The staff of the Student Financial Services Office at Midlands Technical College is committed to providing high-quality service to students, the college and the community. Student Financial Services staff are dedicated to assisting students with their financial needs and serving the community in which the college is located.
Because federal, state and college guidelines change periodically, students should consult online resources at midlandstech.edu/sfs to make sure they are aware of current information.
To receive federal Title IV assistance and state assistance, an applicant must:
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using MTC code 003993.
Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or attain test scores required by the US Department of Education on the COMPASS or ASSET tests, which are administered by Midlands Technical College. Contact the Student Assessment Office for testing information. Students may also meet this requirement if they successfully completed 6 credit hours that are accepted by MTC as college level coursework.
Be enrolled as a matriculating student in an eligible program of study.
Be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
Have a valid Social Security Number.
Make satisfactory academic progress according to financial aid standards.
NOTE: Students should save all records and other materials used in applying for financial assistance. These documents may be needed later if a student is selected for a process called Verification.
All applicants for federal and state aid, SC Lottery Tuition Assistance, loans and need-based grants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. Specific information is available at fafsa.ed.gov and on the Student Financial Services website at midlandstech.edu/sfs.
Approximately two weeks after submitting the FAFSA, the student will receive from the federal processor an acknowledgment called a Student Aid Report (SAR). The processor will transmit the student’s information to MTC electronically. MTC code 003993 must be included in Section 5 for MTC to receive this information. The student will also receive a letter from Student Financial Services acknowledging receipt of their FAFSA record. All future correspondence will be via the free college email Campus Cruiser account given to all students.
The priority financial aid awarding deadline for MTC is April 15. The maximum financial aid package available will be awarded to students whose information (1) is received and reviewed by this date and (2) meets all federal and institutional requirements. Complete applications received and reviewed after April 15 will be considered for remaining funds until they have been depleted.
If a student’s application is selected for Verification by the federal processor, the student is required to forward a signed copy of their federal tax return for the prior year and corresponding W-2 forms as well as the parents’ federal tax return and W-2 forms (for dependent students) and a completed Verification Worksheet to the MTC Student Financial Services Office. If the information on a Student Aid Report does not agree with the supporting information and documentation, it may be necessary to send corrections to the processor. No financial aid award can be made until the financial aid process is completed. A complete application is defined as one that has been received, reviewed, found free from errors and does not require additional information for verification. Accurate, complete information and documentation submissions are the responsibility of the student. Students must also check their Campus Cruiser email account regularly for important financial aid information.
Midyear Transfer Students
A student only needs to complete one FASFA per academic year. If a student has already applied for financial aid elsewhere, a duplicate Student Aid Report (SAR) for MTC can be requested by calling 1-800-4FEDAID and adding the MTC school code, 003993, or by adding the MTC school code to your FAFSA online at fafsa.ed.gov.
Summer Aid
In general, financial aid is based on two semesters of full-time enrollment. If a student does not use all their aid eligibility in the fall and spring terms, the remainder will be made available for the summer term. Per South Carolina student aid guidelines, the LIFE Scholarship is not available to cover the cost of summer tuition or books. SC Lottery Tuition Assistance is available each term for eligible students, provided funds are available. South Carolina Need-Based grant is also available for the summer as long as funds are available and the student meets all other eligibility criteria. SC Need-Based grant is available for a maximum of two semesters each academic year.
An award notification will be sent to each student once the Student Financial Services Office has received and reviewed the student’s complete application and it has been found to meet all appropriate federal, state and institutional requirements. The terms and conditions of the award are available online at midlandstech.edu/sfs/terms.html. All students are responsible for reading and understanding the terms and conditions of their award. If any student or parent encounters extenuating circumstances during the award year that are believed to significantly affect the student’s or parent’s financial condition, the student should contact the Student Financial Services Office and arrange to speak with a counselor. The counselor will evaluate the individual circumstances and offer appropriate advice.
All financial aid awards are subject to change if the information upon which they were based changes or federal regulations require a change. Students will be notified of such adjustment through their Campus Cruiser email, and the revised award may be viewed at the student’s MTC Online account.
