Financial Aid

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Brazosport College’s financial aid program provides grants, scholarships, loans, and on-campus employment for students who need assistance meeting their educational expenses. These awards are based on financial need, scholastic ability, or other qualifications as designated by the source of the funds.

Applying for Financial Assistance

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

Grants

Grants are aid funds that do not have to be paid back by students who qualify and complete their courses. These grants are based on information students report in the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA). This application must be completed online at http://www.fafsa.gov. A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be generated and will be sent to the designated schools. Applicants will also receive a copy of the SAR via email. Awards are based on this report, as well as the number of hours in which the students enroll and other information required by the college.

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

Students are responsible for confirming that all required documents have been received in the Financial Aid Office. Students may view their financial aid status on their myBC account at http://www.brazosport.edu.

Pell Grant

This federally funded need-based grant is for students pursuing a degree or certificate in a credit program. The award is available for tuition, fees, and books.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

This federally funded need-based grant is available to exceptionally needy undergraduate students pursuing a degree or certificate in a credit program. The award is in addition to a Pell grant and is available for tuition, fees, and books.

Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG Grant)

This state funded grant program is for students pursuing a degree or certificate in all credit programs and some noncredit programs. This award may only be applied to tuition, fees, and books. NOTE: Credit students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours.

Dual credit students may also receive TPEG awards and must be enrolled in three credit hours.

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG Grant)

This state funded grant program is for students in all credit programs pursuing a degree or certificate. Students must be a Texas resident, must show financial need, and must be enrolled at least half time. This award may be applied to tuition, fees, and books.

Hazlewood Act

Students who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces may have their tuition and fees (except college service fees) waived if they complete the appropriate Hazlewood Exemption Application form and meet the following conditions:

• They must show proof that all Veterans Administration benefits have expired.
• They must present a copy of their honorable discharge (form DD 214).
• They show they were a Texas resident when they entered the armed forces.
• They are a Texas resident at the time of enrollment in college.
• They may not be in default on a State Student Loan.
• They have less than 150 credit hours applied toward Hazlewood Act exemption since Fall 1995.

The Hazlewood Act will pay for credit classes and community education classes that are funded by the state (formula funding). All documentation must be filed with the Financial Aid Office for review at least one week prior to payment deadline.

Hazlewood Legacy Act

Eligible veterans may assign unused hours of exemption eligibility to a child under certain conditions. Visit http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/ for additional information on this exemption program. All documentation must be filed with the Financial Aid Office for review at least 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 can 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.

Workforce Assistance

Workforce Solutions is a possible source of assistance.  Contact this agency at 491 This Way, Lake Jackson, TX or call them at 979-297-6400.

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 http://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 application are available online at www.brazosport.edu/scholarships. To assure your scholarship application is considered in the first round, a complete scholarship application MUST be in the Financial Aid Office by June 1st of each year and the student must be enrolled in the semester for which the scholarship is being requested.

Childcare Assistance

Students who have demonstrated financial need after completing the FAFSA and are pursuing a certificate or degree at Brazosport College are eligible to apply for assistance in paying for childcare while attending college classes. Childcare assistance funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. In order to receive childcare assistance, students must also be in compliance with the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy at Brazosport College. Childcare recipients must also meet other requirements as indicated in the application packet.  Childcare Assistance application available on-line at www.brazosport.edu/financialaid under forms.

Loan Funds

William D. Ford Direct Loan Program

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 up to $3,500 for the freshman grade level and up to $4,500 for the sophomore grade level. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) program may borrow up to $5,500 for the junior grade level and up to $5,500 for the senior grade level.
2. Borrowers must meet all eligibility requirements established by the Department of Education as well as the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) established by Brazosport College. Student files must be accurate and complete prior to being awarded a student loan.
3. Borrowers must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) and working towards a degree or certificate.
4. Transfer students who wish to borrow must submit academic transcripts to the Financial Aid Office from all prior schools attended and meet SAP requirements.
5. 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 students 30 days after the first day of class.
6. All first-time borrowers must complete on-campus student loan counseling.  It is strongly suggested that previous borrowers complete on-line counseling at www.studentloans.gov.
7. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to refuse to originate a 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 borrowers’ race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability status, income, or selection of a particular lender or guaranty agency. 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.
8. All borrowers MUST complete student exit loan counseling at the end of each loan period, as well as, shortly after 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.
9. All borrowers must notify the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from any or all classes as such change may affect financial aid eligibility.
10. Any variations of this policy may be appealed to the Financial Aid Committee.
11. 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 program while educating them about the importance of minimizing student loan debt. Such a commitment is vital to meeting the mission.
12. Direct loan statutory requirements limit 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.

Work Study Programs

Work study is a program in which students may work up to 19 hours per week. Jobs such as typists, lab assistants, library aides, and office aides are available. Applications are available online at http://employment.brazosport.edu.

Off-campus employment may be secured through the Career Center at Brazosport College. Jobs are available in many types of work 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 of the 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, visit the Financial Aid web page at http://www.brazosport.edu/finaid.

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 Policy for Students Who Receive State or Federal Benefits

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. (See Section 9 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.