>> Dawn: HELLO AND WELCOME TO "CAROLINA CLASSROOMS."

I'M DAWN SAMPLES.

TONIGHT IS ALL ABOUT HELPING YOU, PARENTS AND STUDENTS, GET INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR AND FINANCING A COLLEGE EDUCATION.

JOINING US ARE FINANCIAL AID EXPERTS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGES AND STATE AGENCIES.

THEY'RE GOING TO HELP SHARE VALUABLE INFORMATION SO YOU MAY WANT TO HIT THAT RECORD BUTTON NOW.

AND AS ALWAYS, YOU CAN FIND THIS AND OTHER EPISODES OF "CAROLINA CLASSROOMS" ON OUR WEB SITE, [email protected].

WE'LL HEAR A SHORT PRESENTATION FROM EACH OF OUR GUESTS AND THEN THEY'LL TAKE QUESTIONS FROM OUR VIEWERS.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS NOW TO [email protected] OR CALL US AT 1-800-763-3881.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER TONIGHT SO LET'S GET STARTED WITH OUR FIRST GUEST, JOEY DERRICK, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

>> DERRICK: THERE ARE BASICALLY FOUR SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ATTENDING COLLEGE.

THE FIRST AND PROBABLY THE LARGEST ARE THE FEDERAL SOURCES OF AID.

THOSE ARE PRIMARILY LOANS ALSO SEVERAL GRANT PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY STUDENTS.

THE NEXT IS STATE, AND THE STATE PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS MANY OF THE COMMON SOUTH CAROLINA PROGRAMS THAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF, SUCH AS THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP AND PALMETTO FELLOWS PROGRAMS.

THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF STATE GRANT PROGRAMS ALSO BASED UPON YOUR NEED.

THE THIRD SOURCE OF AID COMES FROM THE INSTITUTION ITSELF, AND THOSE ARE OFTEN IN THE FORM OF SCHOLARSHIPS MANY TIMES BASED UPON MERIT OR PERHAPS A SPECIAL TALENT SUCH AS MUSIC OR DANCE.

AND THE FOURTH SOURCE ARE EXTERNAL PROGRAMS THINGS THAT YOU MAY FIND IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS FROM KIWANIS CLUBS, ROTARY CLUBS, PERHAPS YOUR CHURCH, PROGRAMS THROUGH EMPLOYERS, A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS AND PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP YOU COVER THE COST OF TUITION OUTSIDE OF FEDERAL, STATE AND INSTITUTIONAL SOURCES.

THERE ARE BASICALLY FOUR TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID.

THE FIRST TYPE IS SCHOLARSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE WHAT WE CALL GIFT AID WHICH MEANS THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE REPAID.

THE SECOND SOURCE OF AID IS REFERRED TO AS A GRANT.

GRANTS ARE ALSO GIFT AID WHICH MEANS THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE REPAID.

GRANTS ARE OFTEN BASED UPON A STUDENT AND THE FAMILY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION.

THE THIRD SOURCE ARE WORK PROGRAMS.

MANY OF THOSE ARE CONSIDERED STUDENT EMPLOYMENT ON AND AROUND A CAMPUS OR UNIVERSITY, AND ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR PROGRAMS WITHIN THAT IS THE FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM.

THE FOURTH SOURCE OF AID IS A LOAN PROGRAM.

LOANS ARE BY FAR THE LARGEST PROGRAMS THAT ARE USED TO COVER COSTS AT INSTITUTIONS.

THEY COME FROM BOTH FEDERAL SOURCES AND FROM PRIVATE SOURCES.

MANY FOLKS ARE LEERY ABOUT BORROWING, AND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, IN THIS DAY AND AGE, OFTENTIMES BORROWING IS A NECESSITY RATHER THAN A LUXURY.

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I THINK A FAMILY AND A STUDENT CAN DO AS THEY PREPARE FOR COLLEGE IS TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT YOUR FINANCING.

TRY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

MANY, MANY TIMES, FOLKS FOCUS ON TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE LARGE, PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS, FOR WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW WHEN AT THE SAME TIME A STUDENT COULD PUT TOGETHER A PACKAGE OF SMALLER SCHOLARSHIPS FROM VARIOUS EXTERNAL SOURCES THAT WOULD BE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIP THEY MAY CONSIDER OTHERWISE.

WE GENERALLY START MAKING AWARDS FOR STUDENTS IN APRIL, AND WE TRY TO MAKE AWARDS ON APRIL THE 1ST AND WE MAKE AWARDS UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF MONEY.

SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE ONE OF THE EARLIEST FILERS SO FILE EARLY.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THINGS IN PLACE AND RESPOND TO ANY REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SO THAT YOU CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR THE BEST AID PACKAGE AVAILABLE.

>> Dawn: JOEY, YOU WERE SAYING TO FILE EARLY SO WHAT WOULD YOU YOU CONSIDER EARLY?

>> Joe: EARLY IS NEW NOW FOR 2017-2018.

WE TOLD FOLKS TO FILE AFTER JANUARY 1st.

THAT'S WHEN THE IF AS THAT USED TO BE AVAILABLE.

NOW IT IS AVAILABLE OCTOBER 1st OF EACH YEAR.

WE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO FILE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER OCTOBER 1st SO THEY CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR THE BEST AID PACKAGES AT USC COLUMBIA.

>> Dawn: WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY FILING NOW AND BEGAN IN OCTOBER FOR NEXT FALL.

>> Joe: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Dawn: WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION OF TIME FOR AFTER YOU FILE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU'VE QUALIFIED FOR, WHAT YOU COULD EXPECT?

>> Joe: FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR FOR 2017-2018, WE'LL START MAKING AWARDS ON APRIL 1st.

WE WANT TO GIVE FOLKS PLENTY OF TIMES TO GET THEIR FASFAs IN.

RIGHT NOW, APRIL 1st IS STILL THE DEADLINE.

THEN GOING FORWARD FOR '18-'19, WE'LL LOOK AT A DIFFERENT DATE.

>> Dawn: IF YOU COULD GIVE ADVICE HOW MANY YEARS IN ADVANCE SHOULD THEY START EXPLORING THEIR OPTIONS?

>> Joe: I WOULD SUGGEST AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

I HAD THIS VERY DISCUSSION WITH A FAMILY WHOSE STUDENT IS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I ENCOURAGED THEM TO LOOK AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AND BE PREPARED SO WHEN YOU GET TO HIGH SCHOOL AND YOU'RE WORKING HARD AND STUDYING HARD, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU CAN DO TO EARN SCHOLARSHIPS, TO EARN GRANTS AND WHATEVER AVENUES YOU CAN TAKE, START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

WHATEVER YOU THINK THAT IS, START EVEN EARLIER.

>> Dawn: EVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL IS NOT TOO EARLY.

>> Joe: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Dawn: THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

I HEAR THAT SOMETIMES.

NEXT, WE'LL DIDN'T TO THE UPSTATE.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM JENNIFER WILLIAMS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY AT CLEMSON.

>> WILLIAMS: THE FIRST STEP FOR ANYONE WHO IS PLANNING TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID IS TO COMPLETE THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID, OR FAFSA.

THE FAFSA IS A FREE APPLICATION.

MOST SCHOOLS USE THE FAFSA TO MAKE DETERMINATIONS FOR FEDERAL AID.

SOME USE IT FOR STATE AID.

AND THEN SOME SCHOOLS USE THIS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR INSTITUTIONAL NEED-BASED GRANTS.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO FILL THIS OUT.

MOST SCHOOLS HAVE A DEADLINE, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO CHECK WITH THE SCHOOL THAT YOU'RE APPLYING FOR TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE MEETING THE DEADLINES THAT THEY HAVE FOR FRESHMEN OR RETURNING STUDENTS.

SOME OF THE GRANTS THAT YOU APPLY FOR WITH THE FAFSA ARE THE PELL GRANT OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT, AND THESE DO REQUIRE THE FAFSA, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY APPLICATION THAT YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT FOR THOSE GRANTS.

