| FINANCIAL AID |
The purpose of the Office of Financial Aid is to provide financial support for students who can benefit from higher education. The staff of the Financial Aid Office is aware of concerns students may have regarding financing their college education, and wants to assist in making the appropriate financial arrangements by providing the best service possible. Our goal is to meet individual needs in a timely, efficient, and equitable manner. Financial aid awards at Georgia College & State University are based on scholastic ability, financial need, and contribution to the campus community, or a combination thereof. Students may receive aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or work opportunities. All students are encouraged to apply.
Many students do not have the financial resources to accomplish their educational objectives. Through the financial aid programs, Georgia College & State University makes every effort to assure that no qualified student will be denied the opportunity to attend school because of lack of funds. Each year over 60% of Georgia College & State University students receive some form of financial aid.
Because of the many federal, state, and local agencies that regulate financial aid programs, the administration of financial aid is complex and ever-changing. To help simplify the process, the Federal government has produced a publication, The Student Guide, to provide accurate, up-to-date information. It is important for students to understand the financial aid programs they are applying for and the requirements of those programs. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to request a copy of the publication.
Policies and procedures are subject to change without notice.
[ Back to Index ]
| ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID |
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, mandates institutions of higher education to establish a standard of satisfactory academic progress for students who receive financial aid. This standard must apply to the student's entire academic history, whether Title IV financial aid was received or not. In order to remain eligible to receive aid at Georgia College & State University, students must meet the standards specified for acceptable academic performance and for satisfactory progress toward the completion of their program of study. The standards are established within the framework of applicable federal regulations specifically for the purpose of determining the eligibility of students to receive aid under the generally funded Title IV programs, including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, Georgia's HOPE Scholarship, and Federal Direct Student Loan Programs (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS). They should not be confused with Probation or Good Standing as defined by academic regulations.
COMPONENTS
The Georgia College & State University definition of satisfactory academic progress for receiving financial aid includes the following components:
I. Qualitative Standards
Georgia College & State University uses the 4.0 grade point average system and numerical code:
4.0 = A, 3.0 = B, 2.0 = C, 1.0 = D, 0.0 = F, 0.0 = WF
Graduate Students
Any student whose institutional GPA falls below a 3.0 will be on financial aid probation.
II. Quantitative Process
Students are expected to successfully complete 67% of all enrolled course work.
Enrollment status will be verified by the Financial Aid Office staff three days after classes begin according to the following table:
Full-Time Three-Quarter Time One-Half Time Graduate 9-up 6-8 5
Students who attend during the summer are expected to successfully complete the appropriate number of hours required for the summer plus the required number for the academic year based upon their status.
III. Maximum Time Frame
Students who attend on a full-time basis at Georgia College & State University will have the following time frame (subject to individual program regulations) in which to receive consideration for financial aid:
Graduate students (Master's Degree) 6 semesters or 55 Attempted Hours
Graduate Students (Specialist in Education) 4 semesters or 41 Attempted Hours
The time frame for students who attend other than full time will be determined on a yearly basis taking into account the enrollment status of the student. Students who begin their education at another school and then transfer to Georgia College & State University will have their standing classified by the appropriate office. For these students, financial aid eligibility is identical to that of Georgia College & State University students with comparable hours. (e.g. Transfer students who are classified as juniors will have the same eligibility as Georgia College & State University juniors). Students who are required to take learning support courses, may have their time frame extended. Students may receive consideration for financial aid for learning support and other non-credit course work up to 30 semester hours provided they meet Georgia College & State University requirements for making satisfactory progress in the program.
Academic Standards and/or Incremental Progress
At the end of each academic year (usually Spring Semester), the Financial Aid Office staff will determine whether the student has successfully completed the minimum expected number of hours with the required grade point average and shown progress toward the educational degree for all completed semesters. The review, which will occur during the summer, will include all hours attempted during the student's attendance period.