Deadlines
To receive priority and maximum consideration for all forms of financial assistance, students should complete the application process by April 15. All verification documents, if requested by Student Financial Services, must be submitted no later than April 15 or 120 days after the student’s last date of enrollment, whichever comes first.
Undergraduate students who have not received a bachelor’s or professional degree will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant program. The amount of the grant depends on the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the US Department of Education through the FAFSA and the student’s enrollment status. The EFC is calculated each academic year when the student submits a FAFSA. A Pell Grant is not a loan and does not have to be repaid unless adjustments occur that create an overpayment. Students must meet established standards of academic progress (SAP) regulations in order to continue to receive funds within the award year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs) are available to students who have not completed a bachelor’s or professional degree and are enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours). SEOGs are awarded to exceptionally needy students, with priority given to students with the lowest EFCs and to students who receive Pell Grants. An SEOG does not have to be repaid—it is not a loan. There is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive an SEOG award. Funding for this program is limited. As with Pell Grants, students must meet established academic progress criteria to receive SEOG funds.
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 the student’s course of study. Students who are enrolled at least half-time generally work an average of 15 to 20 hours per week. The number of hours assigned per week to a student is based on the total amount of the FWS award, the student’s class schedule and the student’s academic progress. FWS positions can be on or off campus.
The total Federal Work-Study award depends on the time of application, the level of financial 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 issued once a month to the student. Students are given direct deposit information at the work-study orientation sessions.
Federal Stafford Student Loans, offered as one of the Federal Family Educational Loan Programs (FFELP), are the government’s major form of self-help aid. These loans can be either subsidized or unsubsidized.
A Subsidized Stafford Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. No interest payments are required before repayment begins or during an authorized period of deferment. The federal government “subsidizes’’ the loan during these periods by paying the interest for the student.
An Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not awarded on the basis of need. The student will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If interest is allowed to accumulate, it will be capitalized—that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of the student’s loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. This will increase the amount that has to be repaid. If the student chooses to pay the interest as it accumulates, loan repayments will cost less in the long run.
Students enrolled in an eligible program of study at least half time (6 credit hours) may receive a Stafford Loan. Students must also meet other general eligibility requirements, including standards of academic progress.
Amounts Undergraduates Can Borrow:
Up to $3,500 for a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year.
$4,500 for students who have completed their first year of study and for whom the remainder of their academic program is at least a full academic year.
For periods of study that are less than an academic year, the amounts that can be borrowed will be less than those listed. Students should talk to a financial aid counselor to find out how much can be borrowed.
NOTE: The amounts given above are the maximum yearly amounts that can be borrowed in both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Students may receive less than these yearly maximum amounts if they receive other forms of financial assistance that cover a portion of the cost of attendance.
Interest Rates Charged
For students who have a loan that was first disbursed on or after July 1, 2006, the interest rate is fixed at 6.8 percent. Interest rates on loans that were first disbursed before July 1, 2006, may be different. Students should check with the lender or agency that holds the loan if their loan was first disbursed before July 1, 2006.
Loan Fees
Students may pay fees of up to 4 percent of the loan. These fees are deducted proportionately from each disbursement of the loan. For a Stafford Loan, a portion of this fee goes to the federal government to help reduce the cost of the loans.
Repayment of Loans
After graduation, leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment, students have six (6) months to begin repayment. This is called a “grace period.” During the grace period of a subsidized loan, students do not have to pay any principal and no interest will be charged. During the grace period on an unsubsidized loan, students do not have to pay any principal, but interest will be charged. Students can either pay the interest or allow it to capitalize. After leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment, students will receive information about repayment from their lender and will be notified of the date on which repayment is due to begin. Students are responsible for beginning repayment on time even if they do not receive this information. Students should check with their lender if they do not receive a repayment notice after leaving college.
