Three Basic Facts About Student Aid

FAFSA.

1.

Facts About the FAFSA

2.

3.

Students get financial aid from a lot of places. You can apply for aid from the federal or state government, local banks or credit unions, civic or church groups, your or your parents’ employer or union, and the college itself. The middle of your junior year in high school is the best time to start asking about financial aid. Your best source of information (including application deadlines) is the financial aid officer at the college you want to attend. When you ask for catalogues from colleges, also ask for financial aid applications and related instructions. Apply even if you think you won’t qualify. REMEMBER, apply on time and complete all forms carefully. College funds are limited, and you can lose your chance to get some types of aid if you apply late.

The Basic Types of Student Aid 1.

2. 3.

4.

5.

6.

Grants and Scholarships: gifts of money that do not have to be paid back. Scholarships are usually awarded based on grades or some special talent; grants are awarded based on financial need. Loans: borrowed funds that usually must be paid back with interest. Forgiveness Loans: borrowed funds that usually must be repaid by performing some type of service. Work-Study: part-time jobs provided by colleges so students can work and earn money. Tuition/Fee Exemptions: programs that decrease the tuition and/or fee charges for eligible students attending public colleges. Loan Repayment Programs: programs that make payments against outstanding student loans in repayment for services provided by the student.

Students who receive financial aid are offered an aid “package” by their institution. The package often includes more than one type of aid. The total amount of aid in your package depends on your financial need. Most federal and state aid is awarded based on financial need rather than academic merit (grades). Your financial need is determined by the information you report on your

ALL colleges will ask you to file a FAFSA if you are applying for financial aid. FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must complete a FAFSA, either the paper application or FAFSA on the Web, to apply for state and federal aid. The information contained in this application is used to calculate your need for financial aid. High school counselors and college aid offices have copies of the paper application. The FAFSA web site is www.fafsa.ed.gov . Follow instructions on the form or web site to send the form to the federal processor. If you want to receive aid for a fall term, complete and send your FAFSA to the processor as soon as possible after you and your family complete your federal income tax return for the prior year, or by the college’s financial aid deadline–whichever comes first. The processor will review your FAFSA and calculate your “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC) -- the amount you and your family will be expected to pay toward college costs. The calculation takes a lot of different things into consideration -- your parents’ income, your earnings, your family’s assets, the size of your family and the number of people attending college at the same time. It also takes into account family expenses. These include income taxes paid, housing, clothing and food costs, and your parents’ need to save for retirement. Within four to six weeks after mailing your FAFSA (two to four weeks if you complete the FAFSA on the Web), you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Read the report carefully. If corrections are needed, follow directions for making them. The SAR will indicate your family contribution and whether you are eligible for a federal Pell Grant. If you are not eligible for Pell, don’t worry! You might still qualify for other types of aid. Pell is targeted towards the students with the greatest financial need. Many students who do not get Pell receive other types of awards.

Calculating Financial Need Most state and federal aid programs can only go to

students with financial need, and need equals: Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution Need The Cost of Attendance includes tuition and fees, books and supplies and living expenses. Your financial need is the “gap” between this cost figure and the amount the processor calculates your family can provide (your Expected Family Contribution). Each financial aid program has its own set of eligibility requirements. The information you give the aid office through your FAFSA and (possibly) other forms they ask you to submit, allows the aid office to figure out which programs you can qualify for. Once the aid office has the information from your Student Aid Report, it can calculate your need and decide which awards to offer you. (You do not have to apply separately for each program.) Once these decisions are made, the aid office sends you an award letter, listing the parts of your aid package. This letter is usually sent out by early summer.

educational loan programs that your college financial aid office can tell you about. Forgiveness Loan programs provide money to students who sign contracts or agreements to perform certain work or services after completing college. If the students complete the services as agreed, no repayment is required. If the student fails to perform the service, the money received as a forgiveness loan has to be repaid with interest. Forgiveness loans are available to outstanding rural scholars, physicians, and rural physician assistants. All three programs require the student to work for one or more years in the profession for which the loan paid for training. As with any loan, you want to make sure you fully understand the interest rates, repayment and/or service terms, and tax implications. Borrow only what you need. Remember that loans must be repaid, even if you do not finish college or get the job you had hoped for.

Things to Remember 1.

The amount of financial aid you qualify for is based on your financial need. Your family contribution will remain the same from college to college, but your need may increase or decrease depending upon the costs of the college.

2.

