Applying for Financial Aid
As early as October 1st a student (and their parents based on federal guidelines to determine dependent status) can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov, using their prior prior year tax information.
After submitting the FAFSA electronically, the processing center will send a student aid report (SAR). It is used to determine a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid: the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), the Federal Work Study Program, and the Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan. When the student receives the electronic copy of the Student Aid Report, s/he should check the report for accuracy. If any information is incorrect, the student must make corrections at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Upon acceptance to Mitchell Tech, the Financial Aid Office will email an award offer through the student's Mitchell Tech email indicating the amount of financial aid for which the student qualifies and from which specific sources funding will be granted. All students who are the recipient of a Title IV federal student loan for the first time must complete entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov before they can receive any proceeds from that loan.
Financial aid disbursements are available to students fourteen days after the first day of classes. To contact the Financial Aid Office at Mitchell Tech, call (605) 995-3052 or (800) 684-1969 toll-free.
Financial Aid Available
GRANTS
The Federal Pell Grant Program is a grant program funded by the federal government. The Student Aid Reports (SARs) from the processing center tell the Mitchell Tech Financial Aid Office whether or not you qualify for this grant and, if so, for how much. Award amounts are prorated based upon need calculation from the FAFSA information and enrollment status. If a student with a Pell Grant changes enrollment status during the first ten days of the semester, any refund goes to the student's Pell Grant.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
This is also a grant program funded by the federal government. Students who receive Pell Grants have priority for receiving this grant. Funding for this program is limited. Please apply early.
FEDERAL WORK-STUDY
The federal government funds the Federal Work Study Program. The Financial Aid Office determines eligibility. If you qualify and funds are available, you are allotted an amount of money that you can earn during the academic year. Limited summer jobs during non-enrollment periods are also available. Contact the Financial Aid Office for details.
Off-campus employment opportunities are also available. See the Career Services Office.
LOANS
Student loans are financial aid that must be repaid in the future. All types of loans are disbursed by the semester.
Repayments begin typically six months after you leave Mitchell Tech.
The Federal Direct Student Loan Program
This low-interest loan program allows dependent students to borrow up to $5,500 for their first year and $6,500 for their second year. Independent students may borrow up to $9,500 for their first year and $10,500 for their second year. This program is either subsidized or unsubsidized. If the loan is subsidized, the interest does not accrue while the student is attending Mitchell Tech. If the loan is unsubsidized, interest is charged from the time the loan is disbursed. Your award letter will indicate the type of loan for which you qualify.
Federal Direct Parent Loans (PLUS)
This program provides an opportunity for parents of dependent students to borrow funds for their student’s educational costs. The Financial Aid Office processes applications. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Education. Loan amounts may not exceed educational costs minus other financial aid.
OTHER OFF-CAMPUS AGENCY AND FINANCIAL AID SOURCES
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
If you are in this program, check with your TANF coordinator to see what assistance you may receive to attend Mitchell Tech.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
If you qualify for BIA funds, you should start by contacting your local BIA Agency. Paperwork completed early will ensure timely arrival of your funding.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Financial aid is available for persons with disabilities. Contact your local vocational-rehabilitation office.
Veteran’s Benefits
Contact the Veteran’s Center at (888) 442-4551 or the Financial Aid Office at Mitchell Tech to request information about the programs for which you may qualify. Veteran’s Affairs website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
National Guard Benefits
Members of the National Guard may qualify for up to 100% tuition benefits and monthly stipends under the Chapter 1606 program, Federal Tuition Assistance Program, and State Tuition Assistance. Contact your commanding officer, Financial Aid, or the Business Office for more information. Please note that the application and approval need to be done prior to the first day of classes.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
A program funded by the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulations. Economically disadvantaged students may qualify for grants in certain educational programs. Contact your local DOL office for details.
Scholarships
The Mitchell Tech Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to students who meet qualifications. Information regarding application deadlines is published periodically and distributed to students. See the Financial Aid Office or the Mitchell Tech Foundation Office for more details. Mitchell Tech also accepts any scholarships from outside sources. If receiving any scholarships from outside sources, you must notify the Financial Aid Office. If you receive a Mitchell Tech Foundation Scholarship and withdraw before mid-term, you will lose the scholarship and will be required to reimburse Mitchell Tech.
Mitchell Technical College (MTC) is proud to support the mission of the Mitchell Community Scholarship Fund, which is dedicated to helping graduates of Mitchell High School and Mitchell Christian School pursue their post-secondary education goals.
To reinforce this commitment, MTC will match 100% of the Mitchell Community Scholarship for students who are enrolled full-time (12 or more credits) and are pursuing a degree. The matched amount will be applied as a credit to the student’s account balance upon receipt of the scholarship check by the Business Office.
Please note that matching funds will not be provided in cases where a student is already receiving a full-ride scholarship—such as Build Dakota or Double Edge—or is benefiting from a reduced-rate dual credit discount. Any other unique circumstances will be reviewed and determined at the discretion of the Business Office.
