Catalog 2010-2011 - South Texas College

equirements as the Federal Pell Grant. TheNational SMART grant will be disbursed inaccordance with your enrollment status.How will I get paid?South Texas College will credit the NationalSMART Grant funds to your school account topay for tuition, fees and other school related costswhich appear on your student account (institutionalcharges).If you are eligible for any funds, after tuition, fees,and other school related costs have been paid andyou meet all the requirements, STC will pay youthe difference directly, usually via the Jagcard,check or direct deposit into an account that youdesignate.Students' confirmation of attendance for theNational SMART grant takes time. The STCFinancial Aid office must confirm, through anenrollment verification process that all studentshave attended all of the courses that they haveenrolled in. Enrollment verification takes place aftercensus date, of each semester, and may take upto three weeks.More information on this process and how it affectsthe timing of the release of funds is located on thefinancial aid award letter and on STC’s FinancialAid office website.How will I be notified that I am eligible?The office of Financial Aid will automatically identifymost eligible students with information found inour school records. Once eligibility is determined,an award letter will be mailed. It will list all awardsand will give students the opportunity to read theterms and conditions for each of them.Note: No action will need to be taken if studentsagree to these terms, but if students disagreewith receiving any of the aid offered, they havethe opportunity to use the award letter to indicatethe rejection of any or all of the award(s). Studentsmay also reject any or all awards on their JagNetaccountSTATE AID PROGRAMSThe following state-sponsored programs areonly available to students attending schools inTexas. They cannot be used to attend out-of-stateinstitutions.COLLEGE ACCESS LOANSThe College Access Loan (CAL) Program providesalternative education loans to Texas students whoare unable to meet the cost of attendance. The CALmay be used to cover part or all of the student'sExpected Family Contribution (EFC); students donot have to demonstrate financial need. However,the amount of federal aid for which you are eligiblemust be deducted from the cost of attendance indetermining the CAL amount. This loan programis part of the Hinson-Hazlewood College StudentLoan Program administered by the Texas HigherEducation Coordinating Board (THECB).How do I apply?To apply for the College Access Loan (CAL) youmust logon to www.hhloans.com and complete theentire application.How do I qualify?The borrower must:1. Be a Texas Resident2. Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours eachsemester (half-time)3. Declare a valid major (certificate, associate orbachelors degree)4. Meet the satisfactory academic progress (SAP)requirements set by the institution.5. Receive a favorable credit evaluation or providea co-signer who has good credit standing andmeets other requirements set by the TexasHigher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)and6. Complete the financial aid file IF an application(FAFSA) has been submittedHow much money can I get?Annual Loan Amounts• Freshmen *$ 3,500• Sophomores *$ 4,500• Juniors *$ 5,500• Seniors *$ 5,500*As long as you do not exceed your cost ofattendance or unmet need.A 3% origination fee will be deducted from theproceeds of each loan if both the borrower andcosigner, have a good credit standing.ORA 5% origination fee will be deducted from theproceeds of each loan if either the borrower orcosigner, have a good credit standing.How will I get paid?STC will credit College Access Loan (CAL) fundsto your school account to pay for tuition, fees andother related costs which appear on your studentaccount. If you are eligible for funds STC willdisburse the difference directly, usually by directdeposit, check or through your jagcard.For information on the College Access Loan (CAL)you may contact the Texas Higher EducationCoordinating Board at 1-800-242-3062 or www.hhloans.com or visit your nearest Office ofFinancial Aid.Grants and ScholarshipsEducational Aide Exemption ProgramTexas needs more qualified Teachers. That isthe reason why the Texas Higher EducationCoordinating Board created the EducationalAide Exemption Program. The program exemptsstudents attending public colleges or universitiesfrom the payment of tuition and fees (other thanclass or laboratory fees).Spring term exemptions are conditional uponmeeting program requirements in the fall andcontinued employment by the school district inthe spring.Summer awards are dependent upon theavailability of funds. Individuals who receiveawards in one year may apply for awards insubsequent years.61