Grants and Scholarships are considered need-based financial aid, and in most cases, do not have to be repaid* (see note below). Grant eligibility is not available to students that have already earned a baccalaureate degree.

Need-based financial aid is financial assistance provided to students based on their demonstrated financial need. Financial need is the difference between your cost of attendance (COA) and your student aid index (SAI). Your COA will vary from school to school, which is why financial aid offers are not the same when comparing different institutions, however your SAI will not change, based on the school you attend.

Grants

Here are some common types of need-based financial aid programs:

  • Federal Pell Grant: The Pell Grant is the largest, need-based grant, funded by the federal government and is typically awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The amount of the Pell Grant can vary each year and is determined based on factors such as Student Aid Index (SAI) and the cost of attendance (COA), as well as enrollment intensity (i.e. the number of credits for which you enroll each term).
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): FSEOG is another federal grant program for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Unlike the Pell Grant, which is awarded to all eligible students, FSEOG funds are limited, so not all eligible students may receive it. Priority is given to students with the lowest SAI’s who also receive Pell Grants.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants provide money to students to help pay their education expenses. This grant program is intended to assist students whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11.
  • State Grants: The Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) administers the 5 state grant programs for the state of Wisconsin.  To be eligible for Wisconsin state financial aid, a student must:
    • Be a resident of the state of Wisconsin
    • Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
    • Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and attend at least part-time (6 credits each term)
    • Be attending a non-profit college or university based in Wisconsin
    • Demonstrate Financial Need as determined by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Remain in good standing on the statewide child support lien docket – if you are delinquent on child support payments your grant eligibility ceases until you reestablish good standing with the Child Support Agency in your county.
  • Work-Study Programs: While not technically grants, Federal Work-Study (FWS) programs provide part-time employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help cover educational expenses. Jobs are typically on campus or with approved off-campus employers, and wages are at least equal to the federal minimum wage. For more information on NTC’s Federal Work-Study program, please visit: https://www.ntc.edu/students/financial-aid/work-study

Other specific criteria exists for each state grant program. Please visit the Higher Educational Aids Board website for more details: https://heab.state.wi.us/programs.html#ISAG.

Overall, need-based financial aid programs play a crucial role in making higher education more accessible to students from low-income backgrounds, helping to ensure that all qualified students have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals regardless of their financial circumstances.

Year-Round Pell Grant enables eligible students to receive 150% of their Federal Pell Grant funds in one academic year. An amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) allows an eligible student to receive up to 150% of the student's Federal Pell Grant Scheduled Award for an award year beginning with the 2017-2018 award year. NTC is a "header" school, which means that the aid year always begins with summer and ends with spring (i.e. Summer 2024/Fall 2024/Spring 2025). The additional funds are only available if a student is enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits) in the payment period for which the student receives Pell Grant funds in excess of 100% of the student's Pell Grant Scheduled Award (spring).

*Note: Here are some examples of why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant:

  • You withdrew early form the program for which the grant was given to you.
  • Your enrollment status (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, less than half-time, withdrawn, graduated, etc.) changed in a way that reduced your eligibility for your grant (for instance, if you switch from full-time enrollment to part-time, your grant amount will be reduced).
  • You received outside scholarships or grants that reduced your need for federal student aid.
  • You received Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

Scholarships

Federal

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act: On March 23, 2018, the President signed Public Law 115-141, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which included an amendment to Section 473(b) of the Higher Education Act, authorizing the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship. Under this program, which is not a traditional scholarship, a Pell Grant eligible student whose parent or guardian died while in the line of duty while performing as a public safety office or fire/police officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the assigned award year.

State of Wisconsin

Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES)

Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) are awarded to Wisconsin high school seniors who have the highest grade point average in each public and private high school throughout the State of Wisconsin. The number of scholarships each high school is eligible for is based on total student enrollment. In order to receive a scholarship, a student must be enrolled on a full-time basis by September 30th of the academic year following the academic year in which he or she was designated as a scholar, at a participating University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, or independent institution in the State. The value of the scholarship is $2,250 per year, to be applied towards tuition. Half of the scholarship is funded by the State, while the other half is matched by the institution. Eligibility must not exceed eight semesters.

Technical Excellence Scholarship (TES)

Technical Excellence Scholarship (TES) are awarded by the State of Wisconsin to Wisconsin high school seniors who have the highest demonstrated level of proficiency in technical education subjects. The scholarships are only for use at a school within the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). The value of the scholarship is up to $2,250 per year to be applied toward tuition. Students wishing to be considered for TES need to meet eligibility criteria set by the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) and will need to be nominated by their school.

NTC Foundation Scholarships

Each year, the NTC Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships, ranging from $250 to $2,500, to new and continuing, full- and part-time students. One online application, which takes about one hour to complete, qualifies students for all scholarships with matching criteria.

For more information, please contact Sheila Rossmiller, NTC Director of Annual Giving + Scholarships at 715.803.1302 or rossmiller@ntc.edu.

Foundation Scholarship Information

External Scholarships

There are many organizations outside of NTC that offer various scholarship opportunities. These external scholarships may be provided by private donors, foundations, businesses and many other sources. Here are a few helpful tips for finding scholarships that are right for you:

  1. Check into scholarship opportunities that may be offered by your parent or guardian’s employers or civic clubs. Corporations may offer scholarships to children of their employees. Elks Club, Lions Club and The Girl and Boy Scouts of America are among the many organizations that offer scholarships.
  2. Consider searching for scholarships offered by professional or social organizations associated with your future career field.
  3. Visit one of the free scholarship search and matching websites listed below:

External Scholarship Information

Beware of Scholarship Scams

Scam Warning Signs

  • You have to pay a fee
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Credit card/bank account information required
  • Offers exclusive information

Common Scams

  • Phony Scholarship – promises cash if you pay a registration fee
  • Phony Scholarship Matching Service – pay a fee and they guarantee you will win awards
  • Phony Educational Loan – pay a fee and receive a low interest loan
  • Phony Financial Aid Seminar – a high pressure, poorly concealed sales pitch