FINANCIAL AID

 

    All inquiries concerning grants, loans, and student institutional employment should be directed to the Student Financial Aid Office.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the acceptable need- analysis form used to calculate the applicants Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  Assuming the applicant meets all other eligibility requirements, the EFC amount determines Pell grant eligibility and is used in an equation to determine financial aid eligibility from other campus-based programs.  Help from the latter is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

    Students interested in receiving financial aid at registration should apply as soon as possible.  Applications are generally available months in advance of the registration date.

 

 

GRANTS

 

Federal Pell Grants Program

 

    Students may apply for this federal grant by completing and submitting a financial aid application.  The applications can be obtained from the institution's financial aid office or from a high school counselor.  Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by a "pre-established formula".  For those eligible, minimum student awards will be $400.  Maximum amounts are expected to be $4,050 for award year 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 award years.

 

 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

 

    The FSEOG program is another federal program that offers grant aid to eligible students.  Eligibility and the amount of award are based on the results of the financial aid application and the availability of funds.

 

 

Texas Public Education Grant Program (TPEG) -Leveraging Education Assistance Partnership Program (LEAPP), formerly Student State Incentive Grant (SSIG)

 

    The Texas Public Education Grant program was authorized by House Bill 688, 64th Texas Legislature, 1975.  Grants are to be awarded based upon financial need of the applicant.  Grants are limited to an amount not to exceed the total tuition and fees charged the applicant.  Eligibility is determined by the institution based on results of a financial aid application and the availability of funds.  Non-resident students are eligible to participate.

 

 

Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)

 

    All applicants who file an application for financial aid at SWTJC are eligible for a grant if need is established.  House Bill 43, adopted in May, 1971, by the Texas Legislature created this program for eligible Texas residents.  Funds for this program are provided from a portion of tuition and fees paid by SWTJC students.  Eligibility is determined by the institution based on results of a financial aid application and is subject to the availability of funds.  Non-resident students are eligible to participate.

 

 

Texas Grant Program

 

    Texas residents who completed the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program, graduated from a public or an accredited private high school in Texas no earlier than Fall 1998 may be eligible to receive a Texas grant.  Applicant must complete Fall application for Federal Student Aid.  Other requirements apply.  The grant will pay for tuition and fees.  Awards are subject to fund availability.

 

  

Texas Grant II Program

 

To receive a TGII award, students must:

 

 

EXEMPTIONS

 

Certified Educational Aide Exemption Program

 

    A student who is a certified educational aide and has at least two school years experience as a certified educational aide working directly with students in a Texas public school, may qualify for exemption of payments of tuition and some fees per year of eligibility.  Eligibility will require submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or qualification on the basis of adjusted gross income.  A certified application submitted by a certified public school official is also required.  Eligibility will also be based on financial need.

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

 

Federal  College Work Study Program (FCWSP)

 

    The FCWSP provides jobs for eligible students who have demonstrated need by completing and submitting an application for federal student aid.  The program allows students to earn money to help pay educational expenses.  Student employment is subject to the availability of federal funds.

 

 

State College Work Study Program (SCWSP)

 

    The SCWSP is a state sponsored program that provides jobs to eligible students who demonstrate need.  An application for financial aid is required.  Because of funding limitations, only a small number of jobs are available.  Both the state and federal programs are operated under the same general guidelines.

 

 

Jobs on Campus

 

    Some students will want employment but will be ineligible for employment under the college Work Study Program.  There are other on-campus positions available and students should contact the Job Placement and Tracking Coordinator.

  

 

STUDENT LOANS

Federal Stafford Loan Program

 

    A FSL is a low-interest  loan made available to students by a participating lender such as a bank or credit union and certified by the institution.  Borrowers must show financial need by filing a financial aid application.  A separate application is also required.  Maximum loan for first year students is $2,625.  Pre-loan counseling and exit interviews are required.  Participants must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

 

 

Federal Stafford Loan (Unsubsidized)

 

    "In an effort to assist middle income families with rising tuition costs, the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 authorized a program of unsubsidized loans.  Intended to work much like a subsidized Federal Stafford Loan, unsubsidized loans are designed for students who do not qualify, in whole or in part, for the subsidized Stafford Loans."  An application for federal student aid is required, as well as a separate application.

