Program Information
Scholarships
COM Foundation Scholarships
Foundation scholarships are awarded yearly to help students pay for tuition and textbooks. By filling out one application per year, students will be considered for all scholarships for which they qualify, including those with special selection criteria. Only one foundation scholarship will be awarded to any student. Most foundation scholarships are $500 per fall and spring semesters. Summer scholarships are also available, and no additional application is necessary.
Donor-Designated Scholarships
Donor-designated scholarships are for a specific student from mostly non-governmental sources. These scholarships are not typically tax-deductible for the donor. The scholarships do not need to be paid back by the student. Some scholarships may be refunded to the student for living expenses while others may not. The donor of the scholarship determines whether the scholarship may be refundable.
Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are offered each year through COM departments and generally based on student performance, merit, skill and ability. Specific information and application requirements may be obtained by contacting the particular department of the scholarship in which the student is interested.
- Division of Business. Based on academic merit and awarded to business majors. Provides tuition, fees and books for one academic year. Selection by business faculty on basis of grades, hours carried and a brief essay. Apply to the Business Team.
- Fine Arts Scholarship. Apply to the Fine Arts Department. Instrumental, theater and vocal scholarships are available.
- Texas Nurses Association, District #29. Apply to the College of the Mainland Nursing Department.
Be Careful!
As you explore every possible scholarship opportunity, please be aware that there are scholarship scams in existence. Claims to be on the lookout for are:
- The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.
- You can't get this information anywhere else.
- I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.
- We'll do all the work.
- The scholarship will cost some money.
- You've been selected by a "national foundation" to receive a scholarship or "you're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.
If you have been contacted by one of these scholarship scams or having fallen victim to one, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or visit www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.
Grants
Federal Pell Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program designed to help the neediest undergraduate pre-baccalaureate students continue their education. All students applying for financial assistance through COM must apply for a federal Pell Grant. Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and satisfactory academic progress. Applications and additional information are available in the Student Financial Services Office and in the counseling offices of most high schools. You must submit the FAFSA online.
After completing the FASFA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or an email from the Department of Education. The student should immediately review the information, make sure it is accurate and correct if necessary. The exact amount of the Federal Pell Grant award will depend upon the expected family contribution (EFC) as listed on the Student Aid Report, the Cost of Attendance (COA) and the number of hours for which the student enrolls.
Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal FSEOG program provides assistance for eligible undergraduate students who show greatest financial need, are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and are making satisfactory progress toward their educational goal. The actual amount of the grant will vary depending on the availability of funds at the school, the student's family financial situation, other financial aid the student is receiving and the number of hours for which the student enrolls.
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
The TPEG program is a state financial aid program to assist students attending state-supported colleges. To be eligible, students must show financial need and be making satisfactory progress toward their educational goal. The actual amount of the grant will vary depending on the availability of funds at the school, the student's family financial condition and other financial aid the student is receiving.
Valedictorians of Each Accredited Texas High School
Valedictorians are exempted from tuition during first two regular semesters following high school graduation.
Persons Employed as Firefighters
Allows eligible persons to enroll in courses offered as a part of a fire science curriculum while being exempted from the payment of tuition and lab fees.
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program (formerly TEXAS Grant II) (TEOG)
This is a need-based grant funded by the state of Texas, and to qualify, a student must be a Texas resident, in the first 30 hours of an associate degree or certificate program and enrolled at least half-time (6 hours), demonstrate financial need, have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance and register for the Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement.
To be eligible to receive a renewal grant, at the end of the first year, students must meet the school's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. At the end of the second year, the student must complete at least 75 percent of the hours attempted in the prior academic year and have an overall college grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Priority Deadlines
- Fall—Aug.1
- Spring—Dec. 1
- Summer—May 1
Students are still encouraged to apply if the priority deadline has passed.
Check with the Student Financial Services Office for application availability.
For more information, please contact the Student Financial Services Office at 409-933-8274 or 409-933-8650.
