VC Direct Loan Information
As a potential student loan borrower, you need to be aware of the following,
Vernon College student loan policies:
1. Federal regulations require that students interested in the Federal Direct and/or PLUS loan complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and provide the financial aid office any requested documentation. Student loan recipients must meet general eligibility requirements for federal student aid (see current catalog). At VC, Direct loans will automatically be packaged in each eligible student’s offer letter based on the student’s classification. A student’s classification is determined based on the number of hours completed towards his or her selected degree or certificate at the time of initial certification. A student’s classification will not be re-evaluated until the beginning of the next academic year (fall through summer). Students also have the option to reduce, accept or decline their offered loan amount via the on-line acceptance feature that is available through My VC.
2. Students or parents in default on a previous student loan or who owe money back on a federal grant are not eligible for financial aid. This includes both Federal Direct and PLUS Loans.
3. Student borrowers at VC must complete entrance loan counseling and the Master Promissory Note. Also, starting 2023-2024 all direct loan borrowers (students and parents) will be required to confirm they have viewed the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement before loans can be disbursed for each award year. Each process is available at www.studentaid.gov must be completed before receiving any loan during the academic year.
4. Student loan recipients are also required to complete exit loan counseling before they cease enrollment, graduate or drop below half-time status. Exit counseling is available online at www.studentaid.gov. If you fail to meet this requirement, a hold will be placed on your records until you complete this requirement.
5. Student loan funds will be sent to VC via electronic funds transfer (EFT) and applied to the student’s account. Once a student’s account is credited and all VC expenses have been paid the business office will submit any remaining refunds to the student. Loan refunds will be disbursed no later than 30 days after the beginning of the semester via your Chaparral Card, direct deposit or in the form of a check.
6. Student loans are for educational expenses only! Authorized expenses include: tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, dependent child care, transportation and commuting expenses, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. Keep in mind student loans must be repaid so only borrow what you need.
7. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) at Vernon College each semester in order to receive their loan disbursement. Any additional assistance received may reduce your loan eligibility. (Ex: outside scholarships, Catholic Charities, WIA etc.) Eligibility for loan proceeds will be verified prior to each disbursement and could result in the reduction or cancellation of your loan and the remainder returned to the lender (U.S. Department of Education) without further notice. PLEASE NOTE: If you enroll in classes that do not apply towards your major you have on file in Admissions, you must complete a Declaration of Purpose in the Admissions office to update your major before you will be eligible to receive your loan funds.
8. VC participates in the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan Programs and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). VC does not participate in the following loan programs: Perkins Loan Program, Hinson-Hazelwood Loan Program, HEAL Loan Program, HELP Loan Program, and the CAL Loan Program.
9. A student can borrow combined subsidized and unsubsidized loans not to exceed the annual loan limits. Please see chart for annual Direct Loan limits. Parents of dependent students can apply for a PLUS loan to assist with their expenses at VC. The amount a parent can borrow for a student cannot exceed the student’s total cost of attendance less any other aid. If you are a dependent student interested in the PLUS loan, you and your parent must complete and return the DL PLUS Request Form along with the PLUS Certification/Authorization Form. No action will be taken on your PLUS loan until you complete this process. Dependent students whose parents have been denied a PLUS loan may receive the additional unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. Denial must be based on credit reasons only, and not be based on the parents’ refusal to accept the loan.
10. Students must begin repayment on Federal Direct loans 6 months following graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment status. Parent borrowers will begin repayment on PLUS loans 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.
Loan Limits
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Dependent
Undergraduate
Students
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Independent
Undergraduate
Students
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1st year
(<30 Hrs)
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$5,500 – No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
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$9,500 – No more than 3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
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2nd year
(<= 30 Hrs)
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$6,500 – No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
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$10,500 – No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loan.
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New Direct loans
(First disbursed on or after July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)
Student loan interest rates are as follows:
New SUB Loans –5.50%
New UNSUB loans –5.50%
New Parent PLUS loans –8.50%
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Remember: Student loans require repayment!
Develop a budget to determine the amount you need to borrow. Only borrow what is necessary to
assist in paying your educational costs!
