ESTIMATED EXPENSES AND FINANCIAL AID

There is a $55/credit hour surcharge for out-of-state students. Students may enroll in the general education support courses on-line. These courses may be also be completed at an accredited college or university convenient to the student's home, which may significantly defray tuition costs for those students who are not Texas residents. Contact the Health Occupations Admissions Office for assistance in selecting transferable courses from your local college or university.

Other costs to consider:

• Transportation to college and cooperative education workplace.
• Parking fees

Students interested in applying for financial assistance should start their application process at least 4-6 months before they expect to attend classes.

The application process requires a student and their family to complete a Financial Aid Form (FAF). The FAF which is a financial statement that assesses the family's "ability to pay" toward college costs. The FAF is sent to a regional processing center and a copy of the FAF evaluation report is returned to the Financial Aid Office where it is further evaluated. If a student qualifies for financial aid, a financial "award package" is designed consisting of various funds such as grant funds, a work program, and/or student loan. Most students should expect to provide some "self help" toward meeting their expenses.

Application deadlines for funding are as follows:

• For Fall semester - May 1
• For Spring semester - October 1

Applications completed by these dates will receive the major portion of available funding. File applications completed after these deadlines will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until all remaining funds are exhausted. Every request will be acknowledged to assure the student: a) if any additional data is needed, b) of processing status, and c) of final results. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing in the Financial Aid Office.

El Centro College offers funding from federal, state, and institutional resources including:

• Pell Grants
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
• College Work Study (CWS), both on and off campus
• Work as student assistants
• Short-term, emergency loans
• Texas Guaranteed Student Loans (TGSL)
• Over 40 scholarships based on academics, talent, or financial need

Eligibility criteria varies with the funds available. The Financial Aid Office's objective is to match each student's eligibility for these various funds in a manner that provides equity and consistency of treatment to all students within the guidelines of each funding program.

Texas residents may apply for state financial aid, such as the Texas Public Education Grant. For more information, contact the El Centro College Financial Aid Office (214.860.2096) or visit their website.

Dallas residents may take advantage of a tuition payment plan through the El Centro College Accounting Office.

Counseling staff is available by appointment to discuss financing options and college planning for anyone in the community. Please call the El Centro Financial Aid Office at 214.860.2099 to schedule an appointment or to request further information.

In addition, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council through its member Metroplex hospitals offers a number of scholarships and loan programs. Many of these scholarships/loans involve a work commitment of employment at the sponsoring hospital. For more information on these scholarships and loans, please contact The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council at 972-719-4900.

Students who are applying for Veteran Administration benefits through the financial aid office should request an "Educational Plan" from the Health Occupations Admissions Office at El Centro College. E-mail Patsy Strawther (pfj5310@dcccd.edu) or call 214.860.2242 for more information.

See also the National Association Medical Staff Services for information about the Charlotte Cochrane Scholarship Award.

Online resources for financial aid include: