Financial Aid

A variety of financial assistance is available to help students with the cost of attending Trident Technical College. TTC’s Financial Aid office assists prospective and current students and their families by providing information about financial resources, assisting applicants with the application process for financial assistance, calculating an applicant’s level of eligibility for financial assistance, awarding financial assistance based on an applicant’s enrollment status, and monitoring students’ satisfactory academic progress each semester for continued eligibility in financial assistance programs.

Types of Financial Aid

Financial assistance programs offered at TTC include federal programs under Title IV funds, state grants, and scholarships. Federal financial assistance includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), Federal Direct student loans, and Parent PLUS loans. State financial assistance programs include the South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance Program, South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, South Carolina LIFE Scholarship and South Carolina Need-Based Grant.

Eligibility for Financial Aid

Eligibility for federal (and some state) financial assistance awards requires:

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
A high school diploma or GED
Documented financial need
Enrollment in an eligible program of study that meets federal requirements
No prior student loans are in default
The applicant is not in repayment on any Federal Pell or FSEOG grant
Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by TTC

Important Dates

Students should apply for financial aid by completing their FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) sent to TTC at least four weeks before the semester in which they plan to enroll. TTC's school code is 004920. Any documents requested by the Financial Aid office should be submitted to TTC’s Financial Aid office as soon as possible after the request. This will allow TTC to process aid before the beginning of the semester when the student plans to enroll. All documents become the property of TTC and will not be returned to or copied for the student. If students submit the FAFSA closer to the start of classes, students should be prepared to pay their tuition and fees and purchase books by the fee payment deadline for the semester. Students' financial aid will be processed in the order in which their FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) and additional required documents are received.

Applying for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, 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 October 1. The FAFSA is available online at www.studentaid.gov. The results of a student's FAFSA can be submitted directly to TTC by placing TTC’s school code (004920) on the FAFSA.

A student's financial aid eligibility is determined from the information provided on the FAFSA. To complete the 2024-25 application, use 2022 federal tax returns and copies of any untaxed income for that year. A FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) is generated and sent to the student and also to TTC if students indicate the college on the FAFSA. Corrected or additional information is submitted on the website, www.studentaid.gov. Students receive the FSS electronically. It is important to review the FSS for accuracy and to respond promptly to any requests for corrections and/or additional information.

The U.S. Department of Education may randomly select financial aid applicants to verify all FAFSA information documented on the FAFSA. If a student is randomly chosen for verification, the student will be notified by their TTC my.tridenttech email to submit a verification worksheet and other necessary documentation. These notifications can be viewed in FA Self-Service.

Students must submit all copies of required documents to TTC’s Financial Aid office. The documents become the property of TTC. The Financial Aid office cannot provide students with copies of submitted documents. Once all requirements are met, the student's personalized view in FA Self-Service will show all eligible aid for the award year.

Financial Aid and Withdrawal

If a student receives financial aid and withdraws from or stops attending all classes, the student may have to repay a portion of the financial aid funds to the federal government and/or TTC.

The student will be ineligible to receive federal financial aid at any college or university until the student satisfies the overpayment.

Students should consider the financial implications of withdrawing or not attending all of the classes. Withdrawing from classes could cause the student to lose financial aid eligibility for failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). TTC’s SAP policy is available on TTC's website.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is constructed following federal student aid regulations and helps determine the student's financial need. The COA sets a limit on the amount of aid students may receive. The COA is an estimate of a student’s total educational expenses. The COA is different for each category (dependent/independent; in county/out of county/out of state). Costs may vary according to individual circumstances and choices. Note: The COA is updated each academic year and published on TTC’s website in the Financial Aid section.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant provides financial assistance to those who demonstrate financial need. The grant is intended to be the base of a financial aid package and may be combined with other forms of aid to help meet the costs of education. Any student working toward an eligible degree/diploma/certificate may be eligible for the Pell Grant, 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 FAFSA is one component to determine eligibility and all students are encouraged to complete the application yearly.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) provides additional assistance for qualified students who demonstrate exceptional financial need beyond the Federal Pell Grant and have the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI).

South Carolina Need-Based Grant

The South Carolina Need-Based Grant is available to South Carolina residents who are seeking their first undergraduate degree. Students must complete the FAFSA, have unmet need, be enrolled in a minimum of six eligible credit hours, and submit the required SC Need-Based Grant affidavit. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis until depleted.

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time employment opportunities to defray educational expenses. FWS funding is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of hours assigned is determined by financial need as well as the student’s course schedule and ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress. The number of jobs available is based on the funds allocated by the federal government for the year. To be eligible for FWS, students must be enrolled at least part-time each semester and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Funds are paid monthly directly to the student to assist with the Cost of Attendance.

Student Loans

Federal Direct student loans are available to students enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) in an eligible program. Federal student loans accrue interest and require repayment of principal, fees, and interest. See TTC’s website for additional information.

The interest rate is variable and set each year on July 1. Students must sign the Federal Master Promissory Note and complete the Federal Student Loan Entrance Counseling session to accept a student loan and borrow loan funds. Loan repayment begins six months after the student is not enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours).

Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. To qualify for a subsidized loan, a student must demonstrate need according to federal guidelines (FAFSA). The federal government pays the interest on subsidized loans while the student is in college and during a grace period (six months). Unsubsidized loans are available to students who do not demonstrate financial need according to federal guidelines (FAFSA). Interest begins to accrue immediately and is added to the loan principal. Interest payments are deferred while the student is in college.

Details of eligibility are available at www.studentaid.gov.

