Scholarships

The purpose of scholarships is to attract and retain outstanding students to South Plains College and to expand opportunities for students to pursue higher education. The scholarship programs that are administered by South Plains College are generally awarded on the basis of academic achievement, character, and leadership qualities.

Funds for scholarships are made possible through the generosity of the friends of South Plains College, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and civic organizations.

New students who plan to enroll at South Plains College and current students are encouraged to apply for scholarships.

Scholarship programs are classified in one of four categories:

College-Wide Scholarships which are open to all qualified students;

Program Specific Scholarships which are open only to students enrolled in specific major fields of study;

Activity Scholarships which are open to students enrolled in specific classes;

Nontraditional Student Scholarships which are open to students who are 25 years of age or older.

A single Scholarship Application is used to apply for all scholarships administered by South Plains College. Applications are available from the South Plains College Scholarship Office, the Office of New Student Relations or from the SPC web site at http://www.southplainscollege.edu.

Students interested in specific activity scholarships should also contact the departments listed in the activity scholarship descriptions concerning interviews, auditions or departmental scholarship applications if applicable.

Scholarship Application Deadlines

March 1 of each year is the deadline for submitting complete applications to the South Plains College Scholarship Office for the college-wide scholarships, program specific scholarships and nontraditional student scholarships.

The deadline for activity scholarship applications is one week after the beginning of the fall semester. Activity scholarship applications are submitted directly to the specific department.

Scholarship Application Requirements

Students who wish to be considered for scholarships at South Plains College must follow these general guidelines when submitting a SPC Scholarship Application.

• Carefully complete the Scholarship Application, making sure to answer all questions to the best of your ability. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Applicants must be eligible for admission to SPC in accordance with existing policies found in this General Catalog.
• Most scholarships require enrollment as a full-time student (12 semester hours minimum) while some are open to part-time students (6 semester hours minimum). All students who plan to enroll in six or more semester hours are encouraged to apply for a scholarship.
• Incoming new students and high school dual credit students must include a current high school transcript. The transcript must contain a listing of all high school courses and grades earned through the fall semester of the senior year. It must also include a listing of current spring courses being taken, estimated class rank, class total, and ACT or SAT scores (ACT preferred). The transcript must accompany the application.
• Incoming new students and high school dual credit students must submit ACT or SAT scores (ACT preferred) taken their junior or senior year in high school in order to be considered for college-wide scholarship programs and some program specific scholarships. Verification of the scores must appear on official transcripts or as copies of the original score report. Documentation of ACT or SAT scores must accompany the application.
• Currently enrolled college students and transfer students who have completed at least 12 hours of college-level work (excluding dual credit taken in high school) are not required to submit ACT/ SAT scores. However, applicants must submit an official transcript from each college attended as of the date of the application. Transcripts must accompany the application.
• Currently enrolled college students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for receiving scholarships. Some scholarship programs require a 3.00 cumulative GPA for currently enrolled students.
• To be considered for Program Specific Scholarships, the applicant must indicate an intended major field of study on the scholarship application.
• Certain program specific and activity scholarships require a personal interview, audition or separate application. These requirements should be scheduled through the appropriate department before the application deadline.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials and documentation, such as complete transcripts and verification of ACT or SAT scores, accompany the completed scholarship application and are received by the Scholarship Office prior to the application deadline. When possible, the Scholarship Office will attempt to notify the applicant of incomplete documentation. However, as a rule, the Scholarship Office cannot guarantee notification of incomplete scholarship files, especially when applications are received on or shortly before the deadline date. Students are encouraged to submit a Scholarship Application and required materials early in the process and to contact the Scholarship Office before the deadline date to verify receipt of all necessary materials and documentation. You may contact the office via e-mail at scholarships@southplainscollege.edu, or call (806) 716-2219.

Specific requirements for each of the major categories of scholarships administered by the Scholarship Office are detailed in the following sections. Please read these sections carefully in order to complete your scholarship application.

South Plains College administers a number of scholarship programs that are not limited to a specific major field of study. These scholarship awards are open to all eligible students. To apply, students must submit a scholarship application by the March 1 deadline. Applications are evaluated by the SPC Scholarship Committee.

ACT or SAT scores (ACT preferred) are required for consideration. Currently enrolled college students and transfer students with at least 12 hours of college-level work (excluding dual credit taken in high school) are not subject to this application requirement.

College-wide scholarship awards are offered to students who have exhibited the qualities of scholastic achievement, responsibility and leadership in extracurricular activities, and who most probably will continue this pattern throughout a college career. In general, applicants must graduate in the upper 50 percent of their high school class, be a U.S. citizen, and plan to enroll in a degree or certificate program offered by SPC. Most college-wide scholarship awards vary from $200 to $500 per semester. In order to continue to receive the scholarship after the first semester, recipients must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average. The minimum cumulative grade point average necessary to continue to receive the scholarship varies from 2.50 to 3.0, depending upon the requirements of the specific scholarship program.

