Financial Aid Announcements

TSTC Web Services

You can review your Finanical Aid status, pay tuition and fees and review other important information online. Visit TSTC Web Services at http://my.tstc.edu.  Here is more information: TSTC Web Services

TSTC gets $87,057 in Disaster Relief Grant

The Department of Education as part of it's Higher Education Disaster Relief Program, has awarded TSTC a $87,0057 grant, which will be divided into scholarships.  Students are urged to apply.  To read more about this scholarship and it's requirements, please visit our scholarship page.

Student Loans - TSTC goes Direct Lending

Effective Fall 2008 Texas State Technical College (TSTC) - Harlingen will begin processing loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, also known as Direct Loans. 

There are two different types of federal loans commonly used to finance education: Direct Loans and Family Federal Education Loan Program (FFELP).  Direct Loans are funded through the Department of Education whereas FFELP loans, though still federally backed, are funded through approved financial institutions such as banks, consumer finance companies, and credit unions.

For more information on Direct Loans visit our Loans website or Federal Student Aid website.

Mid-Term status?  Meet with faculty at mid-term.

How are you grades?  The Office of Student Success can help you with you grades.  Tutoring is available each semester to help students improve their academic performance in the course in which they are being tutored. 

Students can participate in the following tutoring programs: 

Open Lab Tutoring:  Available to students in all levels of mathematics, English, chemistry, biological sciences and computer literacy. 
  
The Five Week Review Program:  Students struggling in either math or English are identified and given a tutor.  These students must commit to at least two hours of tutoring per week until their grades improve. 
  
Supplemental Instruction (Group Tutoring):  Is made part of traditionally difficult courses.  Supplemental instruction tutors work closely with instructors and students to provide intensive small group instruction that supplements actual classroom material. 
  
Computer-based tutoring:  Available in English, math, biology and social sciences.  The computer-based tutoring utilizes software to help students practice English and math skills and review biology and social science materials.  The software is textbook compatible and provides students with practice/review test questions.

You will find the tutoring schedules in the Student Success website, or click here to be navigated there.

Disclaimer:  Because schedules are subject to change without notice, please contact the Student Success Office to get up-to-date schedules.  

How Enrollment Status Affects Financial Aid

If the student has received financial aid and failed to attend classes, they are considered a “no show” and therefore, have not established eligibility for any financial aid. No show students must repay in full any funds received.  Read more about "NO SHOW" and how it will affect your financial aid.

FAFSA4caster

If you want to begin exploring your financial aid options and get an early start on the financial aid process, FAFSA4caster is for you! By using FAFSA4caster, you and your family will receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid. This Web site provides you with an opportunity to increase your knowledge of the financial aid process; become familiar with the various types of federal student aid that are available; and investigate other sources of aid, such as grants and scholarships.

When you're ready to apply for aid, you can easily transition from FAFSA4caster to FAFSA on the Web. Much of the information that you enter in the FAFSA4caster will populate your FAFSA on the Web application, making the experience of applying for federal student aid a lot easier.

So help make your future forecast a bright one by planning now for college. Use the FAFSA4caster now!

Financial Aid Events 

2010 Financial Aid Awareness Night - Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - TSTC Cultural Arts Center - 6:30-8:30pm.

Did you know...

• Probation and Suspension letters will be sent to student's tstc.net accounts
• For more information about B-On-Time program.  Visit http://www.hhloans.com/
• Loans by Web is now available for students.
• Financial Aid has a Computer Lab that you can use to research scholarship information or other Financial Aid information
• Financial Aid can help you fill out your FASFA
• You can submit your FASFA online in the Financial Aid Computer Lab
• You can edit or update your FASFA information on the web with your pin number at high-speed access in our computer lab
• Financial Aid office is open on Saturday mornings
• Financial Aid can also be applied to your Distance Learning Courses.

Distribution of Funds

Financial assistance funds will be applied to the students account to cover tuition and fees.  The balance of the award will be available to the student to purchase books & supplies at TSTC Bookstore. If after covering tuition & fees and books & supplies, the students account still has a balance, a check will be mail to the student on the 20^th Class Day.  Students Stafford loan funds balance will be distributed to the student the second week of the semester or if the Stafford loan funds arrive after the beginning of the semester five days after the award has been sent by the financial institution.

Important Note: "Male citizens of the U.S. and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register at any post office, or register now on-line.