Navigating the MATC Semester: A Comprehensive Guide to Schedules, Dates, and Financial Aid

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) provides diverse educational opportunities through its 170+ degree, diploma, and certificate programs. To successfully navigate your academic journey at MATC, understanding the semester schedule, key dates, and financial aid processes is essential. MATC offers flexible options, including online, in-person, and hybrid classes, across five convenient locations and a 24/7 virtual campus. This article provides a comprehensive overview of MATC's semester structure, important dates, and financial aid information to help students make the most of their educational experience.

Understanding MATC's Academic Programs

MATC offers a wide array of programs catering to various career interests and academic goals. Students can choose from over 170 degree, diploma, and certificate programs, benefiting from industry-experienced instructors who provide personalized guidance from the start.

Academic and Career Pathways

All degree, diploma, and certificate programs are part of an Academic and Professional Pathway. Students can explore these pathways on the MATC website to determine which one aligns with their chosen program. Students taking classes without being enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program can enroll from November 17.

Flexible Learning Options

MATC recognizes the importance of flexibility for students balancing education with other commitments. Online classes offer a convenient way to fit studies into a busy schedule, with technology access and support provided.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Staying informed about important dates and deadlines is crucial for a smooth academic experience. These dates impact registration, financial aid, and other essential processes.

Read also: Cost of Attending MATC

Enrollment Dates and Procedures

Enrollment opens at 7:45 a.m. on the specified day. Students with specific enrollment dates (e.g., those in the Healthcare Pathway) can enroll until the end of that day. Regular students unable to enroll during the first week can do so on the new/returning student date during the second week of enrollment.

It is advisable for students to take advantage of priority enrollment and register as early as possible to increase their chances of securing classes that best fit their needs and schedules.

Financial Aid Census Date

Financial aid payments are disbursed based on the number of credits a student is enrolled in on the census date. No adjustments are made after this date if credits are added. Students are strongly encouraged to register for all classes before their census date. The census date is determined by the latest starting class, as there are multiple census dates in each term based on modules.

Financial Aid End of the 60% Point

If a student withdraws or is withdrawn from all classes before the 60% point of the class/term, they may be required to repay a portion of the financial aid received.

Financial Aid: Funding Your Education

Paying for college can be a significant concern for many students. MATC offers resources and support to help students navigate the financial aid process, including grants, scholarships, and loans.

FAFSA and Eligibility

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first critical step in receiving federal student aid, including grants, loans, and work-study, for the 2025-2026 school year. Financial aid credits must count toward the completion of your program to be eligible for financial aid as outlined in the MATC course catalog (Degree Audit). After registration, students are notified if a course is ineligible for financial aid and should consult their Pathway advisor regarding required courses for degree completion. This information is also displayed under Advising and Student Finance - Account Activity on the MATC self-service portal.

Pell Grant Enrollment Status

Pell Grant Enrollment Status is specified by federal regulations and awarded at full-time status. Your financial aid award will be recalculated for any class that is recorded as "dropped" (D/DI) or "withdrawn" (W) and the reason is "never attended."

Repayment Obligations

Students may be required to repay financial aid if they drop a class, their instructor drops the class, they never attend a class, and/or if they discontinue attending a class.

Disbursements and Refunds

A disbursement occurs when financial aid funds are placed on a student's account. A refund occurs when all charges have been paid, and there are excess funds on the account. Initial grants, scholarships, and loan disbursements/refunds begin approximately 4-8 weeks after the start of a term. Grants disburse first, followed by loans in two equal installments. Any funds remaining after all charges have been paid will be refunded to the student. Students are responsible for paying any remaining balance if financial aid does not cover the entire amount owed to MATC. If a student has a prior academic year outstanding balance, only $200.00 can be deducted from their current academic year refund.

Impact of Late Starting Classes

Students enrolled in late-starting classes will have their aid disbursed 7-13 days after the start date of the late-starting course, once attendance has been verified by the instructor. Financial aid eligibility for late-starting classes will still be authorized and available to pay for tuition, fees, books, and supplies; however, the financial aid will not be applied to the student's account until the course has started and attendance has been verified.

Read also: Financial Aid Details

Example: If a student is registered for 12 credits (6 starting at the beginning of the term and 6 starting in the middle of the term), their grant funds will be disbursed in 2 installments. The first installment would be disbursed when the funds are first transmitted for the term, and the second installment (for the 6 credits starting in the middle of the term) would be disbursed 7-13 days after the class start date in the middle of the term. If the first installment exceeds the student's charges, they will be refunded the difference. If not, then after the second installment is disbursed and it exceeds the balance, the student will be refunded the difference.