Colleges handle “outside scholarships” (scholarships you bring with you to the school) differently. The college may reduce the amount you will have to borrow or the amount of institutional grant aid by the amount of the scholarship.

3.

You must apply for aid each year. Your family’s federal income tax return should be completed early, allowing you to complete your FAFSA accurately and on time. Using estimated information on the FAFSA will mean you will have to make corrections later.

Students who do not qualify for need-based aid have a borrowing opportunity available through the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program and the College Access Loan (CAL) Program.

4.

Each college sets its own deadline for applying for financial aid. Contact all colleges you are interested in to learn about financial aid deadlines.

Parents may also borrow through the federal Plus Loan Program and a variety of supplemental

5.

College is expensive, but it’s the most important investment you can make in your

Facts About Loans If you intend to borrow from a federal student loan program to help pay for your education, ask your college financial aid officer about the application process at that particular college. The college can also help you find a lender – an organization able to loan the funds to you. The least expensive educational loans are those targeted to financial needy students. These loans – Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans and Perkins Loans – require no interest or repayment while the borrower is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Specialized, need-based loans are also available to students in medical and allied health professions. Interest does accumulate while the student is in school, but no repayment is required until the student drops below half-time enrollment.

future. Take time to learn about your options before you make any college decision. College financial aid officers can help you find ways to pay for your education.

To Learn More About Financial Aid... Your best source of information is the financial aid office at the college you wish to attend. Write or call financial aid offices, or contact them via their college websites. A list of Texas non-profit colleges and universities, with the addresses and phone numbers of their financial aid officers, can be requested by calling 1-800-242-3062, ext. 6387. You can also use a computer at home, school, or at the public library to learn about sources of college grants, scholarships, and loans–it’s easy and convenient. The homepages of many of the Texas colleges and universities can be accessed through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website. You can visit our website at: www.thecb.state.tx.us. You may also contact these agencies for additional information: Center for Rural Health Initiatives PO Box 1708 Austin TX 78767 (512) 479-8891

U.S. Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance 1200 Main Tower Dallas TX 75202 (800) 4FED-AID (800) 433-3243 www.ed.gov

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (800) 433-3243 www.fafsa.ed.gov

Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation GPM South Tower Suite 200 800 NW Loop 410 San Antonio TX 78216 (210) 525-8494 www.window.state.tx.us/ scholars/mspmain.html

Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp. PO Box 201725 Austin TX 78720-1725 (800) 252-9743 www.tgslc.org

United Student Aid Funds

Texas Health Service Corps TDH-Community Oriented Primary Care Provider Placement 1100 W. 49th Street Austin TX 78756 (512) 458-7518 www.tdh.state.tx.us

PO Box 5826 Indianapolis, IN 46250

Exemptions – Education Benefits for Special Populations What is an exemption? A state program that allows public colleges to lower tuition and/or fees for eligible students Who can qualify? The state has programs for some students who Are blind Were in foster care Were adopted Are deaf Were valedictorians Were early high school graduates The state also has programs for Children of Disabled or deceased peace officers Deceased veterans POW’s or MIA’s Parents receiving TANF for the student when he/she was a high school senior For more information, call 1-800-242-3062 ext 6387 to request a fact sheet on a particular exemption or to request a full list of exemptions, including statutes. You can also send an inquiry to the Coordinating Board using the e-mail address given below to get exemption questions answered. [email protected]

Loan Repayment Programs The State of Texas has loan repayment programs for persons employed in certain fields. These programs are: Physician Education Loan Repayment Program; Early Childhood Child Care Provider Student Loan Repayment Program; Border County Doctoral Faculty Education Loan Repayment Program; Texas Rural Physician Assistant Loan Repayment Program; and the Dental Education Loan Repayment Program. For information about these programs, contact the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at 1800-242-3062, ext. 6387 or by using the Internet address of [email protected].

The Following Websites Also Provide Information About Student Financial Aid Adventures in Education www.adventuresineducation.org ... information on applying for financial aid, managing your money and repaying your student loans College Board – www.collegeboard.org ... the homepage of the College Board, including an on-line financial aid calculator and information on scholarships and the SAT FastWEB – www.fastweb.com ... a highly popular, customized financial aid search listing with more than 300 references Financial Aid Information Page – www.finaid.org ... lists a variety of grants, scholarships and consumer information National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators - www.nasfaa.org ... financial aid tips for students, parents, and counselors Peterson’s Education & Career Center www.petersons.com ... scholarship search and other resources Student Loan Marketing Association www.salliemae.com ... financial aid tips for students, parents, and counselors Texas Tomorrow Fund – www.texastomorrowfund.com ... provides information on the Texas prepaid higher education tuition program Texas Workforce Commission – www.twc.state.tx.us ... provides information on educational and training opportunities offered by the Texas Workforce Commission

