San Marcos Bobcat Promise established for SMHS

Posted by Mark Hendricks
University News Service
Dec. 12, 2008
 
Beginning next fall, Texas State University-San Marcos will cover tuition and mandatory fees for new resident freshmen from San Marcos High School whose families have adjusted gross incomes of $35,000 or less.

“We are excited about the San Marcos Bobcat Promise program,” said Mariko Gomez, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Texas State. “It will provide a wonderful opportunity to talented and dedicated students who might not otherwise have the financial capability to attend college.”

The San Marcos Bobcat Promise is part of a broader statewide Bobcat Promise program being implemented by the university that will cover tuition and mandatory fees for new resident freshmen from Texas whose families have adjusted gross incomes of $25,000 or less.

Texas State President Denise M. Trauth said the university was pleased to be able to offer the enhanced opportunity to graduates of San Marcos High School.

“We were able to identify additional financial aid funds that allow us to offer an even more robust program in San Marcos,” she said. “We believe this is another good example of the strong ties that exist between Texas State and the San Marcos community.”
 
To be eligible for the program, students must be Texas residents, be accepted for admission and have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1.

To remain eligible for San Marcos Bobcat Promise, students must complete 30 semester credit hours during each academic year (fall and spring semesters), maintain a cumulative Texas State grade point average of at least 2.0 and continue to have a family adjusted gross income of $35,000 or less. A FAFSA must be completed by April 1 prior to each upcoming academic year. The program applies only to undergraduate study.

Students may qualify for Bobcat Promise for up to eight continuous long semesters (fall and spring). The program will cover the cost of 15 credit hours of tuition and fees – an award in excess of $7,000 per academic year. Those costs will be paid through a combination of federal, state and institutional funds – including grants, scholarships and college work study.

For further information, contact the Texas State Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (512) 245-2315 or visit  www.finaid.txstate.edu/bobcatpromise