Summer Momentum Plan

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The Alamo Colleges District is offering a Summer Momentum Plan (SMP) for Summer 2024 that saves eligible students time and money.

This plan allows eligible students who earned hours in Spring 2024 at any of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District, to get three to nine hours FREE credit hours in the Summer 2024 semester.

The Summer Momentum Plan is a last-dollar scholarship that will cover tuition and fees after all other financial aid resources have been awarded in most cases.

9 FREE Credit Hours

for Alamo Colleges students* enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in Spring 2024 who also took classes at the Alamo Colleges in Fall 2023.

6 FREE Credit Hours

for Alamo Colleges students* enrolled part-time (11 or less credits) in Spring 2024 who also took classes at the Alamo Colleges in Fall 2023.

3 FREE Credit Hours

for Alamo Colleges students* who attended college for the first time in Spring 2024.

*Cumulative Alamo Colleges District GPA of 2.0 or better by May 17, 2024 required. 

Note: Maymester courses are not eligible for Summer Momentum.

Student Classification for Spring 2024 Term Required Enrollment & GPA? SMP Eligible?

Continuing

A continuing student completed courses and received credit hours in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 at one of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District.

Enrolled in Spring 2024

2.0 GPA as of May 17, 2024

Yes

First-Time in College

A first-time college student began classes for the first time in Spring 2024 at one of the colleges of the Alamo Colleges District and does not have previously earned credit (credit earned prior to high school graduation does not count as previously earned credit).

Enrolled in Spring 2024

2.0 GPA as of May 17, 2024

Yes

Transfer

A transfer student began their college academic career at an institution other than one of the Alamo Colleges and began classes at ACD in Spring 2024.

N/A No

Visiting Student (Transient)

A transient student who is currently pursuing a degree at another institution and enrolled at one of the Alamo Colleges in Spring 2024 to take classes toward their degree.

N/A No

Returning/Former

A returning/former student is defined as a person who has been admitted to and attended one of the Alamo Colleges in the past, but does not have course grades from the past two consecutive semesters (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024).

N/A No

 

Summer Session Start Date End Date Courses eligible for SMP credit?
Maymester May 13 May 31 No
Summer I 8-week (S81) May 13 July 3 Yes
Summer I 5-week (SU1) June 3 July 4 Yes
Summer II 8-week (SU8/S82) June 3 July 26 Yes
Summer 10-week (SUT) June 3 Aug. 8 Yes
Summer III 8-week (S83) June 17 Aug. 8 Yes
Summer II 5-week (SUII) July 8 Aug. 8 Yes

 

Eligibility FAQs

What is the Summer Momentum Program and who is eligible?

The Summer Momentum Program offers FREE academic credit hours to eligible students.

Any continuing or first-time in college student (defined above) who is enrolled in the Spring 2024 term is eligible as long as they have a GPA of 2.0 or better as of May 17, 2024. 

Eligible students may attend any of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District. Students are encouraged to take hours within their program plans. 

The Summer Momentum Plan is a last-dollar scholarship in most cases that will cover tuition and fees after all other financial aid resources have been awarded. Financial aid resources include grants, scholarships and aid for military families.

Can out-of-district and non-resident students participate in the Summer Momentum Plan?

Yes. In District, Out-of-District, Non-Resident/International students are eligible to participate.

I am a High School Dual Credit Student; do I qualify?

Students participating in high school programs (traditional dual credit, academies, Early College High School) with 10 or more remaining hours to earn an associate degree, early admit and visiting (transient) students are not eligible for the Summer Momentum Plan.

Early College High School students with 9 hours or below remaining to graduate with an associate degree are eligible to participate in the SMP.

How do students know if they qualify for Summer Momentum?

Students do not need to be approved for the Summer Momentum Plan. They just need to meet the earned credit hour and GPA requirements outlined above.

If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact your assigned academic advisor. 

If you are getting credit from a study abroad institution and only transferring the hours in, does that count?

No, transfer hours are not counted as earned credit hours; these include the study abroad courses paid through the Alamo Marketplace.

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 17 with the current GPA, even if all Spring 2024 grades have not been posted. 

How many credit hours need to be taken to earn free Summer semester tuition?

For Spring 2024 students with a GPA of 2.0 or better as of May 17:

  • Full-time continuing student, defined as one who enrolled at the Alamo Colleges in Fall 2023 and attempted 12 or more credit hours as of the census date in Spring 2024, can earn up to 9 free academic credit hours in Summer 2024.

  • Part-time continuing student, defined as one who enrolled at the Alamo Colleges in Fall 2023 and attempted up to 11 credit hours as of the census date in Spring 2024, can earn up to 6 free academic credit hours in Summer 2024.

  • First-time in college student who began classes for the first time in Spring 2024 at one of the Alamo Colleges (and does not have previously earned college credits) can earn up to 3 free academic credit hours in Summer 2024. 

Note that each college has the discretion to allow more courses under the Summer Momentum; for eligibility, a student should check with their Academic Advisor.

What courses will be counted as earned credits?

Only credits earned at any of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District will be counted toward meeting eligibility.