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1970 marked the beginning of Vernon College. Throughout this decade the College continued to grow and more students enrolled in both on- and off-campus courses. On January 20, 1970, a majority of the citizens of Wilbarger County voted to create the Wilbarger County Junior College District. Following that decision, Vernon Regional Junior College was established and on April 9, 1970, the newly elected Board of Trustees appointed Dr. David L. Norton as the College’s first president. Campus construction began in May 1971, and included an Academic Science Center, Administration-Fine Arts Center, Applied Arts Center, Library, and Student Center. The following year, on September 5, 1972, classes met for the first time on the Vernon campus with a total of 608 students. On August 1, 1974, Dr. Jim M. Williams became the College’s second president. In the fall semester of that year, combined on- and off-campus enrollment exceeded 800 students. During the 1975-76 academic year, the College expanded its services to include a learning center on Sheppard Air Force Base. During this year, enrollment in credit courses, both on- and off-campus, rose to a level of 1,199. The scope of the Vocational Nursing Program was enlarged during the 1976-77 academic year with the assumption of the Bethania School of Vocational Nursing in Wichita Falls. In August 1976 the Physical Education Center was dedicated in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. King longtime benefactors of Vernon College.
Growth and changes continued during the 1980s. In August 1980 a Student Residence Center, designed to house 128 students, opened for occupancy. Further expansion of program offerings in the Wichita Falls area was accomplished through absorption of an existing proprietary school that was renamed the Vernon College Technical Center and the integration of the nursing program from the Wichita Falls Independent School District. On March 22, 1982, Dr. Joe Mills took over the leadership of the College as the third president. That fall, the College fielded its first intercollegiate rodeo team. During 1983-84, the Department of Cosmetology and the Career Development Center (previously known as the North Texas Skills Center) were established in Wichita Falls. On the Vernon campus, the Chaparral Center was completed, and the Pease River farm purchased through a state land trade. The following academic year, 1984-85, Vernon College reached a record credit enrollment of 1,863 and a record continuing education enrollment of 7,056 registrations. A Vocational Nursing Program opened in Seymour, and the Board of Trustees established a college foundation and approved an agreement to allow construction of the Red River Valley Museum on the Vernon campus. In February 1987 the College played its first intercollegiate baseball game on the Vernon campus. During May of that year, the new Natatorium was opened in the King Physical Education Center. A newly constructed Athletic Dormitory opened to house 28 athletes in August 1988. In October, Trustees voted to add women’s volleyball as a varsity sport, effective with the fall 1989 semester. In May 1989 Vernon College moved all Wichita Falls programs to one centralized location—Century City Center. Since the College opened its doors 38 years ago, many individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations have made an investment in our students through the creation of endowed and annual scholarships. As of this year, more than 100 scholarship funds are available to help students pursue their educational dreams.VERNON COLLEGE PHILOSOPHY: Vernon College is a constantly evolving institution, dedicated primarily to effective teaching and regional enhancement. With this dedication to teaching and to the community, the College encourages open inquiry, personal and social responsibility, critical thinking, and life-long learning for students, faculty, and other individuals within its service area. The College takes as its guiding educational principle the proposition that, insofar as available resources permit, instruction should be adapted to student needs. This principle requires both flexibility in instructional strategies and maintenance of high academic standards. Strong programs of assessment and accountability complement this educational principle. VC accepts the charge of providing a college atmosphere free of bias, in which students can exercise initiative and personal judgment, leading to a greater awareness of personal self-worth. It strives to provide every student with opportunities to develop the tools necessary to become a contributing, productive member of society.
Vision
VERNON COLLEGE VISION: Vernon College will promote a culture of success for our students and communities through learner-centered quality instructional programs and exemplary services.
Values
VERNON COLLEGE VALUES: Vernon College promotes a culture of success through our shared values and commitment to:
Accessibility
Accountability
Building Relationships
Diversity
Inclusion
Innovation
Leadership
Quality
Student Success
Teamwork
Our values define who we are and guide us in conducting our business every day. Our values are our morals – what is important to us at our college.
Mission
VERNON COLLEGE MISSION The mission of Vernon College is teaching, learning, and leading. Vernon College is a comprehensive community college that integrates education with opportunity through our instructional programs and student support services by means of traditional and distance learning modes. Therefore, to fulfill its mission, the College will provide access, within its available resources, to:
Career technical/workforce programs up to two years in length leading to associate degrees or certificates;
Career technical/workforce programs leading directly to employment in semi-skilled and skilled occupations;
Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences, including the curricula leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees;
Ongoing adult education programs for occupational upgrading or personal enrichment;
Compensatory education programs designed to fulfill the commitment of an admissions policy allowing the enrollment of disadvantaged students; ;
A continuing program of counseling and guidance designed to assist students in achieving their individual educational goals;
Career technical/workforce development programs designed to meet local and statewide needs;
Support services for educational programs and college-related activities;
Adult literacy and other basic skills programs for adults; and
Other To help prospective and current students, faculty, and staff locate important information about Vernon College, this webpage provides links to helpful information on a variety of government mandated and consumer information. Examples are academic programs, cost of attendance, financial aid, safety and security, and institutional financial reports. Vernon College’s presentation of this information complies with the Higher Education Act, as amended, and implementing regulations.