Scholarships and Financial Aid

UH-Victoria administers a wide range of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study employment for students who qualify. It is to the student’s advantage to complete a 2002-2003 UHV Financial Aid and Scholarship Application and a 2002-2003 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as early as possible since limited funds require that priority be given to the earliest applicants. Additional forms and documents may be requested based on the information that is gathered from the financial aid applications and the Office of Admissions.  The forms are available in the Office of Financial Aid, UH System at Sugar Land, UH System at Cinco Ranch, and on the UHV Financial Aid web page, www.uhv.edu .

Students must meet these minimum requirements for need-based aid:  be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident; be unconditionally admitted to UHV; be degree seeking; making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certification; not be default on any educational loan or owe a refund on a federal or state grant; and be registered with the Selective Service, if male.   

The priority deadlines are as follows:

• April 15 — Fall 2002

• October 15 — Spring 2003

• March 15 — Summer 2003

Scholarships

A majority of the endowed scholarship funds are awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit. To apply for scholarships based on financial need, a student must complete the 2002-2003 Free Application for Federal Student Aid and a 2002-2003 UHV Financial Aid and Scholarship Application. To apply for non-need based scholarships, a student must complete the 2002-2003 UHV Financial Aid and Scholarship Application only. Scholarship endowment funds are awarded by the UHV Scholarship Committee. In addition, the community and civic organizations award several scholarships to UHV students. Some of these organizations require you to complete their applications.  Information on new student scholarships may also be obtained in the UHV Office of Student Recruitment and Relations.

The scholarship funds awarded by the UHV Scholarship Committee include:

UH-Victoria has the following programs of financial assistance available:

Fee exemptions and waivers are issued only for the period in which a student is currently enrolled; therefore, applications must be submitted no later than the official closing day of the semester or summer term being attended. For a listing of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board exemptions, contact the Office of Financial Aid or Business Services.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Higher Education Grant Program
The BIA Higher Education Grant provides supplemental financial aid to the eligible American Indian/Alaska Native student seeking a Bachelor’s degree.  Students must be a member of, or at least one-quarter degree Indian blood descendent of a member of an American Indian tribe which is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau of Indian Affairs to Indians because of their status as Indians; must be accepted for admission to UHV; and demonstrate financial need.  The grant application is available with the education officer of the Tribe in which you are affiliated or possess membership.  If your tribe is not administering the grant program, they can direct you to the nearest Bureau of Indian Affairs, Education Line Officer for the application.  Graduate students can contact the American Indian Graduate Center for an application at (505) 881-4584.

The most common type of financial aid is a “package’’ which is awarded in the following order:  grants, scholarships, employment, and/or loans.  Eligibility and enrollment must be verified prior to awarding and again at the time funds are released to the student.

Child Care Assistance is available through the Office of Financial Aid. To qualify, students are required to complete the FAFSA form and establish financial need. FAFSA and Child Care Assistance applications are available in the Office of Financial Aid.  Child Care Assistance is contingent upon fund availability.

If students are planning to receive financial aid as co-enrolled students, they must complete Consortium Agreement forms. UHV currently has consortium agreements with Coastal Bend College, UH-Downtown, The Victoria College and Wharton County Junior College. Federal regulations do not allow students to receive financial aid from two institutions simultaneously.

Entrance Loan Counseling is required for all first-time loan borrowers at UHV.  Exit Loan Counseling is required for all loan recipients when they complete a degree, drop below half-time, or withdraw from the semester.  Web sites available for loan counseling are:  www.mapping-your-future.org or www.collegexit.com .  If loan borrowers need to defer payments or request a forbearance on his or her loan(s) while in repayment, forms are available at www.tgslc.org .

Due to the wide range of financial aid available, the specific processes for applying, and the constant change in available funding, students are encouraged to contact community college and UHV financial aid personnel early in the process and to keep them informed of any changes in his or her personal financial circumstance.