Loan Maximums
As part of Midlands Technical College’s default management plan, the maximum cumulative loan amount that can be disbursed to an individual student is $23,000 (which includes loans received while in attendance at another college) for a dependent student and $31,500 for independent students. Students are notified once their loans reach a total indebtedness of $21,500 or higher for dependent students and $30,000 or higher for independent students. Students reaching these maximums may file a “Loan Appeal” request. This form may be picked up from the Student Financial Services Office on either the Airport or Beltline campuses or found online at midlandstech.edu/sfs. Students that have exceeded the federal maximum limits cannot appeal.
Federal PLUS Loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time. PLUS Loans are available through the FFEL program lenders. The yearly limit on a PLUS Loan is equal to the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial assistance the student receives. For example, if the cost of attendance is $4,500 and the student receives $2,500 in other financial aid, the parents could borrow up to—but no more than—$2,000.
The interest rate for Federal PLUS Loans is fixed at 8.5 percent for loans disbursed after July 1, 2006. PLUS Loans are subject to the same loan fees as other FFEL Loans: up to 4 percent of the loan. Parents have the option of beginning repayment a Federal PLUS Loan within 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the academic year or wait until six (6) months after the dependent student on whose behalf the parent borrowed ceases to be enrolled on at least half-time basis (6 credit hours). Interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made.
Need-Based Grants are offered to eligible students for a maximum of two semesters during the academic year. Financial need is determined by completing the FAFSA. SNBG awards are not guaranteed and are subject to the availability of funds. Students must meet the same academic progress standards as Federal Title IV aid programs and other eligibility requirements to continue receiving funds.
To be eligible for SC Lottery Tuition Assistance funds, a student must submit a completed FAFSA, be an SC resident, be enrolled for six or more credit hours in an eligible program of study and meet reasonable standards of academic progress as set forth in the SC Lottery Tuition Assistance guidelines established by the SC Technical College System. The amount of SC Lottery Tuition Assistance available each term varies based on the amount of funding allocated by the SC Legislature and the number of students accessing the funds. Lottery Tuition Assistance may be applied to a portion of the student’s tuition if a balance remains on the student’s account after federal and state grants have been applied. Lottery tuition assistance cannot be used to cover the cost of books and supplies. Once a recipient of Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) has graduated from a certificate or diploma program, the student must enter a higher-level, related program of study to continue LTA eligibility. When an LTA recipient has completed an associate degree, the student must wait five (5) years to again qualify for LTA funds. Additional information may be found by checking the MTC Student Financial Services website, midlandstech.edu/sfs, or the SC Technical College System web page at sctechsystem.com.
The Life Scholarship is a merit-based award for SC residents who graduated from high school with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Initial eligibility requires full-time enrollment in college-level coursework. College-level coursework at MTC is defined as courses at the 101 level or higher. Continued LIFE eligibility in the second year of college requires that the student be enrolled in a two-year associate degree program, earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of college-level coursework during the first academic year and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all college coursework, including coursework taken while dually-enrolled in high school. Academic coursework at all colleges must be used to calculate the LIFE GPA to determine LIFE eligibility.
Please contact the Student Financial Services Office for information about the LIFE scholarship. Information is also available on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website at che400.state.sc.us. LIFE recipients should note that the college receiving transfer coursework determines the applicability of prior coursework to the new program of study. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the college to which the student is planning to transfer to determine applicability of MTC credits to the new program of study and LIFE eligibility at the receiving college.
Academic scholarships are awarded each year to both newly entering and continuing students through the MTC Foundation. The criteria for scholarships vary and include academic achievement, community participation and financial need. Contact the Midlands Technical College Development Office at 822-3646 for further information or review the information on the college’s website.
Scholarship information and applications will be available each year by December 1 in the Development Office (Airport Campus) and in the Student Financial Services Office (Beltline and Airport campuses). Scholarship information is also available online at midlandstech.edu. Please check the website or call the Development Office for application deadlines. Completed applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to any of the above locations. No applications will be considered after the posted deadline.
Scholarships from other sources may also be available. Information is available online via MTC’s Student Financial Services web page at midlandstech.edu/sfs.