For request an order form for additional copies, contact the Student Services Division, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

2000-2001

1-800-242-3062 x 6387 or [email protected]

Just the Facts About Student Financial Aid

Phone Numbers for Financial Aid Offices NOTE: The names of some colleges have been abbreviated in order for all of them to fit in this publication. For a full list of colleges, including the mailing addresses for financial aid offices, call 1800-242-3062, ext. 6387. Abilene Christian University (915) 674-2643 Alvin Community College (281) 388-4630 Amarillo College (806) 371-5311 Amber University (972) 279-6511 Angelina College (936) 633-5291 Angelo State University (915) 942-2246 Austin College (903) 813-2900 Austin Community College (ACC) Riverside Campus (512) 223-6022 Northridge Campus (512) 223-4734 Rio Grande Campus (512) 223-3055 Baylor College of Medicine (713) 798-4603 Baylor University (254) 710-2611 Blinn College (979) 830-4146 Brazosport College (409) 266-3294 Brookhaven College (972) 860-4110 Cedar Valley College (972) 860-8280 Cent. TX Col. Dist. (800)-792-3348 x 1559 Cisco Junior College (254) 442-2567 x 155 Clarendon College (806) 874-3571 Coastal Bend College (512) 358-3130 x2235 Col. of the Mainland (409) 938-1211 x 274 Collin County Com. Col. District (CCCD) Central Park Campus (972) 881-5760 Courtyard Center for Professional and Economic Development (972) 985-3790 Preston Ridge Campus (972) 377-1760 Spring Creek Campus (972) 881-5760 Concordia University (512) 452-7661 Dallas Baptist University (214) 333-5363 Del Mar College (361) 698-1293 East TX Baptist Univ. (903) 935-7963 x 216 Eastfield College (972) 860-7188 El Centro College (214) 860-2097 El Paso Community College (915)-831-2566 Frank Phillips College (806) 274-5311 x 718 Galveston College (409) 763-6551 x 235 Grayson County College (903) 463-8642 Hardin-Simmons University (915) 670-1331 Hill College (254) 582-2555 Houston Com. Col. System (713) 718-8550 Houston Baptist University (281) 649-3204

Howard College (915) 264-5083 Howard Payne University (915) 649-8015 Huston-Tillotson College (512) 505-3000 Jacksonville College (903) 586-2518 Jarvis Christian College (903) 769-5741 Kilgore College (903) 983-8211 Phone Numbers, Con’t. Lamar Univ.-Beaumont (409) 880-8450 Lamar State College-Orange (409) 882-3317 Lamar State College-Port Arthur (409) 984-6203 Lamar Univ. Inst. of Tech. (800) 950-6989 Laredo Com. Col. (956) 721-5361 Lee College (281) 425--6389 LeTourneau University (903) 233-3430 Lon Morris College (903) 589-4000 Lubbock Christian Univ. (806) 796-8800 McLennan Community Col (254) 299-8698 McMurry University (915) 691-6213 Midland College (915) 685-4623 Midwestern State University (940) 397-4214 Mountain View College (214) 860-8688 Navarro College (903) 874-6501 x 248 North Central Texas College (940) 668-4242 North Harris Montgomery Comm Coll Dist Kingwood College (281) 312-1606 Montgomery College (936) 273-7247 North Harris College (281) 260-3107 Tomball College (281) 351-3334 North Lake College (972) 273-3320 Northeast TX Com. Col. (903) 572-1911 Northwest Vista College (210) 706-2019 Odessa College (915) 335-6429 Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio (210) 434-6711 x 319 Palo Alto College (210) 921-5320 Panola College (903) 693-2039 Paris Junior College (903) 782-0429 Parker Col. of Chiropractic (214) 352-7332 Paul Quinn College (214) 302-3530 Prairie View A&M University (409) 857-2422 Ranger College (254) 647-3234 Rice University (713) 527-4958 Richland College (972) 238-8186 Sam Houston State Univ. (409) 294-1724 San Antonio College (210) 733-2150 San Jacinto College Central Campus (281) 476-1501 North Campus (281) 459-7121, ext. 7 South Campus (281) 922-3412 Schreiner College (830) 792-7228 South Plains College (806) 894-9611 x2410 South Texas College of Law (713) 646-1820 Southern Methodist Univ. (214) 768-3417

