Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is a public historically Black university in Prairie View, Texas. Founded in 1876, PVAMU is one of the leading institutions of higher education for African Americans in the United States. The university offers a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.

For many students, the cost of college can be a major obstacle. Prairie View A&M University offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students make college affordable. These programs include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study.
Scholarships
Scholarships are free money that does not have to be repaid. PVAMU offers a variety of scholarships to students based on their academic merit, financial need, and other criteria.
Some of the most popular scholarships at PVAMU include:
- The President’s Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher and an SAT score of 1200 or higher. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and fees for four years.
- The Provost’s Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and an SAT score of 1000 or higher. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition and fees for two years.
- The Dean’s Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher and an SAT score of 900 or higher. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition and fees for one year.
Grants
Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. PVAMU offers a variety of grants to students based on their financial need.
Some of the most popular grants at PVAMU include:
- The Federal Pell Grant: This grant is awarded to students who have a family income of $50,000 or less. The maximum amount of the grant is $6,495 for the 2022-2023 academic year.
- The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This grant is awarded to students who have a family income of $50,000 or less. The maximum amount of the grant is $4,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year.
- The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG): This grant is awarded to students who are residents of Texas and have a family income of $50,000 or less. The maximum amount of the grant is $5,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Loans
Loans are money that must be repaid. PVAMU offers a variety of loans to students who need help paying for college.
Some of the most popular loans at PVAMU include:
- The Federal Direct Stafford Loan: This loan is available to undergraduate and graduate students who have a financial need. The interest rate on the loan is fixed at 4.99% for the 2022-2023 academic year.
- The Federal Direct PLUS Loan: This loan is available to parents of undergraduate students who have a financial need. The interest rate on the loan is fixed at 7.54% for the 2022-2023 academic year.
- The Private Student Loan: This loan is available to students who do not qualify for federal loans. The interest rate on the loan is variable and can be higher than the interest rate on federal loans.
Work-Study
Work-study is a program that allows students to earn money to help pay for college. PVAMU offers a variety of work-study jobs to students who have a financial need.
Some of the most popular work-study jobs at PVAMU include:
- Working in the library: Students can work at the library checking out books, helping patrons find materials, and shelving books.
- Working in the cafeteria: Students can work in the cafeteria serving food, cleaning tables, and washing dishes.
- Working in the bookstore: Students can work in the bookstore selling books, helping customers find books, and processing orders.
To apply for financial aid at Prairie View A&M University, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at fafsa.gov.
The FAFSA asks for information about your family’s income, assets, and expenses. This information is used to determine your financial need.
Once you have completed the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR will show you how much financial aid you are eligible for.
You can use the SAR to compare financial aid offers from different colleges and universities. You can also use the SAR to apply for scholarships and grants.
Here are some tips for getting financial aid at Prairie View A&M University:
- Apply for financial aid early. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive financial aid.
- Complete the FAFSA accurately and completely. Any errors on your FAFSA could delay your financial aid application.
- Follow up with the financial aid office. If you have any questions about your financial aid application, contact the financial aid office.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The financial aid office is there to help you.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for financial aid at Prairie View A&M University:
- Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive financial aid.
- Don’t make any errors on your FAFSA. Any errors on your FAFSA could delay your financial aid application.
- Don’t forget to sign and date your FAFSA. Your FAFSA will not be processed until it is signed and dated.
- Don’t submit your FAFSA to the wrong school. Make sure you submit your FAFSA to Prairie View A&M University.
Pros of financial aid:
- Financial aid can help you make college affordable.
- Financial aid can help you focus on your studies.
- Financial aid can help you graduate from college.
Cons of financial aid:
- Financial aid can be difficult to repay.
- Financial aid can limit your career options.
- Financial aid can delay your retirement.
How much financial aid can I get?
The amount of financial aid you can get depends on your financial need. Your financial need is determined by your family’s income, assets, and expenses.
What are the different types of financial aid?
There are three main types of financial aid: scholarships, grants, and loans. Scholarships and grants do not have to be repaid. Loans must be repaid.
How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid at Prairie View A&M University, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
When is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
The deadline to apply for financial aid at Prairie View A&M University is March 1.
What if I have questions about my financial aid application?
If you have any questions about your financial aid application, contact the financial aid office at Prairie View A&M University.
Financial aid can help you make college affordable. If you are a student who needs financial assistance, I encourage you to apply for financial aid at Prairie View A&M University.
Table 1: Types of Financial Aid
| Type of Financial Aid | Description |
|---|---|
| Scholarships | Free money that does not have to be repaid |
| Grants | Free money that does not have to be repaid |
| Loans | Money that must be repaid |
| Work-study | A program that allows students to earn money to help pay for college |
Table 2: Federal Student Aid Programs
| Program | Eligibility | Maximum Award |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Pell Grant | Students with a family income of $50,000 or less | $6,495 |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) | Students with a family income of $50,000 or less | $4,000 |
| Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) | Students who are residents of Texas and have a family income of $50,000 or less | $5,000 |
Table 3: Federal Student Loan Programs
| Program | Eligibility | Interest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Direct Stafford Loan | Undergraduate and graduate students with a financial need | 4.99% |
| Federal Direct PLUS Loan | Parents of undergraduate students with a financial need | 7.54% |
| Private Student Loan | Students who do not qualify for federal loans | Variable |
Table 4: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Financial Aid
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Waiting until the last minute to apply | Reduced chances of receiving financial aid |
| Making errors on the FAFSA | Delayed financial aid application |
| Forgetting to sign and date the FAFSA | FAFSA will not be processed |
| Submitting the FAFSA to the wrong school | Financial aid |
