Types of Financial Aid - Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

OCtech administers various types of financial aid to students who demonstrate financial need or merit. The types of financial aid available include scholarships, grants, lottery, loans, WorkStudy programs and veteran benefits. Typically, a student must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours or more to be eligible for most financial aid, although limited funds may be available for students who enroll in less than 6 credit hours. Any student who needs financial assistance must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. Application forms should be submitted online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Financial aid awards are made without regard to race, color, sex, handicap or national/ethnic origin. Awards are disbursed each semester, and are determined on the last day of add/drop and based on class attendance. If a student does not attend all of their classes, the award will be recalculated and based on verified enrollment status. Students in default on a student loan or repayment of a grant may not be awarded financial aid, except under certain circumstances.

Scholarships

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College offers a variety of scholarships for current and prospective students. Available scholarships range from general to program specific and can help reduce to the cost of pursuing your education at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

Life Scholarship

LIFE Scholarship recipients must be South Carolina residents who graduated from a S.C. high school, have a 3.0 high school GPA and enroll in at least 12 credit hours in non-developmental courses. Students may receive a LIFE Scholarship for a maximum of two terms for a one-year educational program, four terms for an associate’s degree program or at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit towards a bachelor’s degree, or six terms towards an approved associate’s degree program that requires a minimum of 68 credit hours. Semesters of eligibility begin with the first term of college enrollment, whether or not the student was LIFE Scholarship-eligible as a high school graduate. To continue eligibility as a LIFE Scholarship recipient, students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative college GPA and earn at least 30 credit hours per academic year.

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

Lottery Tuition Assistance

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.

Eligible students may receive up to $80 per credit hour for a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. If you have not already submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will need to do so before the college’s Financial Aid Office can determine your eligibility for lottery-funded tuition assistance. Lottery Tuition Assistance award amounts are subject to change each term based on the number of eligible recipients and available funding. The amount students can use toward tuition 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. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship or a tuition waiver, he or she will not receive the Lottery Tuition Assistance 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). The students can only apply Lottery Tuition Assistance toward one certificate, diploma or associate degree program every 5 years, unless the additional certificate, diploma or associate degree is necessary for progress in a field of study.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

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 time-frame begins at the initial term of enrollment in any college after high school graduation. To continue eligibility as a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipient, students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative college GPA and earn at least 30 credit hours per academic year.

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. You may view guidelines for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program at www.che.sc.gov.

IMPORTANT: 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.

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Foundation Scholarships

Specific guidelines for OCtech Foundation Scholarships are available in the Financial Aid Office.

These scholarships are awarded according to funding available for the current year.
All scholarships are subject to prior funding before awards are made.
Scholarships are awarded yearly through the OCtech Foundation.
Application deadlines will be posted on D2L under the “Announcements” section.
In addition to the FAFSA, you’ll need to fill out the OCtech Foundation Scholarship Application.

To see the full list of Foundation Scholarships available to lean how to apply visit:

The Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Foundation

SC WINS

South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship (SCWINS) is a statewide technical college scholarship designed to address workforce shortages in South Carolina.

Eligibility

Curriculum students who have graduated high school and are majoring in a critical workforce area as defined by the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, and Dual Enrolled high school students.

Eligible expenditures include tuition and associated fees for credit and non-credit training programs. SC WINS is awarded last after all other grant/scholarship aid. The maximum award amounts vary by semester depending on availability of funds.

Qualifying students will be required to complete the SC Workforce Affidavit. They must be a South Carolina resident, enrolled in an eligible program, have a minimum 2.0 GPA and meet one of the following criteria:

Be employed,
Take a financial literacy course offered at the technical college, or
Complete 100 hours of voluntary time contributing to a nonprofit or public service organization.

Completion of the affidavit is required one time for the duration of receipt of the scholarship.

Continuing Eligibility

Students can receive the SC WINS for only one certificate, diploma, or degree unless the additional certificate, diploma, or degree constitutes progress in the same field of study.

Returning students must have earned a 2.0 GPA prior to entering the academic year.

Students do not have to apply for the South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship. For students enrolled in a qualified program, the scholarship will automatically be applied after applying all other scholarships or grants up to $5,000 annually per student.

Students can receive SCWINS for a total of nine (9) terms for an associate degree and six (6) terms for a certificate or a diploma. The terms a student received SCWINS while in a high school dual enrollment program will also be counted towards the term limit.

Critical Workforce Areas: SC WINS Eligible Programs 2023

Grants

Students with financial need may be awarded grants based on individual grant eligibility. The federal government and the state of South Carolina offer grants that do not have to be repaid. Grant aid can be used for educational expenses including tuition and fees, books and supplies, and cost of living while enrolled at OCtech.

If you have not already submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will need to do so before the college’s Financial Aid Office can determine your eligibility for any grants.

Pell Grants

This program is sponsored by the federal government. Pell Grants are awarded to students who do not have a bachelor’s degree. They do not have to be repaid. Students must have a high school diploma or GED and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must demonstrate financial need by completing a FAFSA for the appropriate academic year. Eligibility for the Pell Grant is determined by the cost of attendance, expected family contribution and enrollment status. 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.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants is a need-based grant for individuals who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. SEOG are awarded to students with financial need and who meet Pell Grant eligibility. Students must demonstrate financial need by completing a FAFSA for the appropriate academic year. The amount of the SEOG award is determined by the college, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as the college has limited funds each year. SEOG is a gift assistance

South Carolina Need Based Grant (SCNBG)

South Carolina Need Based Grants are awarded to students with financial need and who meet Pell Grant eligibility. SCNBG is awarded to 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. Students must also meet the financial aid office’s satisfactory academic progress policy. Students must demonstrate financial need by completing a FAFSA for the appropriate academic year. The amount of the SCNBG award is determined by the college, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as the college has limited funds each year. Early completion of the FAFSA is necessary.

Workstudy

Work-study is a federal need based award granted to eligible students who would like to work part-time on campus while completing their degree program.

To learn more and to apply, visit our Workstudy Page.

Student Loans

Student loans, unlike grants and WorkStudy, are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest, just like car loans and home mortgages. Loans are legal obligations, so before you take out a student loan, think about the amount you’ll have to repay over the years.

Veterans Benefits

OCtech is approved for all college-related veterans’ educational programs. Any veteran, dependent of a deceased or totally disabled veteran, active duty service member, active reservist or national guardsman may be eligible to receive veterans’ educational benefits. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 803.535.1224 or your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within your military service for more information.

Senior Citizens

South Carolina residents who are 60 years of age or older may enroll in courses free of charge on a space-available basis during the published add/drop period of each term. Senior citizens must follow standard admissions procedures and meet all course prerequisite requirements.

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