Other Sources of Financial Aid

Income Tax Credits

Education tax credits can help offset the costs of higher education for yourself or a dependent. The American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit are two education credits available that may benefit you. Because they are credits, rather than deductions, you may be able to subtract them in full dollar-for-dollar from your federal income tax.

For more information about the American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit, including credit amounts and requirements, see IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, which can be obtained online at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676.

Tuition Rebates

Students who are pursuing a baccalaureate degree from a Texas public four-year university may qualify to receive up to a $1,000 rebate of tuition paid at the time that they receive their bachelor's degree.

To be eligible for a tuition rebate, the student must:

• Be enrolled for the first time in college in the Fall 1997 semester or later.
• Be requesting a rebate for work related to a first bachelor's degree received from a Texas public university.
• Have been a resident of Texas.
• Have attempted all coursework at a Texas public institution.
• Have been entitled to pay resident tuition at all times while pursuing the degree.
• Have attempted no more than three hours in excess of the minimum number of semester credit hours required to complete the degree under the catalog under which they graduated.
• Apply for the rebate before receiving their bachelor's degrees on forms provided by the school.
• Assume the responsibility for enrolling only in courses that will qualify them for the rebates.
  
  

The institution that grants the bachelor's degree is the institution that will pay the rebate to students. Students can be eligible by transferring from a two-year public institution to a four-year institution by following the above rules and providing a copy of the transcript to the four-year school.

State Exemptions

Exemptions are a type of financial assistance allowing some Texas residents to attend a public college or university in Texas without paying tuition or, in some cases, tuition and fees.

The exemptions McLennan Community College participates in are:

• Children of Disabled or Deceased Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers
• Children of Professional Nursing Program Faculty and Staff
• Clinical Preceptors and Their Children
• Education Benefits for Certain Survivors of Individuals in Specific Public Servant Positions
• Educational Aide Exemption
• Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses
• Peace Officers and Firefighters Disabled in the Line of Duty
• Peace Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses
• Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students
• Tuition Exemptions Related to Individuals Currently or Formerly in Foster Care in Texas

For questions or more information on state exemptions, please contact Blake Burkhart at (254) 299-8643 or bburkhart@mclennan.edu.