Summer Momentum Plan
Save Time and Money with the Summer Momentum Plan
The Alamo Colleges District now offers students a Summer Momentum Plan that saves eligible students time and money. The plan allows students who earn 18-24 credit hours in the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters at any of the five colleges at the Alamo Colleges District, to get three to six FREE credit hours in the Summer 2020 semester.
The Summer Momentum Plan enables more students to achieve the life-long benefits of college, with less financial stress. Students can earn their degree in less time, save money and use their financial aid more effectively.
Learn more about the different programs available, and which college best supports your academic interests.
What is the Expanded Summer Momentum Program and who is eligible?
Students currently enrolled in Spring 2020 with a GPA of 2.0 or better as of May 1, 2020, are eligible for up to 6 FREE academic credit hours in Summer 2020 if part-time and earn up to 9 FREE academic credit hours in Summer 2020 if full-time.
Part-time students are those who attempted up to 11 credit hours in Spring 2020. Full-time students attempted 12 or more credit hours in Spring 2020.
The free summer credit hours must be taken at any of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District during the Summer 2020 term.
Eligible students may attend any of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District, which offers a wide range of fields of study, including accounting, biotechnology, business, computer science, criminal justice, early childhood education, nursing and paralegal. Students are encouraged to take hours within their program plan.
How will students know if they are approved for the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan?
Eligible students automatically qualify by meeting the Alamo Colleges District Earned Credit Hours Qualifications and Hours Requirement.
Students do not need to be approved for the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan.
When will my tuition be credited if I am eligible for the Summer Momentum Plan?
Only credits earned at any of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District will be counted upon meeting eligibility. Alamo Colleges District credit courses attempted by the student will count toward eligibility.
Transfer hours are not eligible as earned credit hours.
How many credit hours need to be taken to earn free summer semester tuition?
For Spring 2020, students with a GPA of 2.0 or better as of May 1:
- Part-time students, defined as taking up to 11 credit hours as of the census date in Spring 2020, will earn up to 6 free academic credit hours in Summer 2020
- Full-time students, defined as taking 12 or more credit hours as of the census date in Spring 2020, will earn up to 9 free academic credit hours in Summer 2020
Note that each college has discretion to allow more courses under Expanded SMP; for eligibility, a student should check with his/her academic advisor.
- Early College High School students (ECHS) with 9 or less credit hours remaining to complete an associate degree are eligible for Expanded SMP.
Are there any rules associated with the student being eligible?
The student must have been a continuing student in Spring 2020, have a current GPA as of May 1 of 2.0 or higher, and have taken credit hours as of census date.
Is there a waiver/paperwork that needs to be completed with the Financial Aid/Bursars Office?
No paperwork will need to be completed. Eligibility is automatically determined as of May 1 with the current GPA, even if all Spring 2020 grades have not posted.
Can the free hours be carried over to future Summer semesters?
No. The free hours must be taken in the Summer 2020 semester.
Are students allowed to split the terms? An example is 3 credit hours in Summer I and 3 credit hours in Summer II.
Yes, students can split the credit hours, as long as the student is enrolled in 6 hours total for the summer semesters.
Can the "free" hours be taken in the Maymester term?
Yes. Maymester is included in the Expanded SMP.
Will students be reimbursed or not charged up front?
A student’s account will be charged and payment will be automatically applied. There is no need to pay up front, unless it is for additional hours registered above your eligible, free Expanded SMP of 6 or 9 hours earned.
When will my tuition be credited if I am eligible for the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan?
Tuition will be credited in May 2020.
Are there any fees that will not be covered?
The Expanded Summer Momentum Plan will cover regular tuition, student activity fees, campus access fee and the international education fee. It does not cover Special Program Tuition, Instructional Materials Charges, 3 Peat, 27 HR Rule, etc.
Which hours are eligible for the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan free hours?
Most hours are eligible for the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan free hours, with a few exceptions. Students are encouraged to take hours within their program plan. The free earned summer semester 6/9 hours will be applied to academic courses only.
Can out-of-district and non-resident students participate in the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan?
Yes. In District, Out-of-District, Non-Resident/ International students are eligible to participate.
Who can answer additional questions about qualifying for the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan, , “continuing” status, GPA., etc.?
Please contact your Campus Admissions and Registrar's Office.
Who can answer billing questions related to the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan?
Please contact your Campus Business Office or send an email to dst-vbo2@alamo.edu.
If I qualify for an exemption/ waiver to reduce my tuition, will I be able to use the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan?
Yes, the Expanded SMP can be used.
The Expanded SMP is applied to the student accounts as the first source of payment; Exemption/ Waivers are then applied on the student account and used to reduce any “remaining eligible tuition and fee charges” covered under the exemption/ waiver.
If a student is registered for more than the free 6/9hours, will they be able to use the payment plan option for the balance they are paying out of pocket?
Students with a minimum balance of $100 in eligible tuition and fee charges may sign up for a Payment Plan. Students are encouraged to visit the Summer 2020 Registration/ Payment Calendar for Payment Deadlines and Payment Plan availability.
A payment plan initiated May 1- May 21, prior to the Expanded SMP payment, will be inclusive of all tuition and fee charges owed, for the term, at the time the payment plan is executed. Once the Expanded SMP is applied to the student’s account, the Payment Plan will adjust accordingly, followed by an automated email sent to the student.
What if I still owe money, after the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan is applied?
The student is responsible to make payments on any remaining balance, according to the Summer 2020 Registration/ Payment Calendar.
Any unpaid tuition and fee balance may result in a student being dropped from all courses.
Will I be able to use my sponsored (3rd Party Billing) tuition assistance?
The sponsored (3rd Party Billing) tuition assistance cannot be used towards the 6/9 FREE credit hours, but can be used towards any remaining eligible tuition and fee charges, covered under the sponsored (3rd Party Billing) tuition assistance.
If you are getting credit from a study abroad institution and only transferring the hours in, does that count?
No, transfer hours are eligible as earned credit hours; these include the study abroad courses paid through the Alamo Marketplace.
I am a Dual Credit student, do I qualify?
No, students participating in high school programs (traditional dual credit, early college high school, academies), early admit and transient students are not eligible for the Enhanced SMP.
If a class is not successfully completed will students have to pay tuition back?
The Summer Momentum Plan is a non-refundable program, and a student may owe money back for a course dropped prior to the census date, for any part of the term.
All Adds/ Drops should be completed prior to the start of the related term. Refer to the Summer 2020 Registration/ Payment Calendar.
Drops after the start of class will have Enhanced SMP scholarship adjustments resulting in a balance on the student account.
The award can be reinstated if the student registers for a class in the latter part of the term. Lack of academic success in the summer class (or classes) may not drive repayment.
Students should be aware that failure to successfully complete courses might impact their Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid or Academic Standing.
Will the Enhanced Summer Momentum Plan have an impact on other Financial Assistance?
A student’s Pell Grant award is not impacted
In some cases, other federal aid such as loans or work-study may be adjusted when necessary if the student does not have sufficient “unmet need” to be compliant with federal regulations.
For questions about your specific situation, please contact your campus Student Financial Aid Office or visit the Financial Aid website.
I elected to take classes Credit/No Credit in Spring 2020. Will this impact the free summer hours that I receive under the Expanded Summer Momentum Plan?
No, choosing to take one or more of your Spring 2020 class for Credit/No Credit has no negative impact on your eligibility to receive free summer classes.
If you took classes during the Spring 2020 semester, you qualify for Expanded SMP.