ONE OF THE LARGEST TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS IS INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

EACH SCHOOL HAS THEIR OWN SCHOLARSHIPS THAT THEY AWARD TO THEIR STUDENTS.

THESE ARE FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY.

SOME HAVE A SEPARATE APPLICATION, BUT MOST USE THE ADMISSIONS APPLICATION.

THERE CAN BE SOME PRIORITY DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION, AS WELL AS IF THESE SCHOLARSHIPS DO HAVE A SEPARATE APPLICATION THERE COULD BE A DEADLINE.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL STUDENTS TO CHECK WITH THE SCHOOL THAT THEY'RE APPLYING WITH.

MOST OF THESE THINGS WILL BE POSTED PROMINENTLY ON THEIR WEBSITE.

ANOTHER TYPE OF SCHOLARSHIP ARE EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS OR THIRD-PARTY SCHOLARSHIPS.

THESE TYPICALLY REQUIRE APPLICATIONS TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

SOME EXAMPLES OF THIS WOULD BE NATIONAL MERIT OR ROTC OR THE GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP.

THE STUDENT REALLY HAS TO DO THE LEGWORK ON THESE SCHOLARSHIPS SO WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO START EARLY.

AND, AGAIN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO CHECK THE WEBSITE OF THE SCHOOL THAT YOU'RE ATTENDING.

MOST SCHOOLS WILL PROVIDE YOU SOME INFORMATION TO GUIDE YOU ALONG THE WAY.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA HAS A REALLY GREAT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

THE ONLY APPLICATION FOR THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP IS FOR THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP, AND IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR THIS, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO MEET WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.

THERE ARE TWO DEADLINES TO APPLY FOR THE PALMETTO FELLOWS.

ONE OF THOSE DEADLINES WAS IN DECEMBER ON DECEMBER 15TH, BUT THERE IS A SECOND DEADLINE AND THAT'S JUNE THE 15TH.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL STUDENTS WHO FEEL LIKE THEY MAY QUALIFY FOR THE PALMETTO FELLOWS TO MEET WITH THEIR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AND FILL OUT THAT APPLICATION BEFORE THAT DEADLINE.

THE SCHOOL THAT YOU ARE APPLYING TO WILL GET NOTIFICATION FROM CHE OF YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND WILL MAKE THAT AVAILABLE TO YOU ON YOUR AWARD LETTER.

MOST STUDENTS, AFTER APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS STILL FIND THAT THEY HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR AWARD PACKAGE WITH STUDENT LOANS.

THE FAFSA, THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL AID IS STILL THE ONLY APPLICATION THAT WE REQUIRE FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS.

SO AS LONG AS YOU'VE FILLED OUT THAT APPLICATION, THEN THE SCHOOL THAT YOU HAVE APPLIED TO WILL NOTIFY YOU OF THE AMOUNT OF YOUR ELIGIBILITY.

UNFORTUNATELY, STUDENT LOANS DON'T ALWAYS COVER THE BALANCE, SO SOME STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS FIND THAT THEY HAVE TO ALSO APPLY FOR A PARENT LOAN.

THE PARENT LOAN IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

IT DOES REQUIRE A SEPARATE APPLICATION BECAUSE YOUR PARENT IS THE ONE THAT'S ACTUALLY APPLYING FOR THIS LOAN AND THE PARENT IS THE ONE THAT WILL REPAY THE LOAN ONCE YOU HAVE GRADUATED.

THERE ARE ALSO PRIVATE LOANS FOR STUDENTS.

SOMETIMES YOUR PARENT CAN'T OR IS NOT WILLING TO APPLY FOR THE PARENT LOAN, AND IN THOSE CASES, THERE ARE PRIVATE LENDERS THAT WILL LOAN MONEY TO STUDENTS.

MOST OF THESE REQUIRE THE STUDENT TO HAVE A COSIGNER AND THAT COULD BE YOUR PARENT OR ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER, ANYONE WHO'S WILLING TO COSIGN WITH YOU.

THESE ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE THEY ARE PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU'RE BORROWING FROM, SO WHEN YOU GO INTO REPAYMENT YOU'RE PAYING THIS PRIVATE LOAN COMPANY NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THE MOST POPULAR OF THESE TYPES OF LOANS COMES FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA STUDENT LOAN CORPORATION.

MOST TYPES OF STUDENT LOANS ALLOW STUDENTS A GRACE PERIOD.

USUALLY, THAT'S SIX MONTHS AFTER YOU GRADUATE OR YOU'RE NO LONGER ATTENDING AT LEAST HALF TIME.

ONCE YOUR GRACE PERIOD IS OVER, THEN IF YOU HAVE A STUDENT LOAN THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THEN YOU WOULD MAKE YOUR PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IF YOU HAVE A PRIVATE LOAN THEN YOU'RE MAKING THOSE PAYMENTS TO THAT PRIVATE LENDER.

SO FOR STUDENTS WHO DO HAVE BOTH TYPES OF THESE LOANS YOU WILL HAVE SEPARATE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ONCE YOU GO INTO REPAYMENT.

MOST SCHOOLS DO OFFER A PAYMENT PLAN.

TYPICALLY, STUDENTS DO HAVE TO APPLY FOR THESE, SO YOU WILL NEED TO CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL TO SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

BUT TYPICALLY, YOUR BILL WILL BE SPLIT UP INTO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MONTHLY PAYMENTS, AND THEN YOU WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THOSE PAYMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER.

EVERY SCHOOL DOES THIS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY, SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL TO SEE HOW YOU APPLY AND THN HOW YOUR PAYMENTS ARE DETERMINED.

WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE SCHOOL.

THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICERS THERE ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO HELP STUDENTS.

THAT IS THEIR PASSION.

AND SO WHEN YOU HAVE A QUESTION, WHETHER YOU'RE ATTENDING THAT SCHOOL OR NOT, THEY'RE GONNA PROVIDE THE ANSWERS AND TRY TO GUIDE YOU IN THE RIGHT WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE SUCCESSFUL.

SO I WOULD SAY CHECK THE WEBSITES AND DEFINITELY CONTACT US WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS 'CAUSE WE'RE THERE TO HELP.

>> Dawn: WELCOME, JENNIFER.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE THIS EVENING, TOO.

THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION.

THAT'S A LOT FOR STUDENTS TO -- AND THEIR PARENTS -- TO BE DIGGING THROUGH.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT ONE OF THE FIRST CONTACTS THAT MAYBE THEY MIGHT WANT TO MAKE IS WITH A COUNSELOR AT THE HIGH SCHOOL TO FIND OUT WHICH DIRECTION TO GO IN?

EVEN IN TERMS OF CONTACTING THE UNIVERSITIES?

OR WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RECOMMENDATION THERE?

>> Jen: I WOULD ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CHECK WITH THEIR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.

WE IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION OF FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH GUIDANCE COUNSELORS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THE INFORMATION THAT STUDENTS NEED IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND TO GET INTO COLLEGE THAT THEY WANT TO GET INTO.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE ALWAYS SITUATIONS WHERE YOU JUST NEED TO GO TO YOUR SCHOOL AND LIKE I SAID IN THE VIDEO, THE COUNSELORS AT THE SCHOOL, THE COLLEGE OF YOUR CHOICE, ARE THERE TO HELP YOU.

SO WE -- THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, WE SEE STUDENTS AND PATIENTS IN PERSON OR WE DO PHONE INTERVIEWS SO IF YOU'RE APPLYING FROM A DISTANCE TO WHERE IT WOULD BE HARD TO DRIVE IN, WE WOULD TAKE A PHONE CALL FROM YOU AND DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS AND ANY ISSUES THAT YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE AND TRY TO FIND HOW WE CAN HELP YOU TO WORK THROUGH THOSE.

>> Dawn: DO STUDENTS NEED TO HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED A SCHOOL THEY WANT TO APPLY TO BEFORE THEY CAN APPLY FOR THIS?