Exploring Academic Courses: A Glimpse into the Curriculum

MATC offers a diverse range of courses across various departments, providing students with specialized knowledge and skills in their chosen fields. Here are some examples of courses offered within the Auto Chassis Finish (AUTOBY) and Automotive Technology (AUTO2) departments:

Auto Chassis Finish (AUTOBY) Courses

AUTOBY-301: Plastic and Composites Repair: Provides the knowledge, processes, and skills required to identify plastic types, repair options, techniques, and refinishing options for various plastics. Prerequisites include concurrent registration in AUTOBY-300, AUTOBY-302, AUTOBY-303, and AUTOBY-305.
AUTOBY-312: Basic Auto Mechanical Systems: Develops the ability to interpret automobile drawings and understand the relation between drawings, basic trade theory, and shop operations.
AUTOBY-313: Electrical Servicing for Auto Body Repairing: Covers fundamental facts and principles of automotive electricity applicable to auto body repair, including storage batteries, Ohm’s Law, and lighting, charging, and ignition circuits.
AUTOBY-314: Introduction to Color Match and Aluminum: Introduces sheet metal preparation and refinishing techniques, color matching, sanding, masking, feather-edging, and applying undercoats, sealers, and color coats. Discusses aluminum tools and techniques. Prerequisites include completion of AUTOBY-300, AUTOBY-301, AUTOBY-302, AUTOBY-303, and AUTOBY-305, and concurrent enrollment in AUTOBY-316, AUTOBY-317, and AUTOBY-315.
AUTOBY-315: Front-End Alignment: Covers the diagnosis and correction of steering and alignment problems, instructing students in the construction and operation of front-end alignment and wheel-balancing equipment.
AUTOBY-316: Applied Collision Repair 2: Provides further lab experiences in various repairs, including work on unibody construction, door locks and window regulators, aligning body components, wiring accessories, wet-sanding, and color mixing, blending, and spraying. Emphasizes trade safety regulations. Prerequisites include completion of AUTOBY-300, AUTOBY-301, AUTOBY-302, AUTOBY-303, and AUTOBY-305, and concurrent enrollment in AUTOBY-316, AUTOBY-317, and AUTOBY-313.
AUTOBY-317: Applied Collision Repair 1: Includes live shop repairs, body panel repair/replacement, and refinishing/blending on modern vehicles. Non-continuing/current students must schedule and pass a hands-on competency test before the start of the semester. Prerequisites include completion of AUTOBY-300, AUTOBY-301, AUTOBY-302, AUTOBY-303, and AUTOBY-305. Must be admitted to the Auto Collision Repair and Finish Technician program (31-405-1).
AUTOBY-322: Frame Measuring and Setup: Familiarizes students with frame and unibody construction, tools, and equipment through lectures and demonstrations of straightening techniques on damaged automobiles using dedicated and universal bench measuring systems and conventional equipment. Emphasizes shop safety. Prerequisites include completion of AUTOBY-300, AUTOBY-301, AUTOBY-302, AUTOBY-303, and AUTOBY-305. Must be admitted to the Auto Collision Repair and Finish Technician program (31-405 1). Completion of or currently enrolled in AUTOBY-313, AUTOBY-315 and AUTOBY-316.
AUTOBY-323: Sheet Metal Correction and Fundamentals: Studies the fundamentals of auto body safety regulations, damage analysis, unibody construction, and component alignment, plastic filler application, welding, and dinging sheet metal damage. Prerequisites include concurrent enrollment in AUTOBY-301, AUTOBY-302, AUTOBY-303.
AUTOBY-325: Estimating and Damage Analysis: Develops skills in auto body construction, model identification, damage analysis, parts sources, handwritten damage reports, computerized damage reports, and removal/installation of bolted-on panels. Prerequisites include concurrent registration in AUTOBY-322, AUTOBY-301, AUTOBY-325, and AUTOBY-326.
AUTOBY-326: Refinishing 1 and Personal Safety: Prepares surfaces to be refinished by utilizing cleaning and sanding while protecting non-refinish areas of the vehicle from overspray and component damage. Introduces existing finish defect and substrate assessment, primer product choices, buffing, polishing, and inspection for final delivery. Prerequisites include concurrent registration in AUTOBY-300, AUTOBY-322, AUTOBY-323, and AUTOBY-305.
AUTOBY-305: Sheet Metal Correction and Refinishing 2: Presents techniques of auto body repair, including safety regulations, damage analysis, unibody construction, plastic filler application, welding, and dinging sheet metal damage. Practical lab exercises are performed on lab mock-ups. Prerequisites include concurrent registration in AUTOBY-322, AUTOBY-301, AUTOBY-323, and AUTOBY-325.

Automotive Technology (AUTO2) Courses

AUTO2-165: Applied Automotive Experience 1: Provides students with the opportunity to reinforce newly acquired skills in an approved automotive repair environment and gain occupational experience in the automotive field. Prerequisites include completion of or concurrent enrollment in AUTO2-151, admission to the Automotive Technology - Comprehensive program (10-602-6), and employment at an approved automotive repair facility.
AUTO2-166: Applied Automotive Experience 2: Similar to AUTO2-165, this course provides further opportunities for skill reinforcement and occupational experience in an approved automotive repair environment.
AUTO2-167: Applied Automotive Experience 3: Continues to build upon the skills and experience gained in AUTO2-165 and AUTO2-166, offering additional opportunities for practical application in an automotive repair setting.
AUTO2-168: Applied Automotive Experience 4: This course provides the student an opportunity to reinforce newly acquired skills in an approved automotive repair environment and provide occupational experience in the automotive field. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or currently enrolled in AUTO2-151 and must be admitted to the Automotive Technology - Comprehensive program (10-602-6). Must be employed at an approved automotive repair facility.

These course descriptions offer a glimpse into the curriculum at MATC, showcasing the college's commitment to providing hands-on, industry-relevant training to its students.

Student Life and Support Services

Beyond academics, MATC offers a vibrant student life with various clubs, organizations, and activities to enhance the college experience.

Getting Involved

Active students are successful students. MATC encourages students to get involved in campus life through clubs, sports, student services, and diversity initiatives.

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