All students receiving federal and state aid must adhere to the Student Financial Services Office policy on standards of satisfactory academic progress. The intent of this policy is to ensure that students who are receiving federal and state financial assistance are making measurable progress toward completion of a degree, diploma or certificate program in a reasonable period of time, as required by federal and state guidelines.
This policy applies to all students applying for or receiving federal and state funds. To reasonably measure a student’s satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their degree, certificate or diploma, the student’s total academic record will be evaluated. This includes all academic work attempted at MTC and any transfer hours from other schools attended that are accepted at MTC. LIFE Scholarship guidelines require the aggregation of all college coursework in calculating the LIFE GPA for continued eligibility.
As the recipient of federal or state financial assistance, students have certain rights and responsibilities. Failure to fulfill the responsibility to make satisfactory progress as described may result in the cancellation of student awards, and the student may have to repay any funds already received.
The Student Financial Services Office will monitor satisfactory academic progress for all students receiving federal or state financial assistance to ensure that they are making progress toward program completion. Associate degree, diploma and certificate programs will be reviewed for satisfactory academic progress at the end of each term of enrollment. This process occurs immediately after grades are posted at the end of each term. Students who are no longer eligible for federal or state assistance should be prepared to pay educational expenses the next term. Students who submit an appeal that is approved will have their eligibility reinstated. The standards defining satisfactory academic progress for Midlands Technical College students are outlined below.
Academic Fresh Start
Title IV regulations do not recognize the college’s policy for Academic Fresh Start. The 70 percent successful course completion rate and the 150 percent rule will include all courses attempted at MTC and transfer credits regardless of an approved academic fresh start.
Course Withdrawals, Incompletes, Repeated, Remedials or Noncredit Remedial Courses
Students who receive federal or state financial assistance must be aware that repeated courses, noncredit remedial courses and grades of W, WF, I, NC and CF are considered in assessing their progress toward completion. Grades of F, W, WF, I, NC and CF do not signify successful completion of a course. Students who do not satisfactorily complete at least 70 percent of all cumulative, attempted hours will be placed on warning status. Students who have not attained 70 percent satisfactory completion by the next term of enrollment following the warning period will no longer be eligible for federal or state assistance.
Developmental Studies and Remedial Coursework Standards of Progress
Financial aid recipients may take a maximum of 30 credit hours in Developmental Studies (DVS) and remedial coursework. Students enrolled in DVS classes only do not have to meet GPA requirements to remain in good standing. Their attempted DVS hours will be counted when calculating maximum timeframe. Students on an approved appeal and taking DVS courses must successfully complete all classes to retain their financial aid eligibility.
Transfer Students
All transfer students, except those on suspension from a previous institution, will be evaluated based on the number of credit hours accepted by MTC. Each academic record will otherwise be reviewed at the end of each term enrolled.
When evaluating transfer students’ standards of satisfactory academic progress, the evaluation will be conducted against hours attempted and earned through MTC as well as accepted transfer hours. This will include the student’s ability to earn at least 70 percent of credit hours attempted and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Only transfer hours that are accepted at MTC will be counted when considering the maximum timeframe limit of 150 percent of hours for a student’s program of study.
For LIFE Scholarship, students must submit transcripts for all colleges attended. All coursework attempted at all colleges will be used to calculate the LIFE GPA for continued LIFE Scholarship eligibility according to state guidelines.
Change of Major(s)
A student who changes majors is still responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the procedure as outlined. A review of satisfactory academic progress will be based on the student’s current program of study at the end of each term enrolled. If the student has changed majors prior to the end of the term, eligibility will be assessed against the new program of study. A student who changes majors after the end of the term review may be required to submit an appeal for reinstatement of eligibility for financial assistance.
A student changing from an associate program into a diploma or certificate program of study may lose federal and state eligibility immediately upon making the change if the student’s attempted hours are equal to or in excess of 150 percent of the hours required for the certificate or diploma program.
Additional Program(s) of Study
Students seeking to obtain a second degree may be eligible to complete the second program of study after the first diploma, certificate, or degree has been awarded by the college. The maximum time frame will be based on the number of hours attempted at MTC and any other documented transfer of hours that are accepted by the college.
