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TCC awards more than $98.8 million each year in financial aid.
Introduction
There are many financial aid programs for students taking credit courses at TCC, including grants, scholarships, college work-study and loans. The application used to determine eligibility for most financial aid programs is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
FAFSA applications are normally available in October. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid as soon as possible after the availability date, since funds for programs are limited and application delays are sometimes incurred because of data verification regulations. A student may apply electronically at www.fafsa.gov.
A priority funding deadline of March 1 has been established for supplemental grant funding that is available. All required applications must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the beginning of a registration period for funds to be available prior to classes beginning. If this is not the case, the student must be prepared to pay with personal funds.
General Eligibility Requirements
Students applying for federal and state funds must meet certain eligibility requirements. To receive aid, the following general eligibility requirements must be met:
- Enroll, or be accepted for enrollment, in an associate degree or credit certificate program (at least three hours of enrollment for most programs).
- Financial Aid is only available for classes that are required for your eligible active academic program.
- Note: Summer transient students (university students attending TCC for the summer only) are not eligible for aid at TCC because they are not pursuing a degree or certificate from TCC.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP), including at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, completing 67 percent of courses and completing the academic program within 150 percent of the published program length. Students should contact Student Financial Aid Services for a complete copy of the SAP.
- Be either a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Register with Selective Service if you are male.
- Do not owe a refund on a federal loan or be in default on a federal educational loan.
- Have a high school diploma or high school equivalency.
- Have a valid Social Security Number.
- Not be incarcerated in a federal or state prison.
- For most programs, demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA.
Required Applications
In addition to meeting the general eligibility requirements, approximately 30 percent of applicants are selected for a review in a process called verification. Students selected for verification will be required to submit a 2017 IRS Tax Return Transcript (including parents’ form if applicable) and an institutional verification form (IVF).
Approximately one to two weeks after receiving the FAFSA results and any other required documents, Student Financial Aid Services will email students an award notice detailing their eligibility for aid. The award letter will include details on award types, award amounts, and disbursement procedures. Award recipients may view their awards online in WebAdvisor.
Student Financial Aid Services Notices
Financial aid eligibility will be re-evaluated when enrollment changes occur through the official date of record of the latest course to start in a term. Students who drop hours during this time may have to repay part of their aid. Students who withdraw from ALL classes prior to the 60 percent point of a term may have to repay funds to TCC and the federal government. In addition, any student who does not begin attendance in a class will become ineligible for financial aid for the class. Students should consult with Student Financial Aid Services prior to making a change in course load.
Students are advised that all Student Financial Aid Services’ communications are sent to the student’s myTCC email account. Email should be checked regularly for communications from Student Financial Aid Services.
Campus Student Financial Aid Services should also be consulted for information about scholarship programs.
Stars of Tomorrow Program
The Tarrant County College “Stars of Tomorrow” Program provides financial awards that more than cover the cost of tuition at TCC for Tarrant County high school graduates who are in the top half of their class and whose families meet specified income thresholds. Students in public and private schools as well as those who are home-schooled and meet the program’s criteria are eligible. Funding for the program is a “package” comprised of state and federal financial aid and income from the earnings of an endowment derived from the leasing of mineral rights and other private sources. Complete eligibility requirements and application instructions are available on the TCC website.
Contact Information
More information on financial aid programs at TCC is available online on the TCC website, through email at fahelp@tccd.edu or from campus Student Financial Aid Services. In compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1976, student consumer information is available on request from Student Financial Aid Services.
Veterans’ Educational Benefits
All persons who will be using educational assistance from the Veterans Administration (VA) while enrolled at TCC should contact the campus Admissions and Registrar office as soon as initial admission requirements are met. Questions regarding eligibility and certification of VA educational benefits should be directed to the Admissions and Registrar office. The Admissions and Registrar office can answer questions about these benefits; the District Admission and Records office will certify enrollment to the VA, and monitor degree plans and academic progress. Veterans can apply for a determination of eligibility for VA educational programs by accessing the VA website and by completing and submitting appropriate forms at the Admissions and Registrar office or through WebAdvisor. Veterans/spouses/dependents receiving veterans benefits are responsible for complying with VA regulations.
Certification of VA benefits will be processed when all required documents are provided. Most VA benefits are paid based on enrollment (full-time, three-quarter-time, or at least half-time). The VA and TCC consider 12 hours to be full time during the fall and spring 16-week sessions and four hours to be full time during each summer session. Veterans receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits must be enrolled for at least 51 percent of what is considered full time to receive a monthly housing allowance. Chapter 33 veterans enrolling in 100 percent distance learning classes will receive only 50 percent of the housing allowance.
Veterans must complete and submit a certification request form for VA benefits each term. A request for certification can be processed online through the student’s WebAdvisor account. Students physically unable to complete the form online may contact their Admissions and Registrar office for paper forms. The request serves as the veteran’s authorization to submit an enrollment certification to the VA. Each TCC campus has a veterans center where staff can provide guidance on these benefits.
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