Priority Dates
Priority dates for applying for financial aid are identified and published for each semester. You should apply for financial aid by completing your FAFSA and having your Student Aid Report sent to TTC prior to the semester in which you plan to enroll. Any documents requested by the Financial Aid Office should be submitted as soon as possible after the request. This will allow your financial aid to be processed so that any eligible financial aid will be available prior to the beginning of the semester when you plan to enroll. If you submit your FAFSA after the published priority date, you should be prepared to pay your tuition and fees and purchase books by the fee payment deadline for the semester. Your financial aid will be processed in the order in which your Student Aid Report is received. You will be reimbursed if you are eligible for any financial aid.

Applying for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid programs, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A new or renewal FAFSA must be submitted for each academic year (fall through summer) and is available for the upcoming academic year after Jan. 1. The FAFSA is available at TTC’s Financial Aid Offices at Main, Palmer and Berkeley Campuses, and through high school guidance offices. You also can access the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ The results of your FAFSA can be submitted directly to TTC by placing TTC’s school code (004920) in the "Release and Signature" section of the FAFSA.

Your financial aid eligibility is determined from the information provided on the FAFSA. To complete the application, you will need a copy of your most recent federal tax returns. The FAFSA can be submitted either electronically or by mailing it to the Federal Processing Center. This address is on th FAFSA form. After submitting the FAFSA, in four to six weeks a Student Aid Report (SAR) is generated and sent to you and also to TTC if you indicated this on your FAFSA. If corrections are required, or additional information is requested, you can either mail it or submit it on the web. The quickest and easiest way to complete and submit a FAFSA is on the web. Apply online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Your SAR will be sent to you electronically. You can make corrections electronically as well. it is important to respond promptly to any requests for corrections or additional information.

Federal regulations require that randomly selected financial aid applicants provide verification of all information documented on the FAFSA. If you are randomly selected for verification, you will be notified by TTC’s Financial Aid Office to submit a verification worksheet, federal income tax forms and other necessary documentation.

Once all requirements are met, you will be sent an award letter, if eligible, specifying the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive.

Repayment of Federal Financial Aid Funds
If you withdraw or stop attending classes before completing 60 percent of the semester, a portion of the total federal aid you received (excluding Federal Work Study earnings) will need to be repaid immediately.

The amount of federal aid that must be repaid is determined by a "Federal Formula for Return of Title IV Funds" (Section 484B of the Higher Education Act). This law also specifies the order in which funds are to be returned to the financial aid programs from which they were awarded, starting with loan programs.

Cost of Attendance for Nine Months
TTC uses a budget to determine your financial aid package; it is based on your residency status, the number of terms you attend, and whether you are defined as a dependent or independent student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Costs may vary according to individual circumstances.

The example below is for a dependent, tri-county resident attending Fall and Spring Semesters (nine months). All items are subject to change.

Tuition (subject to change)	$2,346
Technology Fee (subject to change)	100
Room and Board	1,690
Books and Supplies	860
Transportation	970
Personal	1,068
Total	$7,034

The Pell Grant Program
The Pell Grant provides financial assistance to those who demonstrate financial need. The Pell Grant is intended to be the "floor" of a financial aid package and may be combined with other forms of aid to help you meet the costs of education. Any student working toward a degree/diploma/certificate may be eligible for the Pell Grant, which ranges from $400 to $4,050, depending on the number of semesters attending, the number of credit hours enrolled each semester, and eligibility as calculated by the Department of Education.

The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program is designed to provide additional assistance for qualified students who demonstrate financial needs beyond those met by the Pell Grant. To qualify for SEOG you must be eligible for a Pell Grant. Awards are made on need. Funds are limited and normally awarded by the priority dates.

The South Carolina Need-Based Grant
The South Carolina Need-Based Grant is available to needy South Carolina residents who are seeking their first undergraduate degree. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program uses federal funds to provide part-time employment opportunities to defray educational expenses. Since FWS jobs are assigned according to financial need, students will be given preference on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of hours assigned is determined by financial need as well as the student’s ability to maintain a good academic standing. The number of jobs available is based upon the amount of funds allocated by the federal government for the year. To be eligible for FWS, you must be enrolled in at least six semester credit hours and maintain a 2.0 semester or term GPA for each semester that you participate in the program.

