Southwest Texas State University makes every effort to help students who need assistance in paying for the cost of their education. Various financial aid programs are available. Interested students should visit, write, or call the Office of Student Financial Aid, located in Room 240, J.C. Kellam Building. Counselors are available during regular business hours. Phone (512) 245-2315.
Federal and State Aid Programs
Southwest Texas State University participates in a number of federal and state financial aid programs. Students may apply for such grant programs as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Texas Public Education Grant, and State Student Incentive Grant. There are also several long-term loan programs available to SWT students, including the Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, Hinson-Hazlewood Student Loan, College Access Loan, Federal Direct Loan, and Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students. The Federal Direct Lending Program is limited to new borrowers with no previous participation in the Federal Stafford, SLS, etc. The interest rates for these loans may vary. Except for the Federal Direct Parent Loan, repayment generally does not begin until six months after the student leaves school or drops below a half-time status. Another source of financial aid is the Federal and Texas Work Study Programs. These programs are available for SWT students showing financial need who wish to earn part of their educational expenses.
Applying for Financial Aid
To apply for a grant, loan or one of the Work Programs, students should first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is available from high school counselors, an area college or university, or the SWT Office of Financial aid. Regretfully, Free Application for Federal Student Aid cannot be mailed. The FAFSA should be completed and sent to the processing center in the addressed envelope provided.
Deadlines. The priority date for filing a Financial Aid Application is April 1 prior to the Fall or Spring semester for which aid is desired. Students who miss the priority application date will be considered for aid after on-time applicants are processed. Missing the priority application date means that aid will probable not be available when a student registers for classes and will not receive any gift aid even if eligible, other than the Federal Pell Grant.
Requirements for Maintaining Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students receiving financial assistance through any federal or state programs must meet academic progress requirements. Generally, these requirements include a minimum SWT GPA of a 2.0 and completion of an average of 12 semester hours of new course work each long semester enrolled.
Enrollment Status. Students receiving assistance from any of the above financial aid programs must be enrolled at least half-time (6 semester hours during a long semester or 3 during each summer term). Financial aid recipients who withdraw from the university or reduce hours by officially dropping a course may be required to repay financial aid received. Repayment will be in accordance with the refund schedule developed by the Director of Accounting and published in the Schedule of Classes each semester.
Other Financial Assistance
Scholarships. Scholarships are available to qualified students on a competitive basis. Information is included in the SWT Scholarship Application Pamphlet available on request from the Office of Student Financial Aid. February 1 is the scholarship deadline. A separate Scholarship application is required and can be obtained through the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Short - Term Assistance. Students who need short-term/emergency assistance may borrow from $50 to $250, to be repaid within the semester. Students must be enrolled at least half-time, have an SWT GPA of at least 2.0, and have no holds on record and no defaults on previous short-term loans. Students who need assistance in paying tuition at registration may apply for the Emergency Tuition and Fees Loan Program (ETLP). The amount of this loan normally does not exceed the costs of tuition and course fees. A limited number of ETLP's for on-campus room and board are available. These are somewhat more restricted.
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