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Cost, Tuition and Financial Aid

Can I afford to go to school? How will I pay for it? What kind of student loans will I have to take on? These are questions every prospective student asks—and rightly so.

At Aiken Technical College, we’re dedicated to making education an investment in your future that you can afford. We offer some of the lowest tuition costs in the region. We also provide lots of financial aid choices and a payment plan. Whether you plan to work and attend school part-time or join us full-time to pursue your degree, we’re committed to helping you get education now so you can succeed for years to come.

Tuition and Fees

 

Making college affordable is part of our mission. One way to measure our value is to compare the cost of a semester at Aiken Technical College with the typical cost of attending a four-year state university in the region.

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Financial Aid

Need help paying for college?  Most of our students receive some form of financial aid so it's likely that you'll qualify for financial aid as well. Every student has different needs - and opportunities.  Visit our Financial Aid office to learn about the types of financial aid available.

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Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to students in a variety of amounts, often based on academic or other achievements. They don’t have to be repaid.

There are many kinds of scholarships, some especially designated to promote study in particular fields, some for adults returning to school, and others provided to promote achievement by local residents.  Our financial aid office can help you get an idea of what may be available for you.

ATC Foundation scholarships are available only to Aiken Technical College students. These competitive awards are made based on a combination of financial need, academic excellence, and leadership.

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Grants

Grants are another type of financial award that doesn’t have to be repaid. Many Aiken Technical College students receive grants from both federal and state sources.

To qualify for most grants, you need to demonstrate financial need.  A student’s need may determine the amount of grant money awarded.

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Technical Scholars Program

Technical Scholars, a two to three-year commitment, lets qualified students to earn their associate degrees from Aiken Technical College while working for local industries.

This program offers two big advantages.

First, students gain academic and practical experience simultaneously. Technical Scholars attend class up to 20 hours each week and work at a sponsoring company 15 to 20 hours per week.

Second, students receive outstanding financial support. Not only does the sponsoring company pay for books and tuition, but they also provide an hourly wage to the Technical Scholar. Some companies even offer their scholars a benefits package.

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Other Types of Aid

Many Aiken Technical College students combine several types of financial aid to cover costs. Along with grants and scholarship, other opportunities include:

Work Study: These are part-time jobs coordinated through the college that may or may not be on campus. Work study jobs are awarded based on financial need of the student and the availability of funds.

Loans: Loans can be made to students and/or their parents.  Applications, repayment plans and how interest is accrued are determined by a number of factors including financial need.

National Guard Assistance: Members of the Army and Air National Guard may be eligible for assistance provided as incentive to enlist or remain in service, as much as $18,000 total.

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Net Price Calculator

ATC provides a net price calculator to give students and families an estimated cost of attending college.  These estimated costs include living expenses beyond the tuition, fees, books and supplies that students pay directly to Aiken Technical College to help with budgeting for students planning to attend college full-time.

View the Net Price Calculator

South Carolina Tuition Tax Credit

To help ease the financial burden for South Carolina college students and their families, the South Carolina General Assembly has created an income tax credit for tuition paid to South Carolina colleges and universities. To claim the credit, a Form SC 1040 must be filed. When preparing the South Carolina income tax return, Form I-319 Tuition Tax Credit must be completed. This form is included with all state individual income tax booklets. For more information about the tax credit, please visit the South Carolina Tuition Tax Credit website.