Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Admissions

Financial Aid & Tuition

  • Are books included in the cost of tuition?
    • No, the cost of books is separate from tuition. More information is available at the campus store.
  • Does SRTC have a senior citizen rate for tuition?
    • Residents of Georgia who are 62 years of age or older may request a tuition waiver. If tuition is waived under this policy, admission is granted only on a space-available basis. Proof of age must be presented at registration to receive a tuition waiver. This policy applies to regular and institutional credit courses only; it does not apply to continuing education courses, non-credit courses, or seminars.
  • Where can a student pay fees?
    • Fees can be paid online at SRTC's Pay Online webpage with a credit card, or in person at the Campus Store (bookstore) in Moultrie, Thomasville, or Tifton.
  • What methods of payment does SRTC accept?
    • SRTC accepts check, cash, money order, and credit card (Visa, MasterCard).
  • How does a student apply for financial aid?
    • To apply for most types of financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The steps are:
    • Visit StudentAid.gov.
    • Complete and submit the FAFSA using financial and personal information.
    • Submit a new FAFSA every year, ideally before the fall semester, to remain eligible for aid.
    • Once the FAFSA is processed, the school uses the information to determine eligibility for financial aid programs such as Pell Grants, the HOPE Scholarship (if applicable), Federal Work-Study, and other federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
  • What is Southern Regional Technical College's school code?
    • Southern Regional Technical College's Federal Title IV School Code is 005615, which is the Thomasville location. This number must be used when a student completes the FAFSA in order for SRTC to receive the financial aid application.
  • Does a student need to be accepted before applying for financial aid?
    • No. As soon as a student decides to continue their education, they should begin the financial aid application process. However, before a student can be awarded aid, they must be enrolled and registered for classes.
  • Does a student have to renew their FAFSA every year?
    • Yes. Students must renew their FAFSA every academic year to continue receiving financial aid. An academic year runs from Fall semester through Summer semester.
    • A new FAFSA should be submitted each year before the start of the fall semester.
    • The new FAFSA is typically released in October for the following fall semester.
    • SRTC's priority deadline for Fall semester is usually around July 15.
    • Although SRTC generally begins processing new FAFSA files in late spring, students can complete their FAFSA renewal as soon as the new application becomes available.
    • Submitting the FAFSA early helps ensure a student's financial aid can be reviewed and processed in a timely manner.
  • Does a student need to be full-time to receive financial aid?
    • No. Students do not need to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid.
    • The federal Pell Grant and the State HOPE and Zell Miller Grant and Scholarship programs are prorated based on the number of credit hours a student registers for each semester.
    • This means a student's financial aid award is adjusted according to their enrollment level rather than requiring full-time enrollment.
    • To view actual financial aid amounts for a specific term, a student should check Account Detail by Term on the Student Accounts tile in Ellucian Experience.
  • What is the IRS tool and how does a student use it?
    • The IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) is a secure process that transfers federal tax information directly from the IRS into a student's FAFSA. It replaced the older IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).
    • Benefits: securely transfers federal tax information from the IRS; reduces the time it takes to complete the FAFSA; helps ensure tax information is accurate, which can reduce processing delays.
    • To use the tool, the student completes the FAFSA, and when prompted, each FAFSA contributor (the student, spouse, or parent, if applicable) must provide active consent for the U.S. Department of Education to access their IRS tax information through the DDX. If consent is provided, the tax information is transferred automatically into the FAFSA.
    • Important: Every required contributor must provide consent. If any contributor declines to provide consent, the FAFSA will be rejected, and the student will not be eligible for federal financial aid.
  • What is the processing time for financial aid documents?
    • Once the Financial Aid Office has received the necessary documents, processing time varies from 2–14 days depending on whether the application is chosen for verification, the type of aid requested, and the student's program of study. The Financial Aid Office may request additional information or documentation.
  • When will a student hear about their financial aid award?
    • Students can expect to hear about their financial aid award approximately 2 to 3 weeks after SRTC receives their FAFSA.
    • The FAFSA is generally available each year on October 1 for the following fall semester, and SRTC typically begins processing new FAFSAs in late spring.
    • The Financial Aid Office communicates primarily through a student's SRTC student email. Students who have registered for the Student Forms portal may also choose to receive text message notifications.
