There are four types of financial aid:  grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study. Students are offered a financial aid package consisting of these different types of financial aid.  

When awarding financial aid, we are required to take into consideration both your cost of attendance and expected family contribution (EFC). The cost of attendance is the average amount it will cost a student to attend NTC. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an index number that is used to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive. Your EFC is calculated according to a formula established by law and the information from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Grants

Grants are money that, under normal circumstances, does not need to be repaid. The following grants are awarded at Northcentral Technical College:

Federal Pell Grants

  • Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students enrolled for a minimum of one credit with high financial need based on the student's expected family contribution (EFC). The actual awards vary based on the number of enrolled credits.
  • Federal Pell Grants are the largest source of federally funded grants and are awarded solely based on student’s financial need.
  • The maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 2023-2024 academic year is $7,395.
  • The Pell Chart shows how much in Pell grant a student can receive based on their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status.

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 2018/Fall 2018/Spring 2019). 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). NTC will award additional Pell Grant funds in the spring semester as appropriate, pending additional guidance from the Department of Education. Initial Pell Grant awards will not assume the use of excess Pell in the spring. Spring amounts will be increased accordingly prior to disbursement based on actual enrollment.

**Dropping courses may decrease eligibility resulting in a required repayment of Pell Grant funds.  Adding courses may increase eligibility. Check with your academic advisor or the Financial Aid Office if you add or drop credits to be sure you understand how a change in credits will affect your Pell Grant and other aid.

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