Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid.

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1.How do I apply for financial aid?

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have filed a FAFSA for the previous academic year, you may file a Renewal FAFSA online at the same web site. We suggest strongly that you complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st each year.

2.Do I have to be admitted to TTC to apply for financial aid?

No, but we can’t make any awards until you are admitted to a program of study at the College. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid. Neither are undecided students.

3.Am I required to be in a specific academic program in order to receive financial aid?

Yes. You must be in an eligible degree, diploma, or certificate program.

4.How do I know whether a program of study is eligible?

Contact the Financial Aid office or check our website at www.tridenttech.edu for the list of programs that are eligible for financial aid.

5.Should I apply for financial aid even if I know I won’t qualify based on need?

Yes! Some forms of aid are not based on need. These include unsubsidized student loans and parent PLUS loans. SC lottery-funded tuition assistance also requires a FAFSA but is not need-based

6.What will happen after I complete and submit my FAFSA?

You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). If you completed your FAFSA online, it will be sent to the email address you listed in your application. If you applied by paper form, your SAR will be hardcopy and several pages long. Your SAR lets you know that the federal processor has received your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It shows you the information you supplied on the application. You should review the data on the form and make any required corrections immediately.

7.Do I need to reapply for financial assistance each year?

Yes, you must submit a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA each year. The “financial aid year” is the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms in a given academic year. The FAFSA applications are available beginning January 1st for the upcoming academic year. For example: Let’s say you want to begin classes at Trident in the Fall of 2010. Then, you complete the FAFSA that becomes available in January of 2010. But let’s say you want to take classes in the Summer of 2010. Then, you would have to complete the FAFSA that became available in January of 2009.

8.What are Financial Aid “priority dates?” Are they the same as “deadlines?”

We set a priority date for each semester. Get all of your “stuff” to us by then to complete your file. Then we can ensure that your financial aid is available by the first day of classes. We post the dates for each semester on our website and in ON COURSE. You may still apply for financial aid after these dates. BUT, if you do, we cannot guarantee that your financial aid will be available by the beginning of classes. You would have to be prepared to pay all costs out of your own funds. Once you complete the process, we would apply your aid to your account. Then, during the fourth week of classes, we will refund you any balance that might remain.

9.What is the maximum income my family can make and still receive financial assistance?

There is no maximum income level. Your need for financial assistance is determined by many different factors. Some include the number of people in your family and how many of those people are in college. Also, there are many different financial aid programs to help students at all income levels. And some are not based on your income at all. The best way to find out what you might qualify for is to complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA.

10.I am going to be married during the school year for which I am applying for financial assistance.
     Can I file as married?

Only if you apply AFTER you are married. You must indicate your marital status as of the date you are completing the FAFSA application. You cannot update your FAFSA due to a change in your marital status. You may wait until you are married to file as married on your FAFSA. But, if you do, you must also consider how that decision relates to the Financial Aid priority date.

11.What does my award letter tell me?

Your award letter explains what funds make up your “financial aid package” for the upcoming school year. It is broken down by semester and all awards are based on the assumption that you are enrolling as a full-time (12 hours or more) student. Most TTC programs of study are based on you attending for a Fall/Spring combination. Some programs require that we distribute your award over a Fall/Spring/Summer combination.

12.How do I know whether I will be receiving my award over a two term or a three term distribution?

Your award letter will indicate if your award is for Fall/Spring or Fall/Spring/Summer.

13.If I received a Fall/Spring based award and then decide to enroll for Summer,
        do I have to let you know and how do I do that?

If you want to receive financial aid during the summer term then you must complete a Summer Aid Request form. It is located on our website under Forms.

14.Can I charge books?

Yes, if you have funds remaining after adding your semester awards together minus tuition. Then, you may charge books up to that amount.

15.When will I receive my refund check?

TTC will mail the balance of grants, scholarships and loan funds minus tuition/fees and books at the end of the fourth week of classes. If you have a refund owed to you, you should expect to receive your check during the fourth week of classes. Before you receive any loan funds you must complete loan entrance counseling and sign your promissory note. This is to make sure you understand your responsibilities as a loan borrower.

16.What does EFC mean?

Estimated Family Contribution. This amount comes from the information on your FAFSA. It is the share of your education costs that the federal government has decided your family can contribute. We have to use this number to decide what aid you are eligible to receive.

17.Why didn’t I receive all of my aid?

We make awards before you register for classes. We assume that you will register as a full-time student (12 hours) to ensure you have enough aid. If you register for less than full time, your costs will be lower. So, we reduce awards, with the exception of loans. Loans require enrollment in at least six hours, but the loan amount does not increase with more hours. Also, if grants such as Pell cover the cost of your tuition and fees, you will not receive the lottery-funded tuition assistance.

18.What? No lottery? I thought as a SC resident I was entitled to that?

The Legislature’s intent with the Lottery program is for you to have at least the value of the grant for any given term of enrollment. It requires you to complete a FAFSA to determine whether you can first receive any other grants. We may then use lottery funds to supplement those grants. But, we cannot go beyond the full cost of tuition and we cannot exceed the assigned value of the lottery grant for that semester.

19.If I withdraw from classes will it affect my aid?

Possibly. If you withdraw from or stop attending your classes, you may be required to return a portion of your aid. You may also fall out of compliance with the standards of academic progress.

20.Does TTC have a Tuition Payment Plan?

Yes. For information on TTC's payment plan please go to http://www.tridenttech.edu/. Select Current Student, then select Business Office.

21.Why am I a dependent student when my parents no longer claim me on their taxes?