    • Students who have not yet been accepted into a program of study will not have access to their SRTC student email or the Student Forms portal.
    • Students can also check their financial aid information at any time by logging into MySRTC, opening Ellucian Experience, and selecting the Financial Aid tile.
  • How does a student know what aid they have been awarded?
    • Students can view their financial aid awards in MySRTC through Ellucian Experience by logging in, selecting Ellucian Experience, choosing Financial Aid, selecting My Award Information, choosing the appropriate aid year, and clicking Award Overview.
    • Important: Financial aid awards are initially displayed based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours). Students who enroll in fewer than 12 credit hours will have their eligible awards prorated based on actual enrollment.
    • To view actual awarded amounts after registering for classes, students should select Student Accounts in Ellucian Experience, then choose Account Detail by Term.
  • How can a student check their financial aid status?
    • Once accepted to SRTC, students can check their financial aid status by logging in to MySRTC, selecting Ellucian Experience, and choosing the Financial Aid tile.
    • Username: first initial + last name + last four digits of Student ID, followed by @stu.southernregional.edu (Example: jdoe1234@stu.southernregional.edu).
    • Password: capital first initial + capital last initial + underscore (_) + entire Student ID (Example: JD_900001234).
    • Students who are unable to log in or access their financial aid information should contact the SRTC Financial Aid Office or the college's technical support team for assistance.
  • When are financial aid refunds issued?
    • Financial aid refunds are issued after a student's tuition and fees have been paid from their financial aid and after the college has completed processing for schedule changes (drops/adds), no-shows, and bookstore purchases.
    • Refunds are typically released after the fourth week of the term; refund dates are not published. Most students receive refunds after the fourth week of the semester, with additional refunds processed every two weeks thereafter.
    • Students enrolled in a program with courses offered in parts of term (such as Practical Nursing) have their financial aid disbursed as each new part of term begins, so their refund may be issued later in the semester.
    • To receive a refund as quickly as possible, students should set up Direct Deposit using the Direct Deposit tile in Ellucian Experience.
    • Important: Students who receive a Pell Grant refund but withdraw or stop participating in classes on or before the 60% point of the semester may be required to repay a portion of their financial aid to SRTC. Any outstanding balance must be paid in full before the student can re-enroll.
    • Students should never respond to emails or text messages requesting bank account information for a financial aid refund. The only secure way to provide direct deposit information is through the Direct Deposit tile in Ellucian Experience. Questions about a refund should go to the Business Office at studentaccounts@southernregional.edu.
  • Can the Financial Aid Office estimate whether a student is eligible for Title IV aid?
    • No. The Financial Aid Office cannot estimate a student's eligibility for Title IV financial aid.
    • When a student submits the FAFSA, the student receives a preliminary estimate of eligibility for the federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans. SRTC does not participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program, so students cannot receive federal student loans to attend SRTC.
    • A student's financial aid eligibility is based entirely on the information the student and their family provide on the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education calculates the Student Aid Index (SAI) and sends that information to the SRTC Financial Aid Office, which then determines eligibility for federal financial aid programs.
  • What is an SAI?
    • The SAI (Student Aid Index) is a number calculated from the information provided on a student's FAFSA, used to help determine eligibility for federal Title IV financial aid, including the Federal Pell Grant, for a specific aid year. The Financial Aid Office uses the SAI along with other FAFSA information to determine the amount of federal aid the student may be eligible to receive.
  • A student's FAFSA indicated eligibility for student loans. How does the student get a loan?
    • SRTC does not participate in federal student loans or certify private student loans. A student's FAFSA may indicate eligibility for loans, but those loans cannot be used to attend SRTC. Many students are able to have the majority of their direct school expenses covered through the Pell Grant, the HOPE Grant and Scholarship programs, and SRTC Foundation Scholarships.
    • The Nelnet payment plan is also available for students who need to pay some of their expenses out of pocket. More information is available at mycollegepaymentplan.com/srtc.
  • What does being selected for verification mean?
    • The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects FAFSAs for verification, a review of the information submitted for financial aid.
    • The SRTC Financial Aid Office must collect documents to confirm that the information on the student's FAFSA is accurate, and the student is not eligible to receive financial aid until the verification process is complete.
