Student Loan Information
Student loans can help you pay for college, but a loan is money you must repay—with interest.
Before borrowing, make sure you understand how much you are borrowing, what it will cost and how you will repay it.
At Trident Technical College, we encourage students to borrow only what they need and to consider grants, scholarships, work-study, payment plans and other resources before borrowing.
Types of Student Loans
A Direct Subsidized Loan is a federal student loan for eligible undergraduate students with financial need.
The federal government pays the interest on a subsidized loan while you are enrolled at least half-time and during certain other periods.
You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for a Direct Subsidized Loan.
For more information about current interest rates and fees, visit the Federal Student Aid Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans page.
A Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a federal student loan that does not require you to show financial need.
Interest begins to build on an unsubsidized loan when the loan is disbursed. You are responsible for that interest, even while you are in school.
You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
For more information about current interest rates and fees, visit the Federal Student Aid Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans page.
A Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a federal loan that a parent may borrow for a dependent undergraduate student.
The parent—not the student—is responsible for repaying a Parent PLUS Loan.
Parent PLUS Loans have different eligibility rules, interest rates and borrowing limits than student Direct Loans.
For more information about interest rates and fees, visit the Federal Student Aid PLUS Loan Application page.
Private student loans are offered by banks, credit unions and other private lenders. They are not federal student loans.
Private loans may have different interest rates, fees, repayment options and borrower protections than federal loans. Some private loans require a credit check or a cosigner.
We strongly recommend that you complete the FAFSA and review your federal student loan options before applying for a private loan. Federal loans may provide benefits that are not available with private loans.
TTC does not have a preferred private student loan lender. You may choose any lender.
Important: Transient and non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for private student loans through TTC.
How Much Can I Borrow?
Federal Direct Loan limits are set by the U.S. Department of Education.
For undergraduate students, the standard annual limits are:
| Dependent Student | Independent Student* | |
|---|---|---|
| First year (0-30 credit hours) | $5,500 | $9,500 |
| Second Year (31+ credit hours) | $6,500 | $10,500 |
*Independent students and certain dependent students whose parents cannot obtain a Parent PLUS Loan may qualify for the higher limits.
The current federal aggregate limits for undergraduate borrowing are $31,000 for dependent students and $57,500 for independent students, but the new federal lifetime maximum also matters for borrowers with graduate/professional borrowing.
These are maximum federal limits—not amounts you are guaranteed to receive.
The maximum amount you receive may be lower than these amounts.
Your eligibility may be limited by:
- Your enrollment
- Your cost of attendance
- Other financial aid
- Your remaining annual or lifetime loan eligibility
- Your grade level
- Your dependency status
- Your academic program
- Other federal eligibility requirements
A loan offer is not a recommendation to borrow the full amount.
You can accept less than the amount offered.
Before You Borrow: Ask Yourself These Questions
Look at your grants, scholarships, savings, income, payment plan and other resources first.
You do not have to accept the entire amount offered to you.
The amount you borrow now can affect your monthly budget after college.
Think about your expected income and other monthly expenses—not just whether you can afford the payment today.
You still have to repay your student loans even if you do not graduate.
Borrowing should be a decision—not an automatic part of your financial aid package.
Responsible Borrowing
A student loan can help you reach your education goals, but it is a financial commitment that can last for years.
Good borrowing habits
- Borrow only what you need.
- Keep track of how much you borrow each semester.
- Remember that interest increases the cost of borrowing.
- Do not borrow simply because you are offered the maximum amount.
- Consider how your future income may compare with your expected loan payment.
- Keep your contact information updated with your loan servicer.
- Read notices from your loan servicer and the U.S. Department of Education.
- Ask for help before you miss a payment.
Remember:
You are responsible for repaying what you borrow.
How to Apply for a Direct Loan
Step 1: Complete the FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
TTC Federal School Code: 004920
Step 2: Complete any required financial aid documents
Check your TTC Financial Aid Self-Service account and your TTC student email for required documents.
