Financial Aid

The staff of the Student Financial Services Office at Midlands Technical College is committed to providing high-quality service to students, the college and the community. Student Financial Services staff are dedicated to assisting students with their financial needs and serving the community in which the college is located.

Because federal, state and college guidelines change periodically, students should consult our online financial aid resources to make sure they are aware of current information.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive federal Title IV assistance and state assistance, an applicant must:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using MTC code 003993.
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate
• Be enrolled as a matriculating student in an eligible program of study.
• Be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security number.
• Make satisfactory academic progress according to financial aid standards.

NOTE: Students should save all records and other materials used in applying for financial assistance. These documents may be needed later if a student is selected for a process called Verification.

Application Process

All applicants for federal and state aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. Specific information is available at studentaid.gov and on the Student Financial Services website.

Approximately two weeks after submitting the FAFSA, the student will receive from the federal processor an acknowledgment called a Student Aid Report (SAR). The processor will transmit the student’s information to MTC electronically. MTC code 003993 must be included in Step 6 for MTC to receive this information. The student will also receive a letter from Student Financial Services acknowledging receipt of their FAFSA record. All future correspondence will be via the free college email account given to all students and the student’s MyFinancialAid account, which can be accessed via MyMTC.

The priority financial aid awarding deadline for MTC is April 15. The maximum financial aid package available will be awarded to students whose information (1) is received and reviewed by this date and (2) meets all federal and institutional requirements. Complete applications received and reviewed after April 15 will be considered for remaining funds until they have been depleted.

If a student’s application is selected for verification by the federal processor, the student and parent(s), if the student is dependent may be required to forward either a federal tax return transcript or a signed copy of a federal tax return (1040) form to the Office of Student Financial Services. A completed Verification Worksheet and other documents may be requested to complete the verification process. If the information on a FAFSA Submission Summary does not agree with the supporting information and documentation, it may be necessary to send corrections to the processor. No financial aid award can be made until the financial aid process is completed. A complete application is defined as one that has been received, reviewed, found free from errors and does not require additional information for verification. Accurate, complete information and documentation submissions are the responsibility of the student. Students must also check their MTC provided email account and their MyFinancialAid account regularly for important financial aid information.

Mid-Year Transfer Students

A student only needs to complete one FAFSA per academic year. If a student has already applied for financial aid elsewhere, a duplicate FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) for MTC can be requested adding the MTC school code, 003993 to your FAFSA online at studentaid.gov.

Summer Aid

Financial aid for summer is automatically awarded to all students with their initial award letter for the academic year. Students are awarded based on six hours of enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the office of Student Financial Services if they are registered less than or more than six credit hours. Pell Grants, S.C. Wins and S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance funds are available each term for eligible students, provided funds are available. South Carolina Need-Based grants are also available for the summer as long as funds are available and the student meets all other eligibility criteria. S.C. Need-Based grants are available for the summer as long as funds are available and students meet all other eligibility criteria.

Award Information and Notification

An award notification will be available on MyFinancialAid once the Student Financial Services Office has received and reviewed the student’s complete application and it has been found to meet all appropriate federal, state and institutional requirements. The terms and conditions of the award are available online.

All students are responsible for reading and understanding the terms and conditions of their award. If any student or parent encounters extenuating circumstances during the award year that are believed to significantly affect the student’s or parent’s financial condition, the student should contact the Student Financial Services Office and arrange to speak with a counselor. The counselor will evaluate the individual circumstances and offer appropriate advice.

All financial aid awards are subject to change if the information upon which they were based changes or federal or state regulations require a change. Students will be notified of such adjustment through their MTC assigned email, and the revised award may be viewed at the student’s MyFinancialAid account via MyMTC.

Deadlines

To receive priority and maximum consideration for all forms of financial assistance, students should complete the application process by April 15. All verification documents, if requested, must be submitted to the Student Financial Services Office no later than August 15 or 120 days after the student’s last date of enrollment, whichever comes first. Awards cannot be made until verification is complete, so it is best for the student to immediately provide requested information.