 

 

Federal PLUS/SLS Loans

 

    PLUS loans are for parents who want to borrow to help pay for their children's education.   Supplemental Loans (SLS) are for student borrowers.  Both loans provide additional funds for educational expenses and, like Stafford Loans, are made by a participating lender.  Both loans also require institutional certification. 

 

 

Hinson-Hazelwood College Access Loan

 

    This loan is available to students eligible to pay Texas tuition fees.  Students unable to  qualify for a Stafford Loan may apply.  In contrast to the Stafford Loan, there is no interest subsidy.  Promissory notes must be consigned, and the credit worthiness of cosigners will be investigated.  Loan amounts will be determined by the institution using pre-established criteria.

 

 

Pioneer Loan

 

    This is an institutional short term loan with a service fee.  No interest is charged.  This loan is made only to help students defray the cost of attending.  The Pioneer Loan must be repaid according to terms mutually agreed, but no later than the end of the semester the loan is made.  Students should contact the Business Office or the Dean of Students for information.  There is a Pioneer Loan setup fee of $20.

 

 

Benefits for Veterans of U.S. Armed Forces

 

    Benefits for a number of educational and training programs are available at SWTJC.  The programs require the certification of the Certifying VA official on campus.  Information on the programs listed below can be obtained from the Veterans Administration Education Office (1-888-442-4551) or the institution’s Financial  Aid Office.

 

    * Montgomery GI Bill

    * Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve

    * Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

    * Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

    * Work-Study Program

 

    SWTJC also participates in the Tuition Assistance Program offered for current military personnel.  Information on this program is available directly from the Military Education Office.

 

 

ALL STUDENTS RECEIVING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

 

Standards of Satisfactory Progress for Recipients of Student Financial Aid

 

 

1.           INTRODUCTION:  The regulations for satisfactory progress were initially published in October 1983 and were amended on December 1, 1987, April 29, 1994, and November 29, 1994.  Every school participating in the student financial aid programs must monitor its student financial aid recipients to ensure that they are meeting satisfactory progress standards.  Regulations require each school to develop reasonable standards for measuring academic progress and require each school to apply these standards consistently to all students within identifiable categories of students.  The policy must include both a qualitative and quantitative component.

 

 

2.           STANDARDS:  Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) has established the following standards and regulations:

 

      1.       Academic Standing:  The student is in good standing according to the academic standards of the institution.

 

      2.       Quantity Standard:  During each incremental evaluation period, the student completes a minimum of 65% of all courses attempted.

 

      3.       Quality Standard:  During each incremental evaluation period, the student is maintaining a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.00 on all hours completed.

 

      4.       Maximum Time Frame Standard:  The student has not attempted more than 150% of the credit hours

                required of the certificate or degree.                                     

 

Academic performance on SWTJC academic records, past and present, even if aid was not received will be considered in making the determination

 

 

3.           PROBATIONARY PERIOD

 

1.       Awards to students failing to meet each of the standards will be considered payment in a probationary period.

 

2.       A student failing to successfully complete a minimum of 50 percent of his/her remedial semester course load may be placed on financial aid probation.

 

 

4.           SUSPENSION

 

1.       A student re-entering college after being on scholastic suspension is not considered to be making satisfactory progress and is, therefore, ineligible to receive financial aid.

 

2.       A student that has been placed on scholastic suspension and is admitted by the Admissions Committee is not considered to be making satisfactory progress and is ineligible to receive financial aid.

 

3.       A student failing to meet all of the standards of satisfactory progress after receiving payment in a probationary period is not eligible to receive financial aid.

 

 

5.           APPEALS PROCEDURE

 

A student who does not meet the satisfactory progress standards for financial purposes and who wishes to appeal the status must present written evidence supporting their appeal to the Director of Financial Aid.  The appeal must address the sub-part of the standards the student has failed to meet.

 

The student will be informed of the decision on a timely and reasonable basis.  More information on appeals can be secured from the Student Financial Aid Office.

 

 

6.           RE-ESTABLISHING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

 

A student who has been considered ineligible for financial aid and after a period of enrollment believes he/she is now eligible for financial aid must inform the Office of Student Financial Aid.