The U.S. Department of Education requires student loan borrowers to complete exit counseling when there is a change in enrollment status. If a student borrows a student loan and withdraws from all classes or withdraws from one or more courses, resulting in an enrollment status of less than six credit hours, the student must complete the exit counseling. Student loan borrowers graduating from any TTC academic program must complete exit counseling before graduation. Complete the exit counseling at www.studentaid.gov. Students will receive a letter from their loan servicer about repayment of their student loan.

Federal Parent Loan for Students

The Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) is for parents of dependent students. This loan is not need-based and may not exceed the cost of attendance. The student must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) in an eligible program of study. The parent must repay the principal, fees, and interest. Repayment begins immediately after disbursement of the loan.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available from industries, businesses, professional organizations, civic clubs and individuals. The TTC Foundation selects recipients for its scholarships. Scholarships are usually awarded before the beginning of the fall semester. Application information and deadlines are available on the TTC website.

SC LIFE Scholarship

The SC LIFE Scholarship is available for qualifying South Carolina residents. Recipients must be full-time, degree-seeking students not taking developmental or bridge courses. First-time entering freshmen must have graduated from high school with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative S.C. uniform grade point average. Students must sign the SC LIFE Scholarship affidavit each academic year. Additional information and details are available at https://www.che.sc.gov. Click on the “Students and Parents” tab.

SC Lottery Tuition Assistance

SC Lottery Tuition Assistance (SCLTA) is not based on financial need. Students may be eligible for lottery assistance if they qualify for in-state tuition rates according to state regulations. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or SCLTA waiver is required for each year. The SCLTA award is not retroactive and only applies to either the current semester or future semesters. Assistance is paid to the college, not the student, and only applies toward tuition.

SC Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program fosters scholarship among the state's post-secondary students and retains outstanding South Carolina high school graduates in the State through awards based on scholarship and achievement. Additional information and details are available at https://www.che.sc.gov. Click on the “Students and Parents” tab.

Federal Tax Benefits for Education

For additional information on tax benefits, seek advice from a tax consultant or the IRS website at www.irs.gov to obtain Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.

Financial Aid Criteria

Program	Federal Pell Grant**	Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)**	South Carolina Need-Based Grant (SCNBG)**	Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Who’s Eligible	Students who have documented financial need and have never received a bachelor’s degree. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and not in grant overpayment or default on student loans.	Students enrolled in at least one semester credit hour who are Pell Grant eligible and are maintaining satisfactory academic progress.	Students who are South Carolina residents, Pell Grant recipients, maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA, enrolled in at least six credit hours, and who do not have a bachelor’s or associate degree or are not working on a second certificate or diploma program of study.	Students must be enrolled part-time each semester, and have documented financial need. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, pass all federal eligibility matches, and not be in grant overpayment or default on student loans.
Award	Based on federal guidelines, fall, spring, and summer	Varies	Varies	Hourly wage paid monthly.
How to Apply	Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For the South Carolina Need-Based Grant, students must complete a S.C. Need-Based Affidavit after receiving the award. Do not submit an affidavit form unless the SC Need-Based Grant is awarded.
How to Apply	Apply for and be accepted for admission to TTC as a regular, degree-seeking student. Submit HS/GED transcripts/diploma/certificate to the Admissions office. a. This is required for federal student aid and some SC grants. b. SCLIFE Scholarship requires a final, official HS transcript dated no later than June 15th of the graduation year. Consult your HS Guidance Department for information on transcript requests. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov and list TTC to receive the information (code 004920). a. the student will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) via email. b. TTC will receive the student's Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR). c. Necessary corrections or additional information requested is listed in emails, and on the student’s personalized view in FA Self Service. It is important to respond promptly to any requests for corrections or additional information. The student's application is not complete without all required information. For best results, please complete the FAFSA no less than four weeks before the start of classes. Students who apply less than four weeks before the start of classes should be prepared to pay their tuition/fees and books. The Financial Aid office processes applications on a rolling basis according to the date received.

**Grants do not require repayment.

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

All Financial Aid programs are subject to change. For up-to-date information on how S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance through the South Carolina Education Lottery will affect tuition, scholarships and/or fees, visit www.tridenttech.edu.

Financial Aid Criteria

Program	S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance	S.C. LIFE & S.C. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship	Federal Direct 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 meet the Lottery satisfactory academic requirements, and be enrolled in at least six credit hours and cannot have earned an associate degree within five years of the award year.	Requirements vary with different scholarships. Visit TTC’s website for more details.	Students enrolled in at least six semester credit hours who have filed a FAFSA and meet all other eligibility requirements. Applications must be approved by the Financial Aid office and the Department of Education.	Parents of dependent students enrolled in at least six semester credit hours and meeting all other eligibility requirements. Also available to some students. Inquire with the Financial Aid office to determine eligibility.	Qualified veterans, active-duty personnel, active reserve and national guardsmen, widows, and children of deceased or disabled veterans.
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 TTC Financial Aid office and your high school guidance counselor. Scholarship recipients must complete an affidavit and submit final official high school transcripts.	Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). First-time borrowers must complete loan entrance counseling and a master promissory note (MPN). All borrowers must complete exit counseling when graduating or leaving TTC.	Check with the Financial Aid office.	Contact the Veterans Assistance office on TTC’s Thornley Campus.

***Loans must be repaid.

Enrollment for Financial Aid: TTC awards financial aid based on credit hours per term of enrollment at the end of the drop period of the term. No adjustments to the student’s awards will occur based on changes after the drop period unless a class is canceled by the college or the student withdraws.