As a parent or a guardian of a new TTC student who is a dependent under the age of 24, you will be sharing in the changes and challenges that your new college student will be facing. However, you will have your own set of challenges and adjustments as well.
The Application Process at TTC
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Testing Requirements
Trident Technical College places new students in courses based on scores attained on either the SAT, ACT or the College Placement Test. The test scores are used to determine new student’s placement level in college coursework, including English, Math and Reading. New students planning to enroll in a program of study at TTC can either submit SAT or ACT scores or take the College Placement Test at the TTC Testing Center on any campus.
- Taking the College Placement Test at TTC
- SAT or ACT Test Information
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Figuring Out Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid is sometimes a complex process with many details. Your college-bound student will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) either on-line or by paper application. Students under the age of 24 are required to provide parents’ tax information on the FAFSA.
When completing the FAFSA, be sure to check Trident Technical College as one of the colleges to receive your child’s Student Aid Report. Once TTC receives the Student Aid Report, the Financial Aid Office will determine if your college-bound student is eligible for federal and/or state awards such as Lottery Tuition Assistance.
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Payment Requirements
Trident Technical College does not mail bills and expects students to check the balance due in their my.tridenttech.edu account at https://my.tridenttech.edu. Students are required to pay any balance shown on the Balance Due screen under My Account and Payment Information in my.tridenttech.edu by the payment deadline for the registration period in which they register. The student’s my.tridenttech.edu balance due includes any financial aid award payments currently awarded to the student and credited to the student’s account. Any balance due on the student’s Balance Due screen is the accurate balance that is still due after financial aid has been calculated based on the student’s enrolled hours.
Students who file their FAFSA and other required documents after the Financial Aid priority date for the semester need to be prepared to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline, and then be refunded any financial aid they are eligible to receive after the Financal Aid office receives the FAFSA The tuition and fee rate table is viewable at http://www.tridenttech.edu/businessoffice_4397.htm.
TTC Payment Plan
Students can pay their tuition over time by enrolling in an automatic payment plan. Details available at http://www.tridenttech.edu/4408_18519.htm. Youn may enroll in the payment plan through my.tridenttech.edu. Go to My Account and Payment Information. Additional details available by contacting TTC Payment Plan Coordinator or call 843.574.6220.
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Orientation for New Students
Successful college students are students who have taken the time to learn about their responsibilities as a college student as well as become familiar with the services and resources available to them. Orientation for New Students is the first step to becoming a successful college student, so encourage your college-bound student to go through the new orientation process as soon as possible. Details available at http://www.tridenttech.edu/2196.htm
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Counseling & Disabilities Services
Professional counselors are available at Main, Palmer and Berkeley Campuses to assist students with career development as well as building skills for academic success. If your college-bound student is uncertain about his career goals, explore the services of the Career Center to identify potential career paths. Counseling also offers special workshops and personal development seminars. Any students with a documented disability are encouraged to seek assistance through counselors in Services for Students with Disabilities who will assist in
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Student Activities
Encourage your college-bound student to become involved in campus activities and student organizations. College students involved in student life are more likely to complete their academic pursuits as a result of the connections made with other college students, faculty and staff. TTC students have established 38 student organizations, and many of the organizations are affiliated with programs of study or professional community organizations and provide students opportunities for leadership development, service to the community and professional growth. Also remind your college-bound student to obtain a student ID card, which is their ticket into many resources on campus. Students can also keep current on campus events through the campus calendar available in My.Tridenttech.
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Student Employment Services
College students who need to work during college or who are preparing to graduate can take advantage of job listings in Career and Employment Services. Career and Employment Services also provides a variety of career development resources to assist students in preparing for the job market.
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College Resources
The Internet plays an important role for college students. In today’s highly technological world, the Internet has grown into the leading communication instrument in the college experience.
my.Tridenttech.edu provides non-instructional student email (including communications from admissions, financial aid, or the registrar), access to club sites, announcements, message boards, calendars, and Google Docs. Your new college student should review my.Tridenttech.edu student email at least once a week in order to be informed about events and deadlines or any changes in enrollment status. This is the primary method of communication by the college to notify students of important non-instructional information. It is to be used by students to communicate with the college to insure the security of their records.
Desire2Learn (D2L) is TTC's learning management system which provides all instructional communications, content, assignments, and grades.
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Your Rights as a Parent
Colleges cannot release student records without the student’s consent in person or in writing unless the parent/legal guardian can demonstrate that the student is a dependent for tax purposes. Typically, a parent/guardian can demonstrate that the student is a dependent for tax purposes by the parent /guardian providing a copy of the most recent tax return showing that the parent/legal guardian claimed the student as a dependent. A student's written permission to release information is effective for one year unless revoked earlier by the student.
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Steps to Success at TTC
College students can strengthen their ability to be successful in college by being aware of college resources and classes to assist them; credit hour requirements; seeking advice from faculty advisors and completing standards of progress that insure academic progress for retaining financial aid.
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