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State and Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Awards to eligible students are determined through the use of a payment schedule published annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Award amounts vary according to the:
- Educational costs at the institution (the cost of attendance);
- Student’s enrollment status;
- Annual appropriations and award maximums set by Congress; and
- Expected Family Contribution on the student’s Student Aid Report.
Pell grant funds are awarded once per semester, and Summer awards are made if the student’s annual eligibility has not been exhausted during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Year-Round Pell Grant
The objective of the Year-Round Pell Grant is to help accelerate students’ progress in a degree or certificate program.
If students are Pell eligible and over the course of the Fall and Spring terms use 100% of their Pell funds, they are still eligible to receive additional Pell funds as long as they are enrolled for at least six or more hours in the Summer term. A separate application will be required for Summer. Check with Student Financial Services for eligibility requirements.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
Effective in Award Year 2010-2011, the Alamo Colleges will cease to participate in the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Instead, the Alamo Colleges will provide loan funds directly from the Federal Government under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
Based on recent developments by Congress, effective July 1, 2010, colleges are required to move to the Direct Loan Program. All borrowers beginning Fall 2010 must apply for the Direct Loan Program.
To receive a Direct Loan, all students regardless of prior loan borrowing must complete the following two requirements available online:
Submit a “Direct Loans Request Form” to your college Financial Aid Office.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This program provides grants from $200 to $1,000 to undergraduate students with a zero (0) Expected Family Contribution who are working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. To receive SEOG funds students must be enrolled in at least six (6) hours.
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
Texas Public Educational Grants (TPEG) provide assistance to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need as determined by Student Financial Services. Awards range from $200 to $2,000. The amount of the award is based on need and availability of funds. Students must be undergraduates enrolled for at least six (6) semester credit hours who are Texas residents, non-resident students, or foreign students.
Towards EXcellence Access and Success Grant (TEXAS Grant)
The TEXAS Grant Program pays tuition for students who meet the following program criteria:
- Maintain current Texas residency status;
- Graduated from an accredited Texas high school no earlier than Fall 1998;
- Completed a recommended or advanced high school curriculum;
- Apply and qualify for financial aid;
- Meet the state’s financial aid criteria. The expected family contribution must be less than $4,000n and the student must demonstrate financial need;
- Enroll at least three-quarters time (nine [9] hours) in an Associate’s Degree or Certificate program;
- Enroll and receive the grant no later than the sixteenth (16) month after graduating from high school and before attempting more than thirty (30) college hours; and
- Not be convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance.
Awards can be renewed based on criteria set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In addition to the above requirements, students must meet the following renewal criteria:
- Not have earned an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree;
- Meet the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy (See the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in this catalog);
- Maintain a 75% course completion rate in the most recent academic year;
- Complete at least twenty-four (24) credit hours in the most recently completed academic year;
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher and;
- Receive a TEXAS Grant for no more than ninety (90) attempted semester credit hours.
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The TEOG Program pays tuition for students who meet the following program criteria:
- Maintain current Texas residency status;
- Graduated from an accredited high school;
- Apply for financial aid, have less than $2,000 Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), and demonstrate financial aid;
- Enroll at least half-time;
- Be in the first thirty (30) attempted hours of a first certificate or degree plan program;
- Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance; and
- Not be eligible for the TEXAS Grant Program.
Awards can be renewed based on criteria set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In addition to the above requirements, students must meet the following renewal criteria:
- Not have earned an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree;
- Maintained a 75% course completion rate in the most recent academic year;
- Maintained a 2.5 GPA or better; and
- Received a TEOG for no more than seventy-five (75) attempted semester credit hours.
Top 10% Scholarship Program
Students who graduate in the top ten (10) percent of their high school class may qualify for a $2,000 scholarship. Students will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds have been spent. To be eligible for the first year, students must:
- Be Texas residents;
- Demonstrate financial need;
- Complete a FAFSA by April 1;
- FAFSA must be processed and cannot be in a reject status;
- Complete the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement HS curriculum;
- Rank in the top ten (10) percent by the end of the fall semester of the senior year in high school;
- Graduate from an accredited high school in Texas; and
- Enroll full-time in a Texas public 2-year or 4-year college or university in the fall semester following high school graduation.