    • The specific documents required vary by student and may include federal tax returns or IRS tax transcripts, documentation to verify dependency status, proof of identity, and other supporting documents as requested.
    • Students selected for verification should submit all requested documents as soon as possible to help avoid delays in processing their financial aid.
  • How is the Pell Grant awarded at Southern Regional Technical College?
    • At SRTC, the Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on eligibility and enrollment each semester. Beginning with the 2026–2027 aid year, SRTC awards the Pell Grant using a two-term disbursement schedule: the full annual award (100%) is divided into Fall and Spring Semester disbursements, with any remaining eligible funds available for Summer Semester.
    • Pell Grant payment is based on credit hours: 3 credit hours = 25% of the semester award; 6 credit hours = 50%; 9 credit hours = 75%; 12+ credit hours = full-time award amount.
    • Students who use 100% of their annual Pell Grant eligibility during the academic year may be eligible for up to an additional 50% Pell Grant award for Summer Semester.
    • Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Limit: students may receive Pell Grant funds for the equivalent of 12 semesters of full-time enrollment. Two full-time semesters equal 100% of one annual award, and the maximum lifetime eligibility is 600% (approximately 12 semesters). Students who attend full-time year-round and receive 150% Pell Grant each aid year may reach their lifetime limit in approximately 4 calendar years.
  • How does a student accept their financial aid award?
    • Because SRTC does not participate in student loan programs, students do not need to accept their financial aid award.
    • However, students must complete their Financial Aid Authorization one time by logging in to Ellucian Experience, selecting the Student Accounts tile, choosing Financial Aid Authorization, reading the authorization statement, and clicking Authorize. It does not need to be resubmitted for future terms unless requested by SRTC.
  • If a student made a mistake on their FAFSA, can it be fixed?
    • Yes. Students should contact the SRTC Financial Aid Office before making any changes to the FAFSA. If corrections are needed, the student can log in to the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov and update the application. Depending on the type of correction, the Financial Aid Office may require documentation before it can process changes.
  • What's the difference between a dependent and an independent student?
    • A dependent student must provide parental information and signatures on the FAFSA, even if they live on their own, pay their own bills, or their parents do not help pay for college.
    • An independent student reports only their own financial and personal information (and spouse's information, if applicable). To be considered independent, a student must meet at least one criterion: be 24 or older before January 1 of the award year; be an orphan or ward of the court; have a child or children they primarily support; be legally married; be a U.S. military veteran; have earned a bachelor's degree; or have a legal dependent other than a spouse or child who receives more than half of their financial support from the student.
    • A parent's refusal to pay for college, a parent not claiming the student on their taxes, or a student living independently and paying their own expenses does not automatically make a student independent or waive the requirement to provide parent information.
    • Parents who provide information on a student's FAFSA are not responsible or obligated to pay the student's educational expenses.
  • If a student's parents are divorced or separated and the student no longer lives with either parent, whose tax information is needed?
    • The parent who provided the most financial support to the student during the past 12 months should complete the application. If neither parent provided financial support, the parent with the greater income and assets should be selected.
  • Does a student need to report stepparent information on the FAFSA?
    • Stepparent financial information is required if the parent who provided support was a single parent who is now married, or was divorced/widowed and has since remarried. The stepparent is not obligated to provide financial assistance, but their income and assets are required information.
  • Why does a student's award amount show one figure while their account shows a different amount?
    • A student's award is initially based on full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours), while the account reflects actual current enrollment. For example, a student enrolled in 6 credit hours will receive 50% of their full-time Pell Grant eligibility.
    • Example: An award letter showed $1,850.00 in Pell funds for fall semester because it was calculated using full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours). After the student registered for only 6 credit hours, Pell Grant eligibility was reduced to 50% of the full-time award, making the actual amount $925.00. The final amount is based on the student's actual enrollment hours and Student Aid Index (SAI).
    • HOPE and Zell Miller awards are Georgia Lottery-funded and are generally based on 15 credit hours or more, adjusted for lower enrollment. To see actual aid amounts after registering, students should review Account Detail by Term in Ellucian Experience.
  • How is a student evaluated for the HOPE Scholarship?
