Denmark Technical College is approved for veterans’ educational benefits by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, State Approving Agency (SAA) for training veterans and their dependents. Denmark Tech participates under Title 38 of the U.S. Code in these programs: Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill©; Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill© -Active Duty; Chapter 31 Vocational Readiness and Employment; Chapter 32 VEAP; and Chapter 35 Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). Title 10 of the U.S. Code are Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill© – Selected Reserve and Chapter 1607 REAP. For further details and current payment rates regarding these education benefit chapters, please refer to the GI Bill© website at benefits.va.gov/gibill/. Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® Chapter 31 Disabled Veterans (Vocational Rehabilitation) Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® Chapter 35 Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits Chapter 1606 Reservists and National Guard Benefits SC Free Tuition Vet Dependents Work-Study and Tutorial Assistance Eligibility for Veterans’ Benefits is determined by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. You may call the VA toll free at 1-888-442-4551 if you have questions about your eligibility. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans, their dependents, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible to receive benefits while pursuing an approved program of education or training. For this section, the term “veteran” can refer to a veteran as well as an eligible dependent or an eligible member of the National Guard or Reserve.
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Denmark Technical College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9111 G.l. Bill@ (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment.
- Assess a late penalty fee.
- Require student secure alternative or additional funding.
- Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent) or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class.
The student must first apply to the College, complete an application online and must be accepted into a program of study and registered for classes before he or she can be certified. Once admitted, the student should provide a copy of the appropriate documentation based on their chapter type:
- DD214 Member 4 copy (if application is based on active-duty service or if Chapter 30 or 33 and coded as out of state)
- Notice of Basic Eligibility (if application is based on current Reserve or National Guard service, chapters 1606/1607)
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Letter (if a Chapter 33 veteran)
- Dependent’s Educational Assistance (DEA) program letter (if chapter 35, dependent of a veteran)
VA CERTIFICATION FOR ONLINE COURSES
In order to meet VA certification requirements for off-campus courses, such as courses offered via the internet or other modes of distance learning, the College acknowledges that these courses are part of the College’s approved curriculum, are directly supervised by the College, are measured in the same unit as other courses, are required for graduation, and are part of a program of study approved by the State Approving Agency. The College provides an assigned instructor for each course.
The College requires that the faculty teaching these courses use a grading system similar to the grading system used in resident courses and include statements in the course syllabus that indicate that appropriate assignments are needed for the completion of the course. Further, the student must demonstrate, at least once a week, that he/she is actively involved in the class. Examples of activities that can be used to demonstrate this involvement include, but are not limited to, the following: posting/receiving emails, participating in online class discussions and class chat rooms, and completing and submitting course assignments. Further, the College requires that these courses have schedules of time for training and instruction which demonstrate that students shall spend at least as much time in preparation, instruction, and training as is normally required by the College for its resident courses. All students participating in online classes must comply with the College’s attendance procedure for online students.
Conditions for Interruption of Veterans Financial Benefits Due to Unsatisfactory Progress
Each veteran certified for benefits in a traditional college program at an institution of higher learning will have an evaluation of academic progress at the end of each term. This will be determined according to the College’s determination of academic progress as defined in this Catalog under Academic Information.
- If the student is placed on Academic Warning, VA is not notified of a Warning status.
- If the student is placed on Academic Probation, this status will be reported to VA at the end of each term as required by federal regulations. Students on Academic Probation are eligible to receive educational benefits unless otherwise notified by the VA.
- If a student previously on Academic Probation returns to Academic Good Standing, the student is eligible for certification.
- If a student previously on Academic Probation moves to Academic Suspension, the student is no longer eligible for certification at this institution. Any certification for the upcoming semester will be
terminated with a reason of “Unsatisfactory Conduct or Progress” in accordance with federal regulations.
- However, if the student requests an appeal with the Academic Appeals and Financial Aid appeals committees and the appeals are approved, the student’s enrollment for the upcoming semester should not be terminated. VA will contact the student if additional requirements and/or actions are required by the student regarding whether future payments of VA educational assistance allowance should be authorized.
Grading Procedures
In 1976, Congress amended the GI Bill© in such a way as to encourage veterans to move toward the attainment of educational career goals. The law now provides that no payment will be made to an eligible veteran for auditing a course or for taking a course in which the grade assigned is not used in computing graduation requirements.
To comply with this law, the following rules apply to veterans or other individuals who receive veterans’ benefits:
- The “I” grade is not a permanent grade and carries only a message of a temporary condition that will be changed to a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F. The “I” defaults to “F” automatically at the midterm period of the subsequent term if course requirements are not completed by that time. In the event a veteran receives an “I” grade at the end of a semester, further enrollment in that course cannot be certified to the VA. Once the permanent grade is assigned, the VA Certifying Official will review the updated status.
