Financial Aid

Paying for College

The BC Financial Aid Office can help make your education affordable. Aid may be in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, work-study programs, and/or childcare assistance.

Financial Aid

The BC Financial Aid program provides financial awards to those students who need assistance meeting educational expenses. Students must be enrolled in courses toward an approved degree or certificate program. These awards are based on financial need, scholastic ability, or other qualifications as designated by the donors of the funds.

Applying for Financial Assistance

For information on applying for financial assistance, visit the Financial Aid website at www.brazosport.edu/financialaid or the Financial Aid Office in Room E.101 at Brazosport College, 500 College Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, or speak to a financial aid representative at 979-230-3377.

All students applying for financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. To assure financial aid is awarded prior to the payment due date, a complete financial aid file MUST be in the Financial Aid Office by the following dates:

Fall semester - June 1
Spring semester - November 1
Summer semesters - April 1

Grants

Grants are aid funds that do not have to be paid back by students who qualify and complete their courses. Available grants include Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Texas Public Education Grants, and Texas Educational Opportunity Grants.

Scholarships

Brazosport College offers a variety of scholarships to current and prospective students. The Financial Aid Committee selects recipients for these scholarships. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov as part of the application process; however, eligibility for financial aid is not necessarily a factor in being awarded a scholarship. Students may be enrolled full-time or part-time and must maintain at least an overall 2.0 grade point average.

Additional scholarship information, as well as the on-line application, is available at http://www.brazosport.edu/scholarships.

To assure your scholarship application is considered in the first round, a complete scholarship application and FAFSA must be in the Financial Aid Office by June 1st of each year.

Hazlewood Act

Texas residents who served honorably in the U.S. armed forces may have their tuition and fees (except college service fees) waived. Visit www.collegeforalltexans.com for additional information on this exemption program.

The Hazlewood Act will pay for credit classes and community education classes that are funded by the state. All documentation must be filed with the Financial Aid Office for review no later than one week prior to the payment deadline.

Hazlewood Legacy Act

Under certain conditions, eligible veterans may assign unused hours of exemption eligibility to a child. Visit www.collegeforalltexans.com for additional information on this exemption program. All documentation must be filed with the Financial Aid Office for review no later than one week prior to payment deadline.

Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

Students who have certain physical disabilities and whose vocational objective has been approved by a Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) representative may apply for tuition assistance through DARS. Application for assistance should be made at the nearest DARS office or to the director of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services in Austin, Texas. For more information visit www.dars.state.tx.us or call 800-628-5115.

Work Force Assistance

Area workforce development agencies are a possible source of assistance: For more information, visit the local office at 491 This Way, Lake Jackson, Texas, or call 979-297-6400.

Childcare Assistance

Students who have completed the financial aid process, including the FAFSA, and are pursuing a certificate or degree at Brazosport College are eligible to apply for assistance in paying for childcare while attending classes at BC. Childcare assistance funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. In order to receive childcare assistance, you must comply with the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy or have at least a 2.0 GPA. Some childcare funding may allow for exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis. Childcare recipients must also meet other requirements as indicated in the application packet. For more information call 979-230-3377.

Loan Funds

Brazosport College encourages students to borrow responsibly and to utilize the various resources that promote skills on budgeting, debt management, and managing repayment. The College is committed to helping students successfully complete their respective degree/certificate program while educating them about the importance of minimizing student loan debt. Such a commitment is vital to meeting our mission.

1. Brazosport College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The college does not participate in the Parent (PLUS) Loan Program. While attending Brazosport College, qualifying students may borrow the following subsidized amounts:

• Freshman (0-30 earned credit hours) - $3,500
• Sophomore (31-60 earned credit hours) - $4,500

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Technology Program:

• Junior (61-90 earned credit hours) - $5,500
• Senior (over 90 earned credit hours) - $5,500

