Financial Aid For Students

Students must be accepted for admission to the College before any action can be taken on their application for financial assistance, including scholarships, student employment, grants, or loans. Students must have a high school diploma or GED and be accepted for enrollment in an eligible program of study. Students enrolled in certificate programs of less than 16 semester credit hours, or Continuing Education Courses do not qualify to receive Federal financial aid.

Applications for financial assistance must be completed annually. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to apply for all forms of Federal financial aid awarded by the College. Priority for any available funds is given to students with complete applications received in the Financial Aid Center by April 1st. Applications received after that date are awarded on a continuing basis as long as funds are available. Students with completed applications can view their award letter on Self-Service. When registered, the student is allowed to charge tuition, fees, books, and supplies against the financial aid that they have been awarded. Refunds for any remaining funds will be credited to student’s selected refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. approximately five weeks after classes begin. Students must take a minimum of 12 semester hours to be considered a full-time student. Federal Pell Grant, SC Need Based Grant, Lottery Tuition Assistance, and SCWINS awards will be adjusted to the student’s enrollment status, if the student enrolls for fewer hours. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to continue receiving financial assistance.

Federal Work Study applicants, SEOG and SC Need Based Grant received after April 1st will be considered according to the date received as long as funds are still available. Pell Grants, Lottery Tuition Assistance, and SC WINS are awarded continuously throughout the year. There are several federally funded programs that are available to students at FDTC. All of these programs are contingent upon the funding of the programs by the U.S. Congress.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Tuition, fees, and book charges are the responsibility of the student. All institutional charges not paid by financial aid, sponsors, scholarships, loans, or other sources, must be paid by the student.

Financial Aid Student Rights and Responsibilities

It is the student’s responsibility to:

• Review and consider all information about the College’s program before you enroll.
• Complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time and to the appropriate office.
• Pay special attention to accurately complete your application for student financial aid.
• Errors can result in long delays in your receipt of financial aid. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
• Return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which you submitted your application.
• Read and understand all forms that you are asked to sign and keep copies of them.
• Accept responsibility for all agreements you sign.
• If you have a loan, notify Direct Lending of changes in your name, address, or school status.
• Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Federal College Work-Study award.
• Know and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
• Know and comply with the College’s refund procedures.

Quick Steps - How to Apply for Financial Aid

Online (fast and easy)

First…

1. Create FSA ID Username and Password at www.studentaid.gov.
2. Apply online at www.studentaid.gov.

Application is processed…

1. Response is sent to student via email within 1-2 weeks
2. If no response is received within 2 weeks, check status.

After application has been processed…

1. Check FAFSA Submission Summary for accuracy of data processed.
2. Check award amount.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students receiving federal and state student financial aid must adhere to Florence-Darlington Technical College’s Financial Aid policy on standards of satisfactory academic progress. This policy has been established to meet the requirements.

The intent of this policy is to ensure that students who are receiving federal and state financial aid are making measurable progress toward completion of a degree, diploma or certificate program in a reasonable period of time. The policy is separate from the institution’s standards of progress and is monitored each semester for all enrolled students.

Satisfactory academic progress must include both a qualitative component (grade point average-GPA) and a quantitative component (maximum time frame). The following three criteria/rules are applied to determine progress at Florence-Darlington Technical College:

1. The maximum length of time for which the student may receive financial aid (150%) of the published time- frame for the program of study.
2. The cumulative percentage of attempted credit hours the student must earn (67%).
3. The minimum Financial Aid grade point average (GPA) the student must maintain. (2.0 Minimum GPA)

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester for all students who are enrolled. Results of that review will be used to determine the subsequent semester’s eligibility for financial aid.

Students are responsible to ensure that they maintain the minimum semester and cumulative Financial Aid GPA and to ensure that they complete the required number of credits.

Satisfactory academic progress must be maintained even during semesters in which financial assistance is not received.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Scope

This policy applies to all students. To reasonably measure a student’s satisfactory academic progress toward completion of his/her degree, diploma, or certificate the student’s total academic record will be evaluated. This includes all academic work attempted for any FDTC program and transferred credits accepted from any other schools attended.

As the recipients of federal or state financial aid, students have certain rights and responsibilities. Students’ failure to fulfill their part of the agreement as described may result in the cancellation of their awards, and/or repayment of any funds already received.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Monitoring Procedures

The Financial Aid Center will monitor satisfactory academic progress for all students 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 enrolled. The standards defining satisfactory academic progress for Florence-Darlington Technical College students are outlined below.