Southwest Texas Jr. Col (830) 591-7273 Southwest Texas State Univ. (512) 245-2315 Southwestern Adventist U (817) 645-3921 Southwestern Assemblies of God Univ. (972) 937-4010 x1135 Southwestern Christian Col. (972) 524-3341 Southwestern University (512) 863-6511 St. Edward's University (512) 448-8525 Phone Numbers, Con’t. St. Mary's University (210) 436-3141 St. Philip's College (210) 531-3272 Stephen F. Austin State U (409) 468-2403 Sul Ross State Rio Grande (210) 278-3330 Sul Ross State University (915) 837-8055 TAM International U (956) 326-2225 TAMU-Baylor Col of Dent (214) 828-8236 TAMU College Station (409) 845-3981 TAMU Col of Med TAMU-Commerce (903) 886-5096 TAMU-Corpus Christi (512) 994-2338 TAMU-Galveston (409) 740-4500 TAMU-Kingsville (512) 595-3911 TAMU-Texarkana (903) 838-6514 Tarleton State University (254) 968-9070 Tarrant County Junior College Northeast Campus (817) 515-6697 Northwest Campus (817) 515-7711 South Campus (817) 515-4564 Southeast Campus (817) 515-3040 Temple College (254) 298-8321 Texarkana College (903) 838-4541 x 214 Texas Chiropractic College (281) 487-1170 Texas Christian University (817) 921-7858 Texas Lutheran College (210) 372-8000 Texas Southern University (713) 527-7319 Texas Southmost College (956) 544-8277 Texas State Technical College Harlingen (956) 425-0672 Sweetwater (915) 235-7315 Waco (254) 867-4814 Texas Tech University (806) 742-3141 Texas Tech HSC (806) 743-3025 Texas Wesleyan University (817) 531-4420 Texas Woman's University (940) 898-3050 Trinity University (210) 736-8315 Trinity Valley Com. Col. (903) 675-6279 Tyler Junior College (903) 510-2385 University of Dallas (972) 721-5266 U of Houston (713) 743-1010 U of Houston-Clear Lake (281) 283-2481 U of Houston-Downtown (713) 221-8041 U of Houston-Victoria (512) 788-6267 Univ of the Incarnate Word (210) 829-6008

Univ of Mary Hardin-Baylor (254) 939-4517 U of North Texas (940) 565-3902 UNTHSC Fort Worth (817) 735-2520 University of St. Thomas (713) 525-2170 Univ. of Texas-Arlington (817) 272-3568 Univ. of Texas-Austin (512) 475-6282 Univ. of Texas-Brownsville (956) 544-8277 Univ. of Texas-Dallas (972) 883-2941 Univ. of Texas-El Paso (915) 747-5204 Univ. of Texas-Pan American (956) 381-3654 Phone Numbers, Con’t. Univ. of Texas-Permian Basin (915) 552-2620 Univ. of Texas-San Antonio 1-800-776-6919 Univ. of Texas-Tyler (903) 566-7180 UTHSC- Houston (713) 500-3860 UTHSC-San Antonio (210) 567-2635 UTMB Galveston (409) 772-4955 UTSWMC Dallas (214) 648-3611 Vernon Regional Jr. Col. (940) 552-6291 Victoria College, The (361) 572-6415 Wayland Baptist University (806) 296-4713 Weatherford College (817) 594-5471 West Texas A&M Univ (806) 651-2055 Western Texas College (915) 573-8511 Wharton Co. Jr. Col. (409) 532-4560 x 6437 Wiley College (903) 927-3217 x 217

Grants and Scholarships

Program

Who is Eligible

Avg. Award

Number of Awards

Basis of Selection

How to Apply

Byrd Scholarship

High school seniors and persons completing GED training. Scholarship is based on gpa, rank in class or GED equivalents and scores on college entrance exams.

$1,487

1,627

Entrance exam scores, class rank and GED scores

High school counselors and GED trainers recommend up to three of their top students during the spring of the senior year. Selection is then made at the state level by the Coordinating Board. Apps are due to the Board on March 15.

Early High School Graduation Scholarship

Texas residents who attended public high school only in Texas and completed grades 9-12 in no more than 36 consecutive months.