2. Students may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loans. To determine if you qualify, you must request a separate application found online at www.brazosport.edu > Students > Financial Aid & Scholarships. These funds are awarded on a case by case basis; an interview with a financial aid officer may be required.
3. Borrowers must meet all eligibility requirements established by the Department of Education, and the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) established by Brazosport College. The student’s financial aid file must be accurate and complete prior to being awarded a student loan.
4. Borrowers must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) each semester and be working towards a degree or certificate.
5. Borrowers must have up to date information with the Registrar’s office in order to have a loan processed.
6. Transfer students who wish to borrow must submit all academic transcripts to the Financial Aid Office from all prior schools attended, as well as, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
7. The priority deadline for loan applications to be processed in time for payment each semester is June 1st for Fall, November 1st for Spring and April 1st for Summer. However, applications are still accepted year round and are only processed on the second Monday of each month.
8. Loans processed prior to the first day of late registration will be available to students for charges of tuition, fees and books. The remainder will then be released to the student 30 days after the first day of class as published on http://www.brazosport.edu/financialaid.
9. All new borrowers must complete on-campus loan entrance counseling and must electronically sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before funds will be released. Repeat borrowers will be required to complete online entrance counseling before funds will be released.
10. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to refuse to originate a direct loan or may certify such a loan for a reduced amount. Such decisions are made only on a case-by-case basis and are not part of a pattern or practice that denies access to loans because of a borrower’s race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability status or income. The school will notify the borrower in writing of the reason for the decision in such cases and will keep documentation supporting the decision on file.
11. New direct loan statutory requirements limits a first-time borrower’s eligibility for direct subsidized loans to a period not to exceed 150 percent of the length of the borrower’s educational program.
12. All borrowers MUST complete student loan exit counseling at the end of each loan period, as well as shortly before they completely withdraw, graduate, or drop below half-time status. If student loan counseling is not completed, a hold will be placed on the borrower’s record and the student will not be able to re-enroll, obtain transcripts, or graduate until exit counseling is complete.
13. All borrowers must notify the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from any or all classes as such change may affect a student’s financial aid eligibility. If a student does not meet Brazosport Colleges SAP policy, financial literacy will be suggested.
14. Any variations of this policy may be appealed to the Financial Aid Committee.

Web-site resources to promote skills on budgeting, debt management, and managing repayment:

www.studentloans.gov
www.nslds.ed.gov
www.tgslc.org/borrowers

Work Study Programs

Work study is a program in which students may work up to 19 hours per week. Jobs such as data entry, lab assistants, library aides, and office aides are available.  Applications are available at www.brazosport.edu.

Off-campus employment may be secured through the Career Center at Brazosport College. Jobs are available in many areas that require different degrees of skill. Working hours are usually four to eight hours daily and employers set their own rates of pay.

Brazosport College offers cooperative education in many programs for students. Students enrolled in cooperative training are required to work for a minimum of approximately 20 hours a week in a job related to their program of study. Those students interested in a co-op program should see the division chair in the department for which co-op training is being considered.

Satisfactory Academic Progress/Good Standing Policy

Federal regulations require financial aid recipients to make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree or certificate and maintain good academic standing. To obtain a copy of this policy, contact the Financial Aid Office or view the policy on the Financial Aid web page at www.brazosport.edu/financialaid.

Aid recipients who fail to meet these criteria may receive financial aid for an additional semester; however, if they are not in good standing or have not made satisfactory progress at the end of the semester, aid will be suspended. Transfer students must have all academic transcripts on file. Transcripts from other institutions of higher education are reviewed using the Satisfactory Academic Progress/Good Standing Policy. Students’ entire academic histories, including coursework taken at other institutions, regardless of whether financial aid was received or not, are considered under this policy.

Refund and Repayment for Students Who Receive State or Federal Aid

If students withdraw from Brazosport College, they may be eligible for a refund of a portion of the tuition and fees paid to Brazosport College for that semester. If the student received state or federal aid (Title IV), then a portion of the refund will be returned to the grant source from which that assistance was received.

Two formulas exist for determining the amount of the refund: Brazosport College’s Refund Policy and the federal “Return of Title IV Aid” formula derived from the October 7, 1998, Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The federal formula is applicable to any student receiving federal aid if that student withdraws on or before the sixty percent point in time in the semester. These students may also receive a refund of non-federal or non-state sources through Brazosport College’s refund policy. Students not receiving federal or state aid will have their refund calculated using only Brazosport College’s refund policy.

The federal formula provides a return of Title IV aid if the student received federal financial assistance in the form of a Pell Grant, Federal Student Loan, or FSEOG and withdrew on or before completing 60% of the semester. Students who withdraw or are dropped from all courses, receive a grade of “F” in all courses, or receive a combination of all W’s and F’s in all courses will be required to repay the college a portion of funds received for the semester. The percentage of the refund is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the semester.

If any refund remains after the required return of Title IV aid, the refund will be used to repay any state funds. Any amount left will then be paid to the student in proportion to the amount paid by that student as long as there was no unpaid balance due at the time of withdrawal. If there was an unpaid balance, then all aid sources will be repaid before any refund is paid to the student. Worksheets are available upon request to help in determining the amount of refund or repayment.

Student Checklist for Financial Aid

• Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov
• Apply for admission to Brazosport College with all required forms filled out prior to registration
• Complete all additional financial aid forms as early as possible (see priority deadlines)
• Review status on myBC.
• Read Brazosport College catalog to find refund policies, courses offered, degree plan, registration dates, financial aid priority deadline, tuition and fees, etc.
• Notify the Financial Aid Office of any change in address, name, marital status, course load (dropping a class/withdrawing form BC), or financial aid received from any source other than Brazosport College.
• Reapply for financial aid each academic year.