    • Once a student is accepted into an associate degree program, the Financial Aid Office is notified that the student may need to be evaluated for HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility. Official transcripts from all institutions attended since high school graduation must be submitted. The HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship has a 10-year expiration period from high school graduation or earning a GED. Students can view eligibility through their account at GAfutures.org.
  • Will HOPE cover more than one program of study?
    • HOPE/Zell Miller Grant (Diploma/Certificate Programs) covers up to 63 credit hours total across all institutions combined.
    • HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship (Degree Programs) covers up to 127 credit hours total across all institutions; any Grant-paid hours also count toward this limit. There is also a 127 attempted credit hour limit across all institutions, even for hours HOPE/Zell Miller did not pay for.
    • Students cannot receive the HOPE Grant and HOPE Scholarship at the same time, and cannot be enrolled in a diploma/certificate program and a degree program simultaneously for HOPE funding purposes.
  • How can a student get the HOPE Career Grant?
    • The HOPE Career Grant is available to students receiving the HOPE or Zell Miller Grant who are enrolled in an approved diploma or certificate program in a high-demand field listed as eligible by the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
    • Award amounts: 1–2 credit hours = $125; 3–8 credit hours = $250; 9 or more credit hours = $500.
  • A student passed all their classes this semester. Why are they on Financial Aid Suspension or Warning?
    • Passing all classes does not always mean a student has met Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, which include: a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, successful completion of at least 66.6% of all credit hours attempted, and completing the program within 150% of its published length.
    • If a student falls below any SAP requirement for the first time, they are placed on Financial Aid Warning and may continue receiving aid for one semester. If they still do not meet SAP requirements after that semester, they are placed on Financial Aid Suspension and lose eligibility until requirements are met or an appeal is approved.
    • Students may submit a SAP appeal with an explanation and supporting documentation; appeals are reviewed by a committee whose decision is final.
  • A student's GPA is above a 3.0. Why are they not eligible for the HOPE Scholarship?
    • HOPE uses a separate GPA calculation and evaluation schedule from a student's SRTC GPA. The HOPE Scholarship GPA is reviewed after a student attempts 30, 60, and 90 degree-level credit hours, and at the end of each spring semester. If a student's HOPE GPA was below 3.0 at the most recent checkpoint, they will not regain eligibility until the next checkpoint. Students can view their HOPE GPA at GAfutures.org.
  • A student's GPA is above a 2.0. Why are they not eligible for the HOPE Grant?
    • The HOPE Grant uses a separate GPA calculation, checked after a student receives HOPE Grant funding for 30 and 60 credit hours. If the HOPE Grant GPA was below 2.0 at either checkpoint, the student loses eligibility. To regain it, a student must complete 30 additional HOPE Grant-eligible credit hours to reach the next checkpoint.
  • A student is registered for several courses that are not required for their program of study. Will financial aid pay for these courses?
    • In general, no. Financial aid will only pay for courses required to complete the student's program of study. Students should review required courses in the SRTC catalog or Degree Works, and contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@southernregional.edu with questions about a specific course.
  • A student needs to retake a course they already took. Will financial aid pay for that course again?
    • If a student passed a course with a D or higher, the Pell Grant will pay for one additional repeat attempt; if the student did not pass, the Pell Grant may pay for multiple attempts until the student passes. Repeated courses count toward the Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Limit.
    • HOPE and Zell Miller programs may pay for multiple retakes, though each retake uses some of the student's limited HOPE eligibility hours. Students who are unsure should contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@southernregional.edu before registering.
  • Can someone other than the student (such as a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend) check on or obtain information regarding a student?
    • Under FERPA, SRTC cannot provide a student's financial aid or educational information to anyone other than the student unless proper authorization is on file. Students may forward SRTC communications to anyone they choose, or submit a Release of Information form by emailing the Financial Aid Office at finaid@southernregional.edu.
  • What are a student's options if they don't qualify for financial aid?
  • A student has an outside scholarship check. Who should it be sent to?
    • Scholarship checks and third-party payments are handled by the SRTC Business Office and should be mailed to: SRTC Business Office, 800 Veterans Parkway North, Moultrie, GA 31788. Questions should go to .

Registrar

Academics / Class Schedules