Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, TEXAS – What’s better than free? Extra money in your pocket.
South Texas College has announced a new $600 Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) grant just in time for summer 2021.
Stemming from funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations act (CRRSAA) signed into law in December 2020, the emergency grant is intended to provide financial assistance to eligible students who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship that could adversely affect their educational success.
College administrators say the grant will not be last-dollar, which typically refers to funds paid after all other financial aid resources have been awarded. Instead, the grant will be awarded in addition to any other aid currently offered to the students, and they will see any refunds for overages.
“I like to explain it this way ‘If student A is enrolled in six credit hours for summer 2021, and he or she is qualified for six hours of full summer Pell, which is $1,500 for the semester… (since) estimated tuition and fees for six credit hours are $906, this means student A’s Pell refund is $594’,” said Mike Carranza, Associate Dean of Student Financial Services. “The $600 grant can then be applied to the $594 refund for a total amount of $1,194.”
More than 63 percent of STC students receive some amount of Pell funds, according to financial services administrators. STC will make the grant available to all students who qualify, and while funds are available.
Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), must be currently registered for summer 2021 either full-time or part-time, and must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens to qualify.
Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, and once funds are depleted, additional grants will not be awarded. Students who qualify will receive an additional $300, and then a second payment in the amount of $300 the first week of class if they are still enrolled for a total summer aid package of $600.