>> Jen: YOU KNOW, YOU CAN CONTACT ANY SCHOOL AND THE COUNSELORS THERE WILL TRY TO HELP YOU.

BUT IF THERE IS A SCHOOL YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, IT IS PROBABLY GOOD TO CALL THAT SCHOOL.

JOEY WAS MENTIONING THE DEADLINES AT USC COLUMBIA.

AT CLEMSON, WE HAVE DIFFERENT DEADLINES.

IF THERE IS A SCHOOL THAT'S SPECIFIC, THAT YOU'RE SPECIFICALLY INTERESTED IN, I WOULD CONTACT THAT SCHOOL OR CHECK OUT THEIR WEB SITE BECAUSE WHILE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE THE SAME AND APPLY THE SAME EVERYWHERE, THERE ARE THINGS THAT COULD BE DIFFERENT.

IT IS GOOD TO CHECK WITH THE SCHOOL THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.

BUT IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO AND YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, WE'RE THERE TO HELP.

>> Dawn: THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE NOW WITH ARIA SIMMONS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID AT MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

ARIA, DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MIDLANDS TECH AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

HOW CAN STUDENTS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GETTING FINANCIAL AID TO GO TO MIDLANDS TECH?

>> Aria: THE TWO-YEAR TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN THE STATE OF COLLEGE, WE ALSO HAVE INFORMATION THAT WE ADVERTISE ON OUR WEB SITE.

WHAT WE LIKE TO STRONGLY ENCOURAGE STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE APPLYING FOR THE DPNGS AID APPLICATIONS AND SUBMITTING THEM EARLY INNED A DANCE.

HAVE MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, IT IS AVAILABLE EARLIER NOW.

ONE OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS -- THE FIRST STEP FOR US IS TO RECEIVE YOUR FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION.

THE DEADLINE THAT WE HAVE HAS NOT CHANGED FOR THE '17-'18 CHANGE BUT THEY WILL CHANGE FOR THE '18-'19 ACADEMIC YEAR.

EVERYTHING WILL BE MOVING UP NOW.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING INFORMATION TO STUDENTS MUCH SOONER.

ONE IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT WE NEED ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND EVERYONE TO REMEMBER FOR THE '17-'18 ACADEMIC YEAR IS YOU'LL USE THE SAME TAX INFORMATION THAT YOU USED FOR YOUR '16-'17 YEAR.

THAT WILL BE A LEARNING CURVE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IN THE '17-'18 ACADEMIC YEAR, YOU'LL BE USING THE ' ''15-'16 TAX YEAR.

>> Dawn: PEOPLE MAY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

THAT MAY NOT BE CLEAR TO EVERYONE.% THEY JUST NEED TO CONTACT THE OFFICE -- >> Aria: FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.

AS JENNIFER STATED, IF YOU DO HAVE A SCHOOL WITH INTENTIONS TO ENROLL IN, IT IS BETTER TO CONTACT THAT OFFICE.

HOWEVER, ANY FINANCIAL OFFICE CAN HELP AND ASSIST PARENTS AND STUDENTS WITH THAT PROCESS.

>> Dawn: THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITH REGARD TO TIMELINES SO FOR PARENTS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN PLANNING AHEAD TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, IT IS PROBABLY GOOD FOR THEM TO REVIEW SOME OF THE INFORMATION NOW BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE CHANGED FROM WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE.

GOOD TO KNOW.

THANK YOU.

>> Aria: YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> Dawn: DID YOU HAVE SOME THINGS YOU HAVE FOR US TO LOOK AT?

>> Aria: YES.

THERE IS SOME INFORMATION.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE PARENTS AND STUDENTS UNDERSTAND AT THE TWO-YEAR TECHNICAL COLLEGES, WE OFFER SOME OF THE SAME FINANCIAL AWARDS THAT ARE OFFERED AT THE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS.

FEDERALLY, WE DO OFFER THE FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL GRANT.

WE OFFER STUDENT GRANTS AND MOST OF THE SAME STATE AWARDS.

ONE THING THAT WE LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE AWARE OF IS WHEN IT COMES TO THE LIFE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS, YOU HAVE TO GRADUATE FROM A SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL AND HAVE A 3.0GPA.

SO THE REQUIREMENTS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR TWO-YEAR VERSUS FOUR-YEAR AS IT RELATES TO THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP.

ALL OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS ARE THE SAME.

>> Dawn: I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ADULTS WHO GO TO SCHOOL AT MIDLANDS TECH WHO MAYBE WORKING AS WELL.

ARE ADULTS WHO ARE GOING BACK TO COLLEGE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THESE AS WELL?

>> Aria: THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID AS WELL.

>> Dawn: THANK YOU.

WE'VE HAD THAT QUESTION BEFORE.

I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO WERE TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE GROOVE AND GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

OUR NEXT PRESENTER IS DR.

KAREN WOODFAULK, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES FOR SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> WOODFAULK: SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A VARIETY OF FINANCIAL AID OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM IN THIS STATE.

WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR MAKING THESE FINANCIAL AID OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AND, IN TURN, ALLOWING FOR SEVERAL OF OUR CITIZENS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.

THEY HAVE TO BE A SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENT IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE PROGRAMS.

ALSO, A STUDENT HAS TO BE A DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENT IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE.

ALSO, IF A STUDENT OWES A REFUND ON A FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAM, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHECK TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT A STUDENT, SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENT, IS ELIGIBLE BEFORE PURSUING THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

THE VERY FIRST PROGRAM WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE ACADEMICALLY PERFORMING AT THE TOP LEVEL TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID TO GO TO COLLEGE IN THIS STATE.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR A STUDENT WHO IS GOING TO PURSUE THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY IS NUMBER ONE, TO CONSULT WITH THEIR HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR TO SEE IF THEY OF COURSE, MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

THE STUDENT MUST ENROLL IN AN ELIGIBLE SOUTH CAROLINA INSTITUTION IMMEDIATELY UPON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

AND, ALSO, THEY MUST ATTEND A FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION HERE IN THE STATE.

IF THEY DO RECEIVE THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP, THEY MAY RECEIVE UP TO $6700 IN THEIR FIRST YEAR, AND THAT WILL INCREASE IN THEIR SOPHOMORE JUNIOR, AND SENIOR YEAR TO $7500 FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS OR FOUR YEARS.

THE STUDENT MUST EARN A 1200 ON THE SAT OR A 27 ON THE ACT.

THE STUDENT MUST ALSO RANK IN THE TOP 6% OF THEIR SOPHOMORE JUNIOR, OR SENIOR YEAR.

AND FINALLY, A STUDENT MUST HAVE A 3.5 HIGH SCHOOL GPA BASED ON THE UNIFORM GRADING SCALE.

AS AN ALTERNATIVE CRITERIA A STUDENT CAN EARN A 1400 ON THE SAT OR 32 ON THE ACT AND EARN A 4.0 GPA BASED ON THE UNIFORM GRADING SCALE IN ORDER TO MEET THE CRITERIA.

FOR THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, THERE IS NO APPLICATION PROCESS.

THE AWARD IS A MAXIMUM $5,000 ANNUALLY WHICH MEANS $2500 PER TERM.

THE STUDENT MUST BE A SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENT AT THE TIME OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND AT THE TIME OF COLLEGE ENROLLMENT.

ONCE THEY ENROLL IN COLLEGE THEY MUST CONTINUALLY BE ENROLLED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP.

AT A TWO-YEAR INSTITUTION, A STUDENT MUST HAVE A 3.0 GPA BASED ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA UNIFORM GRADING SCALE.

IF AWARDED AT A TWO-YEAR INSTITUTION, A STUDENT HAS UP TO FOUR TERMS OF ELIGIBILITY AT A TWO-YEAR INSTITUTION.

TO BE ELIGIBLE AT A FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION A STUDENT MUST MEET TWO OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: THE STUDENT MUST HAVE A 3.0 GPA BASED ON THE UNIFORM GRADING SCALE; ALSO, A STUDENT MUST SCORE AN 1100 ON THE SAT OR A 24 ON THE ACT; AND THEN, ALSO, ANOTHER CRITERIA, RANK IN THE TOP 30% OF THE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL CLASS.

