Catalog 2010-2011 - South Texas College

4 Complete Recommended or DistinguishedAchievement high school curriculum4 Rank in the top 10 percent4 Graduate from an accredited high school inTexas4 Enroll full time in Fall 2009How much can I get?If eligible you will receive a $2,000 scholarshipif you enroll full time in a Texas public college oruniversity in the Fall 2009 semester.Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at SouthTexas College to verify your compliance with theabove mentioned requirements.South Texas Academic Rising Scholars(STARS)What is STARS?The STARS Scholarship Fund awards scholarshipsto qualified students of South Texas annually.STARS provide scholarships through a generalapplication process, in which recipients areselected on a competitive basis of academicachievement, personal strengths, leadershipand financial need. Applications are availableat the beginning of the calendar year at www.southtexasstars.orgValley ScholarsWhat are Valley Scholars?Valley Scholars are Hidalgo and Starr county highschool graduates who are in the top 10 percentof their high school’s graduating class. ValleyScholars receive a scholarship to be used onlyat South Texas College to complete an associatedegree.Other benefits for the Valley Scholars includespecial mentoring, tutoring, college tour trips, andother incentives. For further information aboutthis program, contact Program Coordinator, MarieOlivarez at 956-872-2621 or see Academic Honorssection of this catalog.National Hispanic Scholarship Fund (NHSF)What is the National Hispanic ScholarshipFund?The National Hispanic Scholarship Fund isscholarships that assist Hispanic Americanstudents in completing their higher education.These scholarships are awarded on a competitivebasis to undergraduate and graduate students ofHispanic background.How much can I get?Awards normally range from $500 to $1000.Note: Applications are usually available at allfinancial aid locations during the months of Augustand September.Veteran’s Educational BenefitsSTC is approved for training veterans under theprovisions of the various public laws commonlycalled the G.I. Bill. A veteran with entitlement mayreceive a monthly check varying in amount withhis/her course load. A spouse or child of a veteranmay receive benefits under certain conditions.Veterans or their families who think they maybe eligible for benefits should contact their localVeterans Administration office or the STC VeteranAffairs office. Please visit the Veteran Affairs officeor call (956) 872-2109, or at 1-800-742-7822.Students receiving V.A. educational benefitsmust adhere to the V.A. Satisfactory ProgressStandards. More information on these standardsis available from the Veteran Affairs office.Department of Assistive and RehabilitativeServices (DARS)What is DARS?The Department of Assistive and RehabilitativeServices (DARS) offers payment of tuition andother services to students who have certainphysical handicaps. The Vocational RehabilitationDivision must approve the vocational objectivesselected by the student before funds are awarded.Interested applicants should contact the nearestoffice of Department of the Department of Assistiveand Rehabilitative Services.How do students apply for DARS?To apply for VR services, call, write or visit theDARS Division for Rehabilitation Services officenearest you and request an appointment to meetwith a counselor. If you need help in locating aDRS office in your area, you may call 1(800) 628-5115. When you contact the local office, please letus know if you need translator services or otheraccommodations for your appointment.How much money can I get?DARS covers tuition and fees, books andsometimes supplies up to an approved amount.The DARS issues purchase orders to the financialaid office with specified amounts for each student’stuition and fees. The financial aid office cannotincrease awards without written authorization fromDARS. If a student withdraws or has any changesin fees, monies must be returned to DARS, astudent is not eligible for any reimbursement.How will I be paid?A student cannot receive financial aidsimultaneously with DARS funds. DARS requiresthat other aid must be awarded first. If in the eventthat a student completes or is eligible for any otheraid, the DARS award will be cancelled, unlesswritten authorization from DARS has been given.Workforce Investment Act (WIA)Workforce solutionsWhat is WIA?WIA is the Workforce Investment Act, and itspurpose is to provide workforce investmentactivities that increase the employment, retention,and earnings of participants. WIA programsare intended to increase occupational skillsattainment by participants and improve the qualityof the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, andenhance the productivity and competitiveness ofthe nation. WIA authorizes several job trainingprograms including Adult Employment andTraining Activities, Youth Activities, and Job Corps.Students interested in applying for WIA should69