Texas A&M International University has one of the lowest student debt figures in the United States. According to a study by LendEDU, a marketplace for student loans, student loan refinancing, credit cards, and small business loans, only 74% of TAMIU students graduate with student loan debt.
“I think that this is a testament to the effort that we are making as a university to inform parents and students about financial aid every year,” said Laura Elizondo, director of financial aid.
TAMIU financial aid presentations inform students and families about financial aid opportunities, Elizondo explained.
“We visit local high schools and educate parents about federal and state money at our FAFSA workshops, help students fill out their financial aid applications,” she said.
“We also make presentations about the responsibilities involved when borrowing money for college and the fact that they are graduating with some of the lowest average student loan debt tells us that they are heeding our advice about the importance of borrowing conservatively,” she noted.
During the 2016-2017 school year, TAMIU students received a total of $62 million in assistance in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study employment, Elizondo said.
Federal Pell Grants are the most significant source of financial aid, Elizondo said, adding that 67 percent of students in 2016-2017 received those grants. Funding from the state is the second-largest financial aid program.
TAMIU offers one of the lowest tuitions in the region and state while providing students with ample financial aid opportunities, Elizondo said.
“For example, during the 2016-2017 school year, tuition for a 15-hour semester was $4,223 and $8,446 for a complete year,” she said.
Elizondo stressed the importance of applying for financial aid early.
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