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FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid / Student Services Building / 956.364.4330 The purpose of the Financial Aid Office is to provide financial assistance to those students who, without such assistance, would be unable to attend TSTC. The Financial Aid Office offers a variety of financial assistance programs to help eligible students with the cost of attending TSTC. The money provided through these programs can be in the form of a grant, payment for part-time employment (Work Study), loan, scholarship or a combination of any of these programs. • A grant is gift aid that does not have to be repaid. • The college Work Study program is part-time employment that allows students to earn money and provides them with the opportunity to gain work experience. • A scholarship is competitive aid, which does not have to be repaid. • A loan is borrowed money and must be repaid with interest. See TSTC's Financial Aid Web site at www.harlingen.tstc.edu/financialaid for a complete listing of programs. Parent/Student Obligation It is the primary responsibility of the student (and/or parents) to provide for the educational expenses of the student from personal assets, earnings and other taxable and non-taxable income. Determination of Your Award TSTC attempts to meet the educational financial needs of students. Financial need is determined by subtracting the parent's and/or student's expected family contribution (EFC, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA), from the total estimated costs of attendance or COA. Educational Financial Need = COA - EFC. Students are awarded aid based on financial need and the availability of funds. Financial aid programs have limited funds; therefore, the Financial Aid Office may not be able to meet the student's financial aid packaging expectations, but it will try to meet the direct educational needs. Students will need to have a balance of gift aid and self-help assistance. To be eligible for assistance, a student must: • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to complete the correct application for the year that you are applying for. » For Fall 2008 through Summer 2009 semesters, complete the 2008-2009 FAFSA. » For Fall 2009 through Summer 2010 semesters, complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA. » Other forms may need to be submitted after the office reviews the application. • Complete the admissions requirements and be accepted for enrollment. • Meet the TSTC financial aid satisfactory progress requirements. • Be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen. • Other rules for foreign students and non-citizens may apply. • Be registered with the U. S. Selective Service (if you are a male born after December 31, 1959). All males residing in the United States are required to register for Selective Service immediately following their 18th birthday. For Selective Service information go to http://www.sss.gov/. • Not be in default on an educational loan or owe a refund on any grants • Be registered each semester and pay tuition and fees no later than the 11th class day of the 15-week term, the 9th class day of the 12week term, or by the census date for the class/classes registered for. Students registering after the 11th class day of the 15-week term, the 9th class day of the 12-week term or after census date may not be eligible for financial aid for that semester. Other rules apply to short summer sessions and online or distance education courses. Note: Class No-shows affect financial aid eligibility. When the student is reported as not attending class, prior to census, the student’s award may be affected.
If students receive a full-time award and register for less than 12 credit hours, they will have their award adjusted; the same rule applies for students enrolled for less than full-time status. Students should review the award letter and contact the Financial Aid Office if there are any questions. Due to time constraints, the student may not receive immediate notification of the adjustment. Therefore, students should monitor their charges during the registration period, and when they make schedule changes.