AGAIN, TWO OUT OF THE THREE CRITERIA.

THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE MAJORING IN SCIENCE OR MATH OR ANY OF THE TECHNOLOGY FIELDS OR ENGINEERING.

MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A PALMETTO FELLOWS OR A LIFE SCHOLARSHIP ENHANCEMENT.

FIRST OF ALL, THE STUDENT MUST BE ENROLLED AT AN ELIGIBLE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION.

AND THEN STARTING IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THEIR AWARD -- AGAIN, THAT WOULD MEAN THE SOPHOMORE YEAR -- THE STUDENT COULD RECEIVE THIS MATH OR SCIENCE ENHANCEMENT.

THE STUDENT MUST EARN IN THE FRESHMAN YEAR AT LEAST 14 CREDIT HOURS IN MATH OR SCIENCE IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCIENCE OR MATH ENHANCEMENT IN THE SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR.

ANOTHER SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY IS THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

THIS PARTICULAR SCHOLARSHIP ALLOWS FOR A STUDENT WHO IS A FRESHMAN TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID.

IT'S FOR FOUR-YEAR SOUTH CAROLINA INSTITUTIONS ONLY.

THERE IS NO APPLICATION PROCESS.

A STUDENT MUST EARN A 3.0 GPA BASED ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA UNIFORM GRADING SCALE.

AND THIS PARTICULAR SCHOLARSHIP ALLOWS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR TWO TERMS.

THE MAXIMUM AWARD IS $2800.

THERE'S ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO EARN FINANCIAL AID IN THIS STATE AND THAT IS THE LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THE LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS AWARDED ONLY AT THE TWO-YEAR TECHNICAL COLLEGES OR THE TWO-YEAR USC REGIONAL CAMPUSES AND SPARTANBURG METHODIST COLLEGE.

THE STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID -- WE CALL THAT THE FAFSA -- EACH ACADEMIC YEAR AND ELIGIBILITY FOR LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE IS DETERMINED BY THE INSTITUTION.

FOR THE 2014-15 ACADEMIC YEAR -- THAT'S FALL SPRING, AND SUMMER -- AN ELIGIBLE FULL-TIME STUDENT MAY RECEIVE UP TO $1,140 PER TERM.

IF THE STUDENT IS PART-TIME THEY MAY RECEIVE $95 PER CREDIT HOUR TO BE USED TOWARDS THE COST OF TUITION.

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS IN THE STATE IS THE SOUTH CAROLINA NEED-BASED GRANT PROGRAM.

THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE AT THE TWO- AND FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE STATE.

BASED ON NEED, THE STUDENT MAY RECEIVE UP TO $2500.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THAT AMOUNT MAY VARY PER COLLEGE OR INSTITUTION.

MANY OF THOSE PARTICULAR PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON LIMITED FUNDS, SO IT MIGHT BE WHERE IT IS A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVE BASIS FOR MANY OF THE STUDENTS.

SO CHECK EARLY, CHECK DEADLINES, AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT ALL THE INFORMATION SO THAT YOU CAN APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> Dawn: KAREN, WELCOME.

>> Karen: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> Dawn: SO THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO UPDATE US ON.

I KNOW ONE OF THEM HAS TO DO WITH THE S.A.T.

SUPERSCORING.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> Karen: YES, THE S.A.T., THE COLLEGE BOARD REDESIGNED THE S.A.T.

LAST YEAR.

HOWEVER, THE COLLEGE -- THE CRITERIA FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS DID NOT CHANGE.

WE DID NOT WANT TO UP-END STUDENTS WHO WERE CURRENTLY WORKING ON GETTING A SCHOLARSHIP.

SO WE CURRENTLY DO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING BEFORE WHICH MEANS THAT A STUDENT CAN TAKE THE HIGHEST TEST ADMINISTRATION, THE HIGH SCORE IN ANY TEST ADMINISTRATION OF THE S.A.T.

IN ORDER TO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PALMETTO FELLOWS OR THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP.

IF THEY TOOK, FOR EXAMPLE, THE MATH SECTION, STILL WITHIN THE CYCLE, THEY WANTED TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET HIGHER MAYBE ON THE CRITICAL READING, THEY CAN DO THAT.

OF COURSE, THAT ALLOWS SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STUDENTS TO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT.

WE'RE STILL ALLOWING SUPER SCORING BEYOND, OF COURSE, THE NEW OR THE OLD, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT.

THIS OF COURSE CONTINUES TO USE THE HIGHEST TEST FOR EACH OF THOSE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.

>> Dawn: THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

THANK YOU.

WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU THAT'S JUST COMING IN.

WE HAVE -- OBVIOUSLY HAD SOME CHANGES IN OUR GRADING SCALE THIS LAST YEAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

SO OUR QUESTION IS... HOW IS THE CHANGE IN THE REQUIREMENT -- THE GRADING SCALE CHANGES, HOW ARE -- HAVE THEY IMPACTED THE PALMETTO FELLOWS?

>> Dawn: FOR THIS YEAR, WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES SO STUDENTS, SENIORS AT THIS PARTICULR POINT IN THE MIDST OF RECEIVING ONE YEAR'S WORTH OF THE 10-POINT SCALE THIS YEAR AND THREE YEARS WORTH OF THE 7-POINT SCALE THIS YEAR, WE, OF COURSE ARE NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES THIS YEAR FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA.

HOWEVER, WE ARE LOOKING AT CHANGES TO THE SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA AND THE GRADUATED SCALE.

THAT MAKES SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HARM STUDENTS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS VERY, VERY CAREFULLY.

SO I WOULD SAY STAY TUNED.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CRITERIA AS WE, OF COURSE, ALIGN OURSELVES TO THE NEW 10-POINT SCALE.

>> Dawn: OUR CURRENT SENIORS CAN BREATHE A LITTLE BIT.

>> Karen: THEY CAN BREATHE VERY EASY THIS YEAR.

THERE ARE NO CHANGES THIS YEAR.

>> Dawn: NOW WE HAVE KATIE HARRISON, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA TUITION GRANTS COMMISSION.

HE'S GOING TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION WITH US AS WELL.

>> HARRISON: THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA OFFERS A SOUTH CAROLINA TUITION GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1970 BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, TO ASSIST SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS TO PAY THE TUITION AT ONE OF 21 ELIGIBLE PRIVATE COLLEGES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THIS YEAR, THE TUITION GRANTS COMMISSION HAS ASSISTED OVER 13,000 SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS.

THE TUITION GRANT IS A NEED-BASED GRANT PROGRAM MEANING THAT THE STUDENT HAS TO DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL NEED AS A RESULT OF THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

THERE IS NO SEPARATE APPLICATION FOR THE TUITION GRANT.

IT IS ALL DETERMINED ELECTRONICALLY BY THE FAFSA RESULTS.

ONCE THE FAFSA IS COMPLETED IF ALL RESIDENCY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ACCURATELY AND IF THE STUDENT LISTS ONE OF THE ELIGIBLE 21 COLLEGES THEN THAT STUDENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CONSIDERED FOR THE TUITION GRANT.

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE TUITION GRANT, A STUDENT MUST BE PARTICIPATING IN AN ELIGIBLE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM AT ONE OF OUR PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS.

THEY MUST ALSO BE ENROLLED FULL-TIME AT ONE OF THOSE COLLEGES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE GRANT.

BY STATUTE, THERE ARE ALSO ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS IN PLACE AS WELL.

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE GRANT FOR THE FIRST TIME AN ENTERING FRESHMAN STUDENT MUST MEET ONE OF FOUR ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS.

THEY MUST EITHER HAVE A 2.0 ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA UNIFORM GRADING POLICY AT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OR BE IN THE TOP 75% OF THEIR GRADUATING CLASS OR HAVE AN ACT SCORE OF 19 COMPOSITE OR AN SAT SCORE OF 900 AND THAT'S THE CRITICAL READING AND MATH ONLY.

