• Yes. If you drop a class and are enrolled in less than 12 credit hours, your Falcon Free funds have been disbursed, your grant will be canceled, and you will need to return any funds if you have a balance on your account.

• In order to receive funding for the next academic year, you must meet the minimum. You would need to take classes over the summer to increase your GPA and/or the number of hours completed. An appeal can be submitted with documentation on why you did not meet the requirement. There is no guarantee the appeal will be approved.

• You will need to submit an appeal to Financial Aid to extend your Falcon Free past the 8 semesters. The appeal form is located on the financial aid forms page. Complete the form and provide any documentation such as a degree plan. You will be notified by email after your appeal is reviewed.

• No. In general, new Falcon Free funds are awarded and exhausted in the Fall semester. There may be some exceptions, but funds cannot be guaranteed. There are additional grants and scholarships available for students. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information. 

• No. Falcon Free is not available in the summer; however, the university does offer grants and scholarships during the summer to students. The funding is limited, so ensure to complete your expected enrollment ASAP. We use this as a notification that a student will be attending in the summer to award students.

• Developmental education courses are covered but may extend the number of hours you need to graduate.

• All undergraduate students working on their first Bachelor's degree are potentially eligible for Falcon Free as long as they meet the requirements. Incoming freshman, transfer, and continuing students all have the same requirements.

• Yes, students must qualify for the program every year. It is an annual program. The priority for funding will begin with students who are continuing in the program. If funds are available, students that newly qualify can be awarded.

• Withdrawing from a class will not affect your Falcon Free funding for the semester, but it could impact your future funding.

• If the total of your awards for grants and scholarships on your award letter are at least $10,000 you have received Falcon Free. Falcon Free awards include Pell Grant, TEXAS Grant, FSEOG, HSI grant, waiver and merit scholarships.

• Falcon Free ensures tuition and mandatory fees up to 15 credit hours per semester (fall and spring semesters only) will be paid by a combination of federal, state, and institutional funds*. If the combined total of these funds is greater than the tuition and mandatory fee total for the semester (up to 15 credit hours), Falcon Free has been met and no additional grant is awarded. *Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, TEXAS Grant, tuition waiver/exemptions, institutional scholarships, etc.

• No. You can use scholarships, personal funds, or loans to cover this cost if you choose to live on campus.

• There can be additional course-related fees, books, supplies, room and board (if chosen).

If I have an associate degree, can I still apply for the Falcon Free program?

• Yes. As long as you are seeking your first undergraduate degree program. Dual Credit, second bachelor's, masters and certification seeking students do not qualify.