Why a blog? Because at Greenville Technical College we have embraced education. We feel that by educating you, our students, about financial aid, we can play an active role in your future. This blog is intended to be a source of information and guidance. We will devote our time to communicating with you about all of your financial aid related questions. We want you to ask questions! In order to create an environment of good conversation, we ask that your comments and questions be respectful and appropriate. It is our goal to make the financial aid process less confusing and more rewarding, so…let the conversation begin!Friday, May 1, 2009
We Want To hear From You!
Why a blog? Because at Greenville Technical College we have embraced education. We feel that by educating you, our students, about financial aid, we can play an active role in your future. This blog is intended to be a source of information and guidance. We will devote our time to communicating with you about all of your financial aid related questions. We want you to ask questions! In order to create an environment of good conversation, we ask that your comments and questions be respectful and appropriate. It is our goal to make the financial aid process less confusing and more rewarding, so…let the conversation begin!
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When will we know about financial aid for the fall 09 and spring 10? I need to make plans. Thanks, Tracy Blackwell
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteIf you have already submitted a FAFSA for the 2009-2010 academic year which starts in August, we will begin processing award letters around the middle of May. As long as your financial aid file has been completed we will be able to analyze your financial need and evaluate which awards you are eligible for. Once you receive this award letter you may mail it back to our office and follow all of the directions within the packet we send you. Thank you for your question and please feel free to contact us with any further questions!
For the summer semester, how does financial aid play a role? I thought even so, that the lottery tuition would come to factor if not used?
ReplyDeleteRegarding Summer financial aid: Certain types of financial aid awards have maximums that cannot be exceeded within one academic year. This applies to the PELL Grant, FSEOG, and SCNBG. If you attend school full time in both the Fall and Spring semester you will have used your full allotment. Stafford loans are typically awarded over a Fall/Spring period, however you may wish to contact our office to see if you have additional Stafford loan funds remaining for the Summer, if you plan to enroll in at least 6 credit hours. Regarding the Lottery Tuition Assistance: this award is able to be used as long as the student is eligible (2.0 GPA, enrolled in 6 credit hours and in an eligible program) and their federal aid has not covered their tuition. Lottery funds will apply $75 per credit hour, after 6, up to $900 for a full time student. If you have specific questions regarding your account please contact us through the e-mail address provided.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
How does financial aid work if you have to reatake a class?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think this blog is a great idea. I just hope students will take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions instead of waiting until classes begin to go to the Financial Aid Office.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words. It is certainly our hope as well that this blog will be utilized by our students as a means of maximizing their financial aid experience.
ReplyDeleteI have applied for some classes for the summer and I have noticed that the lottery only paid for only one class when I'm signed up for 2 classes and the credit hours are 6. I want to know can the other part be applied to my Fall Financial Aid or Loan funds. If not what can I do?
ReplyDeleteI have signed up 6hrs crdit for the summer and I've noticed that the lottery only paid half of my tution.My question is can the other haild be applied to my fall financial aid or loan funds. If so what do I need to do on my part?
ReplyDeleteThe Lottery Tuition Assistance only pays $75 per credit hour. For most programs, this covers only about half of the tuition costs. In reference to paying a bill with financial aid from a future semester, this unfortunately is not possible. When we award financial aid we award within academic year barriers. The 2008/2009 academic year is over after the Summer of 2009 and then the new 2009/2010 academic year begins in Fall 2009. So we will not be able to transfer any financial aid awards between these two academic years. If you are in need of additional financial aid to help cover your tuition bill for the Summer 2009 semester, you are more than welcome to come into the office and a financial aid officer can review your specific account. Thank you for your questions!
ReplyDeleteFinancial Aid awards can cover classes that you have chosen to re-take. We award strictly off of enrolled credit hours. However, you must remain eligible under the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and have turned in all of your financial aid documentation. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhen should we receive our checks of remaining financial aid for Summer '09 Semester?
ReplyDeleteFinancial aid refund checks are mailed out on a continuing basis throughout the semester. Students who have been awarded financial aid that exceeds the cost of their tuition and books, are mailed refund checks. The majority of students who receive a refund check are actually receiving their remaining student loan funds. The first disbursement date for student loans for the summer 2009 semester is June 8th, 2009. If your loans have been processed by this date, we will receive the funds from your lender. Once we receive these funds we will transfer them to our business office where your refund will be created. The refund check process takes approximately two weeks once the business office receives the financial aid funds. So, if you are receiving a refund from a student loan you should receive your check towards the middle of June.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question!