- In all cases, an “F” grade is defined as a punitive grade for purposes of computing eligibility for and receipt of veterans’ benefits.
- Veterans cannot be certified for an “AU” grade.
- Veterans’ enrollment cannot be certified for any course not listed in his/her curriculum as a graduation requirement.
- Non-Punitive Grade: A non-punitive grade is a grade that does not count as earned credit and is not considered in progress standards for graduation. A withdrawal after the drop period is non-punitive if it is not calculated into the student’s GPA, or it is not considered in academic progress criteria. Payment is not allowed for a course in which this grade is awarded. Students receiving a “W” should consult with the Registrar’s office if there are any mitigating circumstances.
- If there are electives listed as part of the curriculum, veterans must not exceed the total number of elective hours designated by the program and should take only electives listed as approved electives or electives approved in writing by their department head.
To learn more about specific information required for eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran’s Affairs at 803.793.5215.
Attendance
Veterans are responsible for maintaining satisfactory attendance as outlined in the College’s policy. If a veteran’s absences exceed 25 percent of the scheduled meetings of a class, his or her training will be reduced accordingly. (No distinction is made between excused and unexcused by Veterans Regional Office.) Veterans who are students receiving VA educational assistance are required to maintain satisfactory progress according to academic standards of Denmark Technical College as approved by the state approving agency.
Tutorial Assistance
If a tutor is required to assist a veteran in passing a subject, veterans may receive monetary assistance from the Veterans administration. For more information contact your local Division of Veterans Affairs.
Eligibility for Aid
Eligibility requirements for each type of aid may vary from year to year. For information on the current eligibility requirements, methods for determining individual student eligibility requirements and calculating award amounts, contact the Financial Aid Office. Specific eligibility requirements are established by the US Education Department for Federally funded programs; SC Commission on Higher Education for State-funded programs; and local/private sources determine eligibility for their respective programs.
All aid awarded through Denmark Tech is awarded on the basis of financial need and merit. Students that are in default on a student loan or repayment of a grant may not be awarded financial aid, except under certain circumstances. A student’s aid package may include grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans.
When making aid awards, students demonstrating the greatest unmet financial need are assigned funds first. Because of this, students applying for aid early are most likely to receive assistance with available funds.
Eligibility of Students without a High School Diploma
To be eligible for federal student aid, you must have either a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent (such as a General Educational Development certificate (GED) or have been home schooled).
Expected Family Contribution
The lower a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the higher the student’s federal student aid eligibility. A change has been made to the income amount that is used to determine if a student qualifies for an automatic EFC of zero. When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you receive an Expected Family Contribution, which is a number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility.
Federal Pell Grant Program
Duration of Eligibility Once you have received a Pell Grant for 12 semesters, or the equivalent, you will no longer be eligible for additional Pell Grants. You are eligible to receive a Pell Grant for up to 12 semesters or the equivalent. If you have exceeded the 12-semester maximum, you will lose eligibility for additional Pell Grants Equivalency is calculated by adding together the percentage of your Pell eligibility that you received each year to determine whether the total amount exceeds 600%.
Direct Student Loan
Changes Direct Subsidized loans will not be eligible for an interest subsidy during the six-month grace period. Subsidized loans are loans for which the borrower is not responsible for the interest while the student is enrolled in college on at least a half-time basis when the loan is in the six-month grace period after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time, or if the loan is in a deferment status. This provision eliminates the interest subsidy provided during the six-month grace period for subsidized loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, and before July 1. If you receive a subsidized loan during this timeframe, you will be responsible for the interest that accrues while your loan is in the grace period. You do not have to make payments during the grace period (unless you choose to), but the interest will be added (capitalized) to the principal amount of your loan when the grace period ends. This provision does not eliminate the interest subsidy while the borrower is in school or during eligible periods of deferment.
All subsidized loans made to undergraduate students will have a fixed interest rate (please refer to Studentaid.gov for more information).
The student should also provide all requested information promptly, including verification and federal tax forms. After the completed file has been reviewed, a financial aid notification letter will be available. If offered aid, students should follow the instructions in the notification letter.
When communicating with applicants, the Financial Aid Office will use the address listed on the correspondence received when the student applied or was last registered. If students move, they should change their address promptly at the Office of Admissions and Records.
To remain eligible, a student must be enrolled and be in good academic standing. Students who withdraw from school after the start of the term are liable for repayment of part or all the funds received during that semester. In addition, to ensure that the student remains eligible, the student must notify the Financial Aid Office of changes in enrollment status or program of study. For additional information concerning types of aid, student eligibility selection, award procedures, etc., contact the Financial Aid Office at Denmark Technical College.