IN ORDER TO CONTINUE RECEIVING THE TUITION GRANT ONCE THEY HAVE ENROLLED IN COLLEGE, THE STUDENT MUST EARN AT LEAST 24 SEMESTER HOURS PER ACADEMIC YEAR AND MUST ALSO BE MAINTAINING SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS AT THEIR INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTION.

THE FAFSA DOES HAVE TO BE APPLIED FOR EACH YEAR.

JUNE 30TH IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE TUITION GRANTS PROGRAM.

APPLY FOR THE FAFSA EARLY.

AS SOON AS YOU CAN, WHEN FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, THE FAFSA SHOULD BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

THE TUITION GRANTS COMMISSION HAS A WEBSITE: WWW.SCTUITIONGRANTS.ORG.

ON THAT WEBSITE THEY CAN FIND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS RESIDENCY INFORMATION AND A LIST OF ALL THE PARTICIPATING COLLEGES AND THEIR FINANCIAL AID OFFICE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE AS WELL.

FUNDING FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA TUITION GRANT AND THE OTHER STATE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED TONIGHT ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS SUPPORT THROUGH THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURE CREDIT FOR CONTINUING TO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN OUR STATE AND FOR CONTINUING TO FUND THESE IMPORTANT STUDENT AID PROGRAMS.

>> Dawn: WELCOME, KATIE.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US TONIGHT.

>> Katie: THANK YOU, DAWN.

>> Dawn: CAN RECEIVING A SCHOLARSHIP IMPACT YOUR FINANCIAL STATUS IF YOU WERE SEEKING A NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID?

CAN THAT IMPACT?

>> Katie: IT CAN BUT IN MOST CASES, DAWN, STUDENTS -- THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE TYPES OF ELIGIBILITY YOU'RE LOOKING AT BEFORE A GRANT AND A SCHOLARSHIP.

USUALLY YOU CAN RECEIVE A GRANT IN ADDITION TO A SCHOLARSHIP.

IN MOST CASES.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE TYPICALLY MERIT-BASED OR AS JOEY MENTIONED, MAYBE BASED ON A TALENT OF SOME SORT.

SO THERE IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CRITERIA SET THAT WE LOOK AT VERSUS NEED-BASED AID AND NEED-BASED GRANT FUNDING.

SO FOR THE MOST PART, FOR INSTANCE IF THE STUDENT IS AT ONE OF OUR PARTICIPATING PRIVATE COLLEGES AND THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TUITION GRANT, THAT THEY ALSO EARN THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE BOTH OF THOSE TOGETHER.

>> Dawn: OKAY.

JUST BECAUSE YOU GET ONE, DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE OTHER ONE.

THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

>> Katie: YES.

>> Dawn: ANOTHER QUESTION WE HAD AND I ASKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT EARLIER, BUT I NOTICE A LOT OF THE CRITERIA THAT ARE FOR STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR THESE, SOME OF THE CRITERIA ARE ABOUT THEM HAVING THEIR PLACEMENT IN THEIR CLASS OR PERCENTAGE IN THEIR CLASS.

IF IT IS AN ADULT APPLYING TO GO BACK, DO THEY HAVE THE SAME CRITERIA OR ARE THE CRITERIA DIFFERENT IN ANY WAY FOR AN ADULT APPLICANT?

>> Katie: FOR THE TUITION GRANTS PROGRAM ITSELF, WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LENIENCY FOR OUR ADULT LEARNERS.

WE CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE STUDENTS WHO ARE ADULTS AND WANT TO COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES OR BEGIN THEIR DEGREES EVEN -- 14 OF OUR PARTICIPATING 21 COLLEGES OFFER PROGRAMS FOR ADULT LEARNERS, EVENING PROGRAMS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS.

AND THOSE STUDENTS ARE POSSIBLY ELIGIBLE FOR THE TUITION GRANT.

THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO MEET ALL OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS AS IF THEY WERE A STUDENT RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

THERE'S KIND OF A FIVE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD THAT WE GIVE THEM.

>> Dawn: THAT MAKES SENSE.

SO MUCH ABOUT OUR K-12 SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT HAPPEN IT MAY HAVE BEEN WHEN THEY WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHENEVER THAT MAY HAVE BEEN.

>> Katie: EXACTLY.

>> Dawn: THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THEM.

GOOD.

THANK YOU.

SO OUR LAST PRESENTATION COMES FROM SMITH.

>> SMITH: TRIO PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND THEY ARE COLLEGE-ACCESS PROGRAMS, AVAILABLE TO HELP STUDENTS TO PREPARE FOR GET READY FOR, AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN COLLEGE.

OUR FOCUS IS WORKING WITH FIRST-GENERATION, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS TO PROVIDE COLLEGE ACCESS, BUT WE DO HAVE PROGRAMS THAT START AS EARLY AS MIDDLE SCHOOL.

WE WORK WITH STUDENTS TO FIRST AND FOREMOST, LET THEM KNOW THAT COLLEGE IS AN OPTION BECAUSE, A LOT OF TIMES, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THINK THAT COLLEGE MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

THEY JUST DON'T KNOW THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO ASK OR THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO TALK TO.

WE ARE THERE TO GUIDE THEM FROM START TO FINISH, AND WE ARE NOT THERE JUST TO GET THEM TO THE DOOR TO COLLEGE.

WE'RE THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ACTUALLY GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

WE HAVE FIVE TRIO PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE UPWARD BOUND WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH.

WE HAVE EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH THE STUDENTS AS EARLY AS MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM, AND THAT WORKS WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE.

WE HAVE THE RONALD MCNAIR PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN SCHOOL, BUT THEY ARE WANTING TO PURSUE A HIGHER EDUCATION, GRADUATE SCHOOL.

WE HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER THAT WORKS WITH ADULT STUDENTS.

COLLEGE GOAL SOUTH CAROLINA IS AN INITIATIVE TO HELP STUDENTS AROUND THE STATE TO COMPLETE THEIR FAFSA FORM THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

AT THIS WORKSHOP, STUDENTS AND PARENTS CAN COME, GET THEIR FINANCIAL AID FORMS COMPLETED, AND START THAT ENTIRE PROCESS FROM START TO END, GET HELP THAT THEY NEED, AND IT'S TOTALLY FREE OF CHARGE.

IT WILL BE HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE IN VARIOUS HIGH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

MY ADVICE TO STUDENTS APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID IS TO START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHEN THE PROCESS BEGINS, AND IT REALLY STARTS WITH COMPLETING THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

THAT IS REALLY THE PROCESS TO START ALL KINDS OF DOORS OPENING FOR THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

NEED-BASED AID AND OTHER TYPES OF AID, THEY ALL WILL START WITH USING THE FAFSA FORM.

A STUDENT WHO'S INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN TRIO PROGRAMS, THEY FIRST NEED TO CONTACT THEIR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR IN THEIR SCHOOLS AND IF YOU ARE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, THEY CAN GO TO THEIR MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, OR HIGH SCHOOL THE SAME THING.

THE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS ARE THERE AS A FIRST LINE OF INFORMATION BECAUSE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT THEY HAVE ON THEIR CAMPUS THEY WILL KNOW ABOUT, AND IF THERE IS A TRIO PROGRAM THAT IS AVAILABLE AT THEIR MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOL CERTAINLY CONTACT YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.

WE WORK VERY, VERY CLOSELY WITH GUIDANCE STAFF TO PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES THAT WE GIVE TO THE STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

>> Dawn: REGINA COULDN'T BE HERE WITH US TONIGHT BUT OUR COLLEAGUE, JAMES PRINCE, COORDINATOR OF THE USC UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE TRIO PROGRAM.

WELCOME, JAMES.

THE VIDEO WENT TO REGINA.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT WASN'T HIM.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US DETAILS ABOUT THE UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM AT USC?

>> James: OUR PROGRAM TEN UNIVERSITY FOR 50 YEARS.