Step 3: Review your loan offer
You may accept all, part, or none of the loan amount offered.
Step 4: Complete the required loan documents:
First-time Direct Loan borrowers must complete:
Step 5: Stay eligible
You must continue to meet federal and TTC eligibility requirements, including enrollment requirements and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
To receive a Direct Loan disbursement at TTC, you must:
- Be enrolled in an eligible program;
- Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours that count toward your program of study;
- Be attending your classes;
- Meet federal and TTC financial aid requirements; and
- Have completed all required loan documents.
- Your loan may be reduced or canceled if your enrollment or eligibility changes.
Student loans must be repaid.
After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, your federal student loan may enter repayment.
For most Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans, there is generally a six-month grace period before repayment begins.
Your federal loan servicer will contact you about repayment and your first payment.
If you are having trouble making payments
Do not ignore your loan.
Contact your loan servicer as soon as possible. Depending on your situation, you may have options that can help you avoid delinquency or default.
Federal student loans may offer repayment options, deferment or forbearance in certain circumstances.
You can use the Repayment Calculator at StudentAid.gov to compare repayment options and estimate your payments.
A Parent PLUS Loan allows an eligible parent to borrow for a dependent undergraduate student.
Beginning July 1, 2026, federal rules limit Parent PLUS borrowing to:
- $20,000 per academic year per dependent student
- $65,000 total per dependent student
The lifetime limit is based on the student, not each parent.
Some borrowers may qualify for an interim exception to the new limits if the federal requirements for a legacy borrower are met.
Parent PLUS Loans are the parent's responsibility to repay.
Private student loans are different from federal student loans.
A private loan may have:
- A variable or fixed interest rate
- Different fees
- Different repayment terms
- A credit check
- A cosigner requirement
- Fewer borrower protections than federal loans
Because private loans can vary widely, compare the terms carefully before you borrow.
Before applying for a private loan
- Complete the FAFSA.
- Review your federal student loan eligibility.
- Consider scholarships, grants, work-study, payment plans and other options.
- Compare interest rates and fees.
- Review the repayment terms.
- Find out whether a cosigner is required.
- Ask whether the interest rate can change.
- Understand when repayment begins.
Federal student loans may offer benefits and repayment options that are not available with private loans. Federal Student Aid requires schools to tell students that federal aid may be available and that federal loan terms may be more favorable than private loan terms.
Private Loan Certification at TTC
TTC does not choose or recommend a private lender.
If you apply for a private student loan, your lender will contact TTC to request certification.
TTC does not certify private student loans for transient or non-degree-seeking students.
Private loan eligibility is also limited by your cost of attendance and other financial aid.
Your lender may require you to complete a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form.
You must complete federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling if you:
- Graduate;
- Leave TTC; or
- Drop below half-time enrollment.
Exit Counseling provides information about your loan balance, repayment, repayment options and your responsibilities as a borrower.
Complete Exit Counseling at StudentAid.gov.
You are responsible for knowing how much you owe.
You can view your federal student loan information through StudentAid.gov.
Review your:
- Total federal loan balance
- Loan servicer
- Interest rates
- Repayment status
- Payment history
- Repayment options
Do not wait until your first payment is due to find out how much you owe.
TTC Financial Aid can help you understand your federal student loan options and repayment responsibilities.
Email: faloans@tridenttech.edu
Phone: 843-574-6111
We encourage you to ask questions before borrowing.
Your education is an investment. Make sure your student loan is an investment you can afford to repay.
Helpful Resources
- FAFSA – Apply for federal financial aid.
- StudentAid.gov – Manage federal student loans and find repayment information.
- Repayment Calculator – Estimate payments and compare federal repayment options.
- CashCourse – Gain practical skills to help you take control of your finances. TTC Registration Code: 2545
Instructional Videos
Responsible Borrowing