Financial Aid

Are you taking classes at SWTX and would like to earn some money? The SWTX Financial Aid Department is currently taking applications for many Work-Study positions available for students attending SWTX. The Federal College Work-Study Program (FCWSP) is an employment program that provides on and off-campus work experience opportunities for students while gaining an education. The FCWSP is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on your financial need. If you are interested in applying for the Work-Study program, you first must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Secondly, you must submit a Work-Study application to the Financial Aid Office, and finally, you will be required to attend a College Work-Study Seminar during the semester you are hired. The Work-Study application can be found on the Student Employment page and can be uploaded to the Self-Service page. 

If you have questions about the program, please contact the SWTX Financial Aid Department at (830) 591-7368. Southwest Texas College does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability. SWTX is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions.

Keep the following dates in mind when applying for Financial Aid.

When to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

SWTX sets priority dates to ensure a timely review of your FAFSA.

• If you plan to attend Fall, the priority deadline for submitting your FAFSA application is January 15th.
• If you plan to attend Spring, the priority deadline for submitting your FAFSA application is January 15th.
• If you plan to attend Summer, the priority deadline for submitting your FAFSA application is March 1st.

Most scholarship programs have individual deadlines you must meet to be considered for an award; we recommend that you apply as early as possible.

Get more information and apply for scholarships by visiting the Scholarships page.

The SWTX 2026 Spring Semester ONLY Academic Scholarship Application is due December 1, 2025. Please note that we are using a new platform to apply for scholarships. Log in with your SWTX credentials to apply.

The SWTX 2026 - 2027 Academic Scholarship Application is due April 24, 2026 (extended), by 4:00 pm. Please note that we are using a new platform to apply for scholarships. Log in with your SWTX credentials to apply.

Apply for External Scholarships; more information is available by visiting the Scholarships page. 

If you attended any other institution(s), you must submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions and they will evaluate them before we can award Financial Aid.

The deadlines for submitting transcripts are the same as the FAFSA priority deadlines.

Federal regulations require you to repay a portion of Financial Aid funds if you withdraw from all classes before satisfying the 60% completion rule for the enrollment term.

If you are dropping a class or withdrawing from classes after the census date, please contact your Financial Aid Advisor.

2026-27 Changes to Federal Student Loans

Important changes to federal financial aid programs have recently been signed into law and became effective on July 1, 2026.

The information provided below is based on the most current guidance available and is subject to change as the U.S. Department of Education releases additional official guidance.

Part-Time Enrollment and Loan Eligibility

Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Graduate PLUS Loans will be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time. Loan amounts will be reduced proportionally based on the student’s enrolled credit hours. However, students must still be enrolled at least half-time to remain eligible for loan disbursement.

Undergraduate Less than Full-time Enrollment

An undergraduate student is generally considered full-time when enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester, or 24 or more credit hours during the fall and spring academic year.

Students enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours) during the fall semester may be eligible to receive up to 50% of their annual Federal Direct Loan limit for that semester. Annual loan limits are determined by several factors, including the student's grade level, dependency status, financial need, aggregate loan limits, and other federal eligibility requirements.

Students enrolled less than full-time will have their loan eligibility prorated based on their enrolled credit hours. For example, a student enrolled in 6 credit hours during the fall semester may be eligible to receive approximately 25% of their annual Federal Direct Loan limit for that semester, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements, including the half-time enrollment requirement for loan disbursement.