Websites students may want to visit regarding financial aid are:
www.uhv.edu/ofa/index.htm
www.thecb.state.tx.us
www.adventuresineducation.org
www.fastweb.com
www.FAFSA.ed.gov
www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students

Vocational Rehabilitation

The Texas Rehabilitation Commission offers assistance for tuition and required fees to students who have certain physical or emotional disabilities, provided the vocational objective selected by the disabled person has been approved by an appropriate representative of the Commission. Through this state agency, other rehabilitation services are available to assist disabled persons to become employable.

Veterans’ Benefits

UH-Victoria is approved by the Texas Education Agency for VA educational benefits for veterans, children and spouses under Chapters 32 and 35, Title 38, U.S. Code. Student veterans may receive assistance in applying for benefits from the Office of Financial Aid. To expedite payments, veterans should contact the Office of Financial Aid at least 60 days prior to the first class day of each semester or term to complete all necessary paper work for that period of study.  Co-enrolled students must inquire with the UHV VA Officer regarding additional documentation required for his/her file.  The student files will be certified after the 12^th class day during the fall and spring semesters (4^th day for summer sessions).

Texas veterans who have no eligibility remaining under any program of the United States government may be eligible for exemption of tuition and certain fees under the provisions of the Hazlewood Act. Additional information on the Hazlewood Act can be found in the section of the catalog bearing that name.

The Montgomery G I Bill
The Montgomery G I Bill (Chapter 30) Active Duty Program provides up to 36 months of education benefits.  Generally these benefits are payable up to 10 years following your release from active duty.

The Montgomery G I Bill (Chapter 1606) Selected Reserve Program may be available if you are a member of Selected Reserve (Army Reserve, Navy reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard Reserve and the Air National Guard Reserve). 

Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components.  VA makes the payments to the student.  You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of educational benefits.  Benefit entitlements end 10 years from the date of your eligibility for the program or on the day you leave the selected reserve.

Survivors and Dependents’ Education Assistance Program (DEA Chapter 35) offers up to 45 months of education benefits.

Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31) eligibility for the Veterans benefits is determined by the Vocational Rehabilitation Office in Houston, Texas.

Additional information regarding Veterans Benefits may be obtained by visiting the VA Website www.va.gov/education.

For Additional Information:

Satisfactory Academic Progress for
Financial Assistance Policy

Students admitted into a course of study leading to a degree, and who receive federal, state, institutional or veterans’ financial assistance, have their academic progress reviewed by the Financial Aid Office. Financial aid recipients must meet several aspects of satisfactory academic progress to maintain their aid eligibility. Federal guidelines state that all periods of attendance will be counted toward the students’ academic progress review, regardless of whether the student received financial aid. Students must meet the following qualitative and quantitative standards to maintain financial aid eligibility at the University of Houston-Victoria.

Qualitative Measures of Academic Progress

New undergraduate transfer students to the University of Houston-Victoria will be eligible to apply for financial assistance if they have been admitted to the university.

Undergraduates and postbaccalaureate students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, based on a 4.0 grading scale at the University of Houston-Victoria.

First-time, first-year graduate students will be eligible to apply for financial assistance if they have been admitted to the university.

Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, based on a 4.0 grading scale at the University of Houston-Victoria.

The minimum cumulative grade point averages are consistent with the university’s requirements for graduation.

Quantitative Measures of Academic Progress
Undergraduate students receiving financial assistance must complete at least 72% of the cumulative credit hours attempted at the University of Houston-Victoria and transfer colleges in order to maintain eligibility. This is considered the minimum hour completion increment.

All post baccalaureate students receiving financial assistance must complete at least 75% of the cumulative credit hours attempted at the University of Houston-Victoria and transfer colleges in order to maintain eligibility. This is considered the minimum hour completion increment.

All graduate students receiving financial assistance must complete at least 67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted at the University of Houston-Victoria and transfer colleges in order to maintain eligibility. This is considered the minimum hour completion increment.

