I. Gift Aid

There are two kinds of gift aid—grants and scholarships:

A. Grants

Del Mar College participates in numerous federal, state and local grant programs.

Federal Pell Grant (PELL)

Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. (A professional degree would include a degree in a field such as pharmacy or dentistry). Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is partially determined by the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled during the semester. Del Mar College’s award letters show student eligibility for Federal Pell Grant funds for eligible students assuming that the students will take at least 12 credit hours per semester.

Financial Aid Services adjusts the amount of Pell Grant that students receive if the number of credit hours that students are enrolled in changes through the census date of each semester. For more information on eligibility requirements, please refer to the sections that follow.

Award Amounts

Awards are based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA and by your level of enrollment. How much you may receive will depend on your EFC, your cost of attendance, your enrollment status and whether you attend school for a full academic year. You may only receive Pell Grant funds from one institution at a time.

Levels of Enrollment	Equivalent credit hours
Full Time	12+ credit hours
Three Quarter Time	9-11 credit hours
Half Time	6-8 credit hours
Less Than Half Time*	5 credit hours or less

*Students enrolled less than full-time may still receive a Pell Grant award if their EFC allows it.

Eligibility

To determine if you are eligible, the ED established a standard formula, to evaluate the information you report when you apply. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. The lower the EFC number, the more aid you are eligible for. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) and the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) contain this number and will tell you if you are eligible.

Below are the basic eligibility requirements to be considered for Federal Aid (Title IV programs):

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Meet all ED eligibility requirements including but not limited to:
1. Demonstrate financial need
2. Have a High School Diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate
3. Register with the Selective Services, if required
4. Be a U.S. citizen or Eligible Non-citizen
5. Have a valid Social Security Number
Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program
Meet the standards of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.

Additional Requirements

Financial Aid Services monitors requirements that can affect your eligibility for Federal Pell Grant funds, including but not limited to:

Your continued enrollment within a semester: if you withdraw/are withdrawn, you may be required to repay funds awarded to you.
Your grades: if you do not earn at least one passing grade in a semester, you may be required to repay funds awarded to you.
Developmental courses you attempt: we may only fund 30 credit hours of developmental work (10 developmental courses) over your educational career. If a Pell eligible student attempts his/her 11th or greater developmental course, that course cannot be counted in the student’s enrollment status.
Repeated Coursework: Beginning July 1, 2011, the definition of a full-time student was amended to allow repeated coursework to count toward enrollment status in term-based programs.
Lifetime Eligibility Used: Effective July 1, 2012, students may only receive a Pell Grant for six years of full-time enrollment (equivalent to 12 semesters or 600%) during their lifetime. This change affects all students regardless of when or where they received their first Pell Grant. The maximum amount of Pell Grant funding that a student may receive each year is equal to 100%, this is why the six-year equivalent is 600%.
Unusual Enrollment History: Beginning award year 2013-2014 and forward, new regulations have been established to prevent fraud and abuse in the Federal Pell Grant Program by identifying students with unusual enrollment histories. Financial Aid Services is required to review your enrollment and financial aid record to determine if, during the past three award years, you had legitimate reasons for the unusual enrollment history.
Attendance Verification: eligibility to receive Title IV aid is partially determined by the number of classes that you attend; you cannot receive aid for classes in which you are registered but do not attend at least once.

Fund Disbursements

DMC will credit Pell Grant funds to your school account to pay for tuition, fees and other school related costs which appear on your student account (institutional charges). If you are eligible for funds in excess of your institutional charges, after completing eligibility verification, DMC will pay you the difference via the DMC Debit Card. As a registered student, you will receive a DMC Debit Card and a Higher One Account. All financial aid funds and refunds will be disbursed to your Higher One Account. You can choose to have your funds deposited into your Higher One Account (DMC Debit Card), your own bank account or have a check mailed to the address you have on file with the Admissions Office. You can find more information about the Higher One Account at www.DMCDebitCard.com.

Book allowance and final refund release dates are provided to students before the start of each semester; those are published at www.delmar.edu/Paying_for_College.aspx

Students’ eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant takes time. Financial Aid Services must confirm, through an enrollment verification process that all students have attended all of the courses that they have enrolled in. The enrollment verification takes place after census date of each semester and may take up to three weeks.

Can I receive a Federal Pell Grant if I am enrolled less than half-time?

Yes, if your EFC is low enough to be eligible. You will not receive as much as if you were enrolled full time, but DMC will disburse your Pell Grant funds in accordance with your enrollment status.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need-that is, students with the lowest EFC-and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.

Award Amounts

Financial Aid Services will award a student between $400 and $600 per semester. There is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive a FSEOG; DMC students are awarded based on the availability of funds. FSEOG funds are awarded by semester.

Eligibility

To determine if you are eligible, the ED uses a standard formula, established by the ED, to evaluate the information you report when you apply. The formula produces an EFC number. The FSEOG is an additional grant available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.