The following will be considered as hours successfully completed:
| 1. | A through D grades | 3. | K credit |
| 2. | S satisfactory | 4. | IC institutional credit |
The following shall not be considered as semester hours completed:
| 1. | F grade | 5. | V audit |
| 2. | I incomplete | 6. | WF withdrew failing |
| 3. | W withdrew | 7. | IP used in Learning Support Services |
| 4. | U unsatisfactory |
A student will automatically be placed on financial aid probation in the event that the student fails to meet the institutional GPA and/or incremental progress requirements. A student in this category may receive financial aid for the next academic year, but by the end of that academic year, that student must have completed both the aggregate number of semester hours required and attain the overall institutional GPA required to establish satisfactory academic progress. If the student does not make up the deficiencies and remove himself/herself from financial aid probation, the student is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is placed on financial aid suspension. Financial aid suspension means the termination of all financial aid until the student has returned to a satisfactory academic progress standing.
A student who does not meet the time frame requirement will, without warning, become ineligible for financial aid.
A student whose financial aid has been suspended for failure to meet the GPA and/or incremental progress requirements, can become eligible for consideration for financial aid by:
A student whose financial aid has been suspended may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. In the appeal, the student should state the reason(s) why satisfactory academic progress was not maintained, why aid should not be terminated, and list any extenuating circumstances that should be considered. A student wishing to appeal the decision of the Director may do so, in writing, to the Financial Aid Internal Review (FAIR) Committee. A student wishing to appeal the decision of the FAIR Committee may do so, in writing, to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services. An appeal to the decision of the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services may be done, in writing, to the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs who has the final authority on the campus.
[ Back to Index ]
| APPLICATION PROCEDURE |
To receive consideration for aid, please submit:
[ Back to Index ]
| GENERAL INFORMATION |
Exception: (Applicable to FSL, and FPLUS Loans only). A non-degree seeker may be eligible for a loan under one or more of these programs enrolled or accepted for enrollment as at least a half-time student in a program that is necessary for either a professional credential or certification from a state if that credential or certification is required for employment in that state as an elementary or secondary school teacher. For financial aid purposes, these students are considered 5th year undergraduates.
[ Back to Index ]
| SCHOLARSHIPS |
The HOPE Teacher Scholarship Program provides forgivable loans to the individuals seeking advanced education degrees in critical fields of study. Students must be accepted into graduate school and into an advanced teacher certification program. The amount of the scholarship is up to $10,000. Students earn their award by teaching in a Georgia public school after graduation.
Applications may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.
Some scholarships for graduate students available through the Alumni Association, are listed in a booklet of all Georgia College & State University Scholarships, Awards, and Grants published by the Financial Aid Office, 103 Parks Hall.
[ Back to Index ]
| LOANS |
The University participates in the Federal Perkins Loan program. Students demonstrating exceptional need to meet educational expenses are eligible to receive consideration for this loan. The aggregate amount a graduate or professional student may borrow is &18,000, including loans borrowed for undergraduate study.
Repayment begins nine months after the student graduates or leaves school. The student may be allowed up to ten years to repay the loan. During the repayment period, the student will be charged 5% simple interest on the unpaid balance of the loan principal. The minimum monthly payment is $40.
Students who complete the Georgia College & State University application process are considered for the loan.
These federally sponsored, Title IV loans, which are now need-based, are arranged through GCSU from the U.S. Department of Education. For a qualified student, the federal government pays the interest until the student ceases enrollment as, at least, a halftime student.
The amount a student can borrow will vary, depending upon the student's demonstrated financial need. The maximum amount in any academic year may not excees $8,500. The aggregate guaranteed unpaid principal amount of all FSL loans made to a graduate or professional student may not excees $65,500, including loans made for undergraduate study.
To apply, students must complete the Georgia College & State University Financial Aid application process.
