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Apply for Financial Aid

When you follow our step-by-step instructions to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it is actually easy. Be sure to stay on top of all of the important deadlines and promptly provide any documents that are requested by the Financial Aid office to ensure your aid is in place when it is time to pay tuition. 

TIP: If you are applying for financial aid, be sure to start the process early. The entire process can take 4-6 weeks. A late start could mean that your award isn’t available by the tuition deadline. If your financial aid isn’t in place by the deadline, you will be responsible for paying out of pocket.

2024-25 FAFSA Changes and FAFSA Simplification Overview

The FAFSA is now available for the 2024-25 award year which begins with Fall Semester in August 2024. Access the form and begin your application for fall now.

NOTE: For financial aid assistance for Fall 2023 and Spring and Summer 2024, the 2023-24 FAFSA is available until June 30, 2024.

  • Apply for an FSA ID, if you don't have one already.
  • Both the student and all parent contributors will need an FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA when it is released.

The FSA ID must be completed at least 3-5 business days BEFORE completing the FAFSA.

  1. Streamlined Application: The application process is more streamlined with fewer questions, featuring a more straightforward method for transferring tax information directly from the IRS.
  2. Terminology Updates:
  • Student Aid Index (SAI): This new term replaces "Expected Family Contribution (EFC)."
  • Contributor: An individual who provides information on the FAFSA. Contributors include the student, student's spouse, parent(s), and stepparent(s) when applicable and required by the application.
  • Consent: Every contributor must give consent for personal Federal Tax Information (FTI) to be included in the FAFSA. This applies even if a contributor is a non-tax filer with IRS.
  • FTI: Represents the Federal Tax Information, directly transferred from the IRS.
  • Custodial Parent: The parent who provides the most financial support, does not consider with whom the student has lived over the past year.
  • Reduced number of questions.
  • Consent (see above) is mandatory from all contributors. Without complete consent, the SAI cannot be calculated, affecting financial aid eligibility.
  • Special provisions for foster, homeless, and unaccompanied youth, as well as those unable to provide parental information.
  • Students can list up to 20 schools on the online FAFSA application.
  • The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is replaced by direct data sharing with the IRS.
  • Fewer FAFSAs will be selected for verification.
  • FAFSA resources are available in the top 11 languages spoken in the U.S.

Stay updated with us via your TTC email and Financial Aid Self-Service as we provide status updates for a smooth transition to the 2024-25 FAFSA.

 

Workforce Training (formerly Continuing Education)

While federal financial aid and SC Lottery Tuition Assistance are not available for Workforce Training noncredit courses, students may qualify for other types of external funding. Learn more about various external funding sources and smart ways to apply for a personal loan or payment plan to pay for courses.