Alamo Colleges District credit courses attempted by the student will count toward eligibility.  Transfer hours are not counted as earned credit hours.

Can the free hours be carried over to future Summer semesters?

No. The free hours must be taken during Summer 2024 during any of the following sessions:

  • Summer I 5-week 
  • Summer II 8-week
  • Summer 10-week
  • Summer III 8-week
  • Summer II 5-week

View semester dates

Are students allowed to split the terms? (For example, take 3 credit hours in Summer II and 3 credit hours in Summer III.)

Yes, students can split their free credit hours between the different parts of term (excluding Maymester). 

Can the "free" hours be taken in the Maymester term?

No. Summer Momentum credits cannot be applied to Maymester classes.

Which classes are eligible for the Summer Momentum Plan free hours?

The Summer Momentum Plan free hours cover classes within a student's degree plan. Courses that do not count toward your degree will not be covered. The free earned summer semester 3/6/9 hours will be applied to academic courses only. 

Please contact your assigned academic advisor for specific questions related to your degree plan and summer enrollment. 

Do I have to complete the FAFSA/TASFA in order to be eligible for the Summer Momentum program?

No. Students do not need to apply for financial aid to be eligible for SMP.

What does “last dollar scholarship” mean?

The Summer Momentum program is a last-dollar scholarship that will cover tuition and fees after all other financial aid resources have been awarded. Financial aid resources include grants (Pell and TPEG), scholarships and some aid for military families. 

Student Account

My summer class is starting, but my Summer Momentum credit has not applied. Can I start attending class?

Yes. SMP eligibility is verified manually, and due to high interest in the program, there may be delays in eligibility verification.

To check eligibility, contact your college’s financial aid or business office.

There is a payment deadline approaching, but my Summer Momentum credit has not applied. Will I be dropped for non-payment?

No. Students who may be SMP-eligible will not be dropped for non-payment until their eligibility is confirmed or denied. To check awarding status, contact your college’s financial aid office. 

Eligible students will receive an email confirming their eligibility for SMP once the credits have been applied. The student is responsible to make payments on any remaining balance at that point. Any unpaid tuition and fee balance may result in a student being dropped from all courses.

When will my tuition be paid for if I am eligible for the Summer Momentum Plan?

Tuition credits will be applied after the spring semester ends, once the following information is verified:

  • Cumulative Alamo College District GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Total number of credit hours completed in Spring
  • Summer courses are part of the student's degree plan

Each student's eligibility is verified manually, so the exact date that tuition will be credited will vary. 

Are there any fees that will not be covered?

The Summer Momentum Plan will cover regular tuition, student activity fees, campus access fee and the international education fee.

It will not cover:

  • Instructional materials fees, special program tuition, 3-peat, 27 HR Rule, etc. Learn more »
Who can answer billing questions related to the Summer Momentum Plan?

Please contact your Campus Business Office or send an email to dst-vbo2@alamo.edu.

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? Will the student need to wait to set up the payment plan until after the tuition charges are waived to avoid paying for the free hours?

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 Registration/ Payment Calendar for payment deadlines and payment plan availability, etc.

A payment plan initiated prior to the Summer Momentum Plan payment, will be inclusive of all tuition and fee charges owed, for the term, at the time the payment plan is executed.

Once the Summer Momentum Plan is applied to the student’s account, the Payment Plan will adjust accordingly, followed by an automated email sent to the student.

Will students be reimbursed or not charged upfront?

A student’s account will be charged as usual, and payment will be automatically applied.

There is no need to pay upfront unless you enroll in additional credit hours above your free (3, 6 or 9) credit hours which you are eligible for under the Summer Momentum Program.

Students will need to pay upfront for any Maymester courses for which they are registered because that term is not eligible for Summer Momentum Program.

Students also need to pay upfront for Summer I 8-week because eligibility for the Summer Momentum Program is determined after the term begins. Eligible students will be issued a refund. 

What if I still owe money after the Summer Momentum Plan is applied?

The student is responsible to make payments on any remaining balance, according to the Registration/Payment Calendar.

Any unpaid tuition and fee balance may result in a student being dropped from all courses.

If I qualify for an exemption/ waiver to reduce my tuition, will I be able to use the Summer Momentum Plan?

Yes, the Summer Momentum Plan can be used.

The Summer Momentum Plan is a last-dollar scholarship that will cover tuition and fees after all other financial aid resources have been awarded. Exemptions/Waivers are applied on the student account first and any remaining eligible tuition and fee charges will be reduced by SMP accordingly.

Will I be able to use my sponsored (3rd Party Billing) tuition assistance?

Sponsored (3rd Party Billing) tuition assistance can be used for any remaining tuition and fee balance for the semester that is not covered by the 3/6/9 FREE credit hours with a few exceptions including VA education benefits.

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 or during any part of the term. All Adds/ Drops should be completed prior to the start of the related term. Refer to the Registration/Payment Calendar.

Drops after the start of class will have 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(es) may not drive repayment. Students should be aware that not successfully completing courses might impact their Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid or their Academic Standing.

Will the 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.

If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact your campus Student Financial Aid Office or visit the Financial Aid website.