How and When Do I Apply?
To determine whether or not you are eligible for a federal financial aid program, S.C. Need Based Grant or Lottery Tuition Assistance, you and your family must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA must be completed once per year between January and May for the following school year. The school year consists of the fall semester (begins in August), the spring semester (begins in January) and the following summer semester (begins in May).
Apply using FAFSA on the Web at
www.fafsa.gov. You and your parent (if you are dependent) should apply for a PIN at
www.pin.ed.gov prior to starting FAFSA on the Web so that you can sign electronically. After obtaining a PIN, you and your parent can use it every year. SCC's Title IV school code is 003994.
Students and parents who have submitted their IRS tax return will be able to select the IRS Data Retrieval Option to transfer tax information to the FAFSA. We strongly encourage you to select this option when you complete your FAFSA online. This option will streamline and expedite the processing of your financial aid application.
The process generally takes between four to six weeks. You do not have to wait for your financial aid award before continuing with your admission, advisement and registration processes. However, to be awarded financial aid you must be accepted for admission to the College. Be admitted to the College and complete your financial aid file before the May 1 priority deadline to be considered for all financial aid funds available.
How Does the Process Work?
1. Once the FAFSA is submitted, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor. Review the information on the SAR to verify that it is correct. Do not bring this form in unless there is a problem - keep it for your records. About the same time, the SCC financial aid office will receive your application information electronically.
2. If additional information is needed to complete your file, you will receive an email to your SCC email account (generally within one week following receipt of your SAR). Items needed can be viewed through the SCC Portal in WebAdvisor under Financial Aid then My Documents. Submit the requested information as soon as possible and make sure all documents are signed.
3. After receipt of all requested information, we may submit necessary corrections to the federal processor. This step may add an additional one to two weeks to the process.
4. Once your file is complete, you will receive an email to your SCC email account. You can view or print your financial aid award letter and all the financial aid award letter inserts through the SCC Portal in WebAdvisor under Financial Aid. Read everything thoroughly.
5. If you apply in time and are eligible, you can use financial aid award(s) (excluding Federal Work Study, FWS) to pay tuition and fees and to make purchases in the Book Inn. A student may request to "opt out" and use an allowance to purchase books and supplies elsewhere by submitting to the SCC Business Office a
Request to Opt Out form by the first day of class for each semester you wish to use an allowance.
Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) cannot be used for books and supplies. Funds available after tuition, fees, books and supply expenses have been paid will be disbursed by the business office. Dates will be printed in the
SCC Student Planner & Handbook and in the SCC Enrollment & Registration Guide.
6. If you do not apply in time, you will be expected to pay for tuition, fees, books and supplies and be reimbursed for financial aid awards in the amount for which you are eligible.
Communication with Students
The majority of communications from the financial aid office will be sent to your SCC email account. You must review your email and announcements regularly through the SCC Portal to ensure you have the latest information about your financial aid status.
Helpful Hints
- Be accepted for admission to SCC by the SCC admissions center.
- Request from your high school that an official high school transcript be sent to the SCC admissions center.
- File all applicable federal and state tax forms as soon as possible after January 1.
- Complete the FAFSA and use the IRS Data Retrieval Option.
- Sign all forms where a signature is requested.
- Keep copies of all financial aid documents.
- Respond quickly to all requests for information.
- Record any contact made with the office.
- Clearly print the student's name and social security number or SCC ID number on all information.
- Remember to reapply for financial aid each year between January and May.
- Remember to check your SCC email account and announcements through the SCC Portal.