Below are the basic eligibility requirements to be considered for Federal Aid (Title IV programs):

Complete a FAFSA.
Meet all ED eligibility requirements including but not limited to:

Demonstrate financial need
Have a High School Diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate
Register with the Selective Services, if required.
Be a U.S. citizen or Eligible Non-citizen.
Have a valid Social Security Number.

Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
Meet the standards of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.
Be registered and attending at least 6 credit hours per term.

Additional Requirements

Financial Aid Services monitors requirements that can affect your eligibility for FSEOG, including but not limited to:

Your continued enrollment within a semester: If you withdraw/are withdrawn, you may be required to repay funds awarded to you.
Your grades: If you do not earn at least one passing grade in a semester, you may be required to repay funds awarded to you.
Developmental courses you attempt: We may only fund 30 credit hours of developmental work (10 developmental courses) over a student’s educational career. If a Pell eligible student attempts his/her 11th or greater developmental course, that course cannot be counted in the student’s enrollment status.
Repeated Coursework: The definition of a full-time student was amended to allow, in some cases, repeated coursework to count toward enrollment status.
Attendance Verification: Eligibility to receive Title IV aid is partially determined by the number of classes that a student attends; students cannot receive aid for classes in which they are registered but do not attend at least once.

Fund Disbursements

DMC will credit FSEOG funds to your school account to pay for tuition, fees and other school related costs which appear on your student account (institutional charges). If you are eligible for funds in excess of your institutional charges, after completing eligibility verification, DMC will pay you the difference via the DMC Debit Card. As a registered student, you will receive a DMC Debit Card and a Higher One Account. All financial aid funds and refunds will be disbursed to your Higher One Account. You can choose to have your funds deposited into your OneAccount, your own bank account or have a check mailed to the address you have on file with the Admissions Office. You can find more information about the Higher One Account at www.DMCDebitCard.com.

Book allowance and final refund release dates are provided to students before the start of each semester; those are published at www.delmar.edu/Paying_for_College.aspx

Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)

A Texas Public Educational Opportunity Grant (TPEG) was established by the Texas Legislature to help students with financial need attend public community colleges, public technical colleges, or public state colleges in Texas. The TPEG does not have to be repaid.

Eligibility Requirements

You must be meeting eligibility requirements listed earlier in the catalog. There is no additional application to apply for this grant besides the FAFSA.

You must be registered and attending at least 6 credit hours during the fall and/or spring terms and at least 3 credit hours during the summer I term. TPEG funds are not awarded for the summer II term.

Note: There is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive a TPEG. As funds are limited.

Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEGN)

NON-RESIDENT TEXAS PUBLIC EDUCATION GRANT FUNDS

Non-resident Texas Public Education Grant (TPEGN) is a grant that is generated from funds that non-resident students pay for tuition and fees at DMC. These funds are very limited and are set aside every year to award non-resident students and do not have to be repaid. You must be registered and attending at least 6 credit hours during the fall and/or spring terms and at least 3 credit hours during the summer I term. TPEGN funds are not awarded for the summer II term.

Toward Excellence, Access and Success (TX) Grant Renewed (TxCON)

TEXAS GRANT (TOWARDS, EXCELLENCE, ACCESS AND SUCCESS) RENEWAL

The TEXAS Grant was established by the Texas Legislature to help well-prepared high school graduates with financial need attend public institutions of higher education in Texas. Effective, Academic Year 2014-2015, public community, technical and state colleges will no longer be eligible to make initial year awards to students at their institutions. Del Mar College may make renewal year awards to eligible student who received an initial award prior to fall 2014 through their institution or another public 2-year institution.

Eligibility

To receive consideration for a renewal year award through the TEXAS Grant Program, you must be enrolled at least three-quarter time as:

an undergraduate student at a public 2-year institution who previously received an initial year (IY) award prior to fall 2014 at a public 2-year institution;
Be registered with Selective Service, or be exempt;
Have a calculated financial need;
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (see Academic Requirements);
Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident; and
Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance

Grant Restrictions

Students receiving Texas grant who continue in college and who meet the program academic requirements can receive awards for up to 150 semester credit hours, until they receive a bachelor’s degree, or for five years if enrolled in a 4-year degree plan, or six years if enrolled in a 5 year degree plan, whichever comes first.

Academic Requirements

The academic requirements for continuing to receive the grant are as follows:

Students who receive the Texas grant must have a minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA
Complete at least 24 semester credit hours per academic year.

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Initial (TEOG1)

The TEOG Grant was established by the Texas Legislature to help students with financial need attend public community colleges, public technical colleges, or public state colleges in Texas.

Eligibility

To determine if you are eligible for a TEOG Grant, you must complete and submit a FAFSA and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to 5233. Funding is limited, so you need to submit your application as soon as possible after January 1. You must also be a Texas Resident (or a non-resident who graduated from a Texas high school, or received a GED Certificate in Texas, and have resided in Texas for three years leading up to graduation or receiving a GED Certificate. You must also have resided in Texas for 12 months prior to the census date of the semester in which you will enroll at DMC, and will file or have filed an Application for Permanent Residency at the earliest opportunity you are eligible to do so).