Financial Assistance Programs

Federal Pell Grants

Undergraduate students who have not received a bachelor’s or professional degree and who have not received the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters (600%) of Pell Grant funding will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant program. The amount of the grant depends on the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the US Department of Education through the FAFSA and the student’s enrollment status. The SAI is calculated each academic year when the student submits a FAFSA. A Pell Grant is not a loan and does not have to be repaid unless adjustments occur that create an overpayment. Students must meet established satisfactory academic progress (SAP) regulations in order to continue to receive funds within the award year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs) are available to students who have not completed a bachelor’s or professional degree and are enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours). FSEOG is awarded to exceptionally needy students, with priority given to students with the lowest SAIs and to students who receive Pell Grants. FSEOG does not have to be repaid – it is not a loan. There is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive an FSEOG award. Funding for this program is limited. As with Pell Grants, students must meet established academic progress criteria to receive FSEOG funds.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides part-time employment for students to help meet their educational expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. Students who are enrolled at least half-time generally work an average of 15 to 20 hours per week. The number of hours assigned per week to a student is based on the total amount of the FWS award, the student’s class schedule and the student’s academic progress. FWS positions can be on or off campus.

The total Federal Work-Study award depends on the time of application, the level of financial need and the availability of funds. Students will be paid by the hour. Hourly rates vary according to the position held. Federal Work-Study checks are issued once a month to the student. Students are given direct deposit information during the work-study orientation sessions.

Direct Loans

Direct Loans are offered as the government’s major form of self-help aid. These loans can be either subsidized or unsubsidized.

A Subsidized Direct Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. No interest payments are required before repayment begins or during an authorized period of deferment. The federal government subsidizes the loan during these periods by paying the interest for the student.

An Unsubsidized Direct Loan is not awarded on the basis of need. The student will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If interest is allowed to accumulate, it will be capitalized – that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of the student’s loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. This will increase the amount that has to be repaid. If the student chooses to pay the interest as it accumulates, loan repayments will cost less in the long run.

Students enrolled in an eligible program of study at least half time (six credit hours) may receive a Direct Loan. Students must also meet other general eligibility requirements, including satisfactory academic progress.

Amounts Undergraduates Can Borrow:

• Up to $3,500 for a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year.
• $4,500 for students who have completed their first year of study and for whom the remainder of their academic program is at least a full academic year.

For periods of study that are less than an academic year, the amounts that can be borrowed will be less than those listed. Students should talk to a financial aid counselor to find out how much can be borrowed.

NOTE: The amounts given above are the maximum yearly amounts that will be awarded in both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Students may receive less than these yearly maximum amounts if they receive other forms of financial assistance that cover a portion of the cost of attendance. Students may also request additional loan funds based on their eligibility.

Interest Rates Charged

Interest is money paid to the lender in exchange for borrowing money. Interest is calculated as a percentage of the unpaid principal amount (loan amount) borrowed. Congress sets the interest rates. Students should check with the office of Student Financial Services for current interest rates as they are subject to change every year on July 1.

Loan Fees

Most federal student loans have loan fees that are a percentage of the total loan amount. The loan fee is deducted proportionally from each loan disbursement made. This means the money students receive will be less than what they actually borrow. Loan fees are subject to change each year on October 1.

Repayment of Loans

After graduation, leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment, students have six months to begin repayment. This is called a grace period. During the grace period on an unsubsidized loan, students do not have to pay any principal, but interest will be charged. Students can either pay the interest or allow it to capitalize. After leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment, students will receive information about repayment from their lender and will be notified of the date on which repayment is due to begin. Students are responsible for beginning repayment on time even if they do not receive this information. Students should check with their lender if they do not receive a repayment notice after leaving college.

Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students – Plus

Direct PLUS Loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time. PLUS Loans are available through William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

The yearly limit on a PLUS Loan is equal to the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial assistance the student receives. For example, if the cost of attendance is $4,500 and the student receives $2,500 in other financial aid, the parents could borrow up to – but no more than – $2,000.

The interest rate for Direct PLUS Loans is set by Congress. Parents have the option of beginning repayment of a Direct PLUS Loan within 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the academic year or wait until six months after the dependent student on whose behalf the parent borrowed ceases to be enrolled on at least half-time basis (six credit hours). Interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made. A FAFSA must be completed by the student for whom PLUS loan funds will be borrowed.