To qualify for renewal, provided funding is available, students must:
- Complete thirty (30) semester credit hours in the previous year;
- Maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA; and
- Complete at least 75% of hours attempted
Alamo Colleges Scholarships
The Alamo Colleges award many scholarships, based on the availability of institutional and private funds, to academically meritorious or needy students. Scholarships range from $300-$1500 per academic year (September-May) and $375-$750 when awarded by semester. All scholarships and other financial aid already awarded are taken into consideration when determining eligibility. Scholarship lists and applications are available online.
The Scholarship Office at each of the Alamo Colleges is responsible for the application procedures, selection of recipients, notice of scholarship award, renewal and revocation processes for the respective colleges.
Student Loan Programs
Direct Student Loans Programs (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
Direct Student Loans are low-interest student loans certified by the Alamo Colleges and guaranteed by the federal government. The interest rate for subsidized and unsubsidized loans is fixed at 6.8% for loans borrowed on or after July 1, 2012.
For subsidized loans, the federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Unsubsidized loans, on the other hand, require students to make interest payments or to agree to capitalize the interest, which is deferred but becomes part of the principle. Dependent students may borrow up to $3,500 during their grade level one (1) year and up to $4,500 in grade level two (2) in addition to $2,000 of unsubsidized leans each year. Independent students can borrow up to the same level of subsidized amounts per grade level, and as additional $6,000 in unsubsidized loan per year. Because subsidized loans are based on financial need, the SFS Office establishes the amount students are eligible to borrow. Students must attend a counseling session concerning the loan, full repayment of which begins six (6) months after the student leaves school or drops below half-time status.
Students applying for loans are required to complete a Financial Literacy course and entrance interview if they are a first time borrower, and an exit interview if they are graduating, tranferring, or withdrawing from the college.For information on loan applications and deadlines, visit the Alamo Colleges Financial Aid Direct Loans web site. Additional information about the Federal Direct Loans program is available at www.studentloans.gov.
Federal PLUS Loans Program
The PLUS Program allows parents to borrow up to the cost of education for each dependent enrolled in college at least half-time. PLUS loans can be made through most banks or credit unions at a variable interest rate not to exceed 8.5%. Repayment for parent borrowers begins sixty (60) days after disbursement of the entire loan amount. The PLUS loan amount, together with all other financial aid, may not total more than the student’s Cost of Attendance at one of the Alamo Colleges.
Students who are participating in the Federal loans program are required to complete a Financial Literacy course.
Consolidation Loan Program
Consolidation Loans may be arranged to combine loans made to a student under Title IV programs and the Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) Program. These loans provide repayment periods appropriate for the total amount outstanding. For example, a student whose total loan debt exceeds $7,500 may be given a repayment period longer than ten (10) years. Repayment of a Consolidation Loan must begin within sixty (60) days after the selected loans have been consolidated. Students must contact their lenders to find out if they qualify for a Consolidation Loan.
Short-Term Loans
The Short-Term Loan is a zero (0) interest, institutional emergency loan for tuition that must be repaid in thirty (30) days. These loans are offered prior to the start of the Fall and Spring semesters only. Students work with the SFS Office to determine their eligibility and the amount of the loan. Students must show proof that they have applied for and will be eligible for a PELL grant. Funds are limited and a separate application is required.
Work Opportunities
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides a job for undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time who demonstrate financial need to help pay for their educational expenses. The hourly pay rate is typically above current federal minimum wage. The amount of FWS awarded depends on a student’s financial need, availability of funding, and the amount of other aid the student receives. Students may not work more than nineteen (19) hours per week. FWS students are paid twice (2) per month and may pick up their checks at the Bursar/Business Office.
Students who are participating in the Federal Work-Study program are required to complete a Financial Literacy course.
Off-Campus Employment
Private, off-campus employment is administered by many local community or city agencies that hire Alamo Colleges’ students. The firms’ policies are not related to the Alamo Colleges. In addition to earning money while attending college, students have an opportunity to participate in the local work force and gain valuable work experience. |
