Student Financial Services: Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid: It All Starts With The FAFSA

Students can start their 2012-2013 FAFSA as early as January 1st!

Receive one-on-one assistance at the UTPA Express Lab File a FAFSA over the Internet at www.fafsa.gov

RECOMMENDED UTPA PRIORITY DATE APRIL 1 st Top 10% Scholarship FAFSA Deadline March 1 st .

What Can I Do Prior to January 1st to Help My Students?

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Encourage students to register for both their and their parents’ PIN numbers for FAFSA processing

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Encourage students to apply for admissions to UTPA before December 1st (for scholarship purposes)

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Encourage students to complete the UTPA Excellence Scholarship Application online prior to January 15

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Reinforce the UTPA FAFSA Priority Deadline of April 1 st

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VERY IMPORTANT: Encourage parents to file 2011 tax return as soon as possible to ensure availability of IRS data retrieval

Texas Grant

To qualify for Texas Grant, students must:

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Be a Texas resident

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Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance

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Show financial need

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Have an EFC less than or equal to 4000

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Register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement

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Be a graduate of an accredited high school in Texas and complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program in high school Texas Grant awarding is contingent on available funding from the State of Texas.

Completing the FAFSA before the Recommended Priority Deadline can increase the chances for students to receive Texas Grant, but it does not guarantee it since funds are limited

UTPA Programs to Assist Needy Students UTPA Success Grant UTPA Assistance Scholarship

Student Loans

Entering Freshman must attend a mandatory Freshmen Loan Counseling Session before they can get awarded loans. Students must already have their Financial Aid application on file at UTPA. Students may sign up for this session at www.utpa.edu/finaid , under Financial Aid Toolbox/Workshops. Additionally, please be advised that all first time loan borrowers will receive their funds until 30 days after their first class day of the specified term/loan period.

Senate Bill 1528 Students Once a student is classified as a Senate Bill 1528 student by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions , they may qualify for State-based Financial Aid. Students will need to bring copies of both their and their parents current year income tax return or proof of earnings (if wages were earned in another country).

Students can obtain the Senate Bill application packet at the Financial Aid office beginning January 2 nd or call 956-665-2501 to set up an appointment. Males must turn in Selective Service card.

NOTE: Income information is only used in-house to determine financial need. These documents will not be shared with any outside Federal or State agency.

Beginning Fall 2010

University Scholars Tiered Scholarship Program

• University Scholars Presidential Award – $24,000 ($6,000/year) • University Scholars Meritorious Award – $16,000 ($4,000/year)

University Scholars Tiered Scholarship Program How to Apply

There is no formal application for the University Scholars Scholarship. It is awarded on a competitive basis on a first come first serve basis . There are limited slots available therefore students are highly encouraged to do the following as early as possible to ensure they are considered for this scholarship: •Fill out the UTPA Admission Application at applytexas.org

•Student must be admitted to UTPA •Submit ACT or SAT scores •Submit an official high school transcript to the UTPA Office of Undergraduate Admissions, which must include ACT or SAT scores, GPA (on a 100 point scale), and rank and class size (at time of application).

•Request AP scores (if applicable) be sent directly to UTPA.

2012-2013 UTPA “Excellence” & Departmental Scholarships How to apply:

•Apply online at

www.utpa.edu/excellence

•Submit

Completed application by January 15 NEW:

The following 1 st three items must be done with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by December 1st: Must apply for Admissions Submit High School Transcript including class rank and GPA on a 100 pt scale Submit ACT/SAT scores Submit 250 word essay, OPTIONAL Submit one letter of recommendation

Scholarship Office

For questions, please contact: Brenda Enriquez Scholarship Coordinator 956-665-7280 [email protected]

Main Office 956-665-2935

How can we be of Service?

Advisors Financial Aid Outreach Advisors

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Problem Solving

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Unusual Cases - Dependency Overrides

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Income Reduction Cases

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Verification Issues

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Document Tracking

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Incomplete Files

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Award Status

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If a student has not been awarded, Why not?

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Application data

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Assistance with FAFSA Preparation

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Presentations to Students/Parents

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Assistance at your GO Center

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High School Nights

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Financial Aid Fairs

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Assistance for Senate Bill 1528 Students

Why Wait in Line? GO Online!

The UTPA Student Financial Services Website offers a wealth of information and convenience to you and your students!

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Students can: accept their awards online request additional financial aid fill out their UTPA Excellence Scholarship application complete their loan process at www.utpa.edu/loans search for their Work-Study job sign up for workshops download financial aid forms

www.utpa.edu/finaid

Need to schedule a presentation or FAFSA Drive?

www.utpa.edu/outreach

Financial Aid Outreach Advisors

Have any questions?

Orlando Hinojosa Financial Aid Outreach Advisor [email protected]

or Christian Ramirez Financial Aid Outreach Advisor [email protected]

Student Financial Services 956-665-2501 Or Go To: www.askrio.utpa.edu

The reality: Texas Grants

FY12-13 biennium: about 50% of new eligible students will receive awards Eligibility criteria changes (beginning for the fall 2013 incoming class).

Must graduate with recommended H.S. diploma & meet two of these criteria to qualify:  Graduate under Advanced or IB diploma or earn at least 12 hours of college credit    Be in top one third of class or have 3.0 GPA Minimum ACT of 23 or SAT of 1070 Completion of at least 1 advanced math course following completion of Algebra II

The Reality

• Student loan interest subsidy eliminated for graduate students • Year Round (Summer) Pell eliminated • Top 10% state scholarships significantly reduced for 2012-13

The future?

• Pell Grant – Change eligibility formula so less will qualify – Reduce lifetime eligibility to 6 years down from 9 years (no grandfather rule) – Revoke eligibility for students who attend school less than half-time • Eliminate student loan interest subsidy during 6-month grace period for undergraduates

Contact Information Elaine L. Rivera Executive Director Student Financial Services [email protected]

956-665-2170