Undergraduate students are expected to complete their degree or certification within a maximum of 170 attempted credit hours. If a student changes majors, he or she must still get his or her bachelor’s degree or certification within a maximum of 170 attempted credit hours. No limit is set to the number of times a student may change his or her major.

Postbaccalaureate students are allowed a maximum of 100 completed credit hours beyond their first bachelor’s degree.

Graduate students are expected to complete their degree or certification within a maximum of 86 completed credit hours. If a student changes majors, he or she must still get his or her master’s degree within the 86 completed credit hour limitation. No limit is set to the number of times a student may change his or her major.

Only credit hours transferred to the University of Houston-Victoria will be figured into the maximum credit hour limitation and the minimum hour completion increment.

Incompletes (I), withdrawals (W), or unsatisfactory (U) grades are not figured into a student’s grade point average or counted in the calculation of maximum credit hours completed. Incompletes, withdrawals, and unsatisfactory grades are considered attempted hours and are figured into the attempted vs. completed minimum credit hour completion increment. When a student informs the Financial Aid Office that an incomplete grade is changed to a passing grade, the student’s academic progress will be reassessed at that time. If the student does not inform the office, the grade change will not be reflected until the next regular review of satisfactory academic progress.

Repeat courses are figured into the maximum completed credit hour limitation and the most recent grade will be used to calculate the student’s grade point average. Students taking a remedial class(es) will have the hours added to the maximum credit hour limitation.

Monitoring of Academic Progress
The cumulative grade point average and maximum credit hour limitation are monitored each semester. The minimum hour completion increment will be monitored annually at the end of each spring semester. If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students on financial aid suspension will not be eligible to receive any form of financial assistance. Records used to monitor satisfactory academic progress will be filed in the student’s financial aid folder.

Appeals Process
All students not meeting the satisfactory academic requirements will be notified by mail stating that they have been placed on financial aid suspension. A copy of the policy will be included in the letter. Students who have questions or concerns about the suspension are welcome to speak with the Financial Aid Director or they may appeal the suspension.

Students who have mitigating circumstances may submit a written letter of appeal along with pertinent documentation, within two months of receiving the letter of suspension. The appeal should be mailed to the University of Houston-Victoria’s Financial Aid Appeals Committee; c/o Financial Aid Director; University of Houston-Victoria; 3007 N. Ben Wilson; Victoria, TX 77901-5731. Examples of mitigating circumstances are a death of a relative or an illness or injury to the student. The committee consists of the Financial Aid Director, Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Vice President for Academic Affairs or their designees. The appeals committee will meet within one week of receiving the appeal.

The student must provide the following:

a.  The circumstances which caused their suspension (i.e., reasons for low GPA or for withdrawing from classes)
b.  The student’s plan to correct the circumstances (i.e., planned usage of the Academic Center)
c.  Your intended future enrollment plan including the number of hours remaining before receiving degree
d.  A current copy of academic transcript(s)
e.  Any other pertinent documentation regarding mitigating circumstances (i.e., letter from physician)

If the student receives a favorable decision from the UHV Financial Aid Appeals Committee, the student will be placed on financial aid probation. Financial aid eligibility will be granted for the probationary period. Probationary status is normally granted for one semester only. The student may not have more than two consecutive semesters of financial aid probationary status. A letter will be sent to the student notifying him or her of the results of the appeal. A copy of the letter will also be filed in the student’s folder.

At the end of the semester in which the academic progress is monitored, students on financial aid suspension or probation may regain eligibility by meeting all qualitative and quantitative aspects of satisfactory academic progress. A student may receive grants, scholarships, and work study for the payment period in which the student regains eligibility. For Federal Stafford Loans, a student who does not meet satisfactory academic progress standards at the beginning of a period of enrollment but who meets the standards later in that period is eligible for the entire period of enrollment in which he or she met the satisfactory academic progress standards.

Return of Title IV
Funds Policy

The University of Houston-Victoria shall refund tuition and mandatory fees (institutional charges) in accordance with the Texas Higher Education Code, Section 54.006 or  in accordance with federal statute (Section 668.22 of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998) to students who drop a course or withdraw.

