Federal and State Funding

  • Federal Pell Grant – Most of Pinellas Technical College’s financial assistance involves the eligibility of the Federal Pell Grant, a government-sponsored program. The Pell Grant is an award to help undergraduates pay for their education beyond high school. An undergraduate is one who has not earned a bachelor's or first professional degree.  Students receiving Title IV Federal Assistance are required to have a high school diploma or GED. Students' level of eligibility is determined after an application is submitted to the Federal Processing Center.  Please see the “General Information” section for details on verification, satisfactory academic progress requirements and Return of Title IV funds.

    The Free Application For Federal Student Aid form is available at Pinellas Technical College’s Financial Aid office or can be accessed on the web at http://www.fafsa.gov.

    What do you need in order to fill out the FAFSA?

    You will need your: 

    • Social Security Number
    • Prior Year Tax Return Documents
    • Driver's License Number
    • Current Bank Statement
    • Mortgage & Investment Records (if any)
    • Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. Citizen)
    • Parents' Tax Return Documents (if a dependent)
    • Clearwater campus school code – 005605

     

    In addition, all students must visit Pinellas Technical College’s Financial Aid Department to complete an Institutional Application Form prior to starting school. This allows the Financial Aid Department to begin processing financial aid on students' behalf. Without completing an Institutional Application Form in a timely manner, students' financial aid may be delayed.

    Federal Stimulus Job Training Program – CareerSource Pinellas has funding available to assist dislocated workers. Applications are available on-line at www.careersourcepinellas.org/index.php.   General eligibility for a dislocated worker:

    • you are a Pinellas County resident
    • you are 18 years or older
    • you meet U.S. citizen requirements or hold current Authorization to Work in the U.S.
    • if you are a male whose date of birth falls after December 31st, 1959 then you must meet Selective Service registration requirements
    • you were laid off or received official notice of layoff from your current job due to current economic conditions and are unlikely to return to your previous industry or occupation
    • you are eligible for, receiving or have exhausted your unemployment compensation benefits
    • you are a displaced homemaker no longer supported by the income of another family member and are unemployed or underemployed

    Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program – provides scholarships based on high school academic achievement.  A student’s funding is determined by the Bright Futures award level received: Florida Academic Scholars (FAS), Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS), or Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV).  To be considered, a student must submit a completed (error free) Florida Financial Aid Application during his/her last year in high school.  Eligibility is based on academic course work and community service requirements completed during high school and test scores earned through June of the high school graduation year.

    Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program – provides assistance to Florida students enrolled in certificate programs of 450 hours or more.  To be eligible, the student must:

    • be a Florida resident and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
    • be enrolled at least 180 hours per fee period
    • complete a FAFSA and demonstrate unmet need of at least $200
    • not owe a repayment under any state or federal grant, scholarship, or federal Title IV or state student loan program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made
    • meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid

    Vocational Rehabilitation – Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation program is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.  VR may assist with training, medical treatment, accommodations, and other services so that a person with a disability may become employed.  Clients must apply in person.  A list of VR offices and additional information can be found at www.rehabworks.org.

    Youth Connect – assists economically disadvantaged youth between the ages of 16 and 21 to become self-sufficient and productive.  The Youth Connect Scholarship funds tuition, books, fees, tools, and uniforms up to $2500 for each student as approved by the Youth Connect Project Manager.  For more information or to apply, see the Youth Connect Coordinator on campus.  Students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

    • Underemployed or unemployed
    • Pregnant/parenting
    • High school drop out
    • Current/former foster child
    • Homeless/runaway
    • Youthful offender