Steps to Obtaining Financial Aid
- Complete an application for admission to Denmark Technical College.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is required for all financial aid programs. Scholarships, grants, work-study, lottery tuition assistance, and loans at Denmark Tech. Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Enter Denmark Technical College’s school code — 005363 on the FAFSA.
- If you are eligible for financial aid, you will receive an award notification from Denmark Technical College stating the amount of aid.
Financial Aid Application Deadlines
Financial Aid application deadlines for each term are as follows:
| For This Term | Application is due by |
|---|---|
|
Fall Term |
July 1 |
|
Spring Term |
November 1 |
|
Summer Term |
April 1 |
To be considered for campus-based aid, your student aid report must be in the Financial Aid Office before July 1, each year. Financial aid applications may be processed after the posted deadlines; however, students should make adequate payment arrangements with the business office to cover the cost of tuition and books for the first semester of enrollment or until they are officially notified of eligibility status for financial aid. Students who have questions regarding their financial aid should always speak with a financial aid counselor. The telephone number for the Financial Aid Office is: 803-793-5161.
Education Tax Credits
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 included the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits that may be used to reduce federal taxes. The Hope Scholarship Tax Credit is available to degree-seeking students in the
first two years of postsecondary education. If you are not eligible for the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit, you may be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. This tax credit is available to those who take at least one course to acquire or improve job skills. The actual amount of the tax credit depends upon family income and the amount of qualified tuition and fees paid. More information regarding these tax credits can be found at www.irs.ustreas.gov. In addition to these federal tax credits, a South Carolina tax credit is available. More information on the state tax credit can be found at www.sctax.org.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
The following Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy measurements are immediate. These measurements shall be used to determine student eligibility for all need-based and federal Title IV financial assistance unless the terms of a particular grant or funding source state otherwise.
Frequency of Monitoring and Evaluation
Denmark Technical College will review a student’s progress at the end of each academic term. Transfer students must meet the same SAP requirements and maximum enrollment limit as other students. At the end of each academic term, the Financial Aid Office determines whether a student is making SAP towards his/her program of study and is thus eligible to continue to receive federal student financial aid during the following academic term. A student’s progress is measured both qualitatively and quantitatively according to the eligibility stated below. The following are considered when evaluating a student’s satisfactory academic progress:
- Grades of A, B, C, or D are considered attempted and earned hours.
- Withdrawals(W), Incompletes(I), Failures(F), grades are considered attempted but not earned.
- Audited courses are included in the attempted hours but not in the total of hours earned.
- Remedial courses are included in the calculation of both attempted and earned hours.
- Transfer credits are included in the calculation of both attempted and earned hours and the cumulative GPA.
- If the removal of an incomplete grade (“I”) makes the student eligible, the student must make sure the Financial Aid Office is informed of the removal of the incomplete grade.
Financial Aid Warning
If, at the end of the first academic term, a student is deemed ineligible for financial aid due to not meeting SAP standards, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. The student can receive financial aid for the semester he/she is on Warning. Students on Warning must complete a Student Success Academic Plan of Action Form with academic champions.
Financial Aid Suspension
If, at the end of the academic term and a student with a Warning status is deemed ineligible for financial aid due to not meeting SAP standards, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Financial aid, once lost, cannot be reinstated retroactively for previous semesters. The student must pay expenses incurred while a student’s aid is suspended until the minimum SAP standards are met again. This policy applies to all students at Denmark Technical College receiving financial aid. The SAP requirements for Denmark Technical College are as follows:
| Associate Degree Programs | |
|---|---|
|
Credit Hours Attempted |
Minimum GPA Requirements |
|
0-35 |
1.5 |
|
36-50 |
1.8 |
|
51-above |
2.0 |
| Diploma Programs | |
|---|---|
|
Credit Hours Attempted |
Minimum GPA Requirements |
|
0-26 |
1.5 |
|
27-40 |
1.8 |
|
41-above |
2.0 |
| Certificate Programs | |
|---|---|
|
Credit Hours Attempted |
Minimum GPA Requirements |
|
0-12 |
1.5 |
|
13-14 |
1.8 |
|
15-above |
2.0 |
Pace of Progression
Each student is required to complete successfully 67% of all credit hours attempted, including transfer hours accepted towards the student’s program of study. Attempted hours are credit hours that the student is enrolled in after the drop/add period and includes grades of A, B, C, D, F, I, and W. All attempted hours are included in the calculation.
| Certificate Programs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
If a student has attempted these
hours: |
18 |
36 |
60 |
84 |
106 |
130 |
|
Then the student must have successfully completed at least these hours to be SAP eligible:
|
12 |
24 |
40 |
56 |
71 |
87 |
Note: Repeating courses that have already been passed with a grade of D or better will decrease the credit completion rate. Also, academic forgiveness is not recognized for SAP purposes. Therefore, all coursework will be counted, whether forgiven or not.