Course Withdrawals, Incomplete Courses, Repetitions, Remedial or Noncredit Remedial

Students must be aware that repeated courses; noncredit remedial courses and grades of F, W, WF, and I will be considered in assessing their progress toward completion. Students who do not satisfactorily complete at least 67% of their cumulative attempted hours for two consecutive semesters will no longer be eligible for federal and/or most state assistance (i.e., South Carolina Need-Based Grant).

Developmental Studies (Remedial rule) Standards of Progress

Financial Aid recipients may take a maximum of 30 credit hours in Developmental Studies course work. Students enrolled in Developmental Studies classes only must receive grades of A*, B* C* and SC* in at least 67% of their classes to remain in good standing. Developmental Studies students who do not meet this requirement will receive a warning during the next term in which they enroll in the College.

Transfer Students

All transfer students will be considered to be making satisfactory progress based on the number of credit hours accepted toward their program of study. Each academic record will otherwise be reviewed at the end of the required period of enrollment (i.e., at the end of each enrolled term). Transfer credits are included in the calculations of the pace of the program completion and they are included in the 150% maximum timeframe.

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. 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 due to the 150% completion rule.

Academic Renewal May Be Granted through Registrar Services

Federal regulation excludes federal student aid from a school’s academic renewal policy and requires the Financial Aid Center to track students’ academic progress from the first date of enrollment, whether or not financial aid was received.

Students approved for academic renewal should be aware that financial aid requirements regarding prior attendance and cumulative eligibility must be considered from the first date of enrollment. Federal and state regulations prohibit the awarding of financial assistance beyond 150% of the published program length.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

Length of Eligibility (Completion Rule)
The Financial Aid Center monitors the satisfactory academic progress of all students. Financial aid recipients are eligible for assistance until they have attempted up to one and a half (1.5) time the semester hours required for the program of study in which they are currently enrolled.

Examples of Maximum Timeframe

Students pursuing multiple programs of study through Florence-Darlington Technical College will be limited to a maximum timeframe of 150 hours attempted. In all instances, financial assistance will be limited to a maximum of 150 hours attempted. At the time it is determined that a student cannot complete their program of study without reaching 150 hours, the student becomes ineligible for financial aid. Students can appeal this ineligibility by completing the appropriate appeal request form and providing the required documentation. Examples of acceptable documentation are shown later in this policy.

Academic Progress (minimum GPA and 67% rule)

In order to remain in good academic standing, students pursuing a degree, diploma or certificate who are enrolled in regular curriculum classes must maintain a Financial Aid Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0. Students are also required to have earned at least 67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted to have continued federal and state eligibility for financial assistance. All Developmental Studies courses will be included in the calculation of 67% of credit hours.

The Financial Aid GPA includes the grades from all attempted course work. Repeating a course does not replace the grade for the Financial Aid GPA.

Warning Semester

Students who fail to earn the required Financial Aid GPA as specified above or who fail to earn 67% of the cumulative credits attempted will receive a financial aid warning for the next semester in which they enroll at the College. Students in all programs of study who receive a financial aid warning as a result of failing to earn the required Financial Aid GPA or failing to earn 67% of the cumulative credits attempted, may receive Title IV funds for one payment period. Students must meet the FDTC Financial Aid Center’s SAP standards and will be reviewed at the end of the warning term. Students who fail to obtain a cumulative Financial Aid GPA of 2.0 or who fail to bring cumulative completion rate up to 67% or greater will lose federal and South Carolina Need Based Grant eligibility and will be placed on suspension. In addition, students who fail to complete their programs prior to reaching the program’s maximum timeframe will be placed on suspension.

Students placed on suspension may be allowed to submit a SAP Appeal form to the Financial Aid Center for evaluation of special circumstances that may have contributed to not meeting satisfactory progress standards. The required documentation will be communicated to each individual student.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Declaration of Ineligibility Procedures

Following a review, if a student is deemed not to be making satisfactory academic progress, he/she will be notified by email of the resulting ineligibility for federal and/ or South Carolina Need Based Grant funds. Awards will be canceled upon becoming ineligible. To receive federal or South Carolina Need Based Grant assistance, the student will need to submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Center.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Re-Establishing Eligibility for Financial Aid

A student may be reinstated for financial aid eligibility at such time as he or she successfully completes sufficient hours (67% of cumulative attempted hours) and has a sufficient cumulative Financial Aid grade point average (2.0) to meet the minimum requirements for eligibility as set forth in this policy. It is the student’s responsibility to present evidence to the Financial Aid Center at the time he or she has met minimum requirements for reinstatement or is appealing.

