Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) and SC WINS

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) and SC WINS may be available to S.C. residents who meet the required eligibility criteria. Students must submit a FAFSA each year in order to apply. Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree are not required to complete the FAFSA, but alternately must complete a FAFSA waiver. This form can be found on Pathway under the Financial Aid & Tuition tab. The LTA and SC WINS awards vary each year and is dependent upon funding sources. Students who receive either award are required to maintain academic standards required by law. Specific award criteria can be found at www.ptc.edu/types-aid.

LIFE Scholarship

The LIFE Scholarship is the state scholarship program for S.C. residents who have graduated from S.C. high schools with a 3.0 GPA and meet all LIFE eligibility requirements. Second-year students enrolled in an associate degree program can earn or retain the LIFE Scholarship by meeting all required criteria, including earning a cumulative LIFE GPA of at least a 3.0 and completing 30 non-remedial credit hours during the first year. Students in designated three year associate degree programs (68+ credit hours), can earn or retain the LIFE Scholarship by meeting all required criteria, including earning a cumulative LIFE GPA of at least a 3.0 and completing 60 non-remedial credit hours in their first two years.   The LIFE GPA includes the GPA for all college courses earned at any college attended, including dual enrollment. The Financial Aid Office will provide students with their LIFE GPA upon request. The Piedmont Technical College LIFE Certification Form will be used to determine LIFE Scholarship recipients. The LIFE program criteria and funding is dependent upon pending legislation. Please direct all questions regarding the LIFE program to the Financial Aid Office.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program established to recognize the most academically talented high school seniors and encourage these students to attend college in the State.  The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education administers the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program and determines initial eligibility for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. Students can apply for the state-awarded Palmetto Fellows Scholarship if they are a South Carolina high school student with exemplary academic credentials. Palmetto Fellows recipients are not eligible for the LIFE Scholarship.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarships are awarded to entering first-year students who scored at least 1200 on the SAT (25 on the ACT), earned a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Policy (SC UGP) at the end of the junior year, and rank in the top six percent of the class at the end of either the sophomore or the junior year OR scored at least 1400 on the SAT (31 on the ACT) and earned a minimum of 4.0 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the junior year. Palmetto Fellows is disbursed to those students who enroll in a minimum of 12 non-remedial credit hours per semester and are seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate that meets the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IV regulations.

To remain eligible for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, rising second year students must successfully complete 30 non-remedial credit hours during their first year. The student must also maintain a cumulative collegiate GPA of 3.0 to remain eligible for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. This GPA includes all grades earned at Piedmont Technical College and all applicable college level coursework from all other institutions both in- and out-of-state. Students may take classes in the summer to meet renewal criteria.

For more information regarding eligibility, visit the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website https://www.che.sc.gov/.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program offered to undergraduates and is designed to assist students from low-income households. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Eligibility is determined by the completion of the FAFSA.  Current award ranges can be found on the PTC Financial Aid Website.

Community Scholarships

Several communities in Piedmont Technical College’s service area offer place-based “Promise” and/or community scholarships to students in their areas meeting specific criteria. For more information visit: www.ptc.edu/promise-and-community-scholarships.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded to students with exceptional financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Grants can range from $100 to $4000 per academic year. Students must meet Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Federal Work-Study Program

Under the Federal Work-Study Program, students work for $11-$12 per hour in a variety of jobs. The number of hours worked can vary from five to 20 hours per week. The America Reads Tutoring Program is available through the Work-Study Program. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.

S.C. Needs-Based Grant

This is a state grant provided to assist South Carolina resident students in meeting college costs. This grant ranges from $100 to $3,500 per year. Students should complete their FAFSA by the priority deadline in order to apply. S.C. Needs Based/Federal Certification form will be required.

General Scholarships

Many scholarships are available to current students who have completed 12 credit hours in their majors with an acceptable GPA (Grade Point Average). Most scholarships are based on academic achievement and financial need.

A few scholarships are also available to high school seniors. Information regarding these scholarships, as well as the application deadline, is provided to every high school guidance counselor in Piedmont Technical College’s seven-county region. For more information, visit www.ptc.edu/scholarships.

Federal Direct loans

The Direct Loan program is provided and administered by the federal government, U.S. Department of Education. These loans must be repaid. Student loan borrowing cannot exceed the cost of attendance, nor may you borrow over the annual and lifetime amounts set for the Direct Loan. The Department of Education assesses an origination fee on each loan upon disbursement. The type of loan you are offered is based upon the results of the FAFSA.

Alternative (private) loans

Alternative (private) loans are administered and processed by private lending institutions to be used for educational costs. Alternative loans are not part of the Federal Direct Loan programs, and should be used for circumstances where you have exhausted all other options in regards to financing your education. For more information on alternative (private) loans, go to
www.ptc.edu/fininfo.

VA Education Benefits

Piedmont Technical College is approved for many college-related veteran’s educational programs for veterans, disabled veterans, dependents of deceased or totally disabled veterans, as well as active duty, active reservists and national guardsmen. Contact the Veterans Services Coordinator for further information on these programs.

Students receiving VA Education Benefits should meet with the Veterans Services office to submit paperwork to activate these benefits. A VA Certification Request Form must be submitted through Pathway each semester once the student has completed registration in order for courses to be certified to the VA. Only courses required for the student’s current program of study may be certified. Veteran students must submit an official Joint Services Transcript or CCAF transcript. All students using VA Education Benefits must submit an official transcript for each postsecondary school attended, including schools attended prior to military service, by the end of their second semester to continue receiving VA Education Benefits.

For more information of VA Education Benefits, visit the “Military & Veterans” page on our website. https://www.ptc.edu/military-veterans

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Piedmont Technical College adopts the following provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation  & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Piedmont Technical College will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny the student 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.

To quality for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
• Provide a written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Educational Tax Credits

Students (or parents of dependent students) may be able to obtain federal tax credits (including the American Opportunity Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit) for enrollment fees if the student:

• Is enrolled in at least six (6) units during any semester or summer session
• Meets the other conditions prescribed by federal law

 More information regarding these tax credits can be found at https://www.irs.gov/.

In addition to these federal tax credits, a South Carolina tax credit is available. More information on the state tax credit can be found at www.sctax.org.

The IRS Form 1098-T will be mailed and available on Pathway by January 31 of each year.