Student Services and Activities
Federal PELL Grants
Undergraduate students who have not received a bachelor's or professional degree may be considered for the Federal Pell Grant program. The amount of the grant received depends on the applicants' financial and enrollment status.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are available to a limited number of students who have not completed a baccalaureate program. FSEOG are awarded to exceptionally needy students with priority given to students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) and to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. A FSEOG does not have to be paid back because it is not a loan. There is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive a FSEOG award. All awards are dependent upon the availability of 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 your course of study. Students who are enrolled at least half-time work an average of 15 to 20 hours per week. Student work hours are assigned according to the amount of the total FWS award, your class schedule and your academic progress. FWS positions can be on or off campus.
Your total Federal Work-Study award depends on when you apply, your level of need and the availability of funds. You will be paid by the hour. Hourly rates vary according to the position held. Federal Work-Study checks are mailed once a month to the student address on file in the Records Office. REMEMBER, it is your responsibility to update your address.
Federal Family Educational Stafford Loans
Federal Family Educational Stafford Loans (FFEL Stafford Loans) are the government's major form of self-help aid. These loans are available through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. These loans can be either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not have to pay any interest before you begin repayment or during an authorized period of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the loan during these periods by paying the interest for you.
An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized--that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. This will increase the amount you have to repay. If you choose to pay the interest as it accumulates, you will repay less in the long run.
To qualify for FFEL Stafford Loan: If you are a regular student enrolled in an eligible program of study at least half time, you may receive a FFEL Stafford Loan. You must also meet other general eligibility requirements.
Amounts You Can Borrow: If you are an undergraduate student you can borrow up to:
For periods of study that are less than an academic year, the amounts you can borrow will be less than those listed. Talk to a financial aid counselor to find out how much you can borrow.
First-Time Students: Federal regulations do not permit any disbursement of the FFEL Stafford Loan or the Federal PLUS loan until 30 days after the first day of class.
NOTE: The amounts given above are the maximum yearly amounts you can borrow in both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. You may receive less than these yearly maximum amounts if you receive other financial aid that is used to cover a portion of your cost of attendance.
Interest Rate Charged on These Loans: If you have a loan that was first disbursed on or after July 1, 1994, the interest rate could change each year of repayment, depending on changes to federal treasury bill rate, but it will never exceed 8.25 percent. The interest rate is adjusted each year on July 1. You will be notified of interest rate changes throughout the life of your loan. If you had loans that were first disbursed before July 1, 1994, the interest rate on these loans may be different. Check with the lender or agency that holds your loan.
Loan Fees: You will pay fees of up to four percent of the loan. These fees are deducted proportionately from each disbursement of your loan. For a FFEL Stafford Loan, a portion of this fee goes to the federal government to help reduce the cost of the loans.
Repayment of These Loans: After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you have six months before you begin repayment. This is called a "grace period." During the grace period of a subsidized loan, you do not have to pay any principal and no interest will be charged. During the grace period on an unsubsidized loan, you do not have to pay any principal, but interest will be charged. You can either pay the interest or allow it to capitalized.
After you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you will receive information about repayment and will be notified of the date repayment begins. You are responsible for beginning repayment on time, however, even if you do not receive this information.
Federal Plus Loans
PLUS loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to pay the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time. PLUS loans are available through the FFEL programs. The yearly limit on a PLUS loan is equal to your cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you receive. For example, if your cost of attendance is $4,500 and you receive $2,500 in other financial aid, your parents could borrow up to, but no more than, $2,000.
The interest rate is variable, but it will never exceed 9 percent. PLUS loans are subject to the same loan fees as other FFEL loans--four percent of the loan.
Generally, within 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the academic year, parents begin repaying a PLUS loan. There is no grace period for these loans. This means that interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made. Your parents must begin repaying both principal and interest while you are in school.
NOTE: Midlands Technical College is required to have a Loan Default Prevention plan. This means that the college may refuse to certify a loan. Examples of conditions when a loan application may not be certified include, but are not limited to, total student loan indebtedness, failure to meet satisfactory academic progress, enrollment status or having defaulted on a student loan.
South Carolina Need-Based Grant
State Need-Based Grants (SNBG) are offered to eligible students during the academic year. These funds are not available during summer terms. Need is determined by completing the FAFSA. SNBG awards are not guaranteed and are subject to the availability of funds.
LIFE Scholarship
Please contact the financial office for detailed information.
Scholarships
Academic scholarships are awarded each year to both entering and continuing students. Application deadlines are February 1.
The criteria for scholarships vary, but include academic achievement, community participation and financial need. More than 60 scholarships are provided through the Midlands Technical College Foundation. Scholarships from other sources may also be available. Application materials and eligibility information are available in the Financial Aid Office during the months of October through January.