When you make the decision to go to college, cost can be a major factor. Thankfully, Reid State is approved to participate in the following programs for financial aid:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study (FWS)
• Alabama Student Assistance Program Act (ASAP)
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• The Alabama Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
• Veteran's Benefits

Reid State also participates in various scholarships, including college academic and leadership scholarships, Reid State Foundation scholarships and privately sponsored scholarships. The first thing we recommend students complete for financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Reid State Technical College does not participate in the federal student loan program. 

The Financial Aid Award year begins Fall Semester and ends the following Summer Semester. To ensure timely processing, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as income information is available, usually after taxes have been filed.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Reid State’s School Code – 005692 for the year you plan to attend, you will receive an email at your Reid State student email (@alabama.edu) with instructions on how to complete any requirements for your financial aid file.

All financial aid requests and notifications regarding your requirements, status, and award offers will be sent to your Reid State email once you have been admitted. Be sure to regularly check both your Reid State email and your MyRSTC student portal for the most up-to-date financial aid information.

To view financial information in MyRSTC:

• View your Financial Aid Dashboard
• Select Account Summary or My Account
• Be sure that you have selected the right term.

If you have questions about your aid, contact the Reid State Financial Aid Office at finaid@rstc.edu.

• File a free application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA, beginning October 1 of each year.
• Be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States.
• Have a valid Social Security Number (Students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau are exempt from this requirement.)
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
• Be enrolled in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate. NOTE: Pell grant will not pay for courses not required by the program of study/major.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
• Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
• Register (or already be registered) with the Selective Service System if you are a male and not currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Not have a conviction for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, work-study, or loans). If you have such a conviction, you must complete the Student Aid Eligibility Worksheet to determine if you are eligible for aid or partially eligible for aid.

Many types of federal student aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, also require you to have financial need. Additionally, once you have a bachelor’s degree or a first professional degree, you are generally not eligible for Pell or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).

Other requirements may apply. You can contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Your first step to applying for financial aid at Reid State is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and including Reid State's college code: 005692. Records that are helpful in completing the FAFSA include the U.S. Income Tax Return from the student, parent(s) and spouse from a previous year. For examples, for 2025-26 you will use 2023 U.S. Income Tax Returns). Also helpful are any records of untaxed benefits such as veteran’s non-education benefits, payments to tax-deferred pensions, and other agencies that might pay non-taxable benefits.

Step 1: Create your FSA ID for the FAFSA.
If you're completing the FAFSA® for the first time, you must create an FSA ID to electronically sign your form. If required, your parent(s) — listed as FAFSA® contributors — must also create their own separate FSA ID(s). FSA IDs cannot be shared between individuals.

Step 2: Apply for admission to Reid State.
Before your financial aid can be processed, the Enrollment Services Office must have your completed admission application and all official transcripts.

Step 3: Submit your FAFSA® online.
After submitting, check your Reid State email often for messages from the Reid State Financial Aid Office with next steps or document requests.

Step 4: Complete verification, if selected.
If you're selected for Verification or additional documents are needed, you’ll receive instructions by email on how to complete your file through your MyRSTC portal.

Step 5: Monitor your MyRSTC portal.
Check your portal regularly for updates on your financial aid status and offers. After all steps are complete, allow at least 2–3 weeks for processing.

Federal Work Study Positions

Students who are interested in the Federal Work Study Program must apply with Mrs. Stacia Richerson in the Scholarship Office located in the Student Services Building. New applications will be accepted the at the beginning of each semester. Awarding of positions are based on a first-come, first-serve basis and where positions are available.

Important Facts

• Students must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours/30 contact hours) to receive the maximum federal financial Aid.
• If students are enrolled less-than full-time then their Pell Grant is prorated accordingly and/or may be cancelled.
• Pell Grant will not pay for courses not required by the program of study/major.
• Most students are awarded Pell Grant for a total of two full-time semesters per year.
• Pell Grant will not pay for items in the bookstore that are not required in the student’s program of study.
• Students who withdraw from all classes are not eligible to receive a balance refund check until the Return of Title IV calculation has taken place. The student may be eligible for a post withdrawal disbursement after that calculation has taken place. This process is in the best interest of the student to assure they will only pay back a minimal amount of funds.
• Reid State's FAFSA School Code is 005692.
• Students may check their financial aid at any time by logging on to www.rstc.edu. They can look at their financial aid summary by utilizing student services module, using their student number and PIN code.
• Reid State does not participate in the federal student loan program. 
• Students receiving SEOG/ASAP funds are awarded on a first-come first serve basis. Funds are limited and award amounts vary