Types of Aid

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Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant for individuals not holding a bachelor’s degree. This program is sponsored by the federal government. A student can only receive the Pell Grant for up to 12 full-time semesters. Students can track their remaining Pell Grant eligibility on NSLDS at www.nslds.ed.gov or on the Student Aid Report.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a need-based grant for individuals who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Priority is given to students with exceptional need who receive Pell Grants. FSEOG is a gift assistance that does not have to be repaid.

South Carolina Need-Based Grant (SCNBG)
The SCNBG is an award given to South Carolina’s neediest students who have not received a bachelor’s degree already, have at least a 2.0 GPA at the beginning of the academic year (fall, spring, summer), are enrolled for in at least 6 credit hours and are residents of South Carolina. The maximum award is $3,500 for a full-time student.

For continued eligibility for the next academic year, students enrolled full-time during the fall and spring semesters must earn a minimum of 24 credit hours during the academic year. Students enrolled part-time during the fall and spring semesters must earn a minimum of 12 credit hours during the academic year. Students enrolled in a combination of full-time and part-time during the fall and spring semesters must earn a minimum of 18 credit hours during the academic year.

Students must also meet the financial aid office's satisfactory academic progress policy and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), their financial aid file and earn the required credit hours each year while SCNBG funds are still available.

Youth in the custody of the Department of Social Services (DSS) are entitled to the maximum Need-based Grant of $3,500 if the student self-identifies by May 1st. Students who have aged out of the DSS system and are living independently may qualify. In addition, youth are eligible for additional funding of up to $2,000 above the $3,500 maximum.
To be eligible to receive the maximum award and additional funding, foster youth must self-identify their foster care status to either the Financial Aid Office, the Commission on Higher Education, or the Department of Social Services and must complete a Foster Care Waiver Form. The form must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office, the Commission on Higher Education, and to the Department of Social Services. The form can be downloaded from the Commission on Higher Education’s website at www.che.sc.gov. 

Federal College Work-Study
Federal College Work-Study is an earnings program for college students. The amount of the award is the amount the student is permitted while enrolled at the College. Part-time job
opportunities on campus are provided to eligible students. The pay rate is usually the minimum wage. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours and may work no more than 20 hours per week. Apply for Work-Study online at www.octech.edu under financial aid. 

Loans

Federal Direct Loan
The Federal Direct Student Loan is a low, interest loan made to students by the U.S. Department of Education. All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine eligibility for the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. Once the FAFSA has been processed, students who are attending OCtech on at least a half-time basis (6 credit hours per semester) would complete a Financial Aid Loan Request Form, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Loan Counseling session.

After a student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment status, there is a six-month grace period before repayment begins. Upon graduation or ceasing to be enrolled at least half-time, the student must complete an Exit Loan Counseling session at www.studentaid.gov.

Deadlines for applying for student loans:

  • November 15 Fall term
  • April 15 Spring term
  • July 15 Summer term

SCHOLARSHIPS

LIFE Scholarship
The Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is funded by the State of South Carolina and awards (up to $2500) for students who meet the following criteria and attend the College on a full-time (12 credit hours of non-developmental coursework):

  1. Must be a resident of South Carolina.
  2. Must possess a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the Uniform Grading 4.0 scale at the time of high school graduation for entering freshmen.
  3. Must have no felony, alcohol or drug convictions.
  4. Must owe no refund or be in default on State or Federal Aid.
  5. Must be a full-time student in an approved curriculum of study.
  6. Must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and 30 earned credits at the end of the first academic year
  7. Must be a graduate of a South Carolina high school or be a dependent of a SC resident at the time of high school graduation.

Students who are enrolled in a one-year program of study may only receive LIFE Scholarship for two semesters.  Students who are enrolled in a two-year program of study may only receive the scholarship for four consecutive semesters or six semesters towards an approved associate’s degree program that requires a minimum of 68 credit hours.  This time-frame begins at the initial term of enrollment in any college after high school graduation. 

Students may use their LIFE Scholarship award at a technical college, but they will not be eligible for Lottery Tuition Assistance or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship in the same academic year.  For additional information, contact OCtech’s Admissions or Financial Aid Office.

 

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is funded by the State of South Carolina and is a merit-based program recognizing the most academically talented high school seniors.  Palmetto Fellows may receive up to $6,700 their freshman year and up to $7,500 for their sophomore, junior and senior years. Half of the scholarship is awarded in the fall term and half in the spring term.  Student’s time-frame begins at the initial term of enrollment in any college after high school graduation.

It is the sole responsibility of the high schools, home schools, home school associations, and district superintendents to contact CHE regarding the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship program including the application process.  High school officials will identify students who meet the specified eligibility criteria by each established deadline.

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education determines initial eligibility. 

Students who meet the following criteria and attend the College on a full-time (12 credit hours of non-developmental coursework):

  1.  Must be a resident of South Carolina.
  2. Must possess a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the Uniform Grading 4.0 scale at the time of high school graduation for entering freshmen.
  3.  Must have no felony, alcohol or drug convictions.
  4. Must owe no refund or be in default on State or Federal Aid.
  5. Must be a full-time student in an approved curriculum of study.
  6. Must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and 30 earned credits at the end of the first academic year.
  7.  Must be a graduate of a South Carolina high school or be a dependent of a SC resident at the time of high school graduation.

Students may use their Palmetto Fellows Scholarship award at a technical college, but they will not be eligible for lottery-funded tuition assistance or LIFE Scholarship in the same academic year.

South Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship
South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance is funded by the State of South Carolina and is available to students attending OCtech as long as they meet all eligibility requirements. Students who desire to apply for lottery tuition assistance benefits must apply for all federal and state grants first by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must also be accepted in a certificate, diploma, or degree program; must be registered for at least six (6) credit hours; and must be legal residents of the state of South Carolina.

According to state law, federal grants and need-based grants will be applied towards technical college tuition before lottery-funded tuition assistance will be applied. For example, if a student receives $400 in federal grants and $200 in need-based grants, $600 will be applied against the student’s tuition before lottery-funded tuition assistance will be applied. The law also states that students may only apply lottery tuition assistance towards one certificate, diploma or associate degree program every five years, unless the additional certificate, diploma or associate degree is necessary for progress in a field of study, and constitutes progress in the same field. IMPORTANT: Students receiving the LIFE Scholarship are not eligible for lottery-funded tuition assistance during the same academic year.

The amount students can use toward tuition and fee charges is based on the amount of tuition charges remaining on the account after grants, scholarships or waivers have been transmitted to their account. If a student receives the LIFE Scholarship or a tuition waiver, he or she will not receive the LTA award. Lottery Tuition Assistance cannot be used for books or supplies or be disbursed to the student by check.

After attempting twenty-four (24) credit hours, students must earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of each academic year (fall, spring, summer).

South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship (SCWINS)
South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship (SCWINS) is a statewide technical college scholarship designed to address workforce shortages in South Carolina. Students who desire to apply for SCWINS must apply for all federal and state grants first by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Also, students must be enrolled in a critical workforce program that lead to an industry recognized certificate, diploma or degree and must be legal residents of South Carolina.

Recipients may receive up to $5,000 per academic year for no more than three years of instruction and must maintain a 2.0 grade point average. The SCWINS scholarship covers any tuition, fees and required course related material after applying all other federal and state scholarships and grants.