Piedmont Technical College (OCtech)

3250 Saint Matthews Rd, Orangeburg, SC

About
Piedmont Technical College, located in Greenwood, South Carolina, was founded in 1966 to promote workforce development in its service area. Over the years the school has expanded its role, becoming a comprehensive community college and expanding its service area to include seven counties, which are covered by County Centers that provide education and services in part to reduce the need for travel to the main campus. PTC has the largest service area of any school in the South Carolina Technical College System. The school has ties to the community, working with local businesses in order to promote economic growth, which is reflected in the schools career program offerings. Education is the school's highest priority, and it maintains a high standard in order to meet current and future students' needs.

Academics
Piedmont Technical College offers 23 programs of study that result in career development or academic transfer t opportunities. Career programs provide training and education in a given field and assist students in development of skills necessary for entering the workforce as qualified professionals. These programs combine traditional classroom education with practical courses, allowing students to perfect methods and techniques used within their field through controlled environments that simulate real world settings. Programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or associate degree that demonstrates competency and assists in the pursuit of entry level employment.

Academic transfer is accomplished through the completion of the first two years of a four year education, after which the student will apply to a college or university in order to continue one's education. This accomplished by completing the final two years of their education at the new school and earning a bachelor's degree. Transfer to a public institution in South Carolina is made easier through transfer agreements in place between the public systems, though students may apply to private and  out of state institutions which will have more stringent and varying admissions requirements.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Criminal Justice
• Practical Nursing
• Welding
• Medical Assisting

Admissions and Financial Aid
Piedmont Technical College is an open enrollment institution that allows any individual to enrol if they meet the minimum requirements for admission, submit a completed application and pay all accrued fees. Applicants should also supply transcripts and standardized test scores if available, and take the required placement exam prior to registration. Individuals are also encouraged to participate in new student orientation to become familiar with the campus. Student should also meet with a counselor to discuss career goals, curriculum and program enrollment.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting information from which will be used by the school to determine financial needs and program eligibility prior to forming an aid packet. Aid must be applied for prior to each academic year. Students may be chosen at random to supply additional information to be compared to their FAFSA in order to verify its accuracy.