Financial Aid & Scholarships

How to Apply for Financial Aid

1. Complete the FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov as soon as possible. For Spring/Summer 2023, you will need to submit the 2022-2023 FAFSA. The 2023-2024 FAFSA is required for the Fall 2023 semester. It is strongly encouraged to submit both applications as soon as possible.

2. Submit previous transcripts from colleges/ universities that you have attended. If you have never attended college, you will need to submit an OFFICIAL high school, homeschool, or GED transcript. Check your Whitecaps email for updates. Review myGC for your “Required Documents”. The priority deadline date is November 9, 2022 for Spring 2023.

3. Processing times for the application take approximately 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Galveston College’s School Code?

Galveston College’s federal school code is 004972.

How do I contact Galveston College’s Financial Aid Office? The Financial Aid Office may be reached by email at finaid@gc.edu or by phone 409-944-1235.

When is the priority deadline date to apply for financial aid?

The Priority deadline for summer is March 30, 2023 and fall is June 10, 2023. Students may still apply after this date. However, the student may need to pay for tuition, fees, and books out of pocket. Aid may be awarded retroactively.

Will financial aid pay for my books?

Books may be charged to grants, loans, and other scholarships in the Texas Bookstore inside Galveston College. Can I get financial aid if I am a part-time student?

Yes, in most cases.

When are financial aid refund checks mailed?

Refund checks are mailed 14 calendar days after Financial Aid funds have been disbursed to the students account. All refund checks are mailed to the address on file with the Admissions. Disbursement dates for summer I is 06/22/2023, summer II is 07/27/2023, and fall 2023 is 09/27/2023.

What scholarships are available and how do I apply?

Go https://GC.EDU/financial-aid/available-aid/scholarships for the most up to date information.

Financial Aid Eligibility For Late And Second Start Courses

Register for Second Start before the census date of the long semester

The tuition/fees and bookstore charges for students, who register for 16-week courses and for Second Start or any class that starts after the census date of the long term, will be paid for by financial aid on the census date of the long semester. If the Second Start or (late starting course) is dropped by the student or canceled by the administration before the start date of the course, the student is responsible for repaying any financial aid used to cover the charges incurred for the course.

Register for Second Start after the census date of the long semester

For students who register for Second Start courses only after the census of the long term, their financial aid will be packaged according to their hours enrolled. For students who are registered in 16 weeks course(s) and who register for Second Start or any class that starts after the census date of the long semester, the financial aid will be reassessed to accommodate the additional course hours for the Second Start course.

Financial Aid Disclaimer

Students must be enrolled as a regular student in courses that count towards their active eligible degree or certificate program. Preplans are not considered eligible programs. Other courses, including prerequisites, cannot be used to determine enrollment status unless they are required remedial courses.

UA Community Endowment Scholarships

The Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship is a nationally recognized program that the community of Galveston established to provide higher education and training opportunities for its citizens at Galveston College.

Since Fall 2001, Galveston College Foundation, an independent 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization through its Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship program has ensured that every eligible graduate of a Galveston high school, home school program, and/or GED recipient has the opportunity to attend Galveston College to pursue a two-year associate degree, take university transfer classes and/or receive technical training through a workforce development program.

An applicant must be a resident of the Galveston College taxing district, as determined by the Admissions Office, for a minimum of 12 months prior to graduation or GED completion, and continue to be a resident of the Galveston College taxing district while enrolled at Galveston College and receiving Universal Access funds.

A recipient must be a resident of the state of Texas and a United States citizen or an alien who has filed with the proper federal immigration authorities a declaration of intention to become a citizen (Texas Education Code 54.057) allowing these students to qualify for resident tuition rates.

Eligible UA students will receive Non-Tuition Educational Expenses Fund (UA+) awards of $35.00 per semester hour with a lifetime limit of $2,100. UA+ is a multi-year non-tuition educational expenses scholarship (awarded on a semester by semester basis) to aid students during the tenure of their academic career to purchase books, related program equipment and tools including internet access codes, etc. Students must initiate the UA+ award voucher through the Financial Aid office and comply with the requirements as stated in the application. Additionally, beginning in fall 2019 Universal Access Community Endowment alumni in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree at the College are eligible for UA+ funds. Beginning in fall 2022, eligible UA Scholarship recipients will receive an average of $104.40 per semester credit hour to cover tuition and fees. The lifetime limit is $6,264. Unused funds in any given semester or over the lifetime of the available award will be returned to the Galveston College Foundation. Upon enrollment for the Universal Access Community Endowment award, a student’s allocation must be used within a five-year period.

Eligibility and participation guidelines for Galveston College Foundation’s Universal Access Community Endowment Scholarship are available on request from the Financial Aid Office and online at GC.EDU. For more information, contact the Galveston College Foundation at 409-944-1303.

To see other named and endowed scholarships available and complete an application go to: https://gc.edu/financial-aid/available-aid/scholarships/galveston-college-scholarships.php

For financial aid assistance, contact the Financial Aid Office at 409-944-1235.