva said.
The university will continue to promote the launch of the new Javelina Promise Program by developing social media campaigns, mailing information using direct mail and e-mail, and having recruiters talk to potential students around the community.
“The very first step was today. We plan to be at school districts, financial aid nights and talking to parents because that’s how we’re going to be able to get the word out. It’s a grassroots effort,” Silva said.
The most important part about the promise is continuing to spread the word by making sure people know about it.
“The real key of the Javelina Promise is that it helps people understand that they can do this. It gives them the assurance that they can do it, that they don’t have to worry about finances, and it gives them that confidence and peace of mind,” Interim University President Dr. James Hallmark said.
The Javelina Promise Program is set to take effect this fall.