Students regardless of income may borrow. The unsubsidized loan's terms and conditions are the same as the Federal Stafford (subsidized) loan such as loan limits, deferments, and interest rates. Students are charged with interest during in school and grace periods.
Under the State Direct Student Loan program, students may be eligible to borrow funds that are either repaid in cash or which may be canceled through service.
As a lender in the Georgia Stafford Loan program, the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) makes interest subsidized and unsubsidized loans to students that are subject to the same eligibility, interest and repayment as other student loans made by commercial lenders and guaranteed by the Georgia Higher Educational Assistance Corporation.
In addition, the GSFA makes loans which may be canceled through service for students preparing for professions in which there is a critical manpower shortage in Georgia. Applicants who are preparing for careers in certain health fields may be eligible to borrow funds and to have a portion or all of these loans canceled by service.
Additional details and applications are available from the Georgia College & State University Financial Aid Office or the:
Georgia Student Finance Authority
Additional funds administered by the college are:
[ Back to Index ]
| STUDENT EMPLOYMENT |
Approximately twenty percent of the university's students hold part-time jobs on campus. Students fill a variety of positions in administrative offices, departmental offices, the library, science laboratories, residence halls, and elsewhere.
The Federal Work-Study program provides jobs for students who show financial need and who must earn a part of their educational expenses. Most jobs are located on campus, but there are off-campus positions available involving community service work at non-profit organizations. Positions as reading or math tutors in public elementary schools may also be available under the U.S. Department of Education's "America Reads" or "America Counts" programs.
In general, a student earns at least the current minimum wage. Students in this program may work up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session and forty hours a week during vacation periods.
Students who complete the university's application process are considered for this program.
The University Student Employment program provides additional opportunities for students to secure campus employment. While financial need is often not a factor, earnings under this program could affect other aid received. Students are interviewed and hired by the various administrative offices, departmental offices, and other offices at the university. Jobs in this program are fewer in number than in the Federal Work-Study program and application should be made directly to the employing department.
[ Back to Index ]
| REFUND POLICY AND PROCEDURES |
Financial Aid Return of Title IV Funds
Effective Fall Semester 2000, federal law specifies how an institution must determine the amount of Federal Student Aid assistance that a student earns if they withdraw from school. This new law requires that when a student withdraws during a payment period (semester) the amount of federal assistance that a student has earned up to that point be determined by a specific formula. If the student was disbursed less assistance than the amount that they had earned, they will be able to receive those additional funds. If the student was disbursed more federal aid than they earned, the student and the institution will share in returning excess funds to the appropriate federal agency. If the student received excess funds based on this calculation, the school must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:
If the school is not required to return all of the excess funds, the student must return the remaining amount. The order of funds that the institution and student must return these funds is as follows:
The student would repay the "loan" funds in accordance with the terms of the promissory note so repayment would not be required until originally scheduled. If the student is responsible for returning "grant" funds, they do not return the full amount. The law provides that the student is not required to return 50 percent of the grant assistance that they were calculated to return. Any "grant" amount that a student must return is considered a grant overpayment. Therefore, they must arrange with the school to repay these funds within 45 days.
Example A:
Student A received the following financial aid:
Subsidized Direct Loan
$1275
Federal Pell Grant
+ $325
Total
$1600
Institutional Charges
$1200
Student's Refund Check
$400
Student A withdrew from school after completing 10% (# of days completed / total # days in semester = %) of the total semester.
Federal law states that this student has "earned" 10% of Federal aid disbursed:
| 100% of aid disbursed | $1600 |
| 10 % earned aid | + $160 |
| 90% unearned aid | $1440 |
The institution and the student will share the 90% of unearned aid to be returned. The institution's portion is determined by multiplying the total charges ($1200) by the unearned percentage (90%), which will be $1080.00. This will be returned to the Subsidized Loan Program.
The student will be responsible for the remaining balance.
| Unearned aid | $1440 |
| Institutional Share | - $1080 |
| Student