Return to Campus Plan
Student Resources
Student Resources
Last Updated: 4/19/21
The health and wellness of students and staff of Alamo Colleges District is our highest priority.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Alamo Colleges District has made some temporary changes to the way we provide instruction and operate in light of the growing concerns related to the coronavirus.
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We are asking all San Antonio residents to do their part to contain the spread of COVID-19. To continue the downward trend in our community, it will require continued vigilance to help slow the spread and keep our loved ones safe. Do it for you, do it for your loved ones, and do it for San Antonio! |
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Student Emergency Aid |
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Student Emergency Aid To support our students through this crisis, Alamo Colleges District has established Student Emergency Aid to provide emergency resources for students who need temporary assistance. This overarching program of financial relief for students is made up of several different funds including:
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Laptop & Wi-Fi Hotspot Check-Out for Students |
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In support of remote learning, laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots are available for any currently enrolled Alamo Colleges student in need of a reliable computer or internet access. These resources are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Devices are fully equipped for remote learning and checked out for the entire term. Students should contact their home college’s Information Technology department during their hours of operation (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). |
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Libraries & Labs |
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All Alamo Colleges libraries have e-resources available 24/7. Librarians are available online to assist students, faculty and staff. |
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Campus Internet Access |
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It is convenient and easy for you to check out a loaner laptop or hotspot from one of the colleges. If for some reason you prefer not to do this, designated parking lot hotspots are available at the colleges for students and their family members to access campus Wi-Fi. Students and family members are encouraged to stay in vehicles and practice social distancing. Directional signage will guide students to the locations. Wifi Hotspot Location Maps:
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Low-Cost Home Internet Service |
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Programs are available to bridge the digital divide by providing students low-cost internet service. Potential benefits include low-cost internet access, no in-home Wi-Fi modem fee, no deposits, no installation fees and no term commitments for qualifying households. |
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Student Food Support |
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ACD is partnering with the San Antonio Food Bank to provide support to our students during this period of distance learning. Please contact the SAFB Helpline at 210-431-8326 or refer to the online form at https://safoodbank.org/help/ Our on-campus college advocacy centers sponsor recurring food pop-up markets. Visit Advocacy Centers for more info. |
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Safe Rental Book Returns |
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the bookstore director, Patrick Quilty, at pquilty@alamo.edu. |
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COSA and Bexar County Housing/Rental Assistance Programs Available |
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COSA Housing/Rental Assistance San Antonio residents experiencing emergency and hardship can access several resources available through the City of San Antonio Fair Housing/COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program. One of those resources is the Emergency Rent & Mortgage Assistance program. To qualify for the program, applicants must:
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Bexar County Temporary Rental Assistance Measure (TRAM)
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Your Guide to Accessing Important Student Services
My Digital BackpackFind information on:
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COVID-19 Screening Available at All Alamo Colleges |
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As we implement our return to campus plans and more individuals are working and learning on our colleges, we want to implement safety and mitigation practices to keep our faculty, staff and students as safe as possible. COVID-19 screenings provides early alerts of infections, and weekly screening allows us to monitor the infection rate for each of our colleges and take necessary measures if the rates fluctuate. Alamo Colleges is partnering with Community Labs to offer free asymptomatic COVID-19 screenings for employees at each of the colleges and the DSO. Here’s what else you need to know :
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Academics
For the Summer semester, Alamo Colleges will phase up through Levels 4, 3, and 2. Up to 50% of instruction will be face-to-face (F2F).
For the Fall semester, Alamo Colleges will phase up to Level 1. Up to 75% of instruction will be face-to-face (F2F).
Students will be notified of the modality for the course at the time of registration. On-campus classes will be prioritized for courses that require in-person instruction, and the colleges and regional centers will manage the number of individuals on-site at the same time to ensure appropriate occupancy for the designated level.
Canvas is the primary means of communication. Faculty use the Canvas announcements and inbox features to share information about coursework.
Students are strongly encouraged to monitor their ACES email and Canvas for ongoing updates. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to take the one-hour training called Remote Ready Boot Camp: Student, available to them in Canvas.
Advising & Registration
Advisors Are Here to Support You
Message from your Advisor: We want you to know that our number one priority is you and your success. Your advisor will be there to guide you every step of the way.
Communicating with your Advisor: To keep you informed, advisors are reaching out via remote means, including online updates and support, text messaging, phone calls and even video conferencing.
Reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns that you have as you begin engaging in your courses remotely. They are available to you via email using your student ACES email.
You will also receive a weekly text message from your advisor. When you do, you can text them back and they will respond to your text within 24 to 48 hours. Your advisor is there to help you stay on track for the semester as well as for the duration of your academic and career journey.
Advising Appointments Go Remote: Advising appointments are held using a video and phone conferencing tool called Zoom.
You will receive a Zoom calendar invitation through email. If you are new to remote learning or if you have questions about Zoom, you are strongly encouraged to take the one-hour training called Remote Ready Boot Camp: Student accessed through your Canvas course list in ACES.
If Zoom is not an option for you, please let your advisor know. We can use other means of communication, such as email and phone calls, to fulfill your appointment requirements.
Advocacy & Counseling
The Alamo Colleges District is prepared to assist students with issues that can negatively impact stress, focus and student performance.
We will provide case-management support and this may come in different forms. Some of the services available include food, emergency aid, counseling, and referrals for public assistance.
The Alamo Colleges Helpline is available Monday-Thursday 8 am-7 pm and Fridays 8 am- 5 pm at (210) 486-1111.
