Student Financial Services Choices 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships can vary significantly in the eligibility criteria some are merit based and others are need based. Deadline for submission of a scholarship application to our office is April 1st each year.  However, you can inquire as to the availability of funds at any time.  You only need to complete one application to apply for all FPC scholarships.

                        Here is a listing of all the scholarships...

A completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be needed. 

Local Scholarships are possibly available in your area.  Local service and civic organizations, churches, businesses quite often sponsor scholarship programs.  Your local high school counselor should be able to provide you with this information.

Scholarship Search Services

The U.S. Department of Education does not evaluate private scholarship search services. If you should decide to use one of these, you may check with the Better Business Bureau or the Texas State Attorney Generals Office.

The Hope Scholarship Tax Credit

The Hope Scholarship is actually a tax credit, not a scholarship.  We recommend that you consult your personal tax advisor.

The U.S. Department of Education and the State of Texas frequently change regulations pertaining to financial aid. Since FPC complies with all legislative mandates, federal and state regulations, the Student Financial Services office reserves the right to make policy and procedure changes during the award year. If changes occur, they will be updated on the FPC web site

GRANTS

Grants are considered gift aid. Gift aid is the most valued source of financial aid because the funds received do not have to be repaid. Grants are awarded based on need.

• Federal Pell Grant (FPELL) - A federal program for undergraduate students obtaining their first bachelors degree. The Pell Grant amount depends on family contribution, the cost of education at FPC, and the number of hours for which you are enrolled (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, less than half-time).
  • Awards range from $609-$5350 per academic year and may change dependent upon federal mandate.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - A grant program for students with the greatest need and lowest estimated family contribution from their FAFSA.
  • Awards range from $100 - $1000 per semester based on enrollment status.
• Texas Grant (Toward Excellence, Access & Success Grant).
  • A state grant for Texas residents who graduated from a public or accredited private high school in Texas no earlier than fall 1999.
  • Students must have completed the Distinguished, Recommended or Advanced High School program and must apply for and demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA result and expected family contribution (EFC) of $4000.00 or less.
  • Enroll at least three-quarter time (9 hours min) hours in an undergraduate degree or certificate program within 16 months of your high school graduation.
  • A TEXAS grant award will be approximately $865per semester as of the 2008-09 school year and subject to change by the State of Texas.

• Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)/Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP) – The LEAP and SLEAP grants are need-based programs awarded first-come, first-served to students with Texas residency who are not in default on a federal loan, not overawarded on a federal grant, if male have registered with the selective service, have a high school diploma or GED, maintains satisfactory academic progress and is a US citizen or eligible non-citizen. Award amounts are set by the state each year.
• Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) – is awarded first-come, first served Texas resident enrolled at least half time showing financial need who are not eligible for the Texas Grant and do not have an associate’s or baccalaureate degree and if male, be registered with the selective service. To continue to receive TEOG, a student must also make satisfactory academic progress and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) – is awarded to Pell Grant recipients who are U.S. Citizens, enrolled full-time in a degree program (certificate seeking students are not eligible), who completed a rigorous secondary school program of study as defined by the U.S. Department of Education in 2005 or later, and have financial need. Second year students must have a 3.0 grade point average and successfully complete 24 semester hours at the end of the first academic year (Title IV definition).
• Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) – is funded from tuition paid by credit students attending FPC. The applicant must be enrolled at least half-time during the term or terms for which the grant is awarded and have financial need. This need-based grant is awarded first-come, first-served basis and the amount varies.

A completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be needed.  

LOANS

Loans are borrowed money that you will have to repay with interest. Federal Direct Loans are Subsidized and Unsubsidized.

WORK STUDY

College work study offers eligible students an opportunity to earn their financial aid through employment.   A completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be needed. 

FPC PAYOUT PLAN

E-Cashier is our customized online student payout plan.  e-Cashier offers a variety of payment options including automatic banking and credit card transactions.  e-Cashier is customized to the specific academic calendar and payment parameters of you choice depending on when you would like to start making payments.  The fee for the e-Cashier payout plan is only $35 per semester and can include charges for tuition, fees, dorm, and meals.

A completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be needed. 

Tuition Exemptions – the following tuition exemption programs are administered through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: children of certain disabled public employees, deaf and blind students, children of prisoners of war or persons missing in action, student in foster or other residential care, student on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families during their senior year of high school, early high school graduates, certified educational aids. Some tuition exemptions are need-based. Eligible students should contact the Student Financial Services office for more information.

Disbursement of Awards to students – All grants, loans and scholarships are electronically credited to a student’s account. Student must apply for a student Plainsmen Debit ID Card where all disbursements, over awards and refunds will be routinely deposited. All documents and eligibility requirements (Satisfactory Academic Progress) must be met prior to students receiving funds.

Student employed through the work-study program are paid bi-weekly. Time sheets must be submitted on the appropriate dates each month in order to receive payment. Students, who fail to submit their time sheet by the designated date, will not receive payment until the following pay period.

Loan funds will be applied to outstanding costs due FPC first and amounts remaining will be applied to the student’s student ID card. Loan funds are disbursed in two equal disbursement amounts, no exceptions.