Comments for Financial Aid

Comment on Federal and Need-based Awards for Entering Freshmen by Aron

Aron — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:09:09 +0000

I've turned over the answer to this one question a couple times in my head. Ultimately, I have to recommend contacting one of my counselor coworkers. I prefer email (financialaid@cofc.edu), but if you prefer phone (843-953-5540) I would recommend not calling between 11:30 and 2. It's either our heaviest call volume time or when most of my coworkers want to take lunch, but either way it always seems to be the busiest. Monday mornings are pretty bad, too, but Friday afternoons are smooth. There are a two main reasons I can't answer your question via the blog: 1) I don't want to reveal in personal information and want to keep the blog useful for everyone. 2) I don't know how much help you need. For example if you only needed a little bit of help, something like signing up for the payment plan or choosing less-expensive housing might be the solution. On the other hand, you might have had a significant change in income that isn't reflected on the FAFSA, in which case you should download the Parent Contribution Adjustment Request.

Comment on Federal and Need-based Awards for Entering Freshmen by Nancy A. Starr

Nancy A. Starr — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:45:56 +0000

My daughter has been accepted to this college and three others, however this is her first choice, but she would need more financial aid or scholarship. What could we do? I would like to have a position at the college if that would help. I have experience in real estate, my college major. I would like some advice and assistance. My daughter has been a certified working lifeguard for three yrs. Do you have any ideas for us?

Comment on LIFE, HOPE Awarded for Entering Freshmen by Aron

Aron — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:58:15 +0000

There is a separate HOPE Scholarship in South Carolina, supported by the Education Lottery. It is for a student's first year with the opportunity that if the student meets the renewal criteria for the LIFE Scholarship, then the student will receive those funds in the second year. If Georgia will send us the funds, then we'll make their HOPE Scholarship available, but their program is not set up that way.

Comment on LIFE, HOPE Awarded for Entering Freshmen by Christa

Christa — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:00:29 +0000

When you say HOPE do you mean that GA students can receive assistant if they qualify for HOPE in GA and are attending COC?? Or is there also a HOPE scholarship in SC?

Comment on Federal and Need-based Awards for Entering Freshmen by Aron

Aron — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:17:01 +0000

While I can't/won't comment about your particular situation, I can give you some ideas on how you can answer your question. I'm assuming that your viewing your award via MyCharleston. If not, check out this page for additional details. The last word in the Fund Name usually refers to the type of aid. For example, with a Federal Direct Sub Loan, what 'Sub' means might be a bit confusing (it's short for 'subsidized'), but 'Loan' means loan. Things listed as Grants or Scholarships (occasionally abbreviated 'Sch') are "free" money meaning that you do not have to repay them. Loans require repayment. The one exception are the two programs for education majors (TEACH Grant and SC Teacher Loan) that have been nicknamed Groans, because they can be grants if you become a teacher and are loans if you don't. Starting on the Types of Aid page, you can find information about every, or very nearly every, program that we have awarded so far. The first word in the Fund Name often refers to the source, but that's just random knowledge and probably doesn't help answer your question.

Comment on Federal and Need-based Awards for Entering Freshmen by Logan Livingston

Logan Livingston — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:56:13 +0000

What financial have I been awarded that is is a grant and does not have to paid back and what does have to be paid back?

Comment on Presidential Scholarships Awarded for Entering Freshmen by Aron

Aron — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:48:47 +0000

Unfortunately no, the Presidential is only awarded to entering freshmen who can then renew it. The LIFE Scholarship is the only major scholarship program at the College which a student can gain eligibility. Most of the departmental scholarships are awarded to juniors or seniors. They typically have an application process and it's worth looking into before you might be eligible to ensure you're doing what you need to. They're not an overwhelming number, on average 25 scholarships per school, but certainly could be helpful.

Comment on Presidential Scholarships Awarded for Entering Freshmen by Mark Salter

Mark Salter — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:18:23 +0000

If an entering freshman didn’t receive a presidential scholarship for this year, is there an opportunity to receive one the following year(s)?

Comment on Summer Financial Aid Application Available by Aron

Aron — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:02:47 +0000

Very short answer: Yes.
Slightly longer answer: Half-time or more is cumulative of all the summer terms.
Long answer: If you were enrolled in 3 hours Maymester and 3 hours Summer I, you would meet the hours requirement for most types of summer aid. That does not guarantee that you’ll receive aid, just that the hours won’t prevent it, i.e. you could be ineligible for a different reason.
Ridiculously long answer: Prior to the summer of 2011… No, I won’t bore you like that.

Comment on Summer Financial Aid Application Available by Alaina Watkins

Alaina Watkins — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:51:06 +0000

When you say “must be enrolled half time as an undergraduate;” does that mean if I take one 3 credit course in Maymester and one 3 credit course in Summer I, I am eligible for aid?