Apply for Financial Aid
It's Never Too Early to Get Started
At York Technical College, we know the power of a great education. It can inspire confidence, fulfillment, and job security, and can ultimately lead to a better quality of life. However, we also understand that paying tuition and fees in full is not always realistic. That's why we're here to answer your questions and help you navigate the Financial Aid process. Read on to find out how to get started, what to expect, and how York Tech can help make your future plans a reality.
Save Yourself the Time and Tuition
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Start by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your federal aid eligibility. The 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 versions are both available. The 2023-2024 FAFSA covers the Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 terms. The 2024-2025 FAFSA covers the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms. Click here to read about some important changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
The following changes have been made to this version of the FAFSA:
- Applicants will be required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX)
- Previously, users had the option to enter their tax information manually or use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Beginning with 2024-25, all persons on the FAFSA, will be required give consent to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange to share tax information or confirm non-filing status. This change makes it easier to complete the FAFSA and reduces the number of questions to be answered.
- Anyone who provides information on your FAFSA form will be considered a “contributor”
- “Contributor” is a new term on the 2024–25 FAFSA form. It refers to anyone (you, your spouse, your biological or adoptive parent, or your parent’s spouse) who’s asked to provide their information, consent, and approval to have their federal tax information transferred automatically from the IRS into the FAFSA form, and signature on your FAFSA form. Note: Unless they’ve legally adopted you, your grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, siblings, and aunts and uncles aren’t considered contributors—even if they helped provide for or raise you.
- To invite a contributor to your FAFSA form, you'll need to provide their name, date of birth, Social Security number, and email address. Obtain this information prior to beginning to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA.
- Being a contributor does not mean they are financially responsible for the student's education costs, but it does mean the contributor must provide information on the 24-25 FAFSA.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
- Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the previous Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Unlike the EFC, the SAI may be a negative number down to -1500. However, a negative SAI does not mean a student will receive more aid.
- The number of household members attending college will not be calculated into the SAI.
- The net worth of a business is no longer limited to those with more than 100 full-time employees. Applicants will be asked to report the net worth of all businesses, regardless of the size of business.
- The net worth of a farm now includes the value of a family farm.
- Child support received will be reported as an asset on the FAFSA instead of as untaxed income.
- Some students will automatically be awarded a Pell Grant
- The new FAFSA seeks to expand eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant program. While some students may become eligible for higher financial aid amounts, it’s important to acknowledge that others might experience a reduction in their eligibility.
- Applicants and Contributors must have an FSA ID to fill out the FAFSA
- Students and parents must have an FSA ID to fill out the form, including parents without a Social Security number.
You only need to complete the FAFSA once each school year. Be sure to use York Tech’s school code when applying: 003996
Need Assistance applying for the FAFSA? Register for one of our FAFSA Frenzy events, or stop by the Enrollment Services desk in the Student Services (J) Building. We have computers available for FAFSA completion.
Data Retrieval Tool
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows students and parents who filed a United States tax return to access tax return information needed to complete the FAFSA by transferring the data directly into their forms. If you’re eligible to use the Data Retrieval Tool, we highly recommend using it because it is the easiest way way to provide tax return information and using it will mean you may not need to provide a copy of your or your parents’ tax returns to York Tech.
Your FAFSA may be selected for verification, which means we will need additional documentation to process your application. Other documents may be required in order to clear up conflicting information on your FAFSA or clear items that were flagged by the Department of Education. Information about missing documents may be viewed in Navigate, and emails will also be sent to students informing them of missing documents. Documents may be uploaded in Navigate, scanned and emailed to finaid@yorktech.edu from your York Tech email address, or dropped off in person at the Enrollment Services desk in the Student Services (J) Building.
You must accept your awards in Navigate on or before the payment deadline for the amounts to be posted to your account. In addition, you must pay any balance due in Navigate or enroll in a payment plan before the payment deadline to secure your class schedule.
Have you filled out the FAFSA but are still worried about paying for college? You have options. Click the link below to learn about the scholarships and grants offered to you through the York Technical College Foundation, the State of South Carolina, and the Federal Government. These are financial aid opportunities you won't have to pay back.
Get Assistance for Financial Aid
Have questions about the financial aid process? We're here to help! Reach out by phone and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Or, schedule an appointment and stop by the Financial Aid Office to get help face-to-face. We're located in the Student Services Building (J) and are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Appointments are not required but are encouraged.
Phone: (803) 327-8008
Fax: (803) 981-7278
Email: finaid@yorktech.edu