$483

3,878

Completion of grades 9-12 in no more than 36 consecutive months

High school counselor sends TX Higher Education Coordinating Board a letter, certifying student eligibility. Coordinating Board notifies college. For a copy of the required certification letter, call 1-800-242-3062 ext. 6387and request an EHS packet.

Federal PELL Grant

U.S. citizens or nationals enrolled as college undergraduates or vocational students at public or independent colleges.

$1,827

236,553

Financial Need

Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)

U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled as undergraduates or vocational students at public or independent colleges.

Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship

Texas residents and non-residents who have completed 120 semester credit hours and who plan to sit for the CPA exam in the state of Texas.

$1,684

358

Financial need, scholastic ability and performance

License Plate Insignia Scholarship

Texas residents with financial need.

$876

475

Financial Need

PSIG-LEAP (Public Student Incentive GrantLEAP)

Texas residents with financial need who are enrolled at public colleges in Texas.

PSIG - $846 LEAP - $372

PSIG - 2,939 LEAP - 1,860

Financial Need

TEG-LEAP (Tuition Equalization GrantLEAP)

Texas residents and National Merit Scholarship finalists enrolled as undergraduates or graduates at independent colleges in Texas.

TEG - $1,972 LEAP - $828

TEG - 23,936 LEAP - 837

Financial Need

TEXAS Grant (Towards EXcellence, Access, & Success Grant)

Texas residents with financial need who completed high school after December 98 under the recommended or distinguished achievement high school curriculum and who enroll in a Texas college or university as a freshman within 16 months of high school graduation.

$1,824

10,869

Financial need and high school curriculum

TPEG (Texas Public Education Grant)

Texas residents, nonresidents, and foreign students enrolled at public colleges in Texas.

$826

87,845

Financial Need

Professional Nursing Scholarships

Texas residents enrolled as undergraduates or graduates at public or independent colleges in Texas in degree programs leading to a baccalaureate or graduate degree in professional nursing.

$1960

148

Financial need and academic performance

Financial Need

All of these programs are awarded through the financial aid office of the college the student attends. To apply, students must complete the FAFSA and show financial need. Based on each student’s need, the aid office matches the students to the program requirements and assembles a “package”, or combination of awards which it then offers to students using an award letter. Award letters are usually mailed to students in late spring or early summer. Students do not apply separately for the different awards; the aid office determines who is to receive which awards. If applying for an accounting scholarship or nursing scholarship, make sure the financial aid office knows your major. To be considered for the greatest number of awards, the student must have submitted all documents required by the aid office by its priority deadline. This deadline is different for different schools, and students should check with their particular college about (1) the deadline and (2) the documents it requires.

Loans

Vocational Nursing Scholarships

Texas residents enrolled as college undergraduates at public or independent colleges in Texas in degree programs leading to licensure as an LVN.

$619

89

Program

Who is Eligible

Maximum Award

Federal Family Education Loans or Direct Loans

U.S. Citizens/permanent residents enrolled at eligible colleges.

Financial need and academic performance Basis of Selection

How to Apply

Apply at college financial aid office or through a private lender (bank or credit union).

Subsidized Stafford Loans

Varies based on year in school:$2,625 - $8,500 per year (interest cap 8.25%).

Financial Need

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Varies based on year in school: $2,625 - $18,500 per year (interest cap at 8.25%).

Financial Need

Federal Perkins Loans

U.S. Citizens/permanent residents enrolled at eligible colleges.

Up to $3,000 (5 % interest).

Financial Need

Federal PLUS Loans

U.S. Citizens/permanent residents enrolled at eligible colleges.

Varies based on need.

Financial Need

HHCSLP-Health Education Loan (HELP)

Students in medical or allied health professions (including veterinary students) eligible to pay Texas resident tuition rates enrolled as undergraduates or graduates at public or independent colleges in Texas.

Varies based on program of study. Ranges from $7,500 $80,000 per year (interest currently 8.00%).

Financial Need

HHCSLP-College Access Loan (CAL)

Students eligible to pay Texas resident tuition rates enrolled as undergraduates or graduates at public or independent colleges in Texas.

Up to $7,500 a year (interest currently 9.00%).

Financial Need

Health Professions Loans

U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents enrolled in dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine or veterinary medicine.

Up to $2,500 a year plus tuition (interest rate currently 5.00%).

Exceptional financial need

Nursing Student Loans

U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents enrolled in programs leading to a diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing.

Varies by year: $2,500 $4,000.

Financial Need

Forgiveness loan covers the cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies and living expenses as determined by the college financial aid office. Half of the forgiveness loan is provided by the sponsoring community; half is provided by the State of Texas.

