General Information
Tuition
Midlands Technical College offers one of the most economical opportunities for post-secondary education in South Carolina. Tuition and fees are set by the Midlands Technical College Commission within guidelines established by the South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education. Tuition and fees are subject to change, by board action, without notice. In some instances, fees may be charged in addition to tuition.
Tuition is set on a sliding scale based upon the student's legal residence as defined in the Code of Laws of South Carolina, guidelines promulgated by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and the Midlands Technical College Commission. Those students who live in Richland and Lexington counties pay the lowest fees because part of their tax dollars fund the college. Other students from South Carolina pay a lower fee than out-of-state students because the college derives part of its support from state revenues. The college sets special tuition rates for military members and their dependents and for students from Fairfield County, depending on location and current county funding. Senior citizens may be eligible for tuition exemption provided they meet eligibility guidelines and courses are taken on a space-available basis.
Student Course Fees/Tuition (Per Term)
Full-time students (12 or more credit hours) are charged as follows:
| Richland and Lexington County Residents/semester | $1,046 |
| Fairfield County Residents*/semester | $1,046 |
| Residents of Other South Carolina Counties/semester | $1,320 |
| Out-of-State Students (Non-South Carolina) | $3,168 |
Part-time students (less than 12 credit hours, except co-op students who are charged per credit) are charged at a rate per credit hour as follows:
| Richland and Lexington County Residents/credit hour | $88 |
| Fairfield County Residents*/credit hour | $88 |
| Residents of Other South Carolina Counties/credit hour | $110 |
| Out-of-State Students/credit hour | $264 |
An enrollment fee is charged to all first-time students enrolling in the college. A student fee is assessed each semester to each student. A late registration fee is assessed to students who register after the end of fee payment.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Reference the current Class Schedule for the most recent amounts.
*Tuition varies according to level of county funding.
Those students who fail to pay their fees during regular registration periods and are processed after this period will be assessed a nonrefundable fee for late registration.
Students are expected to meet all financial obligations when due. Accounts in excess of 90 days past due will be submitted to a collection agency. Should these collection efforts fail, the balance due will then be submitted to the SC Department of Revenue for the tax refund setoff process. Collection cost and charges, along with all attorney's fees necessary for the collection of any debt to the college, may be charged to and paid by the debtor.
International Student Escrow Deposit
International students accepted for admission will be required to deposit with the college's Finance Office a sum equal to two semesters' tuition and fees before being issued an I-2OP.
International student course fees/tuition assessed at registration may be applied against the student's account.
Refunds from the escrow accounts of international students will not be made without the advance approval of the international admissions coordinator or the director of admissions.
Should an international student transfer to another college under approved Immigration and Naturalization Service procedures or return to his home country with no intention of returning to the college, the balance of the escrow account may be refunded to the student upon written request by the student and approval by the international admissions coordinator or the director of admissions.
Tuition and fees can be paid by cash, check, money order, MasterCard, VISA or Discover. A $25 handling fee will be charged for dishonored checks. When a check is returned to the college the second time for insufficient funds, account closed or stop payment, collection procedures will be implemented. Any or all of the above may result in the student being placed on a cash-only status, meaning checks will no longer be accepted as payment.
A student choosing to pay by any means other than cash must show positive identification.
The cost of books varies among courses. The college bookstore staff will provide assistance in identifying the books needed and the price for those books.
Additional Costs
There are additional costs for equipment for some programs such as tool kits for Automotive students, calculators for Engineering Technology students and uniforms and supplies for students in Nursing, Health Sciences and Industrial Technology programs. Information on additional costs for these programs and others may be received through the Student Information Center, an admissions counselor, the appropriate department or the college bookstore.
In most cases, these items are available in the campus bookstore. Some of these costs are described in the sections of this catalog dealing with curriculum programs.