• What is Federal Student Aid?

It is financial aid from the federal government to help qualified students pay for education expenses at an eligible college, technical school, vocational school, or graduate school.  The Financial Aid Office will help students navigate the financial aid process, such as filing applications for federal programs and completing required loan documents.

• How to Apply for Federal Student Aid

To apply for Federal Student Aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate financial aid award year.  The FAFSA is processed by the U.S. Department of Education and the results are sent to the school and the student in a document known as a Student Aid Report (SAR).  The school cannot determine an award without a SAR.   Please read the following instructions carefully.

• Step 1.  Gather items that will assist you in completing the FAFSA, for example: tax returns, bank statements, untaxed income, assets, child support, etc. 
• Step 2.  Go to fsaid.ed.gov to create a FSA ID (username) and password. If you are a dependent student, a parent must also apply for a FSA ID and password.  The FSA ID must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites.  Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents.
• Step 3.  The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Please choose Scioto County Career Technical Center as your school.  Our federal school code is 016728. If you are not able to apply online please contact the Financial Aid Office at 740-259-5526
• Step 4.  If you provided an email address on your FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will send your SAR by e-mail within 3-5 days. If you did not provide an e-mail address it will arrive by mail within 3 weeks. If you would like to check the status of your FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov or call 1-800-433-3243. 
• Step 5.  All students applying for Federal Student Aid must meet with the Financial Aid Office prior to enrollment.  Scioto County Career Technical Center obtains written confirmation from students on the types and amounts of Federal Student Aid that a student wants for an award year prior to disbursement.    Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 740-259-5526 to schedule an appointment. Students needing assistance may contact the Financial Aid Office at 740-259-5526. 

What Types of Federal Student Aid Are Available?

• Pell Grant – The Federal Pell Grant is based on financial need. This grant is part of the Title IV entitlement of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Since the Federal Pell Grant is an entitlement, it does not have to be repaid, if the student completes their program.
• Direct Student Loans – Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are federal student loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. The U.S. Department of Education offers eligible students at participating schools Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans. (Some people refer to these loans as Stafford Loans or Direct Stafford Loans.)  After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repayment. During this period, you’ll receive repayment information from your loan servicer, and you’ll be notified of your first payment due date. Payments are usually due monthly.  There are several repayment options available that are designed to meet the individual needs of borrowers. Your loan servicer can help you understand which repayment options are available to you. Generally, you’ll have 10 to 25 years to repay your loan, depending on the repayment plan that you choose. 

                              Direct Subsidized Loan – Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need.  Your school determines the amount you can borrow, and the amount may not exceed your financial need.  The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan while you’re in school at least half-time, for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period), and during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).  Students who first borrowed subsidized loans after July 1, 2013 can only receive subsidized loans for 150 percent of the published length of their current program.

                              Direct Unsubsidized Loan – Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need.  Your school determines the amount you can borrow based on your cost of attendance and other financial aid you receive.  You are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods.   If you choose not to pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, your interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan). 

How to Apply for VA Education Benefits

Applying for your VA education benefits can be done in just a few steps:

• Apply online at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp.
• Visit your nearest VA regional office to apply in person.
• Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you.
• Contact the VA Certifying Official at Scioto County Career Technical Center at 740-259-5526.
• Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you.

To Apply for VA Education Benefits You Will Need to Provide the Following:

• DD-214 Discharge papers (Certified Copy) 
• VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• DD-2384 Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) for members of Selective Reserve (See your Commanding Officer for this document) 

To be certified for VA Education Benefits through Scioto County Career Technical Center, students must submit all required documentation/forms to the Financial Aid Office and complete the enrollment process.  For a list of programs approved for Veteran’s Education Benefits, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 740-259-5526.

 State, Local, and County Funding 

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities – Financial assistance may be available from this local agency for students with physical, mental or emotional disabilities that present a handicap to employment. Partial to total aid may be available to cover tuition, books, and supplies. Contact your local or area Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation office.  For more information, please visit https://www.ood.ohio.gov/BVR-BSVI/BVR. 

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) – Financial assistance may be available from this program for students who qualify. Partial to total aid may be available to cover tuition, books and supplies. Please contact your local county Jobs One-Stop center for more information and eligibility requirements.  For more information, please visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/owd/wioa/index.stm.  

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) – Financial assistance may be available for students who have lost jobs or had hours and wages reduced because of foreign trade. Contact your employer or your local county Jobs One-Stop center for more information and eligibility requirements.  For more information, please visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouc/TradeAdjustAssist_FAQ.stm.

Financial Aid Award 

Your award letter explains the combination of federal grants and loans we can offer you. 

Financial Aid Repayment 

Once you leave school, you will need to repay your student loans. Contact your loan service provider to discuss your repayment options.