Trident Technical College was founded in 1964 as part of a statewide education effort in South Carolina. In the 1990s, it began to offer courses and services to distance learners and other nonconventional students. Since then, it has continued to expand its physical campus and distance learning offerings to better service the local community and its student population of over 14,000.
| Overall Score (about) | 56.5 |
| Total Cost On-Campus Attendance | $6,551 |
| Admission Success rate | N/A |
| Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty | 18 : 1 |
| Retention (full-time / part-time) | 55% / 34% |
| Enrollment Total (all students) | 12,148 |
Trident Technical College (TTC) is a two-year college in Charleston, South Carolina that offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. It seeks to stimulate economic development through higher education in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.
TTC has three campuses: the main campus in North Charleston, the Berkeley campus, and the Palmer campus. Each campus has its own academic buildings and a separate library, stocked with research resources, audiovisual tools, DVDs, and more. Students can use online library tools to access scholarly works for free or search the library database. These features can be especially useful to distance learners and people taking online classes.
Through its 12 different divisions, which include industrial studies; developmental studies; science and mathematics; and nursing, TTC has over 150 topics of study. It also offers more than 80 national certification programs both online and in the classroom.
The continuing education program at TTC includes over 600 online courses including quick skills training, national certification programs, and a Certificate in Management from the American Management Association.
For high school students, TTC has Dual Credit and Early Admit programs that let successful scholars earn credit for high school graduation and a future college career at the same time.
TTC also offers customized business training for local firms. Employees can stay up-to-date with current job technology through a business partnership with one of the College’s campuses.
Additional resources are available through the Learning Center, which offers tutorials, workshops, and specialized help with studies and assignments. You can even get tutoring specific to your class schedule, or use the computers and resources on your own.
For students who need or want a more extensive mentoring program, there are a number of organizations on campus that offer coaching and additional help for students who are adjusting to college life. Call Me MISTER and Success Now are just two of the programs dedicated to helping students grow beyond the classroom.
TTC admissions requirements vary depending on what type of student you are (new, returning, transfer, etc.). General admissions requirements include completion of an admission application, which can be found online, and qualifying scores on the SAT (480 critical reading, 580 math), ACT (19 English, 22 math), or TTC’s Placement Test. Depending on your program, you must also submit a high school diploma or GED.
You may apply with a declared major or as undecided. You may also apply as non-degree if you want to take classes without pursuing a certification or degree program. Undecided and non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid or benefits.
If you are applying to the Allied Health and Nursing programs, be aware the program admittance is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis for qualified applicants. This program also requires an application separate from the general TTC application.
The first step towards being awarded financial aid is to complete the FAFSA, which is available for free online at www.fafsa.gov. This form determines your eligibility for federal grant assistance, loans, and work-study programs. It is also required for numerous school grants and 3rd party scholarships.
TTC offers a number of scholarships and grants directly to students. The dozens of available scholarships are posted online on the school’s scholarships page, along with a brief summary of the eligibility requirements for each one. Scholarships may be awarded based on student status, minimum GPA, financial need, or departmental program, among other qualifiers.
TTC also offers free tuition for the children of service personnel, including firemen and policemen.
Loans are available to students and the parents of students, and are based on residency and financial need. Application for loans requires a completed FAFSA form.
Other forms of aid include the National Guard College Assistance Program, the LIFE scholarship (which has a minimum GPA and number of credit hours), and the Lottery Tuition Assistance Program.
The TTC campus has a rich and diverse student body. Since many of the students are continuing education, transfers, or distance learners, the campus life has a vibrant and a different feel than one with a more traditional student population.
To get involved with campus events and activities, students can check the monthly campus calendar of events, which is available in print or online. There are dozens of student organizations in everything from religious focus groups to pre-professional organizations.
For a taste of Greek life, join one of the school’s fraternities or sorority organizations. If you’re interested in journalism, write articles or apply for a position with the Trident Times, the official campus newspaper. If you’re just looking for a group of like-minded students with similar interests, try one of the cultural, religious, or special interest groups.
For a more academic pastime, consider joining TTC’s Model United Nations team. Join the Legal Committee, Political & Security Committee, or Social & Humanitarian Committee to learn more about cultures and politics worldwide. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people, travel to conferences, and hone your debating skills.
TTC makes participation in student groups a priority on campus. In fact, the school suspends classes for one hour every month so that students organizations can hold full-membership meetings.
The TTC campus is going green with the TTC Green initiative. TTC Green is an umbrella organization that seeks to reduce the school’s environmental impact and promote a sustainable future.
Some of TTC Green’s recent projects include “Career Pathways for a Green South,” which helps disadvantaged people train for jobs in sustainability; the Energy Efficiency Center, which offers weatherization training to local housing professionals; and solar and thermal training offerings. These programs all seek to educate the local community about sustainable practices and improve the environmental impact of buildings and new construction.
TTC Green has partnered with organizations like The Sustainability Institute and the Charleston Green Initiative to expand its impact and help reach out to the local community.
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