Types of Aid

Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a student financial aid program designed 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 defray the cost of post secondary education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to process the Pell Grant. A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to the applicant.

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 who already have a bachelor's degree are not eligible.

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 a financial hardship due to the disruption of campus operations as a result of 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.

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 with the data reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students who are in default or overpayments with any federal financial aid program are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant until the default/overpayment is resolved.

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).

Toward Excellence Access and Success Grant (Texas Grant)

The purpose of Toward Excellence Access and Success Grant program (Texas Grant) is to provide a grant of money to enable well-prepared, eligible students to attend public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education in Texas. Requirements for continued eligibility for Texas Grants can be found here . The priority in making awards is to provide continued funding to recipients already enrolled in the program who are in college and are making progress toward their degrees. Because funding for awards to new students is limited, many students who meet the eligibility requirements will not be able to receive awards.

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.
Annual amounts are determined by the THECB. For more information please go to: College for all Texans

Eligibility Criteria

• Must complete a FAFSA
• Be enrolled at least part-time (6-8 credit hours)
• Demonstrate a calculated need
• Maintain EPCC Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Register and attend an entrance counseling loan session each academic year.

Process

Register to attend an In-Person Loan Entrance Counseling Session

Complete the Federal Direct Loan Registration Form prior to 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 how to manage student loans during and after college. Arrive half an hour prior to start time. Sessions last approximately 2 hours. Children are not allowed in the sessions. Late arrivals will need to re-register for another session. All Counseling Sessions are held at: (unless otherwise stated) Administrative Services Center, 9050 Viscount El Paso, TX 79925

Complete a Financial Literacy Module

Complete the Financial Literacy Module and turned in your Certificate of Completion to the Financial Aid Office. Further instructions and step by step details are provided during the In-Person Entrance Loan Counseling Session.

Complete Online Entrance Counseling and E-MPN

Student are required to complete and submit an online entrance counseling and E-MPN. Further instructions and step by step details are provided during the In-Person Entrance Loan Counseling Session. For a copy of these steps, refer to Federal Direct Loan Step by Step Process (PDF).

Accept Offered Federal Direct Loans Award

Accepted your offered Direct Loan Award in Banner. Students cannot decline the Subsidized Direct Loan, if 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 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 Federal Student Loan Borrowers (PDF) for detailed information about rights and responsibilities as a borrower.

EPCC Default Management Plan

This plan is on file with Texas Guarantee Student Loan Corporation in Austin, Texas.

• Students must attend an EPCC loan counseling session each year prior to 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 any financial aid including Stafford Student Loans.
• No loan or benefits of loan shall be disbursed prior to 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.
• If at any time a student falls below half-time enrollment or fails 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 written documentation verifying this status. Failure to comply will result in a hold being placed on all student records.
• If at any time a student’s enrollment status drops below half-time they must complete the Student Loan Exit Counseling process. Failure to complete this will result in a hold being placed on all student records.