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Top 10 Percent Scholarship

The purpose of the Top 10 Percent Scholarship is to provide and the exemption of tuition and fees up to $2,000 to financially needy students who are academically prepared to handle college-level coursework. An eligible student must meet the following criteria:

Be a Texas resident;
Rank in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class at the end of the seventh semester;
Demonstrate financial need as evidenced by filing the current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form;
Have an unmet financial need when using the formula “Cost of Attendance minus Estimated Family Contribution minus Pell Grants”;
Enroll in an institution of higher education in Texas the fall semester immediately following high school graduation;
Enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours (full-time), unless granted a hardship waiver.

The Top 10 Percent Scholarship is renewable and transferable for up to 4 years, if the student remains eligible and continues to meet all program requirements. To continue in the program a student must:

Complete at least 75% of the hours attempted in their most recent 12 month academic year;
Complete at least 30 semester credit hours in their most recent 12 month academic year;
Maintain an overall grade-point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale;
Complete a certificate program within 50 credit hours or an associate degree within 105 credit hours.

Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible if the Office of Admissions and Records determines that the student is a Texas resident. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the Office of Financial Aid and complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) in lieu of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

In the event of a hardship or for other good cause, the Top Ten Percent Scholarship Coordinator at SPC may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a Top Ten Percent Scholarship while enrolled for an equivalent of less than full-time or if the student’s grade point average or completion rate or number of completed hours falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or South Plains College. Such conditions are not limited to, but include:

a showing of a severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the student’s academic performance;
an indication that the student is responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person that the student’s provision of care may affect his or her academic performance; or
the requirement of fewer than 12 hours to complete one’s degree plan.