A current listing of college-wide scholarship programs can be found in the current Scholarship Guidebook or on the SPC web site at www.southplainscollege.edu/scholarships

SPC provides a limited number of scholarships specifically for students who are 25 years of age or older. These scholarships are intended to help students who are returning to college.

Several Nontraditional Student Scholarships are open to part-time (six semester hours minimum), as well as full-time (12 semester hours minimum) students. To be considered for these scholarships, students must request and complete a Scholarship Application.

Nontraditional Student Scholarships are awarded for a maximum of two regular semesters, beginning in the fall. In order to continue to receive the scholarship in the spring semester, recipients must complete a minimum of six to 12 semester hours, depending on full or part-time status, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 in the preceding semester. Amounts for each award range from $100 to $500 per semester, depending on available funds.

A current listing of scholarship programs for nontraditional students and application forms can be found in the current Scholarship Guidebook or on the SPC web site at www.southplainscollege.edu/scholarships.

Program specific scholarships are open to students who have selected a major field of study and who meet eligibility requirements. Applicants will be considered for all scholarships available in their major field of study. Scholarship amounts range from $100 to $500 per semester, depending on available funds.

To apply, students must submit a Scholarship Application by the March 1 deadline. Applicants must indicate their intended major area of study on the Scholarship Application in order to be considered for these scholarships. Some programs require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores with the application as required for college-wide scholarship programs. Applications are screened by a departmental scholarship committee. All scholarship awards are subject to availability of funds.

A current listing of available program specific scholarships identified by major area of study can be found in the current Scholarship Guidebook or on the SPC web site at www.southplainscollege.edu/scholarships.

Activity scholarships are awarded to students who participate in various showcase activities at South Plains College. Incoming new students should submit an SPC Scholarship Application and be enrolled as a full-time student (12 semester hours minimum). Recipients are required to be enrolled in specific courses relating to the activity and to comply with participation requirements as established by the awarding department. Contact the department for specific information concerning audition, interview or departmental scholarship application.

Activity scholarships are awarded on a regular semester basis and are renewable for subsequent semesters provided the recipient meets the program’s criteria. In order to continue to receive the scholarship, recipients must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the preceding semester. Amounts for each award range from $100 to $400 per semester, depending on available funds.

Commercial Music Ensemble

Recipients are required to participate in the Commercial Music Ensembles. Recipient must be enrolled in specified commercial music ensembles and private lessons. Contact the Creative Arts Department for information at (806) 716-2281.

Concert Choir

Recipients are required to participate in the SPC Concert Choir. Recipient must be enrolled in MUEN 1241. Contact the Fine Arts Department for information at (806) 716-2261 or 716-2269.

Jazz Band

Recipients are required to participate in the SPC Jazz Band. Recipient must be enrolled in MUEN 1229. Contact the Fine Arts Department for information at (806) 716-2264.

Livestock Judging Team

Recipients are required to be members of the Livestock Judging Team. Recipient must be enrolled in either AGRI 2321 or AGRI 2322. Contact the Agriculture Program for information at (806) 716-2320.

SPC-TV

Recipients are required to work as staff members of SPC-TV productions. Recipient must be enrolled in either COMM 1131, COMM 1132, COMM 2131 or COMM 2132. Contact the radio, television and film program for information at (806) 716-2451.

Student Publications

Recipients are required to work as staff members of The Plainsman Press. Recipient must be enrolled in either COMM 1129, COMM 1130, COMM 2129 or COMM 2130 or another journalism course with instructor permission. Contact the journalism program for information at (806) 716-2435.

Symphonic Band

Recipients are required to participate in the SPC Symphonic Band. Recipient must be enrolled in MUEN 1227. Contact the symphonic band director for information at (806) 716-2265.

Texan Cheerleader

Recipients are required to be a member of the Texan Cheerleader Squad. Recipient must be enrolled in PHED 1128, PHED 1129, PHED 2128 or PHED 2129. Contact the Athletics Department for information at (806) 716-2221.

Theatre Arts

Recipients are required to participate in SPC Theatre productions. Recipient must be enrolled in at least one three-hour drama course. Contact the theatre arts program for information at (806) 716-2266.

Valedictorian Scholarship

The highest-ranking graduate (valedictorian) from a Texas accredited high school, as designated by local school board policy, is eligible to receive a full tuition waiver, provided the individual enrolls in a state-supported college or university immediately following graduation. The full tuition waiver is granted for both the fall and spring semesters of the student’s freshman year. South Plains College participates in this scholarship program.

