Maestro Pro Scholarship Policy

Eligibility Criteria — Baseline Requirements

To be considered for the Maestro Pro Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the admissions requirements and meet all the following elements:

• Have a reported student (family) income on the FAFSA under $100,000 per award year
• Receive a valid student aid index (SAI) number determined by output from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Student Aid Report (SAR) summary document.
• Satisfy the eligibility requirements for federal financial aid, including:
  • Having U.S. citizenship or being considered eligible by an approved noncitizen status
  • Possess a valid high school diploma, transcript, or a recognized equivalent (e.g. GED)
  • Resolution of any comment codes or verification items as determined by the verification group assigned
• Have not previously earned a bachelor's degree or a degree recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree for federal student aid eligibility purposes
• Meets and maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Grade Point Average (GPA) and credit completion standards at each evaluation point during enrollment
• Maintain a full-time (minimum of 12 quarter credits per 10-week term) enrollment status in each term where the Maestro Pro Scholarship was awarded.

Priority Criteria — Selection Among Eligible Candidates

When the number of eligible applicants exceeds institutional capacity, priority will be given to:

• Students demonstrating higher financial need (SAI number of -1500 to 0)
• Students with no prior postsecondary education or limited access to higher education, in alignment with the institution's mission to expand opportunities for first-time college students
• Students who demonstrate strong academic abilities, as evidenced by grades (transcript)

Scholarship Benefits

• Students awarded the Maestro Pro Scholarship will also be provided a laptop computer by the institution for their academic and educational use while enrolled.
• Laptop provision, shipment timing, and continued eligibility to retain access to the laptop are contingent on the student maintaining active enrollment, meeting required academic pace and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, and maintaining an active full-time enrollment status. If the scholarship is placed on hold, suspended, or terminated, or if the student withdraws or is dismissed, the institution may delay shipment, pause provision, or require return of the laptop in accordance with institutional policy.
• Each eligible student is entitled to receive one laptop as part of the scholarship. The institution does not provide additional or replacement devices under any circumstances, including in cases of loss, theft, or damage. This policy applies regardless of any re-enrollment in the program or participation in a future cohort.

Renewal Requirements

The Maestro Pro Scholarship is awarded on a financial aid award year basis and is renewable, provided the student:

• Maintains continuous full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 quarter credits per 10-week term) throughout their academic tenure
• Continues to meet and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Maintains eligibility for federal financial aid — resubmission of the FAFSA for the new award, resulting in a valid Student Aid Index (SAI)
• Timely completes all required administrative and financial aid actions necessary to confirm continued eligibility, including signing and submitting institutional documents and responding to verification or documentation requests within required timelines.

Scholarship Continuation, Suspension, and Termination

Students awarded the Maestro Pro Scholarship must remain in good standing and cooperate with all reasonable administrative requirements necessary to confirm and maintain eligibility. As a condition of continued scholarship participation, the student must:

• Timely sign and submit all documents requested by the institution or its designated financial aid processes, including (as applicable) scholarship agreements, enrollment disclosures, verification items, and financial aid documentation necessary to confirm Title IV eligibility.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and meet ongoing enrollment and academic pacing requirements as defined by institutional policy.
• Meet academic engagement and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) participation requirements as defined within the institutional policy.
• Provide accurate and complete information. Any material misrepresentation, falsification, or failure to respond to verification requests may result in scholarship suspension or termination.
• Code of conduct: As a condition of participation in the Maestro Pro Scholarship, students must comply with all institutional policies, including the Maestro Code of Conduct. The institution reserves the right, in its sole and reasonable discretion, to suspend or terminate a student's scholarship if the student commits a material violation of the Code of Conduct. This includes, but is not limited to, behavior that materially disrupts the learning environment, interferes with the educational experience of other students, involves harassment or unreasonable conduct toward faculty, staff, contractors, or students, or otherwise undermines the institution's mission or its ability to effectively serve its student community. Any scholarship action taken under this section will apply prospectively only and will not result in retroactive tuition liability for any period during which the scholarship was active.
• The institution reserves the right to place the scholarship on hold (freeze), suspend, or terminate the scholarship when a student fails to meet the requirements above, fails to respond within required timelines, is no longer Title IV-eligible, is found to have submitted plagiarized work, withdraws, is dismissed, or otherwise becomes ineligible. When feasible, the institution will provide notice and an opportunity to cure within a reasonable timeframe. Scholarship changes will be applied prospectively and will not be imposed retroactively for any period during which the scholarship was in effect.

Appeals & Exceptions

• Students who do not meet all eligibility criteria, or who were not selected due to capacity limits, may submit an extraordinary hardship request — including appeals or special circumstance requests. This option is meant for unique or exceptional cases. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure fairness and equitable access.
• Please note: extraordinary requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are subject to institutional capacity and available aid resources at the time of review. The institution may pause or limit extraordinary awards when resources are fully allocated, and will communicate any such limitations as applicable.

Administrative Discretion

• The institution reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Maestro Pro Scholarship based on institutional capacity, strategic priorities, or policy changes.
• Any changes will be communicated clearly and in advance to affected students and stakeholders and will remain consistent with applicable federal and state financial aid regulations and accreditation requirements.
• In the event the Maestro Pro Scholarship is revoked, terminated, or otherwise ceases, the Student shall bear no tuition liability for any period during which the scholarship was in effect. Any tuition obligations shall apply only prospectively from the date of termination and shall not be imposed retroactively. Receipt of the Maestro Pro Scholarship does not guarantee eligibility for other financial aid programs and is subject to institutional, federal, and state financial aid policies.