Advocacy Centers |
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| Northeast Lakeview College | Northwest Vista College |
| Palo Alto College | St. Philip's College |
| San Antonio College | |
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Communication
Stay Informed, Stay Connected:
- Find the support resources you need.
- Keep up with your coursework.
- Stay up to date with the latest Alamo Colleges news. Follow the links listed below to stay in the know.
- ACES e-mail account: The official form of communication. We will be sending you updates, so please check regularly.
- CANVAS: Your instructors may be communicating with you through your CANVAS course.
Website Updates:
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Social Media:
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How you can communicate with us:
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Student Hotline
Local:
21ALAMO (210-212-5266)
Toll Free:
1-844-20ALAMO (1-844-202-5266)
Student Hotline Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Disability Support Services
We want to make sure you get the support you need to complete your courses successfully.
See Section 5 in the Remote Ready Boot Camp: Student, available in Canvas for a list of services and resources to support remote learners with disabilities.
Disability Services Offices
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Northeast Lakeview College Phone: 210-486-5487 Email: nlc-dsscounsel@alamo.edu |
Northwest Vista College Phone: 210-486-4466 Email: nvc-access@alamo.edu |
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Palo Alto College Phone: 210-486-3020 Email: cgibbs3@alamo.edu |
St. Philip’s College MLK Campus Phone: 210-486-2199 Southwest Campus Phone: 210-486-7175 Email: mbotello@alamo.edu |
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San Antonio College Phone: 210-486-0020 Email: kmccarty10@alamo.edu |
Payment
Please check the Financial Aid website for updates!
Financial Aid:
- Financial Aid website
- or call to speak to a Financial Aid advisor.
Local: 210-21ALAMO (210-212-5266)
Toll-Free: 1-844-20ALAMO (1-844-202-5266)
Paying Tuition:
You are able to pay your tuition for the semester in the following ways:
- Credit Card: Pay on-line through your ACES Account
- Check: Pay on-line through your ACES account.
- Cash: Alamo College is still working on a process to pay by cash. Please check the website for updates.
Visit the Business Office Page for more information
Paying for College
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Student Financial Aid
Scholarships and Other Aid
Veterans Benefits
Alamo Colleges Foundation Scholarships
Student Support
To provide access to higher education for our community, all five Colleges offer access to support services for students while we teach, learn and work remotely.
| Northeast Lakeview College | Northwest Vista College |
| Palo Alto College | St. Philips College |
| San Antonio College |
Student Forms Library – fillable and electronically submittable forms for disabilities, enrollment services, counseling, veterans (some under construction)
Student Code of Conduct - behavioral expectations of students in order to protect and foster the learning environment
Course Catalog - outlines the rights and responsibilities of students
Access to Technology
Software & WiFi
- Internet: Free from Comcast and Spectrum.
- Free internet in designated parking spots at the Alamo Colleges
BiblioTech is Offering Internet Hotspots and Tablet Loan Program
Devices include 150 new Internet hotspots available for checkout.
BiblioTech branches are providing curbside service for Bexar County residents, including Alamo College’s students and employees, to pick up/drop off tablets and Internet hotspots for use at home.
Though the checkout process will be different than what regular visitors are used to, patrons can expect to borrow tablets and hotspots for three weeks and will need to bring an ID to check out devices.
To make a reservation, patrons should call the BiblioTech branch where they would like to check out a device between 9 - 11 a.m. – with curbside service only available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all branches. Call BiblioTech East, 210-631-0230; BiblioTech South, 210-631-0180; or BiblioTech West, 210-631-0190.
Wifi Hotspot Location Maps:
| NLC | NVC | PAC |
| SPC | SAC | |
Canvas: All courses are facilitated through Canvas, the Alamo Colleges District learning management system. You can access Canvas through ACES.
Remote Ready Boot Camp: Students provides “how-to” tips for taking courses in Canvas. You’ll find the module in your Canvas course list.
Zoom: Your instructors and your advisors will be using Zoom to interact with you.
- Using Zoom via the Web: You do not have to set up an account because Zoom is available via the web: Alamo.zoom.us. Faculty and staff will send you meeting invites, and you can join the meetings by simply clicking on the link.
- Using Zoom via the App: If you choose to download the zoom app, you must sign in. The company domain name is: alamo. Once that information is entered, you will be directed to the ACES login page. Simply log in to your ACES account and your available meetings will appear.
Adaptive Equipment
Eligible students may contact your DSS Office for assistance with the following:
- DRAGON DICTATE: Access keyboard by voice.
- Kurzweil Web-based Chrome Browser Extension
Kurzweil Instructions: Select "Read the Web - Google Chrome” / “Add To CHROME” / “Add Extension” / Sync - Chromevox Extension
Chromevox Extension Instructions: Select “Add to Chrome” / “Add Extension” / Sync - NVDA (for blind/low vision)
For NVDA Instructions, follow this link.
Download NVDA here.
Tutoring
The Alamo Colleges District offers online/remote tutoring with both our regular in-house tutors and external tutors through Brainfuse. for all Alamo Colleges students.
Brainfuse Online Tutoring can be accessed from within ACES or from any Canvas course:
- Select Live Help if you have a quick question – sessions are 30 minutes.
- Select Tutor Match if you want to work with an in-house tutor.
- Select Writing Lab if you want a paper reviewed in 24 hours.
You have 7 hours for use with Live Help and the Writing Lab. Your time in Tutor Match is unlimited, but please respect the needs of others and only book up to 2 hours twice a week.
Brainfuse Tech Support:
- Brainfuse2020 User Guide
- Brainfuse.com/help
- Phone: (866) 272-4638
- Email: support@brainfuse.com