Frequently Asked Questions

What are your hours?

To see each campus CLE's hours of operation, please visit our Hours and Contacts page.

Is there a tutoring limit?

All tutoring (in-person or online) is free. Session lengths may be limited based on current demand at a specific campus. Additionally, there are weekly and semesterly caps on overall tutoring hours, as detailed below. These caps are in place to encourage students to work autonomously between sessions to cultivate their confidence, and empower them to practice independently utilizing the skills they acquire in tutoring sessions.

• Students may meet with tutors in real time (whether online, in a center, or a mix of the two) for up to four (4) hours per week and may request up to two (2) additional hours per week. Requests are reviewed on Thursdays in order to allow students time to use the additional hours if the request is approved. Requests are submitted using the Additional Hours Request Form, found on the Rules and Guidelines page. The weekly hours count resets at 6PM CST / 7PM CDT on Sundays.
• The CLE contracts tutoring hours through Upswing to provide access to tutoring support after hours. All STC students are allotted three (3) hours of tutoring with Upswing tutors at the beginning of each semester. Students who use up these hours and would like to request more may submit an Additional Hours Request Form through the Rules and Guidelines page. Tutoring with CLE tutors is not subject to the three (3) hours per semester limit. CLE tutors are clearly identified in the Upswing system by an ”STC TUTOR” banner on the tutor’s photo and a caption under that photo. The semester cap counter resets on the first day of classes each semester.
• Students are limited to three (3) asynchronous writing submissions per week, and requests for additional submissions are not considered. Students are welcome to meet with a tutor on campus or online in real time to seek assistance beyond the three (3) weekly submissions, at which point the real-time tutoring caps described above would apply.

Please feel free to contact the CLE with any questions about these limits.

Where can I find tutor schedules?

Tutor schedules, along with appointment availability, are available on Upswing. Some tutors, such as our nursing tutors, are full-time professionals with schedules that change frequently, so you will need to contact the CLE to get their schedules for a particular week.

Can I request an appointment with a tutor?

Yes. Online and in-person tutoring at the CLE is available by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Students with appointments will be given priority over walk-in students. For details and tutor schedules visit our Tutoring page. You can also contact the CLE with any questions.

Where can I get my essay or assignment reviewed?

Writing tutors are available by appointment, on-site at the Mid-Valley, Nursing and Allied Health, Pecan, and Starr County CLEs. Writing tutors can review any writing assignment (essay, research paper, résumé, Blackboard discussion, etc.). You can request a paper review summary form from your tutor at the end of the session to turn in with your essay/assignment to your instructor or to keep for your own records. You may also choose to have your paper reviewed through CLE’s Online Writing Support service. This involves submitting your paper electronically and receiving feedback from a tutor within 24-48 hours. Find out more on our Writing Center page.

Do you have textbooks?

Some textbooks are available at all campus CLEs. Textbooks are only checked out for two hours and must remain in the center. By contacting your campus CLE, you can ask if a specific textbook is available for check out.

Where do I go to get help with the TSI Assessment?

You can prep individually with a CLE tutor by making an appointment through our online tutoring platform Upswing. In addition, you can visit our TSI Resources webpage where you will find a variety of TSI Review videos and resources.

You can also find sample questions and practice tests on our Helpful Links page.

How do I access StudentLingo workshops?

StudentLingo workshops are available online through our Workshops page. Our Academic Coaches also provide workshops to teach valuable skills, such as Time Management.

How do study rooms work?

Study room check-out is available on a first come first serve basis. Study rooms use varies from center to center, so contact your CLE to check for availability.

What services are available to online students?

All services (in-person or online) are available to distance learning students. The CLE specifically supports online students with tutoring, academic coaching and workshops. Faculty and students with other learning support needs may contact any of the Campus CLE Coordinators.

What services are available to STC students in high school?

All services (in-person or online) are available to South Texas College students enrolled in our partner high schools. These services include tutoring, academic coaching and workshops. Faculty or students with other learning support needs may contact any of the Campus CLE Coordinators.

Can people who are not STC students use the CLE?

South Texas College proudly serves Hidalgo and Starr county residents. If you live in Hidalgo or Starr county, you may request a free community user card from the STC Library. Community users may use many of the CLE's services, such as tutoring, computers, and study rooms. Please visit our Community User section on our Rules and Guidelines page to learn more.

Are you hiring?

The CLE is always hiring employees to work as Student Learning Assistants (tutors) and Supplemental Instruction Leaders. Other positions, such as Clerks, are not always available. South Texas College employs part-time students and non-students. Visit our CLE Job Opportunities page to see the job descriptions for each position. There is also a link to the South Texas College Human Resources website where you can learn how to apply for these positions. For more information, please contact your campus CLE.