Accept Student Loans
- Go to studentaid.gov
- Select Log In in the top right box
- Enter your FSA ID Username or E-mail Address and Password & click Log In
- From the Home page, go to the In School tab
- Select Complete Loan Entrance Counseling and complete this process
- Select Complete a Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note)
What to Do Next
Bookstore Authorization
Georgia College allows students to use credit balances from financial aid in excess of up to $1000 toward the purchases of textbooks at the GCSU bookstore for set days at the beginning of each term. Students must complete an “authorization” from their PAWS account to utilize this option. This authorization remains active for future semesters. Students can review their account in PAWS to determine if they will have a credit balance available from their financial aid after all institutional charges are paid. Please note that late receipt of this authorization will cause your wait time at the bookstore to be affected.
Only the student to whom the financial aid belongs is permitted to purchase the books and supplies at the bookstore. The student must be present for purchases made at Georgia College Barnes & Noble store.
To complete the authorization, please follow the instructions below:
- Log into my.gcsu.edu
- Click on the PAWS icon from the Service Apps
- Then select “Financial Aid”
- Choose “Student Authorization”
- Read, and if you wish to “authorize”, click “Submit”
- When the “Confirmation” appears, the process is complete
Direct Deposit
Students are encouraged to enroll in Direct Deposit through My GCSU/PAWS to access their refund faster. Direct Deposit allows all refunds to be electronically deposited into the checking/savings account entered at time of enrollment. If student has not enrolled in direct deposit, refund checks will be mailed to the current mailing address listed in PAWS. Please note, Direct Deposits may be deposited into the account of the parent if the parent selected the option to have funds directly deposited to them.
- Log into my.gcsu.edu
- Click on the PAWS icon from the Service Apps
- Select the Student Account Center tab and proceed to the Student Account Center
- Select the Electronic Refunds link on the right side of the page
- Click the Set Up Account button and follow the on screen instructions
For questions concerning Direct Deposit, contact the Business Office at 478-445-5254, or by email at businessoffice@gcsu.edu
Check Your Acceptance Status
- Go to studentloans.gov
- Select Log In in the top right box
- Enter your FSA ID Username or E-mail Address and Password & click Log In
- View your profile and check your records for completion of the loan entrance counseling and active promissory note
Decline All Federal Student Loans
- Email your request to Financial Aid
- Be sure to include the loan(s) and amount you want to cancel and the appropriate term(s)
If your loan disbursement has already occurred, within 30 days you will need to complete one of the following steps to finalize your request to adjust your loan:
1) If you received a direct deposit, the loan funds will be removed from your GCSU account. You will then be required to submit an electronic payment to your account to settle this account and have your loan cancelled. OR
2) If you received a paper refund loan check, you will need to submit the paper refund check to GCSU Financial Aid Office by the specified deadline so that the loan funds can be removed from your account and returned to the lender. If you are not cancelling the full amount of the loan and only returning part of it, you will need to deposit the check and return the amount you are cancelling either via electronic payment or personal check made out to Georgia College.
For further assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Reduce Amounts of Student Loans
- Email your request to Financial Aid
- Be sure to include the loan(s) and amount you want to adjust and the appropriate term(s)
If your loan disbursement has already occurred, within 30 days you will need to complete one of the following steps to finalize your request to adjust your loan:
1) If you received a direct deposit, the loan funds will be removed from your GCSU account. You will then be required to submit an electronic payment to your account to settle this account and have your loan cancelled. OR
2) If you received a paper refund loan check, you will need to submit the paper refund check to GCSU Financial Aid Office by the specified deadline so that the loan funds can be removed from your account and returned to the lender. If you are not cancelling the full amount of the loan and only returning part of it, you will need to deposit the check and return the amount you are cancelling either via electronic payment or personal check made out to Georgia College.
For further assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Assistance with Student Loans
We are happy to help! Stop by the GCSU Financial Aid Office, call or email.
107 Parks Hall
478-445-5149
financialaid@gcsu.edu