Financial Aid Announcements

Important InformationFederal Pell Grant News (April 26, 2011)

State and Federal financial aid program cuts are affecting college students throughout the country. Be aware that changes have been made to several financial aid programs. The TSTC Financial Aid Office will continue working to assist students with resources to fund their education. Awards for 2011-2012 will be revised, due to these budgetary and regulatory changes. Below are some of the changes and anticipated cuts that affect state and/or federal programs.

State Programs

  • TANF scholarship, Early High School Grad and Educational Aide Exemptions most likely will not receive any funding, at the state level.
  • Additional program funding reductions are expected for the following programs: Texas Grant, Texas Educational Opportunity Grant, Top 10% Scholarship, and Texas College Workstudy.

Federal Programs

  • Academic Competitive Grant – will be eliminated, starting July 1, 2011, as planned.
  • Proposed for elimination is the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) program.
  • Other funding reductions are proposed for the FSEOG, TRIO, and GEAR UP programs.
  • Federal Pell Grant Year-Round Pell has also been affected. More details about Federal Pell Grant are listed below.

Legislative spending bills have affected many programs and savings will be seen with the reduction of the year round Pell grant. At this time, on a more positive note, maximum annual Pell grant awards for low-income students will be maintained at $5550. This is for a full-time student. The part-time student will receive pro-rated amounts, as was the case in the past. This is good news for Texas State Technical College students, since a high percentage of our population is eligible for the program and for the maximum award. In response, TSTC will be making the following changes, effective Fall 2011.

  • The TSTC academic year will, once again, be defined as Fall, Spring, and Summer.
  • Awards for Pell grant will be disbursed in three semesters.
  • Example: Students with a ‘0 ‘ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will have an annual Pell Grant award of $5550. The semester full-time awards will look like this: Fall $1850, Spring $1850, and Summer $1850.
  • In summary, the student’s full time scheduled annual award amount will not change. What will change are the academic year disbursement amounts for each semester. Eligible students will receive 33% or 34% of the scheduled Full or Part-Time award per semester, if they register.

As you know, recent TSTC tuition changes are in effect starting the Fall 2011 semester. For those students who had already been awarded and those who have recently completed the 2011-2012 FAFSA and have completed verification requirements new and/or revised award letters and e-mails will be sent within the next week. We recommend that all students register for Fall 2011 and that they review their registration statement.

As in the past, we cannot guarantee that Federal Pell Grant will cover all of your tuition. We will attempt to help students with their direct educational expenses, for example mandatory state and designated tuition.

Notice: Summer 2011 registered students will be awarded Pell, if they are eligible based on the 2010-2011 FAFSA information and they meet the eligibility requirements for Summer awards.  2011-2012 FAFSA eligibility will not be used for Summer 2011.  The 2011-2012 FAFSA will be applicable to semesters Fall 2011-Summer 2012 only.

We are committed to continuing to work hard and to help students with their dream of earning a higher education. Student success is our goal!

WE VALUE OUR STUDENTS

We are a partner with our students in providing high quality education by:

  • supplying them with relevant programs in the current career environment.
  • preparing them for lifelong learning.
  • establishing reliability and trust with our students to ensure mutually beneficial long-term relationships.

Download Pell Grant Annoucement - April 26, 2011 (46kb)

 

TSTC Web Services

You can review your Finanical Aid status, pay tuition and fees and review other important information online. Visit TSTC Web Services at http://my.tstc.edu.  Here is more information: TSTC Web Services

For more information on Direct Loans visit our Loans website or Federal Student Aid website.

Mid-Term status?  Meet with faculty at mid-term.

How are you grades?  The Office of Student Success can help you with you grades.  Tutoring is available each semester to help students improve their academic performance in the course in which they are being tutored. 

Students can participate in the following tutoring programs: 

Open Lab Tutoring:  Available to students in all levels of mathematics, English, chemistry, biological sciences and computer literacy. 
  
The Five Week Review Program:  Students struggling in either math or English are identified and given a tutor.  These students must commit to at least two hours of tutoring per week until their grades improve. 
  
Supplemental Instruction (Group Tutoring):  Is made part of traditionally difficult courses.  Supplemental instruction tutors work closely with instructors and students to provide intensive small group instruction that supplements actual classroom material. 
  
Computer-based tutoring:  Available in English, math, biology and social sciences.  The computer-based tutoring utilizes software to help students practice English and math skills and review biology and social science materials.  The software is textbook compatible and provides students with practice/review test questions.

You will find the tutoring schedules in the Student Success website, or click here to be navigated there.

Disclaimer:  Because schedules are subject to change without notice, please contact the Student Success Office to get up-to-date schedules.  

How Enrollment Status Affects Financial Aid

If the student has received financial aid and failed to attend classes, they are considered a “no show” and therefore, have not established eligibility for any financial aid. No show students must repay in full any funds received.  Read more about "NO SHOW" and how it will affect your financial aid.

FAFSA4caster

If you want to begin exploring your financial aid options and get an early start on the financial aid process, FAFSA4caster is for you! By using FAFSA4caster, you and your family will receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid. This Web site provides you with an opportunity to increase your knowledge of the financial aid process; become familiar with the various types of federal student aid that are available; and investigate other sources of aid, such as grants and scholarships.

When you're ready to apply for aid, you can easily transition from FAFSA4caster to FAFSA on the Web. Much of the information that you enter in the FAFSA4caster will populate your FAFSA on the Web application, making the experience of applying for federal student aid a lot easier.

So help make your future forecast a bright one by planning now for college. Use the FAFSA4caster now!

Did you know...

  • SAP Notices will be sent to your mymail.tstc.edu account .
  • For more information about B-On-Time program.  Visit http://www.hhloans.com/
  • Financial Aid has a Computer Lab that you can use to research scholarship information or other Financial Aid information
  • Financial Aid can help you fill out your FASFA
  • You can submit your FASFA online in the Financial Aid Computer Lab
  • You can edit or update your FASFA information on the web with your pin number at high-speed access in our computer lab
  • Financial Aid office is open on Saturday mornings
  • Financial Aid can also be applied to your Distance Learning Courses.

 

Register with Selective Service Link Important Note: "Male citizens of the U.S. and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register at any post office, or register now on-line.

Students at graduation