 

The student should have his/her financial aid file completed well in advance of the semester for which he/she is seeking financial aid.

 

 

7.           REMEDIATION, WITHDRAWALS, AND REPEATED COURSES

 

1.       Students withdrawing from a course or courses should remember that part of SWTJC Satisfactory Progress Policy is based on the concept of hours attempted and hours completed.

 

2.       A student that has already attempted at least 30 hours of remediation will find that subsequent development courses will be excluded from the semester course load for the purpose of determining financial aid.

 

3.       Courses that are being repeated (grades A-D) will be excluded from the semester course load for the purpose of determining financial aid.

 

 

8.           CHANGE OF PROGRAM

 

A student who must extend enrollment beyond the allowed for the certificate or degree, must clear the extension with the Student Financial Aid Office.  To avoid unnecessary delays in obtaining financial aid, the clearance should be obtained prior to registration.

 

 

9.           DISCRETION OF FINANCIAL AID DIRECTOR

 

The standards outlined in this section will be adhered to and exceptions will be made only after the matter has been thoroughly investigated by the Student Financial Aid Office.

 

 

10.        DEFINITION OF TERMS

 

      1.       Semester Hours Attempted.  The cumulative number of semester hours a student is officially enrolled.

 

      2.       Semester Hours Completed.  The number of semester hours a student has completed or has received a final grade of A-F, exclusive of developmental courses.

 

      3.       Satisfactory (S) Progress.  The student is meeting all of the standards of satisfactory progress at each of the incremental evaluation periods.

 

      4.       Probation (P).  The student failed to meet at least one of the standards during an incremental evaluation.

 

      5.      Probation Continued (C).  After being placed on probation and during an incremental evaluation, the student failed to meet the specified standards.  The student has, however, met all of the standards during each of the subsequent terms of enrollment following their financial aid probationary status.

 

      6.      Unsatisfactory (U) Progress.  During an incremental evaluation and while on a probationary status, the student failed to meet at least one of the standards of satisfactory progress.  In addition, the student does not meet the criteria for probation continued status.  This student's financial aid is suspended.

 

      7.       Cumulative GPA.  The quotient of the cumulative grade points divided by the semester hours completed.

          8.       Good Standing.  A student eligible to enroll at SWTJC and not on scholastic suspension status

 

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID REFUNDS DUE TO WITHDRAWALS

 

          The law requires that, when you withdraw during a payment period or period of enrollment (your school may define these periods for you), the amount of Student Financial Aid Program assistance that you have “earned” up to that point is determined by a specific formula.  If you receive (or your school received on your behalf) less assistance than the amount you earned, you will be able to receive those additional funds.  If you received more assistance than you earned, the excess funds must be returned.  The amount of assistance that you have earned is determined on a pro-rata basis.  That is, if your completed 30 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment, you earn 30 percent of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive.  Once you have completed more than 60 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment, you earn all of your assistance.  If you received excess funds that must be returned, the Office of Student Financial Aid can explain what portion of those funds must be returned.

 

          Method of return of funds by the student to loan programs is in accordance with the terms of the loan.  Grant overpayments are subject to repayment arrangements satisfactory to the school, or overpayment collection procedures prescribed by the Secretary of Education.

 

          Generally, the withdrawal date at SWTJC is the date the student provides official notification to the school of the intent to withdraw.  Other conditions may apply.

 

 

MINIMUM ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR STUDENTS

RECEIVING VA EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

 

 

Satisfactory Progress

 

          A student who is receiving Veterans Administration (VA) educational benefits must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to be considered making satisfactory progress.

 

 

Probation

 

          Students who fail to achieve a 2.00 cumulative GPA shall be placed on probation for one semester.  If a student achieves a semester GPA of 2.00 or better during the probationary period, but has not achieved the required cumulative GPA, the student may be continued on probation for one more semester.

 

Unsatisfactory Progress

 

          If the student on probation fails to achieve a 2.00 semester GPA at the end of the first probationary period, the student shall be reported to the VA Regional Office as making unsatisfactory progress.  A student who fails to achieve the required cumulative GPA, based on the number of hours attempted at the end of the second consecutive probationary period, shall be reported to the VA Regional Office as making unsatisfactory progress.