Maximum Time Frame
The maximum timeframe a student is eligible for financial aid is 150% of the published length of the educational program in which the student is currently enrolled. Most associate degrees require a minimum of 60 credit hours. Therefore, a student working towards an associate degree is eligible for federal aid up to 90 semester hours attempted. Students should also be reminded that only hours needed to complete the declared degree, diploma, or certificate, including those attempted from previous institutions, will be counted in the total hours and therefore the calculation by Denmark Technical College.
To determine the maximum allowable hours for a specific program of study, refer to the Ccollege Ccatalog, the total hours required for the degree, diploma, or certificate, and multiply that number by 1.5.
The maximum timeframe is not increased for changes in the programs of study. Also, a total of two (2) degrees, diplomas, or certificates completed at Denmark Technical College will be allowed.
Appeal Procedures
Students who fail to meet the SAP standard may appeal the suspension of their student federal aid. The appeal must be based on mitigating circumstances that impacted negatively upon the students’ ability to meet the required standards and must include official supporting documentation. Examples of such circumstances are:
(1) death/prolonged illness of an immediate family member, (2) medical illness by the student that created undue hardship, (3) natural disasters or other acts of God beyond the control of the student (i.e., hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.) or other personal or family matters/situations which may have negatively impacted the student’s ability to meet the required standards. Each appeal is reviewed by an anonymous SAP Appeals Committee and a decision is based on the following:
The appeal application must be completed in its entirety and submitted before the first day of class for the enrolled semester. The appeal application should describe the student’s special or mitigating circumstance. It must include how the circumstances affected the student’s academic performance and the dates and time- periods involved. An appeal should explain how the situation has changed and the steps being taken to resolve the circumstances. If these items are not being addressed, the appeal letter will be considered incomplete.
Incomplete appeals will not be reviewed and will automatically be denied.
Students must attach all necessary documents. Important documents such as police reports, death certificates, birth certificates, medical records, medical bills, court or police documents, letters from third-party professionals on official letterhead and other documents should be attached which may assist with the Committee’s decision.
The student’s letter of appeal will be reviewed within two (2) weeks of receiving the request and all necessary documents by the SAP Appeals Committee. All SAP Committee decisions are final. Students who are DENIED financial aid due to appeal results and/or placed on Financial Aid Suspension are responsible for payment of tuition and fees. Please see the business office for possible payment arrangements.
Notification of the decision will be sent to the student’s Denmark Technical College email account. Explanation of justification for the decision will not be provided to the student or parent(s). Appeals will only be approved for the next academic term. A student can only receive two (2) appeals during his/her matriculation at Denmark Technical College. The second appeal cannot use the same mitigating circumstances in the previous SAP appeal approval. Terms and conditions of appeal approval will be included in an Academic Plan that the student must sign before financial aid will be awarded.
Academic Plan
Students must be placed on an academic plan upon submission of granted appeal. Students must complete the academic plan, with the end goal of resolving all academic deficiencies or degree completion. An academic plan varies in length and is determined by academic affairs. If the student does not maintain academic plan stipulations, financial aid eligibility could be cancelled immediately.
Reinstatement of Financial Aid
Students who demonstrate mitigating circumstances that interfere with academic performance will have financial aid eligibility reinstated until the next SAP review period and be placed on financial aid probation. To maintain financial eligibility after the approved academic term, a student must meet the SAP policy or successfully follow an approved academic plan.
Reinstatement of Financial Aid without a Successful Appeal
If an SAP Appeal is denied, the student must pay for college expenses each semester and earn the deficiency either in the hours, GPA or both. Once the student believes he/she has met the SAP requirements on his/her own, the student must make a request to have their SAP status reevaluated.
NOTE: The SAP Policy is subject to change without advance notice based on changes to federal laws and regulations, or school policies. If changes are made, student must abide by the most current policy.
RETURN OF TITLE IV FINANCIAL AID
A student’s federal financial aid eligibility must be recalculated for students who withdraw, drop out,
are dismissed or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a semester. Federal financial aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and the Federal Direct Loan Program. The recalculation of eligibility is based on the percent of earned aid using the following formula:
The number of days attended in the semester divided by the total number of days in the semester.
Federal financial aid must be returned to the federal government based on the percent of unearned aid using the following formula:
The percent of earned aid multiplied by the amount of federal financial aid disbursed.
The amount of aid to be returned is the responsibility of the college and the student. However, the student will be responsible for repaying the college for the amount that the college was required to return on his or her behalf. Therefore, a student who does not complete at least 60% of a semester may owe the college and/or the federal government for the amount of unearned federal financial aid. A student who owes the college may not be permitted to register for a subsequent term or obtain an official academic transcript until the debt is paid. Payment should be made to the DTC cashier’s office. Please contact the financial aid office for dates that mark the 60 percent point of each term.