I have tried to get scholarships, but have not received any. I tried to get a work/study this fall semester and was told my parents make too much money. I am in graphics design and spent over $3,000 on supplies and materials. My parents have about $23.oo in their savings account. Something is wrong!! I need financial help to continue. Travis
ReplyDeleteHi Travis,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, thank you for your comment. I imagine a lot of students can empathize with your situation. Without looking at your particular financial information I could not tell you exactly why you were not eligible for a work study however, I would like to give you some tips on other sources of financial aid.
We administer the South Carolina Need Based Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Both of these are awarded on a first come first serve basis. This means that there are definite benefits to applying early for financial aid. If you are not awarded one of these immediately, you can be placed on a waiting list.
Second, I would suggest looking into the Greenville Tech Foundation scholarships. Unfortunately the deadline was May 1st, however I would strongly urge you to apply for one of these scholarships for next year. You may also want to visit www.fastweb.com. Here you can search in their directory of literally millions of scholarships.
Last I would mention that if you are still unable to meet your financial obligations and have exhausted your grants and scholarships, you should have the option to take out a Federal Stafford loan. Once again, much better than having to place educational expenses on a credit card!
Let us know how else we can help!
I received a letter saying that I will be on academic probation next semester because I failed to maintain a GPA of 2.0 yet I received another email today saying my GPA is a2.5! Whats going on?
ReplyDeleteThanks for creating this blog! I think its a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI have already submitted my FAFSA for the the fall semester and am waiting to find out what financial aid I've received. My question is this: I need to buy a laptop for school and was wondering if financial aid could go toward something like that. If so, how would I need to go about that?
Thanks!
I need student housing; can any portion of my financial aid award be used for this purpose?
ReplyDeleteHow can I check and make sure that I am receiving a refund check? Also: How can I make sure that the lender I chose has received my promissory note? I did my master promissory note with Mrs. Medlin in the Financial Aid office.
ReplyDeleteHey just wanted to know I got very sick towards the first of the semester and I missed 2weeks of class and then some. My doctor told me I couldn't come back until I was better. I told my teachers what was going on and i was medical withdrawn for my classes. Why is that I now have to pay back money before I can sign up for fall classes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question. If your GPA is above a 2.0 then you are on probation due to the 2/3 course completion rate. If you fail to complete 2/3 of your classes (67%) then you will go on financial aid probation. Withdrawing from a class or not passing a class will both count against your course completion rate. If you would like specific guidance on your account, please contact us at financialaid@gvltec.edu
ReplyDeleteThank you for your time.
I will attempt to answer two question with one answer, as they seem to coincide: Can you use financial aid to pay for things like student housing and a laptop. The answer is yes. If you have been awarded financial aid awards on top of your tuition costs, textbook costs, and supplies costs, then you would be able to use the remaining financial aid awards for other education expenses (such as student housing and a laptop). If you have any questions as to how much of a refund you may have or how to get more financial aid, please contact the financial aid office at financialaid@gvltec.edu and we can take a look at your individual account.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question!
In reference to a refund check and a promissory note: You would need to contact the financial aid office to determine if you will have a refund. You also will be able to view the information on web advisor via campus cruiser once your financial aid has been finalized. You will need to contact your lender to verify that they have your promissory note on file. Your lender is the one who will certify that you have completed one. If you have not completed one successfully, that will prevent you from obtaining any student loan funds.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your questions!
In answer to your question about a medical withdraw: I would recommend coming in to the financial aid office and have an officer review your specific situation. Once we can view your individual account we will be able to advise you on any of your questions. You may contact us at financialaid@gvltec.edu
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question!
I have just become unemployed so I think it reasonable to assume that my income this year will be significantly lower than last year.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I have to do to get a professional judgment in hopes of qualifying for more financial aid?
I have just become unemployed, meaning that my income this year is likely to be significantly less than last year's was. What do I have to do to request a professional judgment in hopes of qualifying for more financial aid?
ReplyDeleteI have a learning disability and I struggle. I really want to get a degree. Is there any help for me financially. All I recieved last year was the lottery. we did not accept the loan I received no Federal aid. I am enrolled with the student disability at the school. is there any help for me??
ReplyDeleteHi Dr. Paint,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question. To qualify for a professional judgment, you would need to have worked at least 35 hours a week in 2008 but have not worked for at least 4 consecutive months in 2009. Once you have reached your 5th consecutive month of unemployment, we can proceed with the professional judgment. You would need to come in to our office and a financial aid officer can go over the required documentation with you and further explain the process.
