Here is yet another college offering free tuition this year! Trident Technical College of South Carolina offers on-campus and online certificates and degrees. If your teen just graduated high school, here’s a great way to squeeze every dollar out of your budget.
Trident Technical College, Charleston, South Carolina
Free tuition for 1 year! Many certificates can be finished in a year or less.
Invest in yourself without student debt! Here’s how to get FREE tuition for the entire 2020-2021 academic year – Fall Semester 2020, Spring Semester 2021 and Summer Semester 2021:
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- Apply for free and be admitted to the college.If you are a returning student, submit the Admissions Update form to the Admissions or Registrar’s office or online using TTC Express in my.tridenttech.edu.
- Choose your major from the 70+ programs in these disciplines:
Emergency Medical Technology Culinary and Hospitality Engineering and Manufacturing Maintenance and Technical Trades Information Technology - Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. For more information and help, click here.
- Take a minimum of six credit hours that are required for your major. For help selecting classes in your major, see your assigned advisor or a Navigator in The Hub.
Not all programs are eligible, but the following ARE.
Jennifer’s notes: They make it very hard to find out if an entire program on the eligibility list is available fully online, especially since most of the programs are at least partially online. I suspect this is so they don’t attract too much attention outside of South Carolina – but but I’ve bolded in orange a few of the culinary and hospitality programs that ARE online since I confirmed these myself. My advice is to send a note and ask – especially computer programs, as these are likely available online.
| Interest Area | Program | Credential |
| Health, Human and Personal Services | EMT | associate degree & certificate |
| Advanced EMT | certificate | |
| Paramedic | certificate | |
| Culinary and Hospitality | Baking and Pastry | associate degree & certificate |
| Culinary Arts Technology | associate degree | |
| Hospitality/Tourism Management | associate degree | |
| Advanced Culinary Arts | certificate | |
| Beverage Service Essentials | certificate | |
| Cake Decorating | certificate | |
| Culinary Arts | certificate | |
| Dietary Manager | certificate | |
| Event Management | certificate | |
| Food and Beverage Operations | certificate | |
| Hotel Operations | certificate | |
| Engineering and Manufacturing | Civil Engineering Technology | associate degree |
| Electronics Engineering Technology | associate degree | |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | associate degree | |
| Advanced Automation-Mechatronics | certificate | |
| Aircraft Assembly Technology | certificate | |
| Architectural Drafting | certificate | |
| Basic CNC Operations | certificate | |
| Advanced CNC Operations | certificate | |
| Basic Electronic Journeyman I | certificate | |
| Basic Industrial Work Skills | certificate | |
| Machining and CNC Fundamentals | certificate | |
| Civil Drafting | certificate | |
| Computer Aided Design I and II | certificate | |
| Electrical Drafting | certificate | |
| Electrician-Automated Controls | certificate | |
| Electrician-Construction | certificate | |
| Electrician-Industrial | certificate | |
| Engineering Assistant-Engineer | certificate | |
| Engineering Assistant-Technician | certificate | |
| Facilities Maintenance | certificate | |
| Gas Metal Arc Welding Fundamentals | certificate | |
| Industrial Mechanic | certificate | |
| Introduction to Arc Welding | certificate | |
| Mechanical Drafting | certificate | |
| Production Technology | certificate | |
| Surveying | certificate | |
| Welding Gas Metal Arc and Flux Cored Arc | certificate | |
| Welding Gas Tungsten Arc | certificate | |
| Welding Shielded Metal Arc | certificate | |
| Maintenance and Technical Trades | Aircraft Maintenance | associate degree |
| Advanced Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | certificate | |
| Air Conditioning-Refrigeration Mechanics | certificate | |
| Commercial and Industrial ACR Systems | certificate | |
| Aircraft Maintenance Airframe | certificate | |
| Aircraft Maintenance General | certificate | |
| Aircraft Maintenance Powerplant | certificate | |
| Automotive Servicing | certificate | |
| Avionics Maintenance Technology | certificate | |
| Construction Management | certificate | |
| Electrical Line Worker-Advanced | certificate | |
| Electrical Line Worker-Third Class | certificate | |
| Introduction to Automotive Servicing | certificate | |
| Information Technology | Computer Technology | associate degree |
| Cybersecurity | associate degree & certificate | |
| Network Systems Management | associate degree | |
| Business Applications Solutions Specialist | certificate | |
| Cisco Certified Network Associate | certificate | |
| CompTIA Systems Specialist | certificate | |
| Database Administrator | certificate | |
| Enterprise Network Administrator | certificate | |
| Internet Programming | certificate | |
| Linux Systems Administration | certificate | |
| Microcomputer Programming | certificate | |
| Microsoft Network Solutions Associate | certificate | |
| Network Security | certificate | |
| Virtualization and Cloud Computing | certificate |
FAQ
Will TTC notify me when I’m awarded free tuition?
Yes. You will receive an email in your my.tridenttech.edu email account from the TTC Financial Aid office that includes a link to Financial Aid Self-Service for a personalized view of your financial aid.
When will I know I have been awarded free tuition?
Monitor your account status in Student Self-Service in the portal. The award date depends on when you complete the financial aid process. The sooner you submit the FAFSA and complete the financial aid process (including verification if chosen), the sooner your aid will be awarded. The free tuition award will be displayed as “TTC Tuition Grant.”
Will I get money for books?
This grant does not pay for books; however, some students may have a financial aid package that exceeds charges for tuition and fees. Those students will have a credit in the Bookstore.
Do I have to pay registration or course fees?
If you have declared a major in one of the 70+ programs, submitted your FAFSA and are registered for at least six credit hours that apply to your major, you do not have to pay registration and course fees. For courses that offer digital access to course materials, students are responsible for digital course materials fees (inclusive access).
If I registered already, can I get free tuition for the academic 2020-2021 year?
Yes. If you have declared a major in one of the 70+ programs, submitted your FAFSA and are registered for at least six credit hours that apply to your major, you do not have to pay tuition, registration and course fees for Fall 2020.
When will I get a refund?
Not all students who receive free tuition will be eligible for a refund. If you already paid out of pocket and now you’re receiving TTC Tuition Grant, your refund may be processed approximately three weeks after classes start.
Can I apply the free tuition to past balances?
No. Free tuition for fall applies only to Fall Semester 2020.
I already have earned a bachelor’s degree. Can I receive free tuition?
Yes. You can attend for free if you choose to major in one of 70+ programs.
How can I confirm my major?
You can view your major in the student portal (my.tridenttech.edu). Once in the portal, go to TTC Express for credit students, Academic Profile, then My Profile.
Does it matter if I’m a full- or part-time student?
Both full- and part-time students are eligible.
Will free tuition be available for Spring Semester 2021?
Yes! Free tuition will be offered for the entire 2020-2021 academic year: Fall Semester 2020, Spring Semester 2021, and Summer Semester 2021.