By federal regulation, students are considered as dependent for financial aid purposes unless they are: 1) 24 years of age or older; 2) in graduate school; 3) married; 4) a parent or have dependents; 5) an orphan or ward of the court; or 6) a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. If you do not meet these criteria, you are required to submit your parent’s income information on your FAFSA. Failure to do so will result in a delay of your awards.

22.If my parents are separated or divorced, which parent should fill out the FAFSA?

The custodial parent should fill out the FAFSA. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, then the parent who provided you with the most financial support should complete the FAFSA.

23.I mailed my FAFSA over four weeks ago and haven’t heard anything. What should I do?

You should receive a Student Aid Report approximately four weeks after you submit the FAFSA. To check on the status, call 1.800.4.FED.AID (1.800.433.3243) or 1.800.730.8913 (TTY) for the hearing impaired.

24.Are scholarships available, and what is the deadline?

Yes, TTC offers many scholarships through its Foundation. Scholarship applications are available on line at www.tridenttech.edu starting in January.

25.What is verification and why was my file selected for verification?

The Federal Processor randomly selects files for a process called “verification.” This is a federal requirement. We must confirm data supplied by you and/or you parents on your FAFSA application. You will receive an email message via Student email if you have been selected for verification. You will need to produce documents for us to review. These documents may include signed copies of federal income tax returns. You will need to complete a verification worksheet.

26.What can I do to ensure that my file will clear the verification process?

Before you begin to complete your FAFSA, look through it to see what documents you will need for the information requested. An example: Your copy of your federal income tax return. After you complete the FAFSA, place a copy of it and all of the documents you used to complete it in a file folder that you can easily locate. We strongly encourage you to file your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA online and as early as possible.

27.Do I need to send a copy of my SAR to the Trident’s Financial Aid office?

No, if you have applied for admission and have listed TTC and its school code (004920) as one of the schools in Step 6 of the FAFSA application. Then, the federal processor sends us the same data electronically.

28.I am under age 24. My parents do not give me any money towards my education nor do they
      claim me on their income taxes. Can I be declared "independent" in order to receive financial assistance?

Federal law sets rules for establishing independence. Questions on the FAFSA form are used to determine whether a student is a "dependent" or "independent." If you can answer "YES" to any of the questions, you are an "independent" student. If you answer "NO" to all of the questions, you are a "dependent" student.

29.Can I apply for loans in addition to what is on my award letter?

Yes, but this will not guarantee that the additional loan funds will be granted. You may submit an application for additional loan funds. Your financial aid officer will review your eligibility. He/she will also review your borrowing history. This will determine whether you will receive an additional loan and the amount.

30.How many credit hours do I need to be in to apply for a Stafford Loan?

Federal regulations require you to be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours.

31.What is an Entrance Counseling and Exit Counseling?

Federal regulations require all first time borrowers to complete an Entrance Counseling. You will learn about your rights and responsibilities as a loan borrower. THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE FIRST LOAN DISBURSEMENT CAN BE MADE. The Exit Counseling is also a federal requirement. You must complete it when you drop below six (6) credit hours or once you graduate. You may complete these “interviews” online by going to www.studentloans.gov.

32.What happens if I don't pay back my loans?

You could face serious consequences. If you go into default, your lender can require you to repay the entire amount immediately. This would include all interest plus collection and late payment charges. The lender can sue you and can ask the federal government for help in collecting from you. The Internal Revenue Service may withhold your income tax refund and apply it toward your loan. You cannot get any more federal student aid until you make satisfactory arrangements to repay your loan. Also, the lender may notify credit bureaus of your default. This may affect your credit rating, which will make it difficult to obtain credit cards, car and home loans in the future.

33.What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

SAP is a set of federal regulations that requires students to show they are moving through their academic program at a reasonable rate. In other words, they are "making progress" toward their degree. For more information please read the TTC catalog or go to our website.

34.Can I appeal if I am ineligible for financial assistance for failing to maintain SAP?

Yes, you can appeal if you have extenuating circumstances that have contributed to your failure to maintain good standing. An example: Documented medical reasons that clearly hurt your ability to attend classes or complete your school work.

35.What happens to my financial assistance status if I drop or withdraw from classes or completely withdraw from school?

If you have already received your grant and loan monies and drop or withdraw from class(es), you may have to repay certain grants and loans. If you completely withdraw from TTC before 60% of the term has passed, you may have to repay a portion of your aid back to the Federal government. You may also owe TTC funds that we initially credited to your account but we have had to return to the federal government. CAUTION: If you receive financial aid and consider a drop or withdrawal action, please contact the financial aid office FIRST.

36.I just left the military, how can I start using my educational benefits?

Go to TTC’s Veterans Assistance office. File an application for benefits (VA Form 22-1990). Bring your copy of DD214 member 4.

37.I am the child or spouse of a veteran, can I receive VA benefits?

Yes, if the veteran is 100% service-connected disabled or deceased. Go to the VA Office to pick up the appropriate application.

38.What if I want to supplement my income?

VA has a program called Work-Study. With this program its possible to find employment at any location that services the veteran population.

39.Where can I get more information on the VA Educational Program?

For further information on VA educational benefits, please visit the GI Bill web site at www.gibill.va.gov.

40.How much will I get in VA benefits?

That depends on your length of service and the number of credit hours in which you enroll. You first complete the Application for Educational Benefits. Then, VA will notify you via mail about your eligibility and entitlement. For further information, go to GI Bill web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov/.

41.If I qualify for and receive VA educational benefits, can I receive other federal or state aid as well?

Yes. Complete the FAFSA and TTC Financial Aid Office will let you know what you qualify for.