Thank you again for your question!
Thank you for your question regarding financial aid for students with disabilities. We do award federal financial aid based on student's income. However, even if you may not qualify for the Pell grant based on your income you could still be eligible for other awards such as the South Carolina Need Based Grant or the SC LIFE scholarship or Academic Competitiveness Grant. There are also many scholarships devoted specifically to students with disabilities. If you would like to come in to the financial aid office we would be more than happy to assist you with finding additional sources of financial aid.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question!
Hi there. I am in my third semester at Greenville Tech. This morning while looking at my Web Advisor page under my awards, I noticed that I was approved for a FSEOG grant, along with my Pell Grant and my Student Loans. I have read and understand how it is determined that a student qualifies for this money, but I would like to know what is this money used for? Can it only be used for tuition and fees, as with the Pell Grant money, or is it supplemental, as with the Student Loan money, and therefore included with the student's disbursement refund each semester? Thanks for this blog! It does solve a much needed problem with the financial aid process!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. We are always looking for ways to improve our processes and feel that this blog is a good step in the right direction. In answer to your question, the FSEOG is a supplemental grant that can be used towards educational expenses that may be above and beyond your cost of tuition and books. So if your tuition and books have been covered, you may receive this award back in a refund check. If you would like an officer to take a look at your specific account please contact us at financialaid@gvltec.edu
Thank you for your question!
Good Morning to all,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if I was offered a certain amount of loan for the summer and only took half until now I have been hit with financial difficulty and I am now in need of the rest of loan so is it possibile that I can come bakc into the financial aid and apply for the rest of the loan.
Hi Lawana,
ReplyDeleteYou will be able to request an additional disbursement on your student loan. I would recommend to speak with an officer and we will be able to let you know exactly how much more you can borrow during the Summer 2009 semester.
Thank you for your question!
If I am receiving a Pell Grant, will I still receive lottery assistance?
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Pell and Lottery Tuition Assistance: If you are eligible for both awards you will be awarded the Pell grant first. If, and only if, the Pell grant does not cover your entire tuition, Lottery funds can be used to pay up to your tuition costs. Lottery funds cannot be used to purchase textbooks or supplies. If the Pell grant covers your entire tuition amount, then you will not receive any Lottery Tuition Assistance.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question!
How long does it generally take for the school to Certify Funds (Federal Parent Plus loan)? Once certified, will the award information be listed in Campus Cruiser, FA section of the website?
ReplyDeleteIn regards to certifying Parent PLUS loans: Once we receive the electronic request from your lender it should take 3-5 business days to certify your request. The award will then be placed on your award screen which should populate into Campus Cruiser. You will also be sent an award letter with the new addition.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question.
how long does a loan request take to complete once the form is submitted? tiffany steadman
ReplyDeleteIn regards to a loan request: To be honest it depends on what time of year you turn in your request and whether or not you have completed all of your necessary steps. If you have completed entrance loan counseling and completed your master promissory note, we should be able to process your loan within 1-2 weeks at the current time. During our peak registration times (Fall and Spring) this process may be extended to 3-4 weeks for processing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question!
If the Pell grant and Lottery assistance does not pay for books what happens if there is any left over money from the Pell Grant and Lottery? I recieved both but have no mondy for books my parents denied the stafford loan to keep us out of dept. but both my parents have been cut back hours on there jobs due to the economy.
ReplyDeleteThe only scenario which would provide you with money for a book voucher is if you have been awarded enough financial aid to cover the entire cost of your tuition and extra money is left over to cover the cost of your textbooks. In your situation, if the Pell grant is not enough to cover the cost of your tuition then Lottery Tuition Assistance should cover the remaining cost up to the cost of tuition. Lottery Tuition Assistance cannot be used to cover textbooks.
ReplyDeleteIf you would like to submit a request for a federal Stafford loan you could do this and use the loan funds to cover your textbooks.
Thank you for your question!
My award letter is posted on my webadvisor but ther are no awards listed at the top. What does this mean? I was audited and then received my estimated amount. Does this mean I am not elligible for any awards or loans?
ReplyDeletei dont believe i will be able to complete my school this semester as i have been encountering problems..however i have also recieved my financial aid...i really need to know what i could possibly do..if i could maybe even limit the number of credits i am taking...please call me at 546-8715 or email me at chels2992@yahoo.com...i apologize for this and hope to hear from you...thank you. -chelsea hooper
ReplyDelete