Other requirements include:

Enroll in at least ½ time (6 semester credit hours)
Be in the first 30 semester credit hours in an associate’s degree or certificate program at a public two-year college in Texas
Have not been granted an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree
If male, must register with Selective Service
Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance.

Grant Restrictions

Students receiving TEOG who continue in college and who meet the program academic requirements can receive awards for up to 75 semester credit hours, for four years, or until they receive an associate’s degree, whichever comes first.

Academic Requirements

The academic requirements for continuing to receive the grant are as follows:

Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and
Complete at least 75% of attempted hours.

Award Amounts

Effective with the 2014-15 award year, award amounts must be prorated in relation to the student’s enrollment status as of the census date for the semester. The maximum award amounts based on this required proration are below:

Maximum Award	Credit Hours
$1,461	12+ credit hours
$1,095	9-11 credit hours
$730	6-8 credit hours
0	5 credit hours or less

Fund Disbursements

DMC will credit TEOG funds to your school account to pay for tuition, fees and other school related costs which appear on your student account (institutional charges). If you are eligible for funds in excess of your institutional charges, after completing eligibility verification, DMC will pay you the difference via the DMC Debit Card. As a registered student, you will receive a DMC Debit Card and a Higher One Account. All financial aid funds and refunds will be disbursed to your Higher One Account. You can choose to have your funds deposited into your Higher One Account, your own bank account or have a check mailed to the address you have on file with the Admissions Office. You can find more information about the Higher One Account at www.DMCDebitCard.com.

Book allowance and final refund release dates are provided to students before the start of each semester; those are published at www.delmar.edu/Paying_for_College.aspx

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Renewal (TEOG2)

The TEOG Grant was established by the Texas Legislature to help students with financial need attend public community colleges, public technical colleges, or public state colleges in Texas.

Eligibility

To receive a renewal award through the TEOG Program, you must:

Be enrolled at least half-time as an undergraduate student who previously received an initial TEOG award and has not yet been granted an associate’s or baccalaureate degree;
Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident;
Have a calculated financial need;
Have applied for available financial assistance;
Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance;
Be registered with Selective Service, or be exempt;
Not be concurrently receiving a renewal TEXAS Grant; and
Maintain satisfactory academic progress

Grant Restrictions

Award Amounts

Maximum Award	Credit Hours
$1,461	12+ credit hours
$1,095	9-11 credit hours
$730	6-8 credit hours
0	5 credit hours or less

Academic Requirements

The academic requirements for continuing to receive the grant are as follows.

Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and
Complete at least 75% of attempted hours.

Top 10% Scholarship Program

The 80th Texas Legislature created the Top 10% Scholarship to encourage students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class to attend a Texas public institution of higher education. Effective Fall 2014, the Top 10% Scholarship Program will be offered only to renewal program participants.

Renewal Eligibility

To receive a renewal award through the Top 10 Percent Scholarship Program, a student must:

Receive an initial year Top 10 Percent Scholarship in a previous year;
Submit the 2015-2016 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to generate the CPS results in a non-rejected status by March 15, or submit the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) to the financial aid office by March 15;
Demonstrate financial need;
Enroll full-time in the fall 2016 semester in a Texas public 2-year or 4-year college or university and maintain full-time enrollment through the census date of the semester;
Successfully complete at least 30 semester credit hours in the previous year;
Successfully complete at least 75% of the hours attempted in the previous year; and
Maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA.

B. Scholarships

Del Mar College Foundation, Inc. offers over $1.2 million in scholarships each year to help deserving students pay for their college education. Scholarships are monetary awards to students that do not have to be repaid. Every scholarship awarded by the Foundation is made possible through charitable gifts from individuals, corporations, organizations or foundations. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, financial need, field of study or a variety of criteria set by the benefactor. Average awards are between $500 to $2,000 and students can be awarded multiple scholarships to help offset the cost of education. The Foundation oversees more than 440 different scholarship funds made available through generous donation or grants.

A single online application matches students to all the Del Mar College Foundation scholarships for which they are eligible. Students are not required to fill out the FASFA. However, it is recommended as FAFSA scores are used to determine eligibility for any Foundation scholarships in which financial need is required. The online application is open mid-January through April of each year with scholarships awarded for the upcoming academic year (Fall/Spring or Fall/Spring/Summer). Apply on-line at www.delmar.edu/scholarships.

Emergency scholarships are available for students encountering unexpected situations which jeopardize their ability to complete their program of study. Emergency scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis throughout the year as funding is available. Emergency scholarship applications are available at the Del Mar College Foundation, Inc. office located in the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development, 3209 S. Staples, Room 131 or the application can be downloaded and printed through the scholarship website listed above.

For additional information on Del Mar College Foundation scholarships, visit the Del Mar College website at www.delmar.edu/foundation or contact the Foundation Office at (361) 698-1317.

Up one level

Types of Aid

I. Gift Aid

A. Grants

B. Scholarships

Up one level

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