Lottery tuition assistance offsets approximately two-thirds of the college's full-time in-county tuition of $1,494 per semester. Last year, more than 2,000 York Tech students received lottery tuition assistance.

The money has proven invaluable for students like James Berry of Edgemoor, who is enrolled in York Tech's University Transfer program but will begin work toward his teaching certificate at Winthrop in the fall. "Without lottery tuition assistance I would have had no choice but to take out student loans—gone into debt to attend college," Berry said. "I don't think most people realize how much lottery tuition assistance actually covers."

"We greatly appreciate the General Assembly's continued support of lottery tuition assistance," said York Technical College President Dr. Dennis Merrell. "It makes good sense for our students, who are working to improve their lives, and for our state. While lottery dollars may get tighter as competition with the North Carolina lottery strengthens, members of our legislative delegation recognize how vital lottery tuition assistance is in training the next generation of skilled workers and promoting economic growth in our region and throughout South Carolina."

Lottery tuition assistance is made even more significant in light of rising gas prices. All of York Technical College's students are commuters. To help its students with this challenge, the college has already instituted energy-smart scheduling—an initiative that makes it possible for students to make fewer trips to the college's Rock Hill campus. For example, many traditional Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes have been condensed into a Monday/Wednesday schedule.

Energy-smart scheduling is only one of the college's energy-smart strategies designed by York Technical College to give its students more flexible choices. For years, the college has been a pioneer in the use of various distance learning technologies to provide its diverse student population, especially non-traditional students, the flexibility needed to pursue an education while balancing other responsibilities. Approximately two-thirds of York Technical College's credit students now take at least one online course, and many more take advantage of the college's centers in Chester and Lancaster counties to reduce their commuting costs.

To be eligible for lottery-funded tuition assistance, students must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a 2006-2007 FAFSA (see exceptions to this requirement below). The forms can be found online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and at all technical colleges;

• Qualify for in-state tuition rates and must have been a South Carolina resident for at least one year;

• Be enrolled in a certificate, diploma or associate degree program and maintain at least six credit hours each semester;

• Make clear progress toward completion of a certificate, diploma or associate degree;

• Not be eligible for a LIFE scholarship;

• Not be in default on any government student loan program.

The FAFSA requirement may be waived if:

• The applicant is a high school student enrolled in a dual enrollment program;

• The applicant already has earned a bachelor's degree and will provide a transcript or copy of his/her diploma;

• The applicant is not enrolled in a program that is eligible for Title IV aid;

• The applicant is a dependent student who cannot obtain his or her parents' or guardian's tax form(s) and a college official has made a professional judgment to that effect.

For more information regarding lottery tuition assistance, contact Kelli Dawkins, York Tech's Dean for Students, at (803) 327-8047.

York Technical College . 452 S. Anderson Road . Rock Hill, SC 29730