Carl D. Perkins Grant
Students who need childcare assistance may consider applying for the Carl D. Perkins Child Care Grant.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Be enrolled in a career and technical certificate or degree program with an active degree plan
- Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours on campus (face-to-face classes). Developmental courses are ineligible.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA
Apply for Carl D. Perkins Grant
For more information contact:
Carmen Franco
Financial Aid Generalist
Student Financial Services and Veteran's Affairs
Location: Doyle Family Admin. Building, Suite 112
409-933-8655
cfranco@com.edu
State Financial Aid (TASFA)
TASFA, Texas Application for State Financial Aid is a paper application to determine aid eligibility. Students who submit TASFA are not eligible for federal financial aid programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study Program, or Federal Direct Loans.
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must meet all the requirements below:
- DACA and/or non-citizens who are residents of Texas.
- Reside in Texas for 12 months prior to enrollment in a higher education institution.
- Graduate from a Texas High School or obtain a GED in Texas.
- Have lived in Texas for 36 months prior to high school graduation.
Submitting the TASFA
- Print TASFA form
- Submit Additional Documentation:
- Tax transcript & w2s - parents & students (if applicable) or signed document if they
did not file taxes.
- Request the tax transcript:
- Online: http://irs.gov/transcript
- Call: 1-800-908-9946
- Request the tax transcript:
- Selective Service card (male only).
- Go to https://www.sss.gov/ to register.
- Obtain selective service registration card and mail it to:
Selective Service System
Registration Information Office
P.O. Box 94739
Palatine, IL 60094-4739
- Tax transcript & w2s - parents & students (if applicable) or signed document if they
did not file taxes.
Applications can be submitted by emailing cfranco@com.edu or in-person at the Doyle Family Admin Building, Suite 112.
For More Information, Contact:
Carmen Franco
Financial Aid Generalist
Student Financial Services and Veteran's Affairs
Location: Doyle Family Admin. Building, Suite 112
409-933-8655
cfranco@com.edu
Work-Study
Federal College Work-Study
The Federal College Work-Study program is designed to assist students with jobs. To be eligible, students must demonstrate financial need and be making satisfactory progress toward their educational goal. Students will generally work up to 15 hours per week, and the award amount is determined by the number of hours for which the student enrolls.
Student Assistant Program
The Student Assistant Program is designed to assist students with jobs who do not qualify for the need-based work-study programs. Students in this program generally work up to 15 hours per week and the award amount is determined by the number of hours for which the student enrolls.
View currently available work-study positions »
More information on the Work-Study Program at COM »
Federal Direct Loan Program
College of the Mainland participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. This loan program allows students and the parents of dependent students to borrow funds directly from the federal government to help meet the financial costs of a college education.
For more information and a request form, download and print the documents below.
Entrance Interview Requirements
All students who are applying for funds from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program must complete the online master promissory note (MPN) each academic year and complete entrance counseling (online and on-campus) before any loan proceeds will be issued. Click on the link above to complete the MPN and the online entrance counseling after your Federal Direct Loan has been added to your financial aid award. When you have completed these processes, please call the Student Financial Services Office at 409-933-8274 to schedule your on-campus entrance interview. On-site entrance interviews are held every Friday. The specific time and location will be given to you when you schedule your interview.
Exit Interview Requirements
All Federal Direct Loan recipients must complete an exit interview whenever one of the following events occurs:
- Graduation
- Drop below six hours of attendance after the census date for the term
- Withdraw from all classes (whether official or unofficial)
To complete the required exit interview, please click on the link above. NOTE: You will need your Personal Identification Number (PIN) you use to complete the FASFA to access this site. Once you have completed this online exit interview, please contact the Student Financial Services Offices at 409-933-8274 to let us know that you have completed it.
Alternative Loan Lenders
Alternative Loans: Private loans that a student can apply for to assist with educational expenses or to cover past due balances. These loans are credit based (student's credit history will be evaluated by lender) and may require a credit-worthy cosigner.
Self-Certification Form
For students applying for private education loans, download and print the Applicant Self-Certification form below.
Read the instructions in the form carefully. The Student Financial Services Office will provide you with the information for Section 2: Cost of Attendance and Estimated Financial Assistance. The lender is required to obtain a signed and completed self-certification form before disbursing a private education loan.