S.C. State Need-Based Grants – SNBG

Need-Based Grants are offered to eligible students for each term during the academic year. Financial need is determined by completing the FAFSA. SNBG awards are not guaranteed and are subject to the availability of funds. Students must meet the same academic progress standards as Federal Title IV aid programs and other eligibility requirements to continue receiving funds.

S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance Program

To be eligible for S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance funds, a student must submit a completed FAFSA, be an S.C. resident, be enrolled for six or more credit hours in an eligible program of study and meet reasonable standards of academic progress as set forth in the S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance guidelines established by the S.C. Technical College System. The amount of S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance available each term varies based on the amount of funding allocated by the S.C. legislature and the number of students accessing the funds. Lottery Tuition Assistance may be applied to a portion of the student’s tuition if a balance remains on the student’s account after federal and state grants have been applied. Lottery tuition assistance cannot be used to cover the cost of books and supplies. Once a recipient of Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) has graduated from a certificate or diploma program, the student must enter a higher-level, related program of study to continue LTA eligibility.

When an LTA recipient has completed an associate degree, the student must wait five years to again qualify for LTA funds. Additional information may be found by checking the MTC Student Financial Services website or the State Technical College System website.

South Carolina Workforce and Industrial Needs Scholarship (SC Wins)

South Carolina WINS is a statewide technical college scholarship program designed to address workforce shortages in South Carolina. Students must pursue a certificate, diploma or degree from MTC just as with SC Lottery Tuition Assistance. Students can receive the SC WINS for only one certificate, diploma or degree unless the additional certificate, diploma or degree constitutes progress in the same field of study. A student must have a 2.0 GPA. Students who are Associate in Science or Associate in Arts majors are not eligible. SC Wins can be used toward tuition, fees, and books after all other federal and state aid are applied. SC Wins is limited to $5000 per academic year for eligible students and is limited to 9 terms of eligibility for students seeking an associate degree and six terms for those seeking a diploma or certificate. Students must also meet one of the following criteria: 1) Be employed, 2) Take a financial literacy course provided by the college, or 3) Complete 100 hours of voluntary time contributing to a non profit or public service organization. 

Palmetto Fellows

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program established to recognize the most academically talented high school seniors and encourage these students to attend college in the State.  The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education administers the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program and determines initial eligibility for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. Students can apply for the state-awarded Palmetto Fellows Scholarship if they are a South Carolina high school student with exemplary academic credentials. Palmetto Fellows recipients are not eligible for the LIFE Scholarship.

Legislative Incentive for Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship

The Life Scholarship is a merit-based award for S.C. residents who graduated from high school with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Initial eligibility requires full-time enrollment in college-level coursework. College-level coursework at MTC is defined as courses at the 101 level or higher. Continued LIFE eligibility in the second year of college requires that the student be enrolled in a two-year associate degree program, earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of college-level coursework during the first academic year and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all college coursework, including coursework taken while dually enrolled in high school. Academic coursework at all colleges must be used to calculate the LIFE GPA to determine LIFE eligibility. In addition, students must maintain full-time enrollment of 12 or more semester hours each semester in order to retain LIFE eligibility. A student who drops below 12 credit hours in a semester will lose the LIFE Scholarship for that semester.

Please contact the Student Financial Services Office for information about the LIFE scholarship. Information is also available on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website. LIFE recipients should note that the college receiving transfer coursework determines the applicability of prior coursework to the new program of study. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the college to which the student is planning to transfer to determine applicability of MTC credits to the new program of study and LIFE eligibility at the receiving college.

LIFE Recipients who complete 30 or more credit hours at the conclusion of the Fall and Spring terms with a LIFE GPA of 3.0 or higher maybe be eligible to utilize their LIFE scholarship for fulltime summer term enrollment. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services directly to inquire.

South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (CAP)

This program provides financial assistance to members of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard by providing incentives for enlisting or remaining for a specified time in either the South Carolina Army or Air National Guard. Recipients may receive up to a maximum of four thousand five hundred dollars ($4500) for the Army National Guard and up to a maximum of nine thousand ($9000) for the Air National Guard per year. The cumulative total of all college assistance program benefits may not exceed eighteen thousand ($18,000).

