National Guard & Reservists

Thank you for serving and protecting our country. Now, let us help you!

WHEN YOU COME TO CAMPUS:

(1) Apply to TCL: https://www.tcl.edu/admissions/apply/. Please indicate your military affiliation on the application, in order to be assigned to the Military Student Adviser.

(2) Within two days of acceptance, please setup your TCL Student Email in order to receive college-related correspondence (including your current admissions and financial aid status). Information on setting up your student email, can be found via https://www.tcl.edu/campus-life/social/student-email/.

(3) Submit proof of residency – Please note: If you have resided in the state of South Carolina and/or Chatham or Effingham counties in Georgia for at least one full year, the “Residency” section on your admissions application will automatically determine your eligibility to receive in-state tuition. If requested, students may be required to submit copies of certain documentation to prove their residency status, which include the following, but not limited to:

• South Carolina or Georgia (Effingham & Chatham County Residents) Driver’s License with an issue date of one-year or more. If license was recently reissued, student can provide a 3-year driving record from their local DMV.
• South Carolina or Georgia (Effingham & Chatham County Residents) Rental / Lease / Mortgage Agreement – must show residency of more than one-year.
• Provide a signed copy of both Federal and South Carolina or Georgia (Effingham & Chatham County Residents) Tax Returns.
• South Carolina or Georgia (Effingham & Chatham County Residents) Vehicle Registration Cards for all vehicles registered in student’s name.
• Letter from Employer on Company Letterhead (if employed full-time or part-time with benefits).
• Proof of retirement (i.e. pension), must have SC Driver’s license (issued within 90 days of lease and mortgage agreement), and proof of domicile in SC.

All residency documentation must be submitted to the Office of Admissions or the Military Student Adviser (Building 12, MacLean Hall – Student Center: Room 118) or sent to Admissions / Military Student Adviser via email from your TCL Student Email Account.  

(4) Submit your official high school or GED transcript. Contact your high school / Board of Education Office or GED Coordinator. Transcripts must be sent to Admissions via mail, in-person, or electronically via Parchment or other electronic sources.

(5) If you are a college transfer, please also submit your official college transcripts. Transcripts must be sent to Student Records via mail, in-person, or electronically via Parchment or other electronic sources. If you are transferring in College Level English and Math credits, you will not need to take the placement test.

(6) Request your Military Smart (Joint Service) Transcript: https://jst.doded.mil/jst/. The SMART transcript must be submitted electronically to Student Records.

(7) Apply for Tuition Assistance through your Education Office on-base. Please see tcl.edu/military-programs/tuition-assistance/

(8) Apply for financial aid via https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. TCL’s school code is 009910. Please visit this link, https://www.tcl.edu/paying-for-tcl/financial-aid/financial-aid-process/, for more information.

(9)  If you wish to apply for VA Education Benefits: Apply online at https://www.va.gov/education/apply/. Please refer to our Applying for VA Benefits page to view more about the various VA Education Benefit Programs, including Chapter 33: Post 9/11 G.I. Bill®, Chapter 1606: Montgomery G.I. Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), and Chapter 1607: Montgomery G.I. Bill® – Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP). Make sure that you select “TCL (Technical College of the Lowcountry)” as your place of training. You can contact the US Department of Veteran Affairs for more information on your eligibility at (888) 442-4551.

Be sure to print out a copy of the confirmation of the GI Bill®. Within three to four weeks, you should be able to retrieve your Certificate of Eligibility from https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/manage.

WHEN YOU COME TO CAMPUS:

(10) Take the placement testing, if needed: tcl.edu/admissions/placement-testing/. You may need to call the Testing Center at (843) 470-8400 to schedule your appointment, beforehand.  Practice tests are available at www.accuplacer.org.

(11) Visit the Veterans Resource Center located in Building. 12 – MacLean Hall, Room 107.

• Login to your TCL Email and access your TCL Self Service. More information on how to access your TCL Self Service account, can be found on  https://www.tcl.edu/student-services/registration/self-service/.
• Meet with your assigned Academic Adviser and register for classes through TCL Self Service.

(12) Effective December 2019:  All students must complete the VA Educational Benefits Enrollment Certification Consent Form and submit this document along with a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility and class schedule to the VA Certifying Official via email to gibill@tcl.edu or inside the Financial Aid Office (Building 2: Coleman Hall: Room – 139) or the Veterans Resource Center.

• The VA Educational Benefits Enrollment Certification Consent Form must be submitted with a copy of your schedule and bill each semester, in order for your benefits to be certified. You will need to use your TCL Student Email to send your VA documentation, if you decide to use the email option.
  • All VA Benefit Education recipients (with the exception of Chapter 31 students) will need to submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility, VA Educational Benefits Enrollment Certification Consent Form, and class schedule.
  • Chapter 31 recipients will be required to submit signed Vocational Rehabilitation Authorization Form (VA Form 28-1905), VA Educational Benefits Enrollment Certification Consent Form, and class schedule. You will need to communicate with your assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor on a regular basis, in order to continuously receive VA Benefits. Certification is contingent based on your approval dates, as you may need to submit an updated VA Form 28-1905 to the Certifying Official.

(13) Submit your Tuition Assistance Voucher to the Cashier’s Office at ta@tcl.edu or inside Building 3. Pay for tuition if not using Tuition Assistance and other financial aid. You will need to use your TCL Student Email to send your TA Voucher via email.

(14) If you have a remaining balance, you can make payments online on your Self Service account or inside the Cashier’s Office inside Building 3. They accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

(15) If you are expecting a refund, sign-up for your refund to be direct deposited into your bank account via https://www.tcl.edu/paying-for-tcl/tuition-fees/disbursement-checks/. Questions, please contact the Cashier’s Office at 843-525-8355.

(16) Complete registration to attend New Student Orientation via https://www.tcl.edu/admissions/new-student-orientation/ to obtain your Student ID and Parking Permit and learn more information about the college.

(17) Purchase textbooks and supplies inside the Bookstore located in Building 12 – MacLean Hall, Room 102 or visit their website online at http://bookstore.tcl.edu/Home.