Texas State Technical College-Waco (TSTCW, TSTC Waco) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Founded in 1965, Texas State Technical College Waco is located in Waco, TX, which is 1 1/2 hours from Dallas and Austin deep in the heart of Texas. The technical field is the largest growing industry in the world and the college offers over 100 associate’s degrees in many different majors. There are also college transfer degrees for students who wish to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at WSTC Waco. In addition, the school offers continuing education courses, personal and professional enrichment courses and online programs.

There is no intercollegiate athletics organization at Texas State Technical College Waco, but the school offers several student clubs and organizations as well as intramural sports. In addition, the city of Waco offers many different things to do. There is an active nightlife as well as a number of excellent restaurants. For those interested in history, there is the Dr. Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute located at the original Dr. Pepper bottling plant as well as the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

For students who like outdoor recreation, Waco offers unlimited opportunities for hiking, camping and picnicking. For skaters, there is the Waco Skate Park that has ramps, grinds and rails. There are also water activities of all kinds including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing and fishing because the Brazos River, the Bosque River and Lake Waco are all within city limits.

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Information Summary

Ranks 91st in Texas and 1924th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	64.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$12,441
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	12 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	49% / 30%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,988

Academics

Texas State Technical College Waco offers several different programs including over 100 associate’s degrees, continuing education credits and non credit courses that people may take for professional or personal fulfillment. There are also transfer degrees for students that would like to complete the first two years of their baccalaureate degree at TSTCW.

Students wishing to pursue an associate’s degree in order to begin a new career, or to get a better job while they are pursuing their bachelor’s degrees may choose from nearly 100 majors. Some examples are golf course and landscape management, graphic design, pharmacy technician, nanotechnology and dental assisting. These programs are subject-intensive and designed to teach students all of the skills that they need in order to start a new career.

Transfer degrees are a little different than vocational associate’s degrees in that they focus more on core curriculum than on subject-specific material. These programs are designed to follow the same basic curriculum that a student would take during their freshman and sophomore years at a university. After completing the transfer degree, the student will move to a baccalaureate program at a four-year institution. There are several good reasons to pursue a transfer degree at Texas State Technical College Waco including a significant savings in tuition and the ability to stay close to home.

For students that need to complete continuing education credits in order to maintain state or federal licensure, there are several CE courses offered. There are also individual courses that students may take just for personal interest or in order to boost professional skills.

The college also recognizes that many people would like to pursue higher education but can’t due to work schedules or family life. For these students, the college offers distance learning. These courses are completed via the internet at the student’s pace and on his or her schedule.

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Admissions

Because Texas State Technical College Waco strives to meet the needs of a diverse community, it operates with an open enrollment policy. There are minimum qualifications to enroll but as long as the student meets them, he or she is eligible for registration.

In order to begin the process, potential students need to complete the application for admission and submit the fee. After submitting the application, students need to submit proof of residency in order to receive instate tuition rates, official academic transcripts (high school, GED and any colleges attended), the application for housing for those that wish to (or are required to) live on campus, and immunization forms. Financial aid cannot be processed until transcripts are received. Students that require disability services also need to submit the Special Populations Form.

Next, students will meet with a Success Coach in Retention Programs and Placement Services and take placement tests. Students that have completed ACT or SAT scores should bring them with them to this meeting. Finally, students will meet with an academic advisor to review test scores and get registered for classes. Students wishing to apply for financial aid should complete the FAFSA as early as possible in order to allow time for the application to be processed and the financial aid awards to be made.

Financial Aid

Texas State Technical College Waco offers several different forms of financial aid for those who would not be able afford college on their own. There are need-based and merit-based scholarships, grants, federally-subsidized loans and work-study programs available. Students wishing to receive financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible when applying for admission. The FAFSA is available online starting in January and requires financial information for both the student and family so it’s best to have this information readily available prior to starting the form.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5303rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Texas.

Athletics

TSTC Waco doesn’t offer an intercollegiate athletics organization but there are several different intramural sports throughout the year that students may participate in. TSTC Waco believes that it is important to have these programs so that students gain the experience and enjoy the competition derived from competitive sports. Participation in these sports also provides a means of socialization among students and promotes fellowship and fitness. Some of the sports offered include flag football, tennis, racquetball, aerobics, basketball, softball and volleyball.

There is also an annual TSTC Olympics sposored by the school that involves competing against the other TSTC campuses from Harlingen, Marshall and West Texas.

Texas State Technical College Waco hosts an annual field-day type event called Dia Techsana when students gather for fun competitions, food, games and recreation.

In addition to campus sports activities, students may attend Baylor’s Big 12 Conference sports events at a reduced cost and may attend McLennan Community College’s home games for free with student id’s.

Bibliography

TSTC Texas State Technical College Waco. Texas State Technical College Waco. 2011. Web. 18 Aug 2011.

Waco Museums & Attractions. Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau. 2011. Web. 18 Aug 2011.

The City of Waco Parks and Recreation. The City of Waco. 2011. Web. 18 Aug 2011.

Texas State Technical College-Waco