Excess Financial Aid Refunds
Most grants, scholarships and loans are applied directly to student accounts. If financial aid proceeds have not been applied to an account or the amount does not cover 100% of tuition and fees due, the student is responsible to pay the remaining balance. A credit balance on a student account is created when excess financial aid remains after all eligible charges on a student’s account are paid in full, or when an excess payment is made on the account. Refund checks will be issued to students after the payment due date. Students will be notified via email or MyTech if they have a refund. Refunds may be issued in the form of a direct deposit or check in the student's name. Students must present a school or state issued form of identification that includes a photograph, prior to receiving their check.
Return of Title IV Funds Policy
When a student receiving federal Title IV financial aid withdraws from Mitchell Tech or stops attending classes without formally withdrawing during the enrollment period, the amount of the Title IV funds (not including Federal Work Study) that the student earned during the enrollment period is calculated as of the student’s withdrawal date. The student withdrawal date is determined by the student’s last date of physical attendance or academic engagement as recorded by their instructors.
If the date a student withdraws from Mitchell Tech is prior to or on the 60th percent point of the semester, Mitchell Tech is required to determine the portion of the aid disbursed that was “earned” by the student before the withdrawal date. The “unearned” Title IV funds must be returned to the respective federal aid programs. Unearned aid is the amount of disbursed Title IV aid that exceeds the amount of Title IV aid earned based on attendance in the enrollment period.
Once the date of withdrawal is determined, the amount of earned federal financial aid is calculated using the completion rate for the enrollment period, multiplied by the total aid that was disbursed or could have been disbursed (aid “could have been disbursed” if the student was eligible to receive it at the time he/she withdrew and may receive it under late disbursement rules in 668.164 [g]). Students who withdraw after completing 60 percent of the payment period will be considered to have earned 100 percent of their federal financial aid unless they are enrolled in modules (see next paragraph). A payment period is the period established by the school for which institutional charges are generally assessed, excluding breaks of five days or more. Federal financial aid that a student has earned can be applied toward institutional charges.
Modules
Federal regulations state that students who are enrolled in classes that do not span an entire term are considered to be enrolled in modules. If a student fails to complete all modules scheduled, the student is considered a withdrawal at the time the student ceases attendance, and the financial aid office is required to complete a return of Title IV calculation to determine how much federal financial aid funds were earned and return the amount that was considered unearned. The completion of 60 percent of term does not apply.
For students who fail to officially withdraw when they stop attending classes and are assigned an “F” grade for all courses for the semester, the Return to Title IV Funds policy requires Mitchell Tech to calculate the “earned” aid based on the student’s last date of attendance. Unearned federal aid must be returned as described above.
In accordance with federal regulations and Mitchell Tech policy, if you are eligible for a refund of tuition and fees, and you are a Title IV aid recipient for the enrollment period, the refund will be returned to the student aid programs. Returned Title IV Funds are allocated in the following order:
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Direct Loans (subsidized)
• Federal Perkins Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans
• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal SEOG
Late or Post-Withdrawal Disbursement
Students may be eligible for a late or post-withdrawal disbursement if they have accepted aid that did not disburse at the time of withdrawal.
If eligible, the Mitchell Tech Financial Aid Office will send notification of the action required to either accept or decline a portion, or all, of the late disbursement. If no response is received within approximately two weeks of notification, the award will be canceled.
Mitchell Tech’s Responsibilities
Mitchell Tech’s responsibilities in regard to the Return of Title IV funds include:
• providing each student with the Return of Title IV funds policy
• identifying students who are affected by this policy and completing the Return of Title IV Funds calculation for those students
• returning any Title IV funds that are due to the Title IV programs within 45 days of notification of the withdrawal
Student Responsibilities
Students who received a credit balance refund of their Title IV aid will be responsible to repay any portion of that aid that is “unearned.”
Mitchell Tech Refund Policy
Mitchell Tech's refund schedule is released each semester and is for students who withdraw from their classes entirely and voluntarily. Students must notify The Center for Student Success to initiate the withdrawal process. The percentage on the schedule indicates the refund amount for tuition and fees charged by Mitchell Tech for semester-long classes. Prorated refund rates apply to courses that do not span the entire semester. The refund policy excludes laptops, tools, uniforms, and bookstore charges.
Students receiving Title IV Financial Aid must complete their exit counseling to ensure receipt of this refund discount. If extenuating circumstances forced the student to withdraw from Mitchell Technical College, they may appeal their refund discount percentage to a committee consisting of the Registrar, Director of Student Success, Chief Financial Officer, and the Director of Financial Aid.
If you receive a Mitchell Tech Foundation Scholarship and withdraw before mid-term, you will lose the scholarship and will be required to reimburse Mitchell Tech.
Administrative withdraws or unofficial withdraws do not fall under this refund policy. Administrative withdrawals are initiated by Mitchell Tech personnel due to a student’s lack of attendance for on-campus courses and non-activity for online courses. Students receive all failing grades from administrative withdrawals and do not receive a refund.
Please contact Business Office for the current refund schedule.