Types of Aid

Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a student financial aid program to assist students pursuing their undergraduate degree. The purpose of the Pell Grant is to provide eligible students with a "foundation" of financial aid to help cover the cost of post-secondary education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid determines the Pell Grant eligibility.

Full awards are based on a minimum of 12 hours. Students taking between 9-11 hours will be awarded on a three-quarter basis. Those taking 6-8 hours will be awarded on a half-time basis. Students enrolled for less than half-time should contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Students enrolled as undergraduates but already have bachelor’s degrees are not eligible.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Application - American Rescue Plan Act

This application is for students seeking to apply for funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). It is specifically intended for students needing additional funding to assist with educational costs while attending the El Paso Community College, such as tuition, books, supplies, transportation, etc., and emergency costs that resulted from the Coronavirus Pandemic, such as food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

Federal CRRSA Act Emergency Assistance

This application is for students seeking to apply for funds provided by the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA). It is specifically intended for students needing additional funding to assist with educational costs while attending the El Paso Community College, such as tuition, books, supplies, transportation, etc., and emergency costs due to the Coronavirus, such as food, housing, health care, or child care.

CARES Emergency Aid Grant

El Paso Community College received an allocation from the US Department of Education (as appropriated by the CARES Act) to create an emergency grant fund for EPCC students. The funds are intended to help students who have experienced financial hardship due to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EPCC CARES Act Student Aid funds are Federal grants that can be used to cover expenses, so you can focus on your education and meet your academic goals. Students will not be required to repay these funds.

EPCC Reskilling Grant

The EPCC Reskilling Grant is funding for students looking to complete their degree or get additional job training. Eligible students may receive up to $2,500 extra each semester if they have been impacted by COVID-19 and are looking to advance their careers, move to a different field, or return to college after some time away.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need. SEOG funds are limited, and priority for the award is given to students who receive a Federal Pell Grant with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero. Eligibility for SEOG is determined by the data reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)

The Texas Public Education Grant program (TPEG) is funded through tuition payments and is available to students who demonstrate a calculated financial need. A student must be enrolled at least half-time (six semester hours or more).

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)

State grant program created in 2000 by the Texas Legislature and administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Annual award (including state and institutional funds) is equal to the student tuition and required fees.

The THECB determines annual amounts. For more information, visit College for all Texans

Eligibility Criteria:

• Initial Award:
  • Must meet EPCC Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Renewal Award:
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Complete 75% of attempted credit hours
  • Maximum of 75 attempted credit hours
  • 4 year time limit from 1^st-semester award

Child Care Assistance

The El Paso Community College Financial Aid Office, working in conjunction with the YWCA, facilitates student educational achievement by assisting qualified students with child care costs. Some students may qualify for up to 75% coverage. Students needing these services may apply for financial assistance to offset child care costs while pursuing a degree. Services are available from YWCA Facilities.

Process

Register to attend a Loan Entrance Counseling Session

Complete the Federal Direct Loan Registration Form before attending an entrance counseling session (all fields are required). At EPCC, students must attend one in-person entrance loan counseling session every academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer). Select a session convenient for your schedule.

Attend Loan Session

The Loan Entrance Counseling Session provides information about managing student loans during and after college. Sessions last approximately 2 hours. Late arrivals will need to re-register for another session. All Counseling Sessions are held virtually.

Complete a Financial Literacy Module

Complete the Financial Literacy Module and email your Certificate of Completion to the Financial Aid Loan Coordinator. Further instructions and step-by-step details are provided during the Entrance Loan Counseling Session.

Complete Department of Education Online Entrance Counseling and E-MPN

Students are required to complete and submit an online entrance counseling and E-MPN. Further instructions and step-by-step details are provided during the Entrance Loan Counseling Session. For a copy of these steps, click on the specific academic year of application.

• 2024-2025 Step-by-Step Federal Direct Loan Process (PDF)
• 2025-2026 Step-by-Step Federal Direct Loan Process (PDF)

Accept Offered Federal Direct Loans Award

Accepted your offered Direct Loan Award in Banner. Students cannot decline the Subsidized Direct Loan if they are offered both the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans.

Disqualification

Students do not qualify for a Direct Loan at EPCC if:

• Not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress; refer to Eligibility Requirements for specific details.
• In default status on a Federal Student Loan.
• A FAFSA is not on file for the current academic year.
• Have met or exceeded the regulatory aggregate limit.

Exit Counseling

Students need to complete an online Student Loan Exit Counseling Session if:

• Enrollment is less than part-time (less than 6 credit hours).
• Drop/Withdraw
• Graduated

Refer to the Exit Counseling Guide for Direct Loan Exit Counseling Guide for detailed information about rights and responsibilities as a borrower.

EPCC Default Management Plan

• Students must attend an EPCC loan counseling session each year before having a loan certified, even if they have already attended a session at another school.
• Transient and/or undeclared major students are not eligible for financial aid, including Stafford Student Loans.
• No loan or benefits shall be disbursed before the end of add and drop periods for each semester.
• First-time borrowers cannot receive loan or loan benefit disbursements until 30 days after the first class day of the semester.
• For students falling below half-time enrollment or failing to meet EPCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria, the loan will be canceled without notice, and any un-disbursed loan funds will be returned to the lender.
• El Paso Community College is a two-year granting institution. Students may only receive freshman and sophomore level loans while attending EPCC.
  • Freshman level - Successfully completed fewer than 30 credit hours.
  • Sophomore level - Successfully completed 30 or more credit hours.
• Developmental (remedial & ESL) do not count as hours toward student classification. Students requesting a loan while in developmental courses will not be eligible for a sophomore level loan until they have completed and earned 30 academic hours.
• Students in default on a prior student loan cannot receive any further loans or other financial aid until the default status has been placed in “satisfactory” status. Students must provide the Financial Aid Office with written documentation verifying this status. Failure to comply will result in a hold on all student records.
• If a student’s enrollment status drops below half-time, they must complete the Student Loan Exit Counseling process. Failure to meet this will result in a hold on all student records.
• EPCC Cohort Default Rate