Institutional Work-Study
A limited number of Institutional Work-Study positions are also available. IWS applicants do not have to demonstrate financial need. If you are interested in applying for an IWS position, contact the Career Planning and Placement Office at Main Campus.

Student Loans
Student loans are available to students enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program and vary according to your program and unmet need. The interest rate is variable annually but cannot exceed 8.25 percent. Students must sign a master promissory note to accept a student loan. First-time borrowers will not receive any loan money until 30 days after the start of the semester for which the loan is needed (federal requirements). If you receive a one-semester loan, the funds will be disbursed in two payments. You also must participate in entrance loan counseling before receiving your loan money. Repayment begins six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time. If you graduate, withdraw or drop to less than half-time, you must participate in exit loan counseling regarding your loan obligation.

Loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized. To qualify for a subsidized loan, a student must demonstrate need according to federal guidelines. For any subsidized loan funds a student receives, the federal government pays the interest while the student is in college, a grace period or deferment. Unsubsidized loans are available to students who do not qualify for subsidized funds. Interest begins to accrue immediately and is added to the principal while the student is in college. The principal payments are still deferred.

Federal Parent Loan
The Federal Parent Loan is a non-need-based loan available to the parents of a dependent student. This loan may not exceed the cost of attendance. The student is required to be enrolled in classes at least half-time in an eligible program to be eligible for the PLUS. The variable interest rate is adjusted annually but can never exceed 9 percent. Repayment begins within 60 days of check disbursement.

Scholarships
College and TTC Foundation scholarships are available from industries, businesses, professional organizations, civic clubs and individuals. The scholarship recipient is selected by the donor or TTC’s Scholarship Committee. Scholarships are usually awarded prior to the beginning of Fall Semester. Check with the Financial Aid office for applications and deadline dates.

LIFE Scholarship
The LIFE scholarship is available for students who graduate from a South Carolina high school. You must be a full-time, degree-seeking student not taking developmental courses. You also must be a South Carolina resident for in-state tuition purposes at the time of enrollment and have no felony or alcohol/drug convictions. First-time entering freshmen must have graduated from high school with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Additional information and criteria are available at the Financial Aid Offices at Main, Palmer or Berkeley campuses.

Lottery-Funded Tuition Assistance
Lottery-funded tuition assistance is not based on financial need. Students may be eligible for lottery-funded tuition assistance if they qualify for in-state tuition rates according to state law. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required. Assistance is paid to the College, not the student. For up-to-date information on lottery-funded tuition assistance visit http://www.tridenttech.edu/. and click on the "Financial Aid/Veterans Assistance" link.

Tax Incentives for Education
PLEASE NOTE: This is a summary of basic information concerning these programs. For additional information on these tax incentives, call 1.800.4FED.AID or seek advice from your tax consultant or the IRS. You also may visit the IRS website at www.irs.ustreas.gov and click on "Tax Info For You" at the bottom of the page.

Hope Scholarship Tax Credit (Federal Tax Forms)
Taxpayers may be eligible to claim a nonrefundable Hope Scholarship Credit against their federal income taxes. The Hope Scholarship Credit may be claimed for the qualified tuition and related expenses of each student in the taxpayer’s family (i.e., the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse or an eligible dependent) who is enrolled at least half time in one of the first two years of postsecondary education and who is enrolled in a program leading to a degree, certificate or other recognized educational credential. The maximum credit a taxpayer may claim for a taxable year is $1,500 multiplied by the number of students in the family who meet the enrollment criteria.

Lifetime Learning Tax Credit (Federal Tax Forms)
Taxpayers may be eligible to claim a nonrefundable Lifetime Learning Credit against their federal income taxes. The Lifetime Learning Credit may be claimed for the qualified tuition and related expenses of the students in the taxpayer’s family (i.e., the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse or an eligible dependent) who are enrolled in eligible educational institutions. The maximum credit a taxpayer may claim for each taxable year is $2,000.

