Financial Aid -- How It Works

Complete the FAFSA after January 1 each year.
Apply online or by mail. Applications are available in the FDTC Financial Aid or Admissions Offices and at local high schools.
To apply online, one must apply for a PIN needed to sign the FA application. The parent of a dependent student must apply for a PIN also.
For priority consideration of funds, complete the FAFSA by April 1 each year.
Since tax figures are required, complete the FAFSA after completion of taxes forms.
Allow 6-8 weeks for processing of Financial Aid forms.
A Student Aid Report will be sent as follows:
- by mail, if application was made by mail.
- by email, if application was made online.
If a Student Aid Report is not received within 4 weeks,
- mail applicants can call 1-800-433-3243.
- online applicants can check status online.
Review Student Aid Report and check for any needed corrections.
Make corrections to a Student Aid Report as follows:
- mail applicants submit corrections via mail. This form MUST be signed and returned to the address indicated on the form. For help and to ensure corrections are processed as quickly as possible, have the FA staff review all data before submission of corrections.
- online applicants submit corrections via Web. Sign form with your PIN.
Read all comments on your Student Aid Report. If selected for verification, it will be stated on this report. Verification is a process in which you need to complete the appropriate verification form (dependent or independent) and provide prior year federal tax returns, W2 forms, Social Security Statement, etc. to the Financial Aid office. Print and complete the appropriate form and bring all documents to the FA Office.
Missing Information Letters will be mailed from the FA Center. Specific documents will be listed.
After submission of verification form, tax returns, etc., all data will be verified. If discrepancies are found, the FA office will make the necessary corrections and re-submit the form. Allow approximately 2-3 weeks for this process.
To request a copy of a federal tax return, call 1-800-829-1040 or submit a request online. Allow 2 weeks for delivery.
Award letters are sent after the FA file is complete. An FA file is complete after verification and all corrections have been made.
The Pell grant award is based on full-time enrollment. If enrolled part-time, the award is reduced according to the number of hours enrolled.
If awarded a Life Scholarship or a SC Need Based Grant, one will receive an award letter. To accept these awards, you must complete the appropriate certification form. Sign and return this form to the FA Center in order to release funds.
If eligible for Lottery funds, register for classes in order to receive funds. The amount received is based upon the credit hours enrolled.
If additional funds are needed after application for financial aid, apply for a student loan. See the Student Loan Counselor in the FA Center.
Register for your classes during the designated dates set by the College. If you need to meet with your advisor, contact him/her directly.
If awarded sufficient Financial Aid to cover your tuition and fees, one does not have to go to the Business Office for payment. If unsure award covered your tuition and fee charges, please contact the Business Office. If one owes additional funds and does not pay by the deadline date for the semester, classes will be purged.
Dates will be set to allow book charges toward your financial aid award. If funds remain after tuition and fees have been deducted, go to the Bookstore with College ID and class schedule.
A student who applies in time and is eligible will have his/her tuition, fees, books and supplies deducted from the awarded Financial Aid (excluding FWS funds). Remaining funds will be disbursed by the Business Office. A date is set each semester and checks are mailed to the home address.
In the event that one's second eight-week class is cancelled, be sure to enroll in another course to replace the one dropped. Financial Aid will be disbursed based on the total number of credit hours for the semester. If a schedule consists of only second eight-week classes, FA checks will not be released until that session begins and the student has attended classes.
If one drops any class during the semester, he/she should inquire in the Financial Aid Center as to how this will affect his/her financial aid status to help prevent repayment of funds back to the College or the Department of Education.
If one totally withdraws from all classes for the semester before the 60% date, funds are owed back to the College and/or the Department of Education. Contact a Financial Aid counselor before withdrawing from all classes.
To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress each semester, one must complete 70% of hours attempted and earn a 2.00 cumulative GPA. The cumulative maximum time frame that a student may receive financial assistance is 150% of the published program length in the College catalog.
If Satisfactory Academic Progress is not made, the Financial Aid office will send a letter indicating status. For the first semester of academic probation, the following semester is used to make Satisfactory Academic Progress. If completion of 70% of hours attempted with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 during your probation semester is not achieved, financial aid will be suspended.
If approved, receive financial aid during your next semester by submitting an appeal. This will be the last semester of financial aid if Satisfactory Academic Progress is not made.
A suspended student must pay his/her own way until Satisfactory Academic Progress is made.
Contact the Financial Aid Center with any financial assistance questions.