The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
The Federal 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 based on need. Funds are limited and normally awarded by the priority dates.
Academic Competitiveness Grant Program
Students who meet Pell Grant eligibility and rigorous academic criteria to be defined by the Title IV federal regulations may be eligible for a new Academic Competitiveness Grant Program. If you meet initial eligibility criteria for the 2006-07 year, you will receive notification from the U.S. Department of Education with application instructions.
The South Carolina Need-Based Grant
The South Carolina Need-Based Grant is available to South Carolina residents in need who are seeking their first undergraduate degree. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to receive the grant during the Fall and Spring semesters of the academic year. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. A South Carolina Needs Based Grant affidavit must be completed after the award has been made before any funds can be placed in the student's account.
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 (IWS) 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 halftime (six credit hours) in an eligible program and vary according to your program and unmet need. The interest rate for loans certified on or after July 1, 2006 will be at a fixed rate of 6.8 percent. Students must sign a master promissory note to accept a student loan. You also must successfully complete an entrance loan counseling session before receiving your loan money. Repayment begins six months after you cease to be enrolled at least halftime (six credit hours). If you graduate, withdraw or drop to less than halftime (six credit hours), you must complete 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 meet the need criteria for subsidized funds. Interest begins to accrue immediately and is added to the principal while the student is in college. The principal and interest payments are still deferred.
The U.S. Department of Education requires students to complete exit student loan counseling when there is a change in enrollment status. If you have a student loan and withdraw from all your classes or withdraw from one or more courses, resulting in an enrollment status of less than six credit hours, you must complete the student loan exit counseling. Graduating seniors must complete the exit counseling upon graduation. You can complete the student loan exit counseling at mappingyourfuture.org. You will receive a letter from your lending agency about repayment of your student loan.
Federal Parent Loan
The Federal Parent Loan (PLUS) 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 (six credit hours) in an eligible program to be eligible for the PLUS. For loans certified on or after July 1, 2006, the interest rate will be fixed at 8.5 percent.
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 or at TTC's Web site 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 or bridge 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. Students must sign the LIFE scholarship affidavit each academic year. Additional information and criteria are available at the Financial Aid offices at Main, Palmer or Berkeley campuses or at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education's Web site.
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 TTC's Web site and click on the Financial Aid/Veterans Assistance link, or call 843.574.6000.
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 Web site 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 $1,650 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.
| Program | Pell Grant** | Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)** | South Carolina Need-Based Grant (SCNBG)** | Federal Work-Study (FWS) | Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)** |
| Who’s Eligible to Apply | Students who have proven a financial need and have never received a bachelor's degree. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. | Students carrying at least six semester credit hours who have a proven need and who show academic promise. Must have Pell Grant eligibility. | 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. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. | Students must have graduated on or after May 2005, have completed a rigorous course of study in high school; they must be Pell Grant recipients, and enroll as full-time students. To renew for the second year, the student must have completed 24 credit hours and maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA. |
| 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 Web site. | First year students who have never attended college before must meet initial requirements. Second year students must meet renewal requirements |
| | 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) and list TTC to reeive the information (code 004920). 3. Submit the completed FAFSA form via mail or online. You can self identify as a potential recipient of the Academic Competitiveness Grant upon completing the FAFSA application. 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. 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. |
**Grants do not require repayment.
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. Must be enrolled in at least six credit hours. Visit TTC's Web site 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. |
***Loans must be repaid.
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 schedule changes after Drop/Add unless a class is canceled by the College.
