CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi today (April 1) announced the Islander Guarantee!, a new financial support program that guarantees payment for full tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate students from lower income families. The program begins with students taking classes in fall 2008.

The Islander Guarantee! program was created to encourage students to take more courses during the year and complete degree programs within a four-year period. This financial incentive will help close the financial gap for many lower-income Texas residents who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend Texas A&M-Corpus Christi full-time.
Eligibility requirements for the Islander Guarantee! program include:

• The student must be a Texas resident.
• The program is open to dependent undergraduate students from families which have a household income of $30,000 or less.
• The student must meet the University’s admissions requirements.
• The student must complete a full-time course load of at least 15 hours a semester in fall and spring and maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average.
  

All required admission and financial assistance documents must be submitted by no later than April 15, 2008.
Tuition and mandatory fees for Islander Guarantee! are being covered through federal, state and university granting sources. As long as the student remains eligible, the Islander Guarantee! program will pay these costs for up to eight regular semesters.

The cost for undergraduate students taking 15 credit hours at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in fall 2008 is estimated to be $2,618 in tuition and mandatory fees.

Students also can apply for other forms of financial support through loans and work study to cover additional educational expenses such as textbooks, laboratory fees, and room and board.

For information and application, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (361) 825-2338 or go to “Financial Assistance” at the current students and prospective students Web site links at www.tamucc.edu.