Tutoring
AESL students enrolled during regular, second start, and summer terms may meet with an English tutor who will assist them with a variety of reading and writing assignments. While most students see a tutor about writing essays and term papers, they may also receive help with the grammar and mechanics of writing for any assignment. Students are advised to bring into the tutoring centers their textbooks and a copy of the topic or any handouts from instructors with an explanation of the writing assignment.
Tutoring is available at the following locations:

Central College: Foreign Languages and AESL Department, Fine Arts Center
(713-718-6678)
Northeast College: Intensive English and AESL Department, Northline Mall Center
(713-718-8181)
Northwest College: Developmental Studies and Foreign Languages Department
Town & Country Center
(713-718-5410)
Southeast College: Arts & Languages Department, Felix H. Morales Building
(713-718-7204)
Southwest College: Developmental Studies Department, Stafford
(713-718-6365)

Computer Assistance
A designated computer lab, or Learning Assistance Center (LAC), is available to AESL students at every college. In addition to Internet access, PLATO and software designed for non-native English speakers are available for practice with grammar and writing via self-paced tutorials. The software Focus On Grammar, consisting of four levels (beginner to advanced), includes sections about reading, listening, grammar and writing.

Trained lab assistants staff the LAC to assist students with using the computers.
Additional on-line resources for students are available through links on ESL and Developmental Studies departmental home pages at Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest Colleges, which are accessible through the HCCS home page: http://www.hccs.edu

Open Labs
In addition to a Learning Assistance Center (LAC), which offers computerized tutorials and supplementary software for developmental courses, each college has another computer lab called an Open Lab. Students are free to use these labs without a reservation whenever they are open. A schedule of Open Lab hours is usually posted on the door of the lab.

Library
All students with a current student identification card may use the library at any HCCS campus. Each college library has an electronic classroom where instructors may take classes for an online library orientation or Internet research, for exampl

Financial Aid
The Financial Aid office at each college has information about federal government grants (Federal Pell Grant (FPELL), Texas state grants (Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG), and the Texas Tuition Assistance Grant (TTAG), as well as loans, scholarships, and college work/study programs that are available for students who need help with educational expenses. A student must meet certain financial aid requirements. Access HCCS Financial Aid information through the following link:
www.hccs.edu/System/FINANCIAL_AID/finAidHomepage.html

Scholarships
There are two broad categories of scholarships at HCCS.

Internal:
Some of these scholarships are available only at certain colleges or for specific programs in the HCCS system, and others are for applicants in any college or program.

Among other sources, funds are available for qualified applicants through the:

• George Foundation
• HCCS Foundation
• Chancellor’s Scholarship
• Houston Endowment
• M.A. Jinnah Scholarship (for students of Pakistani heritage with an F-1 visa)
• IndoAmerican Charity Foundation (for permanent residents or U.S. citizens of Asian-Indian descent)
• Society of Iranian American Women (for students of Iranian origin with an F-1 visa)

For more information about Internal Scholarships:
http://www.hccs.edu/students/scholarships/internal.html

External:
These sources of money come from private donors, such as individual sponsors, churches, or employers who have established independent relationships with HCCS students.

For more information about External Scholarships:
http://www.hccs.edu/students/scholarships/external.html

Academic Advising
Each college in the HCC system offers academic advising and counseling for students. The counselors assist students with admissions, class scheduling, degree plans, career counseling, and academic transfers.
In addition, HCCS has an office for International Students:
www.hccs.edu/system/EdDev/International_Students/interstudents.html

Useful Links

For Students
Online Student Services
Student Services
Library
Counseling
Child Care
Financial Aid
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