Satisfactory Academic Program Appeal of Financial Aid Ineligibility

1. An ineligible student may appeal by providing the Financial Aid Center a detailed account of the appeal (a) why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, (b) what has changed in the student’s situation that would allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation, and (c) documentation of special circumstances noted in the SAP appeal. Each appeal will be considered individually on its merit. Individual cases will not be considered as precedent. Some reinstatements are considered if the following circumstances have occurred:
   • Death in the student’s immediate family that has been documented.
   • Personal illness requiring a loss of the equivalent of more than five consecutive class days that is 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 a family members’ 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.
2. Each appeal will be reviewed by the SAP Appeal Committee in order to determine whether the financial aid suspension action is justified. The student will be advised by email of the decision within 10 business days after the appeal has been reviewed. If a student’s appeal is denied, the student can re-appeal after they self-pay for six credit hours or more and receive a grade of “C” or higher in each class with no withdrawals. Any student who is denied can re-establish eligibility by successfully completing sufficient hours (67% of cumulative attempted hours) and has a sufficient cumulative financial aid grade point average (2.0) to meet the minimum requirements for eligibility as set forth in this policy.
3. If a student is approved for reinstatement, that student who is reinstated with an approved appeal is considered to be on probation and is required to meet all reinstatement stipulations in order to continue eligibility for federal and/or South Carolina Need Based Grant financial aid. Reinstatement stipulations include, but are not limited to, requiring a student to pass all courses attempted with a grade of “C” or higher, and maintaining a cumulative Financial Aid GPA of 2.0 or higher. Withdrawing or failing a class is considered not meeting stipulations. Should a student fail to meet any of the stipulations of their probationary term, he or she may submit another appeal request to the financial aid center along with documentation of the extenuating circumstances that caused them to fail or withdraw from a course.
4. For priority potential awarding, appeals must be submitted within the first 10 days of the start of the term.
5. Committee decisions on appeals are final and cannot be appealed at the college or federal level.

Transferring Financial Aid

Financial aid awards cannot be transferred from one college to another. Students must have the results of the FAFSA released to the new college. Students transferring to FDTC must request a duplicate Student Aid Report (SAR) if the results of the FAFSA have not been released to FDTC. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the financial aid office of prior attendance at another post-secondary school.

Scholarships

The Florence-Darlington Technical College Educational Foundation receives funding for scholarships from individuals, businesses, industry, and private sources. These merit-based scholarships are awarded on criteria set by the Educational Foundation and the scholarship donors.

Eligibility

Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for a Foundation-based scholarship:

• Have and maintain a minimum, cumulative institutional GPA of 2.5
• Have a complete admissions file with the Admissions Office
• Have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the appropriate academic year
• Be enrolled in an eligible program in at least 6 credit hours
• Have completed the FDTC Scholarship Application by the deadline - visit www.fdtc.edu/foundation

Application and Award Process

To determine if applicants meet the necessary requirements, all student information will be verified. GPAs will be checked after the most recent term grades have been posted; for fall term applicants, summer grades will be considered as well. The Scholarship Committee will meet after all information and grades have been verified. The Committee will review the applicants and award scholarships based on individual scholarship requirements often set by the scholarship donors themselves. Scholarship awards are merit based and priority is given to students who exhibit academic merit.

Award Notification and Receipt

Applicants are notified of their individual award status through email. Letters are emailed to the student’s FDTC student email address. The Educational Foundation coordinates with the Financial Aid Office and the Business Office to ensure awarded funds apply to student accounts prior to the beginning of the upcoming term.

Depending on the individual scholarship, a part-time student may only be eligible to receive one-half of the scholarship award.

If a student fails to register for classes or withdraws from the College, the scholarship award will be forfeited. Scholarship awards are to be used during the term for which they are originally intended and cannot be transferred to another term.