Applications are scored and ranked by an advisory committee on the basis of academic achievement, standardized tests, essay, results of interview with sponsor, community statement of need, and commitment of financial support from sponsor. Selected student must commit to work for one year in the sponsoring community for each year of support that is received

Contact the Center for Rural Health Initiatives, PO Box 1708 Austin, TX 78767 512-479-8891 http://www.crhi.state.tx.us

Program

Who is Eligible

Maximum Award

Basis of Selection

How to Apply

Teach for Texas Conditional Grant Program

Juniors and seniors enrolled at least 3/4 time in educator certification programs at approved institutions who also meet the TEXAS Grant requirements.

Up to $5,000 a year. (Awards are pro-rated for less than full-time enrollment).

Contact: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Special Account Servicing Office at: 512/4276367 or 800/242-3062, ext. 6367. See also: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/divisions/student/TeachTx/

Recipients must commit to becoming full-time “certified” teachers for five years in a Texas public school in either an approved shortage field or a community that has been designated as having a critical shortage of teachers.

This is a “conditional” grant that will revert to a student loan if certain conditions are not met as stated in the required promissory note.

Academic standing, financial need, and recommendation from the Dean/Chair of the education department

Work Study

Federal College Work-Study

U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students at eligible colleges.

Financial need.

Financial Need

Apply at college financial aid office.

Texas College Work-Study Program

Texas residents enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students at public or independent colleges in Texas.

Financial need.

Financial Need

Apply at college financial aid office.

Exemptions

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Texas residents enrolled in or intending to enroll in an eligible institution to become a health care professional who is sponsored by a rural community that is committee to providing financial support. Must either be a (1) high school student in the upper 25% of class, if such class numbers 48 or more, or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; (2) a college student with a cumulative GPA of 3/0 on a 4.0 scale; or (3) an individual who has a high school degree or equivalent and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the sponsoring rural community the motivation, qualities and abilities that lead to success in the chosen health care profession.

Exemption Programs for Certain Students at Public Universities

Veterans and their dependents, valedictorians, blind or deaf students, children of disabled firemen and peace officers, children of POWs/MIAs, disabled peace officers, fire fighters enrolled in fire science courses, foster care students, senior citizens, children of parents who received AFDC or TANF benefits, Texas National Guardsman or State Guardsman, and certified educational aides.

Varies by category. Some exemptions cover tuition only, some cover tuition and fees. Some have time limits.

Varies by category

Contact: The registrar or business office at the college you plan to attend if you fall into one of these categories. A complete listing of exemption programs may be obtained from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at: 512/427-6387 or 800/242-3062, ext. 6387. You may also request this by email: [email protected]

Loan Forgiveness Program

Outstanding Rural Scholar Forgiveness Loan Program

Other Programs

Community Scholarship Program (for primary health care providers)

Health care students who plan on returning to their rural, designated Health Professional Shortage Area communities to practice.

Varies.

Willing to practice in a rural, designated Health Professional Shortage Area communities to practice for a specified period of time

Contact: The Center for Rural Health Initiatives PO Box 1708; Austin, TX 78767 512-479-8891; http://www.crhi.state.tx.us

Texas Health Service Corps Repayment Program

Primary care residents who agree to at least one year of practice in a county that has been designated as a WHOLE MUS (Medically Underserved Area) or HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area) for each year they receive a stipend.

Up to $15,000 per year.

Priority given to individuals working in areas with the greatest level of need

Contact: The Center for Rural Health Initiatives PO Box 1708; Austin, TX 78767 512-479-8891; http://www.crhi.state.tx.us

Texas Health Service Corps Scholarship Program

Available to students in specific primary care areas. Must agree to serve in areas with severe health professional shortages.

Varies.

Competitive scholarship. Must agree to serve in areas with severe health professional shortages

Contact: The Texas Department of Health, Community Oriented Primary Care - Primary Care Placement Office. Contact: Connie Barry, 512-458-7111.

Texas Tomorrow Fund

Available to Texas residents.

This is a prepaid tuition program – tomorrow’s tuition at today’s prices.

None

Contact: The State Comptroller’s Office at (800) 445GRAD.

Veterans Administration Benefits

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and dependents whose parent(s) was disabled either while on duty or as a result of service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Varies.

Contact sponsor agency

Contact: Veteran’s Administration (1-800-827-1000) or American Legion, Texas Headquarters (512-472-4138 or www.txlegion.org.