Need Help Paying for Classes? Students

Financial Assistance for CCE - Students

Financial Aid Programs
The majority of financial aid programs such as the Pell Grant, Stafford Loan or the Lottery Tuition Assistance Scholarships are only available to students enrolled in the College’s credit programs. Tri-County's Corporate & Community Education Division does not offer credit courses. However, there are a few financial aid programs available through non-profit and for-profit organizations that will help offset the costs for your non-credit Corporate & Community Education courses. Each organization offers different student loan plans and features.

Before selecting a loan program, research which financing option best meets your needs. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each available choice since each one will vary in repayment timelines, APRs and more. Before financing be sure to:

Research every financing option and program available.
Look for a loan plan that offers the most flexibility in repayments and charges a reasonable rate.
Borrow as little as possible.
Learn about and understand your personal credit history. Your personal credit information can be found at the following agencies:
- Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. S.C. residents can receive a one-time free credit report from these credit agencies:
Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 (http://www.equifax.com)
Experian: 1-888-397-3742 (http://www.experian.com)
Trans Union: 1-800-888-4213 (http://www.transunion.com/index.jsp)

Career Loan Packages Available for Non-Credit Courses
Compare loans and visit each website for additional informatiom.

Sallie Mae (SLM) Loan
Loan Limits	Minimum $1,000
Repayment Terms	Begins 30 days after disbursement; standard is $30/mo for 15 years Borrower can make interest only payments while in school; no prepayment penalties
Eligibility	Borrower must be US Citizen, U.S. National, or permanent resident of US and must be credit worthy. School enrollment may be full or half-time. With no credit or poor credit history, you may apply with a co-borrower.
To Apply	No application deadline. No application fee. Application form: http://www.salliemae.com/apply/borrowing/career_training.html Application must be certified by Tri-County Technical College representative before faxing to SLM.

Wells Fargo Education Connection Loan
Loan Limits	Annual loan minimum: $1,000 Annual loan limit: $25,000 Aggregate loan limit: $100,000 (including all other education debt)
Repayment Terms	15 years
Eligibility	Student must be enrolled in an eligible school. U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent residence alien without conditions; for permanent resident aliens, a U.S. citizen cosigner is required. Student must have an established, positive credit history, an acceptable debt-to-income ratio, and a minimum income of $12,000 or a cosigner who does.
To Apply	Apply online or by phone 1-800-658-3567 http://www.wellsfargo.com/student

Key Education Finance
Loan Limits	Maximum $18,000 per year Up to $3,000 for incidentals
Repayment Terms	No deferment: first payment due approximately 15-45 days after disbursement. Deferment: first payment due no less than one year after first disbursement. Maximum 15 years; minimum $50/month payment.
Eligibility	Borrower must be US Citizen, U.S. National, or permanent resident of US and must be credit worthy. School enrollment may be full or half-time.
To Apply	Call 1-800-539-5363 https://www.key.com/html/H-1.3.html Career/CE Loan Programs

Federal Programs for Dislocated Workers
You may be a dislocated worker if you have been permanently laid off, or have received a notice of termination or layoff from employment. By federal law, each State is required to operate a Dislocated Worker Unit (DWU). The DWU, operated by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission (One Stop Career Center), is responsible for providing "Rapid Response" (http://www.sccommerce.com/wia/RapidResponse.html) assistance to employers and impacted employees for any permanent layoff or closure action affecting 50 or more workers. Rapid Response services are provided regardless of the reason for the layoff or closure (e.g., Trade impacted, company downsizing/restructuring, natural disaster, plant relocation, bankruptcy, etc.)

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) (http://www.sccommerce.com/wia/wia.html) is a federal program that provides funds for job training, usually earmarked for the economically disadvantaged or for dislocated workers from plant closures and layoffs. The Employment Security Commission was named by our Governor to be South Carolina's grantee to administer the program.

If you seek information regarding a layoff specifically created or affected by international trade, you may wish to visit the Trade Act Programs (http://www.sccommerce.com/wia/RapidResponse.html).

Tax Deductions for Higher Education

What educational expenses are deductible?

You may be able to deduct work-related educational expenses as an itemized deduction on Schedule A of Form 1040, line 20. To be deductible, your expenses must be for education that:

Maintains or improves skills required in your present job; or
Serves a business purpose and is required by your employer, or by law or regulations, to keep your present salary, status, or job.

Certain restrictions also apply. For more information, refer to Publication 508 (PDF), Tax Benefits for Work-Related Education; and Tax Topic 513, Educational Expenses: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc513.html

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You are encouraged to register as soon as possible since some courses have enrollment limits.