FAQ

Financial Aid - Frequently Asked Questions

I’m over eighteen years of age but not yet twenty-four and live on my own. Why do I have to report my parents' information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid?

Until you reach the age of 24, get married, have children for whom you provide more than half of the support, earn your bachelors degree, become active duty military or veteran of the military, or become an orphan/ward of the court, the Department of Education requires that parental information be provided. Only in unusual circumstances can the Financial Aid Office override this requirement. Examples of unusual circumstances would include (a) both parents are deceased, (b) the student is legally separated from his/her parents, (c) the student is removed from the home by state agencies or courts due to physical and/or emotional abuse or (d) total family disillusionment exists which makes it impossible to obtain the parent’s financial information.

What types of financial aid are offered through the Financial Aid Office and how do I apply?

Most financial aid programs offered through the ATC Financial Aid Office are free programs and do not have to be repaid as long as you meet the program requirements. ATC offers the following programs:

Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Work Study Program
South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (SC-LTAP)
South Carolina Need Based Grant (SCNB)
South Carolina Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE)
Town and Country Loan - Cost $10
ATC Foundation Scholarships

What other types of aid are available at ATC and who do I contact to apply?

Aiken Technical Scholars Program…..Tracy Pierner
Single Parent Assistance Program…..Evelyn Pride
Veterans Education Benefits…..Deborah Key
Men's Basketball Scholarships…..Coach Bruce Capers
Women's Fast Pitch Scholarships…..Coach Mitch Smith
Student Government Association Scholarships…..Coach Bruce Capers

What happens to my aid if I withdraw from all of my classes?

Again, it is important to remember each time that you withdraw from a class it will affect your Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) Completion Rate. Federal regulations require that your Cumulative Completion Rate be at least 67%. Grades of W, WF, NC, U, or F count against your completion rate.

If you have federal Title IV aid (PELL, SEOG) and withdraw from ALL of your classes before the 9th week of class (60% of term), you will not have earned all of your aid and may find that you must repay unearned program funds. Unlike a partial withdrawal, you will only earn a percentage of your award based on the number of days that you attend class. For example, if you receive $2,000 in federal aid and you withdraw from all of your classes after attending only 50% of the semester, your aid will be recalculated and be adjusted to $1,000; however, your tuition will remain the same.

If you have state aid (SCNB, SC LIFE, SC-LTAP) and withdraw from all of your classes before the college 0% refund period, you will lose all of these funds for the semester. You will be held responsible for returning these unearned funds. However, if you attend these classes past the 0% college refund period, you will have earned 100% of these programs.

When will refund checks be sent out?

Students who do not use all of their financial aid will receive a residual check roughly four weeks after the first day of the start of the semester. If you do not receive your check, you may want to look on Web Advisor to see if you have any “restrictions” placed on your account.

What happens to my aid if I withdraw from one or more of my classes, but not all of my classes?

It is important to remember each time that you withdraw from a class it will affect your Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) Completion Rate. Federal regulations require that your Cumulative Completion Rate be at least 67%. Grades of W, WF, NC, U, or F count against your completion rate.

If you have federal Title IV aid (PELL, SEOG) and you remain enrolled in at least one credit hour class, your aid will not be reduced from your original enrollment award. For example, if you registered for 12 credit hours and you withdrew from 6 credit hours, you will still be paid based on 12 credit hours.

If you have state aid (SCNB, SC LIFE, SC-LTAP) you must remain enrolled through the institution’s 0% refund period to earn these programs. If you reduce your course load, you may be required to repay unearned program funds. For example, if you receive the SC-LTAP based on 12 credit hours and you withdraw from 6 credit hours before the 0% refund period, you will be paid based only on 6 credit hours.

How do I check the status of my financial aid?

You can check the status of your financial aid by logging into Web Advisor. You can check to see: if you have any outstanding documents; if you have been awarded; and if your aid has been posted to your student account. You can even print a copy of your award letter.

When do I need to apply for financial aid?

To receive an optimum financial aid package, we recommend applying for financial aid by May 1 of each year. However, our deadlines are as follows:

June 1 — for the following Fall semester
October 1 — for the following Spring semester
February 15 — for the following Summer semester

Applications submitted after the established deadline dates will continue to be processed but will not be guaranteed to be ready for payment purposes at registration. You should prepare to pay for your cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies. Once you are determined eligible for aid, you will be reimbursed after mid-term of the semester.

What types of documentation will I need to complete the financial aid application?

1. DOCUMENTATION OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME: Student’s/Spouse’s prior year federal tax returns and W-2 forms including schedule “C”; (if under the age of 24) Parent’s prior year federal tax returns and W-2 forms including schedule “C”; Support or any other type of income.

2. DOCUMENTATION OF ASSETS: documents reflecting the balance/value of savings and checking accounts, CD’s, stocks/bonds, money markets, business or farm, rental property, real estate (other than home in which one resides) etc.

What is your Title IV school code?

010056