In addition to the tuition waiver, South Plains College grants a fees scholarship to incoming freshmen who are the designated class valedictorian of high schools located in the following college service area counties: Andrews, Bailey, Borden, Briscoe, Castro, Cochran, Crosby, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Hale, Hall, Hockley, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Kent, Motley, Parmer, Swisher, Terry and Yoakum. This tuition and fee scholarship for valedictorians is only awarded for the fall and spring semesters of the freshman year.

For those students who are the designated valedictorian from high schools located within the South Plains College District, the waiver is continued through the student’s third and fourth semesters at SPC, provided the student completes a minimum of 12 semester hours and maintains a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 in the preceding semester. In-district high schools include Anton, Levelland, Ropes, Smyer, Sundown, Whiteface, and Whitharral.

Eligible students should contact the SPC Scholarship Office at (806) 716-2219, to obtain this waiver prior to the beginning of the fall semester following high school graduation.

Salutatorian Scholarship

South Plains College provides a full-tuition scholarship for the second highest-ranking graduate (salutatorian), as designated by local school board policy, from high schools located in the following college service area counties: Andrews, Bailey, Borden, Briscoe, Castro, Cochran, Crosby, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Hale, Hall, Hockley, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Kent, Motley, Parmer, Swisher, Terry and Yoakum. To receive the scholarship, the student must enroll as a full-time student at South Plains College immediately following graduation. The full tuition scholarship is awarded in the fall and is continued in the spring semester, provided the student completes a minimum of 12 semester hours and earns a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in the preceding semester.

For those students who are the designated salutatorian from high schools located within the South Plains College District, the scholarship is continued through the student’s third and fourth semesters at SPC, provided the student completes a minimum of 12 semester hours and maintains a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in the preceding semester. In-district high schools include Anton, Levelland, Ropes, Smyer, Sundown, Whiteface, and Whitharral.

Eligible students should contact the SPC Scholarship Office at (806) 716-2219, to obtain this scholarship prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

External Third-Party Scholarships

Various local, state and national corporations, foundations, civic organizations, and individuals, external to South Plains College, provide scholarships to deserving students. Students are encouraged to apply directly to the donor organization.

Most of these organizations prefer to send the scholarship funds directly to the college. The Scholarship Office disburses the funds according to the requirements of the donor.

Donors should send the scholarship funds and disbursement requirements to the SPC Scholarship Office. It is the student recipient’s responsibility to make sure donors of these kinds of scholarships have contacted the SPC Scholarship Office prior to the beginning of any enrollment period for which the scholarship is awarded.

Scholarship funds must be received by the SPC Scholarship Office before funds can be disbursed.

Scholarship Selection

All scholarships at South Plains College are competitive. Any student may apply for consideration as long as he or she meets the requirements of the particular scholarship program and has made formal application.

All scholarship recipients at South Plains College are selected by faculty committees. College-wide scholarships and nontraditional student scholarships are selected by SPC Scholarship Committees. The committees include faculty from various departments at the college.

Program specific scholarships and activity scholarships are selected by faculty committees within each department.

Scholarship Award Notification and Agreement

Applicants selected to receive a scholarship will be notified no later than June 1. Scholarship recipients will receive a scholarship agreement outlining the details and requirements of the award, including the required semester hours of enrollment and grade point average. Signed agreements must be returned to the South Plains College Scholarship Office by June 15. Failure to return the scholarship agreement by the required date will result in forfeiture of the scholarship offer.

Disbursement of Scholarship Funds

Scholarship awards are disbursed to the recipient’s financial aid account. Direct expenses, such as tuition, fees, room and board, and books, may be charged to the student’s account. The student is allowed to charge books and related course supplies in the SPC Bookstore not to exceed the scholarship amount less any direct expenses. If the student’s account reflects a scholarship credit balance, scholarship money over and above direct expenses will be refunded after the third week of each regular semester. Checks will be issued in the student’s name and mailed to the permanent address of record by the Business Office.

Reimbursement Policy for Withdrawals

Recipients of college-wide scholarships, program specific and nontraditional student scholarships who officially withdraw from the college and are eligible for full or partial refunds of tuition and fees are required to return a percentage of the scholarship award at the same percentage as the college’s overall tuition and fee refund schedule policy. Recipients of third-party (private) scholarships will be required to pay refunds according to the donors’ instructions. Activity scholarship recipients will be required to pay refunds according to the policies of the awarding department.

For the most current information or scholarship application, please contact:

Scholarship Coordinator
South Plains College
1401 S. College Ave.
Levelland, Texas 79336
Phone: (806) 716-2219
E-mail: scholarships@southplainscollege.edu

The scholarship program at SPC is made possible through the South Plains College Foundation and the generosity of many friends, alumni and donors. The mission of the SPC Foundation is to promote the interest of education at South Plains College and to assist and extend financial support to the college, to raise funds for the college and its educational programs and services, and to provide scholarships to benefit students. For information about giving to the SPC Foundation, contact the Director of Development, (806) 716-2020, or e-mail foundation@southplainscollege.edu.