Fairfield Promise Program

The Fairfield Promise Program provides assistance to eligible citizens of Fairfield County to attend Midlands Technical College and enroll in and complete curriculum degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs. The amount of the scholarship is allowable (based on available funds) to cover the cost of tuition and related fees per semester after Federal and State Aid has been applied. Books and supplies may be included pending availability of funds.

Midlands Technical College Foundation Scholarships

Academic scholarships are awarded each year to both newly entering and continuing students through the MTC Foundation. The criteria for scholarships vary and include academic achievement, community participation and financial need. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 738.7140 for further information or review the information on the college’s website.

Scholarship information and applications will be available each year by mid-January. Scholarship information is available online. Please check the Financial Aid website for application deadlines.

Scholarships from other sources may also be available. Information is available online via MTC’s Student Financial Services website.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Student Financial Assistance

All students receiving federal and state student financial aid must adhere to the college’s Student Financial Services Office policy on standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The intent of this policy is to ensure that students who are receiving federal and/or state financial aid are making measurable progress toward completion of a degree or certificate program in a reasonable period of time. Federal and state regulations prohibit the awarding of financial assistance beyond 150 percent of the published program length.

In all instances, financial assistance will be limited to a maximum of 180 hours attempted.

As a recipient of Federal or State financial aid, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Failure to fulfill your part of the agreement, as described, may result in the cancellation of your award and you may have to repay any funds already received.

Scope

This policy applies to those students applying for or receiving federal and/or state funds. To reasonably measure a student’s satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the degree, certificate, or diploma in which the student is enrolled. The student’s total academic record will be evaluated. This includes all academic work attempted at MTC and any transfer hours from other schools attended that are accepted at MTC. As recipients of federal or state financial assistance, students have certain rights and responsibilities. Students’ failure to fulfill their responsibilities to make satisfactory academic progress as described may result in the cancellation of their awards, and any funds already received may have to be repaid.

Monitoring Procedures

The Student Financial Services office will monitor satisfactory academic progress for all students receiving federal or state financial aid at the end of each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) after grades have posted to ensure that they are making satisfactory progress toward program completion. Failure to meet any one of these standards may result in the cancellation of future financial aid. The standards defining satisfactory progress are outlined below.

Fresh Start

Be advised that federal regulations require that all courses attempted must be included in evaluating a student’s satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes. 

Course Withdrawals, Incompletes, Repeated, Remedial or Noncredit Remedial Courses

Students who receive federal or state financial aid must be aware that repeated courses, noncredit remedial courses, and grades of W, WF, I, and NC will be considered in assessing progress toward completion. or state assistance. Courses with these grades are considered not earned. When a student receives a grade change, the student will need to notify the Office of Student Financial Services for re-evaluation if the student is on Financial Aid Warning, Probation or Suspension.

Developmental Studies and Remedial Coursework Standards of Progress

Financial aid recipients may take a maximum of 30 credit hours in Developmental Studies (DVS) and remedial course work or prerequisite courses that are not included in the program of study. The grades from these courses are included in the cumulative GPA calculation.

Transfer Students

All transfer students will be evaluated to determine if they are making satisfactory academic progress prior to being packaged for financial assistance. The evaluation process is based on all hours attempted at MTC and all transfer hours accepted by MTC.

Change of Major(s)

Students who change their majors are still responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the procedure as outlined. A review of satisfactory academic progress will be based on the student’s current program of study at the end of each term enrolled. If the student has changed majors prior to the end of the semester, eligibility will be assessed against the new program of study.

A student changing from an associate program into a diploma or certificate program of study may lose federal and state eligibility immediately upon making the change if the attempted hours are equal to or in excess of 150 percent of the hours required for the certificate or diploma program.

Standards

Length of Eligibility

The Office of Student Financial Services monitors the Satisfactory Academic Progress of all students receiving federal and state aid. Financial aid recipients are eligible for assistance until they have attempted up to one and a half (150 percent) times the number of semester hours required for the program of study currently enrolled in.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Students who fail to earn the required cumulative college GPA of 2.0 will be placed on warning during the next semester they enroll in the college. Students in all programs of study who are placed on probation will be reviewed at the end of the semester. Students who fail to attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater will lose federal and state aid eligibility. Developmental coursework grades will not be calculated in the cumulative GPA requirement.

