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 and to students who receive the Federal Pell Grant. An FSEOG does not have to be repaid--it is not a loan. There is no guarantee every eligible student will 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 currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program or eligible certificate or diploma program may 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 Student Records Office. Addresses must be kept current 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. Please reference the Student Financial Services web page for information regarding student loan limits and application procedures.
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 the student.
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans accrue interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Student (PLUS) provides loans to parents for the purpose of paying the educational expenses of their dependent student.
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 for up to two years for an associate degree program and one-year for a diploma or certificate program.
Transfer students must have earned a minimum 3.0 LIFE GPA on a 4.0 grading scale to receive the LIFE scholarship at MTC. Coursework from all institutions attended are considered in calculating the LIFE GPA. Please visit www.midlandstech.edu/life/ for more information.
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/sfs.
Lottery-funded tuition assistance is not based on financial need. Any South Carolina student who qualified for in-state tuition rates at a public two-year college may be eligible to receive Lottery Assistance if the student’s tuition costs are not paid by federal or other state gift aid.
South Carolina Need Based Grants (SCNBG) are available to a limited number of students with high financial need, as determined by the student’s EFC. Students must be South Carolina residents to qualify, and funding is limited by the amount of funds allotted to the College each year.
MTC academic scholarships are awarded each year to both entering and continuing students. The application deadline is March 1.
The criteria for scholarships vary, but may 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.