WE CELEBRATED OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY IN 2016.

>> Dawn: WOW!

>> James: WE'VE HAD IT SINCE ITS INCEPTION.

OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES NOT ONLY ADVICE ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BUT WE TRY TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC SERVICES FOR STUDENT SO THEY'RE PREPARED FOR STUDENTS.

WE TALK ABOUT AID AND WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE CULTURE SHOCK SOME STUDENTS MAY HAVE JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT USED TO THE RIGGER OF THE ACADEMICS.

SOMETIMES BEING AWAY FROM PARENTS CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR STUDENTS.

SO FOR UPWASHED BOUND, WE PROVIDE THEM WITH SERVICES TO HELP THEM OUT.

WE WORK ON STUDY SKILLS, TEST PREPARATION, HOW TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH PROFESSORS AT YOUR CAMPUS, HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS IN A DORMITORY.

ESPECIALLY FOR UPWARD BOUND, WE HAVE A SIX-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS STAY IN A DORMITORY AWAY FROM THEIR PARENTS.

WE HAVE THEM 24 HOURS A DAY, SIX DAYS A WEEK.

THEY SIGN IN ON SUB AND SIGN OUT ON FRIDAY.

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE PREPARED THROUGH OUR SUMMER PROGRAM SO THEY GET A GLIMPSE OF WHAT COLLEGE LIFE IS LIKE SO WHEN THEY GET THERE, THEY'RE MORE PREPARED FOR THE COLLEGE LIFE.

>> Dawn: HOW FAR IN ADVANCE CAN THEY PARTICIPATE IN THAT?

IS IT JUST THE SUMMER OR THE SEMESTER BEFORE THEY BEGIN?

OR IS THAT SOMETHING THEY COULD PARTICIPATE IN EARLIER IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER?

>> James: SPECIFICALLY, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND THAT ANSWER WILL BE DIFFERENT DEPENDING UPON THE UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM AT WHATEVER UNIVERSITY HAS THE PROGRAM.

SPECIFICALLY FOR USC, WE LIKE TO GET OUR STUDENTS IN THE NINTH GRADE AND PROVIDE THEM WITH ALL FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE SO THEY GET IN THE NINTH GRADE AND THEY BEGIN THEIR SUMMER ACTIVITY AFTER THEY'VE COMPLETED AN ACADEMIC YEAR.

DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR, WE PROVIDE TUTORING ON SATURDAYS.

WE GO OUT TO THE SCHOOLS AND DO VISITS THROUGH THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR OFFICES.

ONCE THEY GO THROUGHOUT ACADEMIC PROCESS FOR THE SUMMER, THEY COME ON CAMPUS AND WE PROVIDE SERVICES LIKE S.A.T.

PREPARATION, "A" PREPARATION, WE PROVIDE A MATH AND ENGLISH COURSE FOR OUR STUDENTS SO IF THEY'RE TAKING A MATH AND ENGLISH THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR, WE PROVIDE A PREP COURSE FOR THEM IT GIVES THEM A LEG UP BEFORE THEY BEGIN THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR.

WE DO LIKE TO GET THEM IN WHEN THEY'RE FRESHMEN AND THEN WE'VE GIVEN THEM THE SERVICES OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD SO THEY'RE ADJUSTED TO THE COLLEGE LIFE BEFORE THEY GET THERE.

SO IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM.

>> Dawn: THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THAT IS THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH -- I'M ASKING A FAFSA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN NINTH GRADE.

SO IT IS A SEPARATE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> James: YES.

JUST AS MS.

SMITH MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO, WE WORK THROUGH OUR GUIDANCE OFFICES.

IF STUDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM, THEY NEED TO SEE THEIR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.

WE PROVIDE AN APPLICATION FOR THEM.

A LOT OF PARENTS GET SCARED WHEN THEY SEE OUR APPLICATION.

IT IS ABOUT 15 PAGES LONG BUT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PROVIDING THE SERVICES AND HAVING STUDENTS ON CAMPUS AND LEAVING THEM IN OUR CARE, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR STUDENTS.

BUT IT IS A SEPARATE APPLICATION PROCESS.

THEY FILL IT OUT.

WE DO AN INTERVIEW.

WE ACCEPT THEM BASED ON THEIR POTENTIAL TO GO TO COLLEGE IF THEY HAVE A DRIVE AND WANT TO GO-GO TO COLLEGE.

THAT'S THE UPWARD BOUND PROCESS.

IT IS GIVEN FOR THE OTHER FOUR PROGRAMS.

BUT UPWARD BOUND SPECIFICALLY.

DOP THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT WITH US.

WE DO HAVE SOME OTHER QUESTIONS WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR VIEWERS.

YOU ALL CAN JUST -- IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD OR YOU RESPOND TO IT, JUST JUMP IN AND ANSWER.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR MOST OF THE STATE SCHOLARSHIPS?

>> I'LL ANSWER THAT.

THE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR MANY OF THE STATE SCHOLARSHIPS ACTUALLY COME THROUGH THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOTTERY COMMISSION.

YEARS AGO, BACK IN 1999, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED A SYSTEM IN WHICH SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS COULD BE FUNDED THROUGH THE SOUTH CAROLINA LOTTERY.

NOT ONLY THE LOTTERY, HOWEVER AND MANY PEOPLE THINK IT IS ONLY THE LOTTERY THAT FUNDS THIS BUT OF COURSE, THERE IS STATE FUNDING FOR THE NEED-BASED GRANT AND OTHER PROGRAMS, STATE PROGRAMS AS WELL.

PRIMARILY THE REVENUE SOURCE IS THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION LOTTERY.

>> Dawn: THAT'S GOOD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE'S QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE ALL OF THAT MONEY IS COMING FROM.

ANOTHER QUESTION ALSO -- AND THIS IS A QUESTION THAT I KNOW THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN GRAPPLING WITH IN MY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT -- WHEN YOU HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN DUAL CREDIT COURSES OR WHO EVEN IF IT IS NOT THROUGH THE DISTRICT, ON THEIR OWN, THEY'RE TAKING CREDIT, DO THEY QUALIFY FOR ANY SORT OF AID OR SCHOLARSHIP?

AS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?

>> I'LL TAKE THAT ONE.

AT THE 16 TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, IF A STUDENT IS ENROLLED IN A DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE STUDENTS MAY QUALIFY FOR LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST WITH PAYING FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

>> Dawn: ARE THERE ANY CRITERIA FOR THAT?

DO THEY HAVE TO HAVE SO MANY CLASSES OR JUST ONE CLASS?

>> THE STUDENT HAS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR ADMISSIONS PROCESS AND THEN FOR FINANCIAL AID PURPOSES, THERE IS A LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE WAIVER THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO COMPLETE IN THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE THEN THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE AWARD.

>> Dawn: A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN DOING THAT NOW, TRYING TO GET AS MANY COURSES UNDER THEIR BELT AS THEY CAN BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GRADUATE.

>> DAWN, IF I CAN A LITTLE BIT MORE.

THE LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR BOTH ADULTS AND FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT.

STUDENTS HAVE TO TAKE A MINIMUM OF SIX CREDIT HOURS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEMESTER.

AS YOU KNOW, A SEMESTER IS 16 WEEKS IN MANY CASES.

SO A STUDENT COULD START OFF IN A FIVE-WEEK PROGRAM, LET'S SAY AT THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE OR THEY CAN BE IN AN EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM AS WELL TO MEET THAT REQUIREMENT.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE SIX HOURS AT ONCE IN ORDER TO MEET THE CRITERIA.

>> Dawn: SO THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COURSE OFFERINGS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT MAKES IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR A STUDENT DOING DUAL ENROLLMENT OR FOR AN ADULT.

WE ALLOW FOR THAT VARIETY WITHIN A SEMESTER TO MEET THE SIX CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENT.

>> Dawn: THAT'S GREAT NEWS FOR STUDENTS OUT THERE.

THAT'S GOOD.

