Lottery Tuition Assistance
Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) is available for eligible full-time students (12 or more credit hours) and eligible part-time students. The5 maximum award for the 2010-11 academic year (fall, spring, and summer terms) is $936 for eligible full-time students and $78 per credit hour for eligible part-time students. If you have not already submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will need to do so before your college's financial aid office can determine your eligibility for lottery-funded tuition assistance.
Click here to find more information from your college's website.
According to state law, federal grants and need-based grants will be applied against 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 can only apply lottery tuition assistance toward 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.
Please note that Lottery Tuition Assistance award amounts are subject to change each term based on the number of eligible recipients and available funding.
IMPORTANT: Students may use their LIFE Scholarship award at a technical college; however, they will not be eligible for lottery-funded tuition assistance.
Eligibility
To be eligible for LTA for technical college tuition, students must meet the following requirements:
1. ...Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You also may pick up an application in the Admissions or Financial Aid Office at any technical college. See How To Apply for complete details about the application process.*
* Applicants may request a waiver to the LTA eligibility requirement relating to the submission of the FAFSA for the following reasons: The applicant is a high school student enrolled in a dual enrollment program
- The applicant already has earned a bachelor’s degree and will provide a transcript or copy of his/her diploma
- The applicant is enrolled in a program that is not Title IV eligible
- A college official makes a professional judgement that a dependent student is not able to secure parent or guardian tax forms
2. ...qualify for in-state tuition rates, be a South Carolina resident for a minimum of one year, and be a US citizen or a permanent resident that meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen.
3. ...be admitted to one of the 16 System technical colleges in a certificate, diploma or associate degree program, and enroll in and maintain at least six credit hours each term.
4. ...make reasonable progress toward completion of the requirements of your curriculum certificate, diploma or associate degree program.
5. ...NOT be the recipient of a LIFE scholarship. Your LIFE scholarship will cover all technical college tuition costs.
How to Apply
Step 1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students also may pick up this application in the Admissions or Financial Aid Office at any of our 16 technical colleges.
Aside from the admissions and registration procedures at each technical college (which will vary from institution to institution), this is the only financial aid application students must complete in order to receive LTA.
Step 2. Apply to the Technical College of your choice.
Locate a college near you, and visit their website for instructions on how to apply to that particular institution.
More about the application process...
About 3-6 weeks after submitting your completed FAFSA to the Federal Processor, you should expect to receive by mail a Student Aid Report (SAR). The Financial Aid Office at the technical college to which you applied can then advise you about any necessary steps to complete the application process.
All additional forms and processes must be complete before your eligibility can be determined for any of the federal or state programs, including LTA.
You must complete the entire financial aid application process on or before the registration deadline at your local technical college (you should allow at least 6 weeks to complete the process, from the time you submit your FAFSA).
If you have not completed the financial aid application process by the registration deadline set by your local technical college, or if you have been determined not to be eligible for financial aid, you will need to pay your full tuition costs at the time of registration.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page for answers.