A taxpayer may not claim a Hope Scholarship credit and a Lifetime Learning Credit for the same student in the same year. There is no limit to the number of years in which the Lifetime Learning Credit can be claimed for each student.

Student Loan Interest Deductions
The new student loan interest deduction reduces the burden of the repayment obligation by allowing students or their families to take tax deductions for the interest paid in the first 60 months of repayment on student loans. The deduction is available even if an individual does not itemize other deductions.

South Carolina Tuition Tax Credit (State Tax Forms)
Students who graduated from high school within the last 12 months and enrolled in a two-year college are allowed a refundable individual tax credit of 25 percent on their total tuition cost with a maximum deduction of $350 a year. Before calculating the credit, you must deduct any amounts received toward tuition payments from scholarships, grants or other tax-free educational assistance.

Tuition credits cannot be claimed for more than four consecutive years after the student enrolls. The student must have completed at least 15 credit hours per semester. The student must be classified as a degree-seeking undergraduate or enrolled in a certificate or diploma program of at least one year.

Financial Aid Criteria

Program	Pell Grant**	Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)**	South Carolina Need-Based Grant (SCNBG)**			Federal Work Study (FWS)
Who’s Eligible to Apply	Students who have proven a financial need and have never received a bachelor's degree.	Students carrying at least six semester credit hours who have a proven need and who show academic promise.	Students must be South Carolina residents, maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA, carry at least 6 credit hours, and not have a bachelor's or associate degree or be working on a second certificate or diploma program of study.			Students carrying at least six semester credit hours who have a proven financial need.
Award	Based on federal guidelines, fall and spring	Varies	Varies Available fall and spring only			Paid by the hour
How to Apply						Complete an application available from the Financial Aid Office, or TTC's Financial Aid website.
	1. Apply for and be accepted for admission to TTC as a regular, degree-seeking student. 2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 3. Submit the completed FAFSA form via mail or online. In four to six weeks you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). TTC will receive your Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR). If corrections are required, or additional information requested, you can either mail it or submit it on the web. The quickest and easiest way to complete and submit a FAFSA is on the web. Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your SAR will be sent to you electronically. You can make your corrections electronically as well. It is important to respond promptly to any requests for corrections or additional information, or your FAFSA cannot be sent to TTC or accurately processed for financial aid awards! 4. FAFSA forms must be completed and ISIRs received in the Financial Aid Office by the Financial Aid Priority Date for financial aid to be available for the next semester’s registration. If you miss the priority date, you will need to be prepared to pay your tuition/fees and then you will be reimbursed based on your eligibility when your financial aid is processed. The Financial Aid Office continually processes applications (ISIRs) according to the date they are received.

Award Information: Financial aid is processed for one academic year (fall and spring), per application.

All financial aid programs are subject to change. For up-to-date information on how lottery-funded tuition assistance though the South Carolina Education Lottery will affect tuition, scholarships and/or fees, visit www.tridenttech.edu.

Program	Lottery-funded Tuition Assistance	LIFE and Other Scholarships	Student Loan Programs***	Parent Loans***	Veterans Educational Benefits
Who’s Eligible to Apply	Students who qualify for in-state tuition and are legal South Carolina residents for at least one year. Visit http://www.tridenttech.edu/ for more details.	Requirements vary with different scholarships.	Students enrolled in at least six semester credit hours who have proven a financial need. Applications must be approved by the Financial Aid office and the Department of Education.	Students carrying at least six semester credit hours. Available for parents of dependent students.	Qualified veterans, active personnel, active reserve and national guardsmen, widows and children of deceased or veterans with disabilities.
Award	Varies	Varies	Varies Award is for fall/spring/summer	Varies	Varies
How to Apply	Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).	Contact the Financial Aid Office.	Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).	Contact the Financial Aid Office.	Application should be made to the Veterans Assistance Office on TTC’s Main Campus.

Enrollment for Financial Aid
TTC awards financial aid based on credit hours of enrollment at the end of Drop/Add. No adjustments to the students’ awards will occur based on changes after Drop/Add unless a class is canceled by the College.