Summer Lottery Allocation is $73 Per Credit Hour

CONTACT: STUART SPIRES, EXT. 1579

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/15/2003
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Terry Rogers breathed a sigh of relief last week when she discovered that the State's lottery tuition assistance program will pay $73 per credit hour for summer school, enabling her to complete her associate degree in accounting at Tri-County Technical College.

Rogers, a 41-year old married mother of three who returned to college two years ago, will pay $20 per credit hour or $60 per three-hour class for summer school. Her total out-of-pocket tuition cost for her remaining two classes will be $124.50, plus books. Her last two courses are only offered during the summer.

"I've been waiting for a long time to receive a college degree," said Rogers, who maintains Dean's List standing. "Without the lottery assistance, I wouldn't be able to finish the degree. Tuition would be close to $800 (for two classes), and I didn't know how we would pay it. I'm very happy. Paying $124.50 is manageable."

Financial aid offices were alerted last Thursday that the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education had determined the summer amount based on the remaining lottery funds. The state's 16 technical colleges were allotted $34 million for lottery tuition assistance program last year. The remaining balance (after fall and spring semester allocations) is $11 million for summer school.

Tri-County's summer lottery allotment of $73 per credit hour is for students taking six or more credit hours. Spring semester paid $87 per credit hour for students taking six to 11 credit hours. "We expected the reduction because of the $11 million remaining in the assistance fund," said Stuart Spires, director of financial aid at Tri-County.

"We are encouraging students to take six credit hours to be eligible for the lottery tuition assistance. Students taking under six hours will pay $93.75 per credit hour," he added.

Spires urges students to apply now for the lottery assistance. Summer term begins May 19.

"The first step is to apply for federal financial aid," he said.

The first step in qualifying for a lottery scholarship is filing for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students can pick up an application at Tri-County's information center in Miller Hall or apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

"Lottery scholarships are not based on financial need, but you must still apply for Federal Financial Aid," said Spires.

To be eligible, summer school students must (at a minimum):
-- qualify for in-state tuition rates and be a legal South Carolina resident for a minimum of one year.
-- complete a 2002 – 2003 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
be admitted to the College in a curriculum certificate, diploma or associate degree program, and enroll in and maintain at least six credit hours each term
-- make reasonable progress toward completion of the requirements of a curriculum certificate, diploma or associate degree program
-- not be the recipient of a LIFE scholarship during the 2002 – 2003 academic year.

Current students who have already been approved for financial aid must stop by the Financial Aid Office to activate the lottery tuition assistance.

Spires says it's hard to predict how many students this summer will benefit from the lottery assistance. "Our summer population consists of our current students, recent high school graduates and students from four-year colleges."

"I hope students will apply for and benefit from the lottery program that wasn't available last summer. The lottery assistance can give students additional resources to complete classes only available to them during the summer term," said Spires.
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