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 student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the U.S. Department of Education through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the student's enrollment status. A FAFSA must be completed for each new academic year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are available to students who have not completed a bachelor's or professional degree. FSEOGs are awarded to exceptionally needy students. Priority is given to students with the lowest EFC's and to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. An 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.
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 a student's course of study. Students who are enrolled at least half-time typically work an average of 15 to 20 hours per week. Student work hours are assigned according to the amount of the total FWS award, the student's class schedule and the student's academic progress. FWS positions may be on or off campus.
The total Federal Work-Study award depends on the time of application, the level of 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 mailed once a month to the student's local address on file in the Records Office. Addresses must be kept up to date for earnings to be received on a timely basis.
Stafford Loans - Stafford Loans are the Federal government's major form of self-help aid. These loans are available through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. Stafford loans can be either subsidized or unsubsidized.
A Subsidized Stafford Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. No interest accrues and no payments are required during an eligible period of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the loan during these periods by paying the interest for you.
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans accrue interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Student (PLUS) - The FFEL program provides for lands to parents for the purpose of paying the educational expenses of their dependent student.
Please reference the Student Financial Services web page for information regarding student loan limits and application procedures.
LIFE Scholarships are merit-based South Carolina awards recognizing high school and college academic performance. Students who are SC residents and graduate from a South Carolina high school with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 standard scale may be eligible for a LIFE Scholarship provided the student enrolls in at least 12.0 credit hours of college-level work in courses at the 101-level or higher. To be LIFE eligible as a continuing college student, the student must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in college coursework at the 101 course-level or higher per year and maintain a 3.0 GPA. The LIFE Scholarship does not pay for coursework taken during the summer semester. An eligible student may receive a LIFE Scholarship up to two years for an associate degree program and one-year for a diploma or certificate program.
Transfer students must have earned a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale at the end of each academic year, when the grades on courses at all colleges attended are calculated into a cumulative GPA.
Information on the S.C. Education Lottery Act, is provided on the S.C. Technical College System's web site at: www.sctechsystem.com.
Award amounts depend on the proceeds generated by the Lottery AND THE FINAL LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS ISSUED BY APPROPRIATE STATE AND COLLEGE OFFICIALS. Please visit the MTC web site for updated information at: www.midlandstech.edu (under Student Financial Services), lottery guidelines applicable to two-year colleges.
The following information applies:
(Technical Colleges or Two-Year Public or Independent Institutions)
Any student wishing to access Lottery Tuition Assistance funds for education must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Any South Carolina student who qualifies for in-state tuition rates at a technical or public two-year institution may be eligible to receive Lottery Assistance if this cost is not covered by Federal or other State gift aid. Lottery Tuition Assistance will be credited only to the cost of tuition.
Students must be SC residents.
Students must enroll in at least 6 credits hours each semester in an eligible program.
Students must make reasonable progress towards graduation in accordance with applicable Title IV and state regulations.
South Carolina Need Based Grants are available to a limited number students with high financial need, as determined by the student's EFC based on financial information provided on the FAFSA. Students must be South Carolina residents to qualify and funding is limited by the amount of funds allotted to the College each year.
Summer aid is available to those who qualify and is awarded separately from fall and spring terms during the regular academic year. Although there is no need to complete a second FAFSA, students must complete a "Summer Financial Aid Request Form" for summer aid.
The Summer Financial Aid Request Form is available on March 1 of each award year and must be submitted by April 1 for priority consideration.
Summer funding is very limited, and not all funds are available during this period. Priority consideration for available funding is given to applications received by April 1st. Awards will not be offered until the student has registered for the summer term(s). Students who revise their summer enrollment course load must submit a revised Summer Financial Aid Request Form.
MTC academic scholarships are awarded each year to both entering and continuing students. Application deadlines are March 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 on the Student Financial Services website and on the MTC Foundation Web site.
Students can search a wide variety of college scholarship resources by using the free college scholarship "search engines" on the Student Financial Services web site.