Financial Aid FAQs
Q: Should I apply for Student Financial Aid?
A:Yes. FDTC encourages all students to apply for financial aid. Financial aid is designed to assist one in meeting the costs of attending college through means such as grants, college work-study program, scholarships, or lottery funds.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Almost ALL forms of financial aid require you to complete the FAFSA form. Complete the FAFSA application at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Q: How is Financial Aid applied?
A: Pell Grant is awarded for the fall and spring semesters. The Pell award is based on full time enrollment. If you do not enroll for full time status, your Pell grant will be adjusted accordingly. If you do not attend full time fall and/or spring semester, your remaining Pell amount will be moved to the summer semester. If you do attend full time both fall and spring semesters, you will need to save some of your funds from your refund check to apply toward your summer costs. Life scholarship and SCNBG are awarded for fall and spring semesters. Loans may be applied to one or all semesters (fall, spring, summer).
Q: Will I be notified about my status?
A: Yes. The Financial Aid Center will send a letter indicating any documents needed to complete a Financial Aid file. Once a file is complete, a letter indicating the types of aid awarded will be sent.
Q: Can I check my status online?
A: Yes. If enrolled at FDTC, you can logon to WebAdvisor to check your Financial Aid status, award amount, etc.
Q: If I’m no longer working or my situation has changed, can any adjustments be made to my income reported?
A: Yes. Complete the Request for Judgement form and provide requested documentation to the Financial Center. A Financial Aid counselor will review the documentation provided and make adjustments to previously reported data. If all requirements are met, a correction will be sent to the Department of Education. A revised award letter will be sent if the award is adjusted.
Q: If I am classified as a dependent student by FAFSA guidelines, but I consider myself to be an independent, can I apply for Financial Aid as an independent student?
A: Yes. Come to the Financial Aid Center to complete the Request to Evaluate Dependency Status form and provide all requested documentation. A Financial Aid Officer will review the documentation provided. A letter of response will be sent.
Q: How do I register if I’m receiving Financial Aid?
A: If financial aid is awarded prior to the advisement/registration period, one may register for classes by using Web Advisor or meeting with an advisor. You do NOT need to go to the Business Office unless you owe a balance. A balance may be due, if the Financial Aid award does not cover the full tuition and/or fees. If one is unsure if a balance exists, check with the Business Office. If a balance is due and remains unpaid after the payment deadline, ALL classes will be purged from the system. It is the student’s responsibility to pay any unpaid balance owed to the College.
Q: How do I get my books if I am receiving Financial Aid?
A: After classes are in the system, one may go to the FDTC bookstore (with College ID) on the designated dates for book charges. The balance of Financial Aid after tuition will be available in the bookstore. Vouchers are not needed from the Business Office
Q: If my classes are purged, can I register at a later date?
A: Yes. If classes are purged for non-payment, one can re-register with a late fee charge. Registration is through the first three days of class. Classes cannot be added after the third day of class.
Q: When is the drop/add period?
A: Classes may be added through the third day of class each semester. Classes may be dropped through the fifth day of class. If you drop a class after the fifth day, you will receive a “W” grade for a withdrawal.
Q: What should I do if I have to withdraw from my classes?
A: First, complete the necessary withdrawal forms provided in the Registrar’s office. Second, inquire with the Financial Aid office about the effects a withdrawal would have on Financial Aid status. Please review the Return of Title IV Funds Policy. Under this policy, one could owe the College money due to a withdrawal. One should make every effort to complete 60% of the semester before withdrawing all classes.
Q: What should I know about Financial Aid?
A:
- Avoid lines. Students wishing to apply for financial aid should do so early and meet all priority deadlines.
- Financial Aid awarded is to be used solely for legitimate educational purposes.
- A student’s financial need is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution from the total cost of attending FDTC. The Financial Aid awarded should not exceed the student’s college cost budget.
- The primary purpose of financial aid is to provide assistance to students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college.
- Students must renew their financial aid each year.
- Students who withdraw during a semester must be aware of the Total Withdrawal Policy and Satisfactory Progress Standards. Student Financial Aid eligibility will be affected by withdrawing from classes and changing curriculums.
- Students receiving financial assistance through any type of Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs, must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree, diploma, or certificate. Students enrolled in the GED program are ineligible for financial aid.
- The Financial Aid office reserves the right to review and cancel a Financial Aid award at any time because of changes in a student’s financial or academic status.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for student financial aid?
A: Students must be accepted for admission to the College before any action can be taken on their application for Federal financial assistance, including scholarships, student employment, grants or loans. A student must meet the following eligibility requirements to receive federal assistance:
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program<
- Have a high school diploma or GED or meet the minimum requirement under the ability-to-benefit regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Not be a member of a religious community that directs the program of study or provides maintenance (except for unsubsidized Stafford loans)
- Be registered with the Selective Service (males only)
- Not be in default on a Title IV student loan borrowed for attendance at any institution
- Not have borrowed in excess of Title IV loan limits
- Not owe a repayment on a Title IV grant or scholarship received for attendance at any institution
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Not be enrolled concurrently in an elementary or secondary school
- Provide a valid social security number
Q: Does FDTC have a tuition payment plan?
A: Yes. See more on Tuition Payment Plan.