frequently asked questions
Top 10 Questions Most Commonly Asked By UTB/TSC Students
10. How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Code UTB/TSC on your FAFSA (code:030646) Note: Must have a U.S. Department of Education PIN to apply on line. Request at www.pin.ed.gov.
9. Do I need to apply every year?
Yes. One application must be completed each academic school year.
8. When does repayment begin on my student loan?
6 months after graduation OR six months after you fall below half-time status (whichever occurs first)
7. Are there any other types of grants or assistance I can apply for to help pay for my tuition?
Yes. There is the ACG grant, the SMART grant and scholarships. When completing the FAFSA on line you will be asked to answer a few questions. If you meet the criteria, you will be considered for the grant. A separate application is not needed for consideration. To be considered for scholarships, please visit our Scholarship website and follow the instructions given to apply for a particular scholarship.
6. Do I need to apply again for the summer?
No. Our school year begins with the Fall term and continues through the 2nd Summer Session. HOWEVER, you must complete and submit the Summer Award Request form on line at which should be available in February in the on-line forms section of the website. Submitting this form will notify our office what intentions you have for summer enrollment and what types of assistance you are interested in.
5. How many hours must I enroll for in order to be considered for Financial Aid?
While many financial aid awards are available for half-time (6-8 hours) students, some programs have additional enrollment requirements. For example, the Academic Competitiveness Grant and the TSC Challenge for Excellence Endowment are only available to full-time students. Check out details and requirements of different programs on the FA Programs website.
4. I will be transferring to another school, Does my financial aid transfer to the school I will be attending?
No. We recommend that you contact that school to verify other processing requirements.
3. What are the consequences if I drop a class or completely withdraw from UTB/TSC?
You may not be making satisfactory academic progress; therefore, you may not be eligible for additional financial aid. You may also be required to repay funds received during the semester if you drop or completely withdraw from classes. See section on Return of Title IV funds.
2. What is the status on my Financial Aid?
Use Scorpion Online or contact the Financial Aid Office at 882-8277 to verify if your file is complete. You can also e-mail us at financialaid@utb.edu. Keep in mind that only general information will be disclosed over the phone. For specific details about your file or awards, visit the Financial Aid Office at Tandy 206. Two photo ID(s) are required.
1. When can I pick up my grant balance? Loan balance?
Most grant balances will be mailed to the student’s mailing address or deposited to their UTB/TSC Sting Card account on or after the first class day. NOTE: Financial Aid deadlines must have been met!
UTB/TSC SURVIVAL TERMINOLOGY USED FOR FINANCIAL AID
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) – The application a student must complete to determine eligibility for federal financial aid programs. The Student Aid Report (SAR) – A student receives a SAR 3-4 weeks after he/she has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. This document will help the Financial Aid Office determine if the student is eligible for any federal financial aid programs.
TAX RETURNS, VERIFICATION WORKSHEETS - If a student is selected for verification, the student is required to submit copies of their tax returns (financial income submitted to the IRS), copies of their parent’s tax returns (dependent students only), and complete a verification worksheet (members in the household and attending college). Tax return copies must be signed and must include all attachments and W-2 forms.
AWARD NOTIFICATION - When a student's file is complete, eligibility for financial aid is determined and an award notification is sent to the student via e-mail. An e-mail message is sent to the student's primary e-mail address referring the student to Scorpion Online where he/she can view awards. On Scorpion Online, students can view awarded programs, amounts awarded and the corresponding semesters. Students must review program criteria online for each award received and to understand the conditions for the award and for the continuation of this award, if applicable (http://www.utb.edu/em/fa/Pages/FAHomeAssistancePrograms.aspx). Average cost of attendance is also available onlline at: http://www.utb.edu/em/fa/Pages/FACostofAttendance.aspx.
ENROLLMENT STATUS - UNDERGRADUATES: The number of hours a student chooses to enroll during a semester. Examples: 12+ undergraduate hours = full-time enrollment, 9-11 undergraduate hours = three-quarter time enrollment, 6-8 undergraduate hours = half-time undergraduate enrollment, 1-5 undergraduate hours = less then half-time enrollment.
ENROLLMENT STATUS - GRADUATES: The number of hours a students chooses to enroll during a semester. Examples: 9+ graduate hours = full-time enrollment, 7-8 graduate hours = three-quarter time enrollment, 5-6 graduate hours = half-time enrollment, 1-4 graduate hours= less than half-time enrollment.
ADDS & DROPS – The period during which a student can make schedule changes to his/her original registration. Financial Aid awards are not adjusted for changes in enrollment status that occur during the Adds & Drops Period. Adjustments will be done after ORD (Official Record Date). Students must be enrolled at least halftime at the time of disbursement for most financial aid programs. The student is responsible for any costs resulting from enrollment status changes.
COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL – A student completely withdraws from classes during a semester when he/she is no longer enrolled in any courses. The student may be required to repay funds received during the semester he/she withdrew. See section on Return of Title IV funds.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) – An undergraduate student must complete 70% overall of total hours attempted AND must maintain at least an overall 2.0 GPA in order to maintain financial aid satisfactory academic progress. A graduate student must complete 90% overall of total hours attempted and must maintain at least an overall 3.0 GPA. You should familiarize yourself with the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy as it applies to academic standing and eligibility for financial aid.
APPEALS - To appeal an Undergraduate Academic Standing Suspension, students must submit a written appeal with supporting documentation and a current UTB/TSC unofficial transcript to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (forms available at the VPAA Office). To appeal a Maximum Hours Suspension, students must submit to the Financial Aid Office an approved degree plan with an analysis by the academic advisor indicating the total remaining hours required for program completion. To appeal a Graduate Suspension from financial aid, students must submit a written appeal with supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office. Max hour suspension and Graduate suspension forms are available at the Financial Aid Office.
HOLDS & BARS - A student is placed on holds and bars if he/she owes money to the institution, has defaulted on a student loan, or owes a repayment to a federal or state financial aid program. This hold will prevent the student from registering and/or having academic transcripts sent to other schools.
LOAN SESSIONS - A student loan borrower is required to attend an entrance loan counseling session in person or may be eligible to complete the online entrance counseling session if he/she was previously awarded a loan at UTB/TSC and is interested in receiving another loan. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (956) 882-8277 to make an appointment for an in-person entrance loan counseling session if you are a new borrower at UTB/TSC.
EXIT SESSIONS - A student loan borrower is required to complete an online exit counseling session if he/she is graduating, is transferring to another school, has fallen below half-time status or has completely withdrawn from UTB/TSC.
