Student Financial Aid Rights & Responsibilities

Students have a RIGHT to ask:

• What financial assistance is available?
• What are the deadlines for submitting applications?
• What is the cost of attending and refund policies?
• What criteria is used to select financial aid recipients?
• How is financial need determined?
• What criteria is used to determine the amount of student's award?
• What is satisfactory progress, and does it affect me?

It is the students' RESPONSIBILITY to:

• Be informed about the institution before enrolling.
• Complete all forms accurately and submit them on time.
• Read and understand forms they are asked to sign.
• Know and comply with deadlines.
• Report all changes in address, telephone number, name, grants, scholarships, and school status to the Student Financial Services Office.
• Accept responsibility for all signed agreements.

Grant Aid

Grants are considered gift aid and do not require repayment unless the student reduces his/her course load, never attends class, quits attending class, or withdraws from school prior to the completion of the semester.  Grants are awarded based on financial need. There are several types of grants available for students.

• Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)

Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
The Federal Pell Grant is a federal program for undergraduate students obtaining his/her first bachelor’s degree and is designed to provide eligible students with a foundation of aid to help defray the cost of education. It is always the first program considered for each applicant. Although the Financial Aid Office determines the amount of each student’s Pell Grant, eligibility is determined on the basis of a formula developed by the U.S. Department of Education. The Pell Grant amount depends on the student’s expected family contribution, the cost of attendance at FPC and the number of hours for which the student is enrolled (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, less than half-time). A student may be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant; however, he or she may qualify for other financial assistance. The Federal Pell Grant is to be used solely for educational purposes, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. In order to receive a Pell Grant, the Department of Education must have processed a valid student aid report (which is the result of filing the FAFSA form) with an official expected family contribution while an eligible student is enrolled for the award year. Verification documents (if applicable) must be received and be accurate no later than 120 days after the last day of enrollment or the Department of Education’s published deadline, whichever is earlier. A student’s duration of Pell eligibility is limited to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is awarded to first time undergraduate students with the lowest estimated family contributions who are also receiving Federal Pell Grants and have financial need. Awards are based on the student’s enrollment and are made in accordance with program regulations and on a first come, first served basis.

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The purpose of the TEOG Program is to provide financial assistance to eligible students attending Texas two-year public institutions of higher education. Funding is limited. Each year institutions try to award funds to as many eligible students as possible. However, all eligible students may not receive funding.

Scholarships

Scholarships, like grants, are funds that do not require repayment.  Scholarships are coordinated through the Frank Phillips College Development Corporation and private donors.  Students receiving a Frank Phillips College scholarship must use the award while attending FPC.  Funds will not be disbursed to a student for transfer to another college or university, or for personal use.

There are many scholarship opportunities for students attending Frank Phillips College.  Scholarships can vary significantly in eligibility criteria; some are merit based and others are need based. Each year, through the generous support of FPC donors, more scholarships become available.  Click here for a list of current FPC scholarships and to apply.  You only need to complete one application to apply for all FPC scholarships. 

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.

Federal Work Study

Federal 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. Student must verify eligibility with the financial aid office.

Students employed through the Federal 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.

SFS Cost of Attendance

Determining Financial Need

Frank Phillips College Net Price Calculator

Cost of Attendance 
When calculating the cost of an education, we take into account several factors, such as:

Tuition & Fees
Books & Supplies
Transportation
Room & Board
Miscellaneous Expenses

Expected Family Contribution
A standard formula created by the Federal Government determines the amount
of money a family may reasonably be expected to contribute toward an
individual’s education. Income, assets, benefits, number of dependents
and number of family members in college are all considered in the
calculation.

Financial Need 
A student’s financial need is determined by subtracting the Expected
Family Contribution from the Cost of Attendance. Federal and State
financial assistance is limited to this amount by law. All scholarships,
grants, loans and work study are considered in meeting the student’s
need.

Tuition Exemptions

The following tuition exemption programs are administered through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board:

• blind/deaf student,
• children of disabled or deceased firefighters and law enforcement officers,
• children of professional nursing program faculty and staff,
• children of prisoners of war or persons missing in action,
• students in foster or other residential care,
• peace officers, and
• early high school graduates.

Some tuition exemptions are need-based. Eligible students should contact the Student Financial Services office for more information.