Students who wish to drop a course or withdraw and obtain a refund may do so by calling the Voice Information Processing (V.I.P.) number or go to the Office of Admissions and Records to complete the Drop/Add Form. Withdrawals that are faxed will be accepted. The official date of withdrawal will be:

• the date the student withdraws through V.I.P.
• the date the student notifies the university in writing of his/her withdrawal or
• the date of expulsion.

When a student who rescinds a previous withdrawal and then withdraws before completing the period, the date of withdrawal will be the later of:

• the date the student first (originally) notified the university; or
• the last date of attendance at a documented academically-related activity.

When students leave without notification, the official date of withdrawal will be one of the following:

• the last recorded date of class attendance or a documented academically-related activity for unofficial withdrawals or unapproved leave of absences
• the date determined by the institution if a student left because of circumstances beyond the student’s control
• the midpoint of the period for a student who leaves without notifying the university
• the date the university becomes aware that the student did not, or will not, complete the period rescinded at an earlier attempted withdrawal or
• the date the leave of absence expires or the date the student notifies the university that he or she will not be returning, whichever is earlier, for a student who does not return from an approved leave of absence.

A documented date of attendance at an academically-related activity includes, but is not limited to, an exam, a tutorial, computer-assisted instruction, academic counseling, academic advisement, turning in a class assignment or attending a study group that is assigned by the institution.

If a student drops one or more course(s), the university, in accordance with Section 54.006 of the Texas Higher Education Code, shall refund 100% of the applicable tuition and fees collected for courses from which the student drops within the first 12 days of a fall or spring semester, or within the first four days of a summer term (provided the student remains enrolled at the university for that semester).

Title IV financial aid recipients who withdraw from the university will have a refund calculation done by the Office of Financial Aid. The rule states that the student earns his or her aid based on the period of time he or she remained enrolled. If the student completed more than 60% of the period, he or she earned 100% of the aid for the period. If the student completed 60% or less of the period, the percentage of the period completed is the percentage of aid earned.

If a student received less assistance than the amount that was earned, the student may receive the additional funds in a late disbursement. Late disbursements will be made from available grants before loans. If the student received more assistance than was earned, the excess funds must be returned to the Title IV programs.

If UHV must return a portion of the unearned aid, it is equal to the lesser of the student’s institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of Title IV funds or the entire amount of the excess funds. The student returns the difference, if any, between the total aid unearned and the amount returned by the institution.

Refunds will be applied to the Title IV programs in the following order:

1.  Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
2.  Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
3.  Federal PLUS Loan
4.  Federal Pell Grant
5.  Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
6.  Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP)

UH-Victoria must return its share of unearned Title IV campus-based aid and Pell Grants no later than 30 days after it determines that the student withdrew. UHV has 60 days to return FFELP proceeds. Students return their share of unearned aid attributable to a loan under the terms and conditions of the promissory note. UH-Victoria will allow the student to repay any unearned grant funds (after the 50% reduction) according to standard collection procedures. Business Services will send each student up to three collection notices, allowing outstanding balances to be paid within 90 days. Delinquent accounts are assigned to an outside collection agency and are reported to the credit bureau. Students who have an outstanding balance on their UHV student account will remain ineligible to register for courses in upcoming semesters until the account is paid in full.

Example
Michael withdrew after attending 11 days of a 110 day enrollment period. His institutional costs were $5,000. He received a $1,000 Pell Grant and a $1,000 Subsidized Loan.

Course Load After the 12th Class Day
Students who change their course load after the 12th class day in the fall and spring semesters (4th class day during the summer terms) will not have their financial aid re-evaluated and may not owe a repayment. Dropped courses will be taken into consideration during the review of the student’s satisfactory academic progress.

Appeals
Students may make a written appeal for an exception based on their individual circumstances. The appeal should be made to the Financial Aid Director.

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