ANOTHER QUESTION THAT WE HAVE IS WHY ARE SCHOOLS SO STRICT ABOUT NOT ALLOWING EXCEPTIONS WITH REGARDS TO THE FAFSA DEADLINES?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> James: I'LL TAKE THAT ONE, DAWN.

WE WISH WE HAD ENOUGH MONEY FOR EVERYONE.

WE WISH WE HAD ENOUGH TO GIVE EVERYONE TO COVER ALL OF THEIR EXPENSES BUT THE TRUTH IS WE DON'T.

WE HAVE TO GO BY SOMETHING THAT'S FAIR AND ABOVE BOARD AND A DEADLINE IS BY FAR THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT.

SO AT USC COLUMBIA, WHEN WE LOOK AT AWARDING STUDENTS, WE LOOK AT A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, THE EARLIEST FAFSA FILERS WHO GET THE APPLICATION IN QUICKLY AND RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ARE CONSIDERED FIRST.

THEY HAVE TO MEET THAT DEADLINE.

WE BELIEVE THAT IS THE MOST FAIR AND ABOVE BOARD WAY TO DISTRIBUTE THOSE LIMITED DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE.

>> Dawn: THAT'S WHY YOU GUYS KEEP SAYING APPLY EARLY.

APPLY EARLY!

THAT'S GOOD.

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS IN EACH SCHOOL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE.

THEY PROVIDE STUDENTS AND PATIENTS ARE GREAT INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO MAKE COLLEGE AFFORDABLE.

LET'S TAKE A QUICK LOOK.

>> THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL IS THE KEY PERSON TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND PARENTS WITH CURRENT INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN FOR COLLEGE.

GET TO KNOW THE GUIDANCE PROFESSIONALS AT YOUR SCHOOL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR EXPERTISE.

FINANCIAL AID IS AN EQUATION THAT INVOLVES THE COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE, THE SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR THE PARENT, AND OF COURSE THE STUDENT.

ULTIMATELY, THE STUDENT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPLORING ALL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR IS THERE TO ASSIST YOU AND POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

DO NOT ASSUME YOU WON'T QUALIFY FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID AND LIKEWISE, DO NOT RULE OUT APPLYING TO A COLLEGE BECAUSE OF COST.

EACH INSTITUTION'S WEBSITE SHOULD FEATURE A NET PRICE CALCULATOR.

USE THIS TO DETERMINE ALL POSSIBLE COSTS IN ADDITION TO TUITION.

MAKE SURE YOU SHARE THESE FIGURES WITH YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.

ADMISSION APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED EARLY IN THE FALL OF YOUR SENIOR YEAR.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS MEET ALL APPLICATION DEADLINES.

BE THOROUGH AND PROMPT WITH ALL YOUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH COLLEGES AND AGENCIES.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING AND KEEP COPIES OF ALL THE FORMS YOU FILL OUT.

MOST IMPORTANTLY STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOUR CHOSEN SCHOOL AND YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.

TOGETHER, YOU CAN DETERMINE THE BEST WAY TO MAKE COLLEGE AFFORDABLE.

>> Dawn: I HAD A QUESTION ACTUALLY.

IT IS A GREAT FOLLOW-UP.

SO THIS -- HOW MUCH CAN AN IN-STATE TUITION STUDENT EXPECT TO PAY FOR A BACHELOR'S DEGREE ON AVERAGE IF THEY WERE TO START SCHOOL IN ONE OF THE MAJOR INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA NEXT FALL?

NO ONE WANTS TO ANSWER THAT ONE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I THINK IT DEPENDS UPON WHETHER A STUDENT IS GOING TO LIVE ON THE CAMPUS OR LIVE AT HOME.

A LOT OF CHOICES LIKE.

THAT BUT IF YOU STRICTLY LOOK AT TUITION AND USC COLUMBIA TUITION IS A LITTLE LESS THAN $6,000 A SEMESTER.

THAT'S $12,000 A YEAR.

FOUR YEARS, YOU WOULD BE LOOKING AT ABOUT $48,000.

>> Dawn: OKAY.

DO THEY LOCK IN A CERTAIN PRICE THEIR FRESHMAN YEAR?

DOES THAT CHANGE YEAR TO YEAR?

>> IT DOES CHANGE YEAR TO YEAR DUE TO A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FACTORS.

>> Dawn: OKAY.

ANOTHER QUESTION THAT WE HAVE HERE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I CAN GET TO ALL OF THESE -- HOW CAN STUDENTS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS OR HOW THEY CAN APPLY FOR THOSE?

>> I CAN TAKE THAT ONE.

AT CLEMSON, THE WORK-STUDY PROGRAM DOES REQUIRE YOU TO FILE A FAFSA APPLICATION.

IT DOES HAVE A DEADLINE BECAUSE WE DO CONSIDER THAT NEED-BASED AID.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO FILE THEIR FAFSA EARLY.

AT CLEMSON, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT DEADLINE FOR FRESHMEN THAN WE DO FOR RETURNING STUDENTS.

WE REQUIRE FRESHMEN TO HAVE THEIR FAFSA IN BY MARCH 1st AND RETURNING STUDENT BY APRIL 1st.

THERE IS A QUESTION THAT ASKS IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO ANSWER YES NO THAT QUESTION.

THAT ALLOW -- TO ANSWER YES TO THAT QUESTION.

THAT ENABLES US TO FIND STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE PROGRAM.

IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT, SCHOOLS WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.

ALSO MOST SCHOOLS HAVE OFFICERS IN THEIR FINANCIAL AID OFFICE WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT PROGRAM AND WILL HELP THE STUDENTS TO FIND A JOB ONCE THEY ACTUALLY GET TO CAMPUS AND THE FEDERAL WORK STUDY, THAT'S HOW I GOT MY START IN FINANCIAL AID, I WAS AT A WORK STUDY STUDENT AT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IN MY COLLEGE.

IT IS A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

REALLY TEACHES A LOT OF GOOD LIFE LESSONS, RESPONSIBILITY AND I DEFINITELY THINK IT IS A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

IT DOES REQUIRE THE FAFSA AND YOU DO HAVE TO APPLY EARLY.

>> Dawn: IT IS ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR A POSSIBLE FUTURE CAREER.

THAT'S EXCELLENT.

ANOTHER QUESTION THAT WE HAVE -- I THINK SOME OF YOU HAVE SORT OF ANSWERED THIS IN SOME OF YOUR VIDEOS BUT JUST FOR CLARIFICATION.

AFTER COMPLETING THE FAFSA AND SELECTING UNIVERSITIES WITH WHOM TO SEND THE UNIVERSITY, WILL THEY SEND INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF FINANCIAL AID THEIR ELIGIBLE FOR OR DO THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS NEED TO CONTACT EACH PROSPECTIVE UNIVERSITY'S OFFICE TO FIND OUT?

I THINK HE'S IMPLYING MAYBE THEY'RE APPLYING TO SEVERAL UNIVERSITIES.

ONE APPLICATION?

>> A STUDENT CAN APPLY TO TEN COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES ON ONE APPLICATION.

SO AS LONG AS THEY LIST OUR SCHOOL CODE ON THERE, WE'LL HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR INFORMATION.

EACH SCHOOL WILL COMMUNICATE WITH THE STUDENT INDIVIDUALLY DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR PROCESSES ARE.

>> Dawn: THEY NEED ONLY FILL IT OUT ONE TIME.

AND JUST CHECK OFF WHICH SCHOOLS OR COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES.

AND I GUESS AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT QUESTION, THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT PARTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FROM THAT.

DO THEY NEED TO CHECK OFF WHICH ONES THEY ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR?

OR IS IT ONCE YOU APPLY FOR IT, THEY'RE GOING TO EVALUATE AND GET BACK TO YOU ON WHICH -- HOWEVER MANY YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> ON THE FAFSA, THERE ARE TWO QUESTIONS.

JENNIFER ALLUDED TO ONE.

THE FAFSA WILL ASK AN APPLICANT IF HE OR SHE IS INTERESTED IN THE FELL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM.

