You must be an eligible degree-seeking student to receive financial aid. Financial aid can be split into two main categories: financial aid that requires you to complete a FAFSA and financial aid that does not require a FAFSA. Because some scholarships require a FAFSA for consideration, a FAFSA is highly recommended.Visit studentaid.govto complete the FAFSA.
TTC awards your financial aid based on the assumption that you will enroll as a full-time student taking at least 12 credit hours in the semester. If you take fewer than 12 hours in the semester, TTC is required to reduce your aid accordingly. Your credit hours for the semester are divided between two 7-week terms. The number of credit hours you take in each term will affect when your aid is issued and how much of your financial aid can be applied to your student account each term.
Financial Aid Awards
Two primary financial aid disbursem*nts are made each semester for students who have completed the financial aid process, including verification. Once class attendance is verified each term, financial aid is disbursed to the student's TTC student account. The amount of financial aid disbursed is pro-rated per term, based on credit hours and other factors. If the student's financial aid disbursem*nt is greater than the total tuition, fees, and bookstore charges for the term, the student may qualify for a refund check. Please note: some students may receive no refund if taking fewer than six credit hours in Term 1. However, they may qualify for a refund when enrolled in and attending six or more credit hours. For refund examples, click here.
Bookstore Credit
If their financial aid exceeds their charges for tuition and fees, students may beeligible for a bookstore credit up to $1,000 prior to the start of the term.The bookstore credit will allow students to purchase books and supplies prior to the beginning of the term at the TTC Bookstore. The bookstore credit is calculated by subtracting tuition and fees from the amount of authorized aid up to a maximum bookstore credit of $1,000. Bookstore charge period dates for each semester are available in the student's my.tridenttech.edu portal calendar.
Student Account Refunds
Once a student's financial aid is disbursed to their TTC student account, if the amount of the student's financial aid exceeds tuition, fees, bookstore charges, and other institutional charges on the student account, the student is entitled to a refund check. Students will need to plan ahead for other expenses such as rent, transportation and child care until the refund check disbursem*nt dates. Refunds are made in approximately the third week of the term. For refund examples, click here.
Types of Financial Aid Available
- Federal grantssuch as Pell Grants (FPELL) and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- State grantssuch as South Carolina Need-Based Grants (SCNBG) and South Carolina Lottery-Funded Tuition Assistance (SCLTA) and scholarships such as LIFE and SCWINS (no-cost tuition for 100+ programs)
- Federal Work-Study
- Student Loans
- Scholarships
- Institutional Work-Study
- Veterans, Veterans Dependents and Service Personnel
- South Carolina Tax Credit - To help ease the financial burden for South Carolina college students and their families, the South Carolina General Assembly has created an income tax credit for tuition paid to South Carolina colleges and universities. To claim the credit, a Form SC 1040 must be filed. When preparing the South Carolina income tax return, Form I-319 Tuition Tax Credit must be completed. This form is included with all state individual income tax booklets. For more information about the tax credit, please visit the South Carolina Tuition Tax Credit website.
Enrollment Requirements for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Type | Enrollment Requirements |
| Pell Grant | Must be enrolled in at least1 credit hour per semester |
| Loans | Must be enrolled in at least6 credit hours per semester |
| SC Lottery-Funded Tuition Assistance | Must be enrolled in at least6 credit hours per semester |
| SC LIFE Scholarship | Must be enrolled in at least12 college-level credit hoursfor thesemester, not including developmental or bridge courses |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) | Must be enrolled in at least6 credit hours per semester |
| South Carolina Need-Based Grant (SCNBG) | Must be enrolled in at least6 credit hours per semester |
Funding Opportunities for 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.
