Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office provides grants, loans, and work-study opportunities to students who may otherwise be unable to attend college. The amount and type of aid awarded depends on the availability of funds and the studentís established financial need.Eligibility
Minimum requirements
- Demonstrate financial need, except in the cases of some loan programs
- Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (General Educational Diploma or GED) or demonstrate the ability to benefi t from the education or training being offered by passing an independently administered examination approved by the Department of Education
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate program in an eligible program at ACC
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Meet Selective Service requirement as specifi ed by federal regulations
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
- Not be in default of a state or federal loan
- Not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance during the period covered by federal student aid
- Not receive fi nancial aid at two schools during the same semester
Transient Students and Consortium Agreements
Students who are taking classes at ACC but earning their degree from another institution are considered transient students for fi nancial aid purposes. Financial aid must be awarded by the institution the student is earning the degree from. This can only be accomplished through a Consortium Agreement issued by the degree granting school. Students should contact their home institution for instructions.Application Procedures
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Complete the ACC Financial Aid Institutional Application available at the campus Financial Aid Offi ces or on the fi nancial aid website.
- Submit high school grade transcripts or GED certificate to the Admissions and Records Offi ce. Copies of all college transcripts must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Offi ce.
- The Admissions and Records Offi ce must evaluate all transcripts.
- Eligible non-citizens must provide proof of eligibility: I-94, I-551, I-151.
- Students selected for verifi cation must provide signed copies of federal income tax returns (parents, student/ spouse).
Priority deadlines
Priority deadlines for fi nancial aid applications are established to allow ample time for processing. Students may apply for fi nancial aid after the priority deadlines; however, awards are made on a fi rst-come fi rst-served basis. Federal Pell and/or Federal Stafford Loan/PLUS applications will be processed after the priority dates. Late applicants should be prepared to use their own resources to pay for their initial expenses (tuition, fees, and books).Session Priority deadline to complete fi le Summer session March 15
Fall/Spring semesters April 1
Spring semester only October 15
Return of Title IV Funds
Federal regulations require students who withdraw completely from ACC to repay a portion of their fi nancial aid. ACC will determine the percentage of Title IV assistance a student earned up through the 60 percent point in the semester. The student will be responsible for paying back the unearned portion.Types of Aid Available
Grants
Academic Competitive Grant (ACG) - A federal grant
program for full-time undergraduate students who have
fi nancial need, who are Federal Pell Grant recipients, and
U.S. citizens. Students must have completed a rigorous
secondary school program of study and be enrolled in at
least a two-year academic program acceptable for credit
toward a bachelorís degree.
First academic year students must:
Not have been previously enrolled as a regular student
in an undergraduate program; and must have graduated
from high school after January 1, 2006. The award is up
to $750 for the fi rst academic year and up to $1,300 for
the second year student with 24 credit hours.
Federal Pell Grant - A federally funded program designed for undergraduate students obtaining their fi rst bachelorís degree. The amount of the Pell Grant depends on the studentís effective family contribution and the enrollment status. The maximum award for 2008-09 is $4,731. This grant does not have to be repaid.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant (SEOG) - A federally funded program established to
assist students with exceptional need. Funds are limited, and
there is no guarantee that every eligible student will be able
to receive this grant.
Austin Community College Student Grant (ACCSG)
- Funded through tuition set asides. Funds are limited, and
there is no guarantee that every eligible student will be able
to receive this grant.
LEAP Grant - A combination of state and federal funds.
Funds are limited, and there is no guarantee that every
eligible student will be able to receive this grant.
Texas Grant Fund - A state-funded program. A
student must be a Texas resident, be a graduate of a public
or accredited private high school in Texas, graduated
not earlier than 1998-99 school year, completed the
recommended or advanced high school curriculum, have
fi nancial need or have received an associate degree from an
eligible institution no earlier than May 1, 2001, and must reenroll
within 12 months of receiving that degree. Awards are
$865 per semester at a community college. Check with the
Financial Aid Offi ce for additional requirements.
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) - A
state grant funded program. A student must be a Texas
resident, must have an effective family contribution of
$2,000 or less (based on FAFSA results), and be enrolled
in at least six hours in the fi rst 30 hours of an associate
degree or certificate program at a public two-year institution
of higher education. Awards are $865 per semester at a
community college. Check with the Financial Aid Offi ce for
additional requirements.
Aid for Undocumented Immigrants - Undocumented
immigrants qualify as Texas residents if they have lived in
Texas for at least 36 months prior to high school graduation
or the receipt of the GED. These students are eligible to
apply for state aid such as Texas Grant, Texas Educational
Opportunity Grant, Texas Public Education Grant, or
CAL Loans. Interested individuals must fi rst contact the
International Student Offi ce.
Loans
Loans must be repaid.
Federal Subsidized Stafford Student Loan - Insured
by the federal government. This has a variable interest
rate with a six-month grace period, and minimum monthly
repayment of $50. Depending on the studentís established
need, up to $3,500 may be borrowed during the freshman
year, $4,500 during sophomore year.
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan - For
students who meet all other eligibility requirements but
do not qualify in whole or in part for a Federal Subsidized
Stafford Loan. Students will be responsible for all interest
that accrues on the loan from the date of disbursement
forward.
Federal Parent Loan (PLUS) - Available for parents of
dependent students to help pay for school costs. The interest
rate is a variable rate. Repayment of this loan begins 60 days
after disbursement of funds. Parents choose their lender.
College Access Loan (CAL) - A non-need based loan
available to Texas residents enrolled halftime and in good
academic standing. Repayment begins six months after
student ceases halftime enrollment.
Texas B-On-Time Loan - No-interest loans to Texas
residents who: demonstrate fi nancial need; are enrolled
full time; and graduated from an accredited high school in
Texas during the 2002-2003 academic year or later under the
recommended high school program or received an associate
degree no earlier than May 1, 2005.