AS WELL AS IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING OUT STUDENT LOANS.

THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE DOESN'T WANT TO PACKAGE STUDENT LOANS FOR STUDENTS WHO SAY THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN THEM.

MOST STUDENTS WILL SAY YES TO THAT QUESTION AND THEN IF THEY DECIDE THEY DON'T NEED THOSE STUDENT LOANS, THEY CAN REDUCE THEM OR CANCEL THEM ONCE THEY REVIEW THEIR PACKAGE AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY NEED THOSE.

BUT AS FAR AS THE SCHOLARSHIPS, INSTITUTIONAL AID, GRANT, BOTH ON THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL, THERE ARE NO SEPARATE QUESTIONS ON THE FAFSA THAT THEY HAVE TO ANSWER.

IT IS JUST THOSE TWO PROGRAMS THAT YOU DO HAVE TO INDICATE INTEREST.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, ONCE YOU'VE DONE YOUR ADMISSIONS APPLICATION AND YOUR FAFSA IS ON FILE, THE SCHOOL WILL LOOK AT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TO COME TOGETHER WITH A FULL FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE.

>> Dawn: VERY USER-FRIENDLY.

>> IT IS.

>> IT IS VERY SEAMLESS.

>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD SINCE WE'RE DISCUSSING THE APPLICATION ITSELF, A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS INCUR SITUATIONS WHERE THEY'RE BEING DIRECTED TO WEB SITES OTHER THAN THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT WEB SITE FOR FAFSA.

SOMETIMES THEY'LL GO TO FAFSA.COM OR FAFSA.NET.

THOSE ARE AGENCIES CHARGING THE STUDENTS TO FILE THEIR FAFSA.

I WANTED TO MAKE A NOTE TO OUR STUDENTS TO KNOW IT IS THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL AID AND IT IS ALWAYS FREE.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE GOING TO THE RIGHT SITE WHICH IS FAFSA.ED.GOV.

IF YOU GO TO ANY OTHER SITE, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE PAYING SOMEBODY TO FILE YOUR FAFSA.

>> Dawn: THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

WHO KNOWS WHO THEY COULD BE GIVING YOUR INFORMATION TO.

>> RIGHT.

>> Dawn: THAT'S SCARY.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT A VIDEO NOW.

THIS IS VINCENT SANDERS WHO HAS SOME ADVICE FOR SOME PROSPECTIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>> SO DON'T BE... DON'T BE CLOSE-MINDED.

COLLEGE, APPLYING TO COLLEGE NEEDS TO BE AN OPEN-MINDED EXPERIENCE.

SO YOU CAN RESEARCH.

LOOK FOR THE BEST OPTIONS.

IF YOU WANT A SPECIFIC CAREER, LOOK FOR A COLLEGE THAT HAS GOOD PROGRAMS THAT ARE GEARED TOWARD SPECIFICALLY YOUR PASSION AND YOUR LIKES AND WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

ALSO, VISIT.

COLLEGE TOURS ARE VERY HELPFUL.

COLLEGE TOURS ARE VERY HELPFUL.

THEY GIVE YOU A FIRST IMPRESSION OF WHAT COLLEGE YOU WANT TO ATTEND AND, MOSTLY, WHAT TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT, BECAUSE IF YOU'RE TURNED OFF BY THE ENVIRONMENT, THEN NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN, YOU'RE NOT EVEN REALLY GONNA WANT TO DELVE INTO THE ACADEMICS.

THE ENVIRONMENT IS WHAT DRAWS YOU IN.

THE PEOPLE ARE WHAT DRAWS YOU IN.

THE RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU CAN BUILD IS WHAT DRAWS YOU IN, AND THAT HELPS YOU HAVE A BETTER ACADEMIC CAREER BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT, WHAT IT'S PRODUCING FOR YOU.

SO ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH, ALWAYS VISIT, AND IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE IN COLLEGE, ASK THEM HOW IT IS, WHAT'S GOING ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COLLEGE.

DON'T GO IN BLINDSIDED.

ALWAYS HAVE SOME KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT COLLEGE IS ABOUT.

>> Dawn: I HAVE TWO MORE QUESTIONS THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN MAYBE ANSWER BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME TONIGHT.

ONE THAT I HAVE IS ABOUT SAVING FOR COLLEGE IN A 529 AND WOULD EITHER OF THOSE BE A BETTER SOLUTION THAN PREPAID TUITION PROGRAMS?

>> Joe: THOSE ARE TOUGH QUESTIONS.

I'LL ANSWER KIND OF LIKE THIS.

I REALLY THINK IT COMES DOWN TO EACH INDIVIDUAL FAMILY AS TO WHAT DECISION IS BEST.

EACH ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS HAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF RETURN.

EACH ONE OF THOSE HAS DIFFERENT TAX IMPLICATIONS.

AND EACH ONE OF THOSE HAS A DIFFERENT EFFECT ON A PERSON'S FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE OR LACK THEREOF.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ONE GOOD ANSWER.

WE WOULD NEVER SAY THIS ONE IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THIS ONE.

IT DEPENDS ALMOST ENTIRELY ON THE FAMILY'S SITUATION.

MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TAKE THOSE ITEMS, LOOK AT THE BENEFITS, LOOK AT THE DRAWBACKS AND MAKE A DECISION BASED UPON THE SITUATION FOR A PARTICULAR FAMILY.

>> Dawn: THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT MAYBE A FAMILY COULD ALSO HAVE WITH YOUR OFFICE.

>> Joe: ALSO WITH THEIR ACCOUNTANT, TAX PREPARER, ANYONE LIKE THAT, GOOD TO GET A LOT OF PERSPECTIVES ON THOSE TYPES OF DECISIONS.

>> Dawn: GOOD.

THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU ALL IS I KNOW SOME TYPES OF LOANS, ESPECIALLY EDUCATION LOANS, SOMETIMES THERE ARE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS.

SO I KNOW SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE SOME ANXIETY ABOUT TAKING OUT LOANS.

WHAT KIND OF OPTIONS MAY THEY HAVE FOR GOING INTO A FIELD WHERE THEY MAY HAVE A LOAN FORGIVENESS?

>> I'LL START AND SAY THEY SHOULD LOOK VERY CAREFULLY.

THERE ARE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS NOW IN THE WORKPLACE.

THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS NOW FOR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE THE SOUTH CAROLINA TEACHER LOAN PROGRAM.

IN SPECIFIC FIELDS.

THERE MIGHT BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOAN FORGIVENESS AS WELL.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK BECAUSE SOMETIMES THERE IS A SERVICE COMPONENT WHERE A STUDENT WOULD HAVE TO EITHER STAY IN THE STATE OR COMPLETE SOME REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FORGIVENESS.

SO LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT THAT.

THAT'S A GREAT OPTION FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LOOKING AFFORDABILITY AND SEE SOME POSSIBILITIES THROUGH A LOAN PROGRAM.

BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT FORGIVING AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME.

>> Dawn: IT MAY BE IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO RESEARCH A LITTLE BIT WHAT THE CRITERIA WOULD BE.

I KNOW FOR SOME OF THE TEACHERS I HAVE WORKED WITH, THEY HAVE TO STAY IN A CERTAIN AREA TO BE ABLE TO TEACH AND EXPERIENCE THAT.

ANY OTHER CLOSING THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS FROM ANYONE THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS TONIGHT?

>> Joe: ONE THING TO ADD, DAWN, IF I COULD.

A FEW QUESTIONS AGO, THE QUESTION WAS HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE AT A MAJOR INSTITUTION?

I WANT TO ADD YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT IN TOTALITY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF STUDIES THAT SAY IT RESULTS IN EARNINGS OF A MILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ALONE.

$48,000 WITH A $1 MILLION RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT IN ONE'S FUTURE.

KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN WE LOOK AT COST AND BORROWING.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE END RESULT AND WHAT YOU BENEFIT FROM WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION.

>> Dawn: THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US HERE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU, OUR VIEWERS.