FDTC’s scholarship committee recommends applicants for appropriate foundation scholarships. If a recommended award interferes with a student’s financial aid, adjustments may be made to the recommended award. Adjustments may include reduction or removal of award based on financial aid guidelines.

Types of Financial Aid

1. Need-Based
   • Federal Pell Grant
   • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
   • Federal Work-Study
   • South Carolina Need-Based Grant
   • Federal Stafford Direct Loan (subsidized)
2. Other
   • Federal Stafford Direct Loan (unsubsidized)
   • Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) (for Parents of Dependent Students Only)
   • Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarships
   • LIFE Scholarship Enhancement
   • Lottery Tuition Assistance
   • SC WINS Scholarship
   • Tuition Payment Plan
   • SC National Guard College Assistance Program

Scholarships/Paid Internships - SCATE Center of Excellence

S-STEM Scholarships are available for full-time, academically talented students with unmet financial need. Scholarship recipients are selected from those pursuing associate degrees in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs of study, specifically in engineering technology (EET, MET, CET), industrial technology (MTT, HVAC, AUTO, IMT), and network systems management (NSM) S-STEM scholarship recipients are known as Tech Stars. As part of the scholarship award, each Tech Star receives a laptop computer and wireless Internet device (or automotive diagnostic tool for AUT majors), in addition to financial support for payment of tuition, fees, and books. For more information visit www.scate.org or contact the SCATE Center of Excellence at (843) 676-8559 or at techstars@fdtc.edu or scate@fdtc.edu.

Assistance with connecting to paid internships is also available for students majoring in the advanced technologies. Students who are majoring in welding or are pursuing associate degrees in engineering technology (EET, MET, CET, and industrial technology (MTT, HVAC, AUTO, IMT) are in high demand. For more information visit www.scate.org or contact the SCATE Center of Excellence at (843) 676-8559 or scate@fdtc.edu.

Veterans Program

Veterans Tuition Assistance Program

FDTC is approved for training under Title 38 of the U.S. Code for Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty Educational Assistance, Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill ® - Selected Reserve Educational Assistance, Chapter 31Veteran Readiness and Employment, Chapter 33 Post 9-11 GI Bill ®, Chapter 35, Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program.

Applying to FDTC - Applicants who are Veterans, service persons, reservists, and/or dependents must meet applicable admissions requirements as deemed necessary by the Admissions Office at FDTC.

Applying for VA Educational Assistance - The Regional Veterans Affairs Office, not FDTC, determines eligibility for VA educational assistance. If you have never used benefits, you must apply online at https://www.va.gov. This application normally takes 60-90 days to process. You will be sent a Certificate of Eligibility letter declaring your benefits. This document is required to use your benefits at FDTC.

Enrollment Certification - Certification of a class schedule, by the School Certifying Official, is necessary every semester in order for eligible Veterans, service persons, reservists, and/or dependents to receive educational assistance payments from the Regional Veterans Affairs Processing Office. Certification is not automatic. The student is responsible for providing a copy of their schedule to the Veterans Services Office at FDTC every semester they decide to use VA educational benefits. This can be done in person, via email or via fax. Generally, the VA will not allow payment for courses not required for graduation in a student’s curriculum.

Class Schedules - The Veteran assumes full responsibility when registering for classes which he or she may have previously taken. All students receiving VA educational assistance payments are responsible for immediately notifying the School Certifying Official of any changes in their curriculum and/or their credit hour load during a semester. The student will be responsible for reimbursing the VA Regional Processing Office if an overpayment situation occurs.

Contact the VA - Call 1-888-442-4551 and press 0, between 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Central Time, Monday-Friday for any questions concerning VA educational benefits; or email a question and get an answer in 4-5 working days: https://ask.va.gov Additional information may be found at the VA website: http://www.gibill.va.gov.

Contact Veterans Services at FDTC - If you have any questions, please email them to VeteranServices@fdtc.edu, call (843) 661-8144, fax (843) 413-2744, or visit www.fdtc.edu/veterans.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to;
• Require student secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent) or for Chapter 31, provide the authorized purchase order issued to the school by the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

NOTE: Chapter 33 students can register at the VA Regional Office to use E-Benefits to get the equivalent of a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility. For Chapter 31 students, an authorized purchase order can be obtained by the school from the Tungsten Network System. The authorized purchase order is proof of student eligibility.

• Provide written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.