Completion Rate (Pace)

Students must successfully pass 67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted in the student’s current program of study, including transfer hours accepted into the program. Credit hours earned are those for which a student receives a grade of A, B, C or D. Transfer credit hours accepted into the program are considered earned. Students who do not satisfactorily complete at least 67 percent of attempted hours will be placed on warning status. Courses with grades of F, W, NC and I are counted in the hours attempted but are not considered credit hours earned. Students who have not attained 67 percent satisfactory completion by the next semester of enrollment following the warning period will no longer be eligible for federal financial aid.

Notification

Following a review, a student who has failed to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress will be notified by email of the resulting ineligibility for federal or state funds. Students may also log into their MyMTC account and access MyFinancialAid to view their most recent Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status. Future awards will be canceled upon becoming ineligible. To receive consideration for reinstatement of federal or state assistance, a student will need to submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Results of Not Meeting SAP

Students who do not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be sanctioned according to federal mandates and may lose eligibility for their financial aid award(s).

Financial Aid Warning

Students are evaluated on Satisfactory Academic Progress standards at the end of each term (Fall, Spring and Summer). Students who are not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress for the first consecutive semester will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Students on a Financial Aid Warning Status can receive financial aid for one term without submitting a financial aid SAP appeal. At the end of the term, the student must meet the criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards after a term of Financial Aid Warning are placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Financial Aid awards will be canceled when a student is placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Returning students who did not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress in the previous enrollment with Midlands Technical College will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension upon their return to the college.

Students on Financial Aid Suspension are ineligible for student financial aid unless they submit an appeal and the appeal is granted. Approval of appeals is at the discretion of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. 

Financial Aid Probation

Financial Aid Probation is a status assigned to a student who fails to meet SAP (following Financial Aid Warning status) and who has successfully appealed and has had eligibility for financial aid reinstated. A student may only be considered on Financial Aid Probation for one semester; however, he or she may be able to continue receiving financial aid if the student is meeting the requirements of an approved Academic Plan.

Re-Establishing Eligibility for Financial Aid

Students will be reinstated for financial aid eligibility when they have successfully completed 67 percent of attempted hours and have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average as set forth in this policy.

Appeal of Financial Aid Ineligibility 

A.  An ineligible student may appeal by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form to the Student Financial Services Office indicating reasons why minimum academic standards were not achieved and what actions have been taken or what changes have occurred to resolve the problem. Each appeal will be considered on its own merit. Individual cases will not be considered as precedent. Examples of extenuating circumstances may include but are not limited to the following:

• Death in the student’s immediate family that has been documented.
• Personal illness requiring a loss of the equivalent of more than five consecutive class days that can be supported by a letter from a physician.
• Serious illness in the student’s immediate family that can be supported by a letter of documentation from the family member’s attending physician.
• Change in job schedule/responsibilities required by the employer and documented by the employer.
• Circumstances regarding approval of Academic Fresh Start, if applicable.

B.  The appeal of financial aid will be reviewed and a determination made. The student will be advised in writing of the decision by email to the student’s official college email account.

C.  If the appeal is approved, the student will be assigned an academic improvement plan by which they must comply. Students must continue to meet the term of their academic plan each semester until they have achieved a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 67 percent completion rate. Students in violation of the 150 percent rule must continue to meet the terms of their academic plan to receive financial assistance at the college. Should the student fail to meet their academic plan, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and the student’s future awards will be canceled.

D.  Students may only appeal a maximum of three times during their academic career at Midlands Technical College, previously cited medical issues cannot be used as acceptable reasons for ongoing semesters unless the student can explain what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to make Satisfactory Academic Progress at the next evaluation. The student must provide supporting documentation for the appeal.

E.  Decisions on appeals are final and cannot be appealed at any other college or federal level.

Financial aid suspension does not hinder you from attending Midlands Technical College. Please visit https://www.midlandstech.edu/financial-aid-and-tuition/tuition-fees-and-payment/tuition-payment-information for additional payment options.