STUDENT LOANS
Loans
Loans are borrowed money that the student and/or parent will have to repay with interest. Subsidized and Unsubsidized are the most common source of student loan funds.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program (Direct)
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan is a fixed interest rate loan made to a student who is enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. Repayment begins six months after a student leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment.
The Direct Loans include the following types of loans:
- Direct Subsidized Loans—Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with financial need and the government pays the interest while the student is enrolled. The financial aid office will review the results of the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine the amount the student is eligible to borrow. The subsidized loan is the best, first choice for the students looking to borrow money for education. Federal regulations limit the benefits of the direct loan subsidy to an aggregate period of no more than 150% of program length and applies only to first-time borrowers as of July 1, 2013. Once that limit has been exceeded, a student may borrow only unsubsidized loans, and will begin to incur interest charges on outstanding subsidized loans.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans—Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not need based; therefore, students are not required to demonstrate financial need. Like subsidized loans, the school will determine the amount the student is eligible to borrow. Interest accrues (accumulates) on an unsubsidized loan from the time it’s first paid out. Students can pay the interest while they are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or they can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). If the student chooses not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount the student has to repay because they will be charged interest on a higher principal amount.
The Financial Aid Office will determine the student’s loan eligibility in accordance with the Department of Education regulations. A dependent student can borrow combined subsidized and unsubsidized loans not to exceed the annual loan limits. The loan limits are $3,500 per year for freshmen and $4,500 per year for sophomores. Independent students may borrow additional unsubsidized loans not to exceed $6,000. Dependent students may borrow additional unsubsidized not to exceed $2,000. The actual amount the student is eligible to borrow is determined by the financial aid office and may be less than the maximum amount. There are also aggregate limits on the total amount a student can borrow.
For loan purposes, a student’s classification will be determined by the number of hours completed toward his or her selected degree or certificate at the time of initial certification. A student’s classification will not be reevaluated until the beginning of the next academic year (fall through summer). A student who transfers in the middle of an academic year and has received his or her annual loan limit while at the transfer institution will not be eligible for a loan at Vernon College until the beginning of the next academic year. In accordance with federal regulations, Vernon College has the right to refuse to certify a loan or to certify for a reduced amount.
Interested students must accept or decrease their offered student loan amount via the on-line acceptance feature that is available through MyVC. Once accepted, students must complete entrance loan counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN) process that is available at www.studentaid.gov. Only first-year, first-time borrowers are required to complete entrance loan counseling. Exit loan counseling and testing is required before the student ceases at least half-time enrollment. Once the student completes entrance counseling, exit counseling and/or the MPN process, confirmation is sent to the Vernon College Financial Aid Office. For more information regarding the Direct Loan Program and/or Vernon College student loan policies, please read the Vernon College Direct Loan Information brochure.
Borrowers have a right to cancel all or a portion of the loan disbursement and have their proceeds returned to the federal government. Vernon College will send notice to the student no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after the school credits the student’s account. The notice will include the method and date by which the borrower must notify the school that he or she wishes to cancel all or a portion of the loan or loan disbursement.
Vernon College does not participate in the Perkins Loan, Hinson-Hazlewood Loan Program, HEAL Loan Program, HELP Loan Program and the CAL Loan Program.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
The Direct PLUS is a fixed interest rate loan created by the federal government to help creditworthy parents pay for their dependent student’s education beyond high school. Federal PLUS loans are not restricted to a student’s financial need and can help pay for educational expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods.
The US Department of Education will perform a standard credit check. If approved, the parent is responsible for paying the principal amount of the loan and all interest that accrues from the date of disbursement until the loan is paid in full. Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. However, the parent, upon his or her request, can defer payment on a PLUS loan if the student is enrolled at least half-time. The loan amount may not exceed the dependent student’s cost of attendance minus other financial aid for the loan period. If the student’s parents are determined to have an adverse credit history, the student may still receive a Direct PLUS Loan if they obtain an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Direct PLUS Loan if the student/parent does not repay the loan.
If a student’s parents cannot obtain a PLUS loan the student is allowed to borrow additional unsubsidized funds. The student must be enrolled at least half-time to receive a PLUS Loan. To determine a student’s eligibility for a PLUS loan, the student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In addition, a complete financial aid file is required before a PLUS loan will be certified. Interested students must print a PLUS certification/authorization form and a PLUS Request form from www.vernoncollege.edu./FINAID/Forms.
Borrowers have a right to cancel all or a portion of the loan or loan disbursement and have their proceeds returned to the federal government. Vernon College will send a notice to the student no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after the school credits the student’s account. The notice will include the method and date by which the student must notify the school that he or she wishes to cancel all or a portion of the loan or loan disbursement.
Alternative loans
Numerous lenders offer other types of variable rate educational loans for creditworthy students. Alternative loans are provided without consideration of financial need. These loans are not part of the federal government loan programs - they are credit-based and may require a cosigner. Alternative loans are generally more expensive than federal student loans and should only be used when all other options have been exhausted. A complete financial aid file is required before Vernon College will certify an alternative loan application. Due to less favorable repayment options, Vernon College will not certify an alternative loan for any student that has Direct loan eligibility. Alternative loans will follow the same disbursement policies as Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
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.