Length of Eligibility
The Office of Student Financial Services monitors the satisfactory academic progress of all students receiving federal and state financial assistance. Federal Title IV and state SC Need-Based aid recipients are eligible for assistance until they have attempted up to one and a half (1.5 or 150 percent) times the semester hours required for the program of study in which they are currently enrolled, regardless of the number of program changes. In all instances, financial assistance will be limited to a maximum of 180 hours attempted. LIFE Scholarship and Lottery Tuition Assistance programs have separate eligibility requirements.
Cumulative Grade Point Average
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to retain eligibility for most types of state and federal aid. LIFE Scholarship eligibility requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA on coursework at all colleges attended.
Students who fail to earn the required cumulative GPA of 2.0 will be placed on probation during the next term in which they enroll at the college. Students in all programs of study who are placed on probation will be reviewed at the end of the probationary term. Students who fail to obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater will lose federal and state aid eligibility. Students have the right to submit a SAP Appeal Form to the Student Financial Services Office. Developmental coursework grades will not be calculated in the cumulative GPA requirement.
Students receiving SC Lottery Tuition Assistance must also meet the 2.0 GPA requirement by the time they have attempted 24 credit hours. The LIFE Scholarship carries a 3.0 GPA requirement on 30 hours of college-level coursework at the time of annual review. College and private scholarships may have other requirements. Students should review and adhere to the requirements of the specific financial resource received.
Successful Completion of Courses Attempted
Students must successfully complete 70 percent of all college coursework attempted. Grades of W, WF, NC, CF, F and I do are not successful grades. A student who does not meet this standard will give a warning and a term to reach the 70 percent completion level. If a student falls below the 70 percent completion level for a second term, the student will need to pay tuition or file an appeal. See information above about course withdrawals and other non-completions.
Following a review, a student who is deemed not to be making satisfactory academic progress will be notified by the college Campus Cruiser email account of the resulting ineligibility for federal and/or state funds. The letter will include information on how to obtain a copy of this policy. Future awards will be canceled upon becoming ineligible. To receive federal or state assistance, the student must submit a SAP Appeal Form to the Office of Student Financial Services for consideration of reinstatement of eligibility.
A student will be reinstated for federal and state financial aid eligibility at such time as he or she successfully completes sufficient hours (70 percent of attempted hours) and has a sufficient grade point average (2.0 or above) to meet the minimum requirements for eligibility. If a student is suspended from financial aid eligibility, the student must appeal in order to re-establish eligibility for federal and state assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to present evidence to the Student Financial Services Office at the time he or she has met minimum requirements for reinstatement or is appealing.
An ineligible student may appeal by indicating in writing to the Student Financial Services Office: (a) reasons why minimum academic standards were not achieved, (b) reasons why eligibility should be reinstated, and (c) what actions have been taken or what changes have occurred to resolve the problem. Each appeal will be considered on its merit. Individual cases will not be considered as precedent. Examples of extenuating circumstances may include but are not limited to the following:
Documentation of death in the student’s immediate family.
Personal illness requiring a loss of the equivalent of more than five consecutive class days that can be supported by a letter from a physician.
Serious illness in the student’s immediate family that can be supported by at least one letter of documentation from the attending physician.
Divorce or separation in the student’s immediate family that can be documented for the time frame in question.
Change in job schedule/responsibilities required by the employer and documented by the employer.
The Student Financial Services SAP Committee will review the appeal and determine whether the financial assistance probation or suspension action is justified. The student will be advised in writing by Campus Cruiser email of the committee’s decision.
Any student whose eligibility is reinstated is required to meet all reinstatement stipulations in order to continue eligibility for federal and state financial assistance. Should a student fail to meet these stipulations, their aid will be cancelled for all future terms. Students on an approved financial aid appeal must not withdraw from or fail any courses. If a student does not successfully complete all classes attempted, they will lose their financial aid eligibility.
Appeals are reviewed and processed within 7-10 business days of receipt (processing may take longer during peak periods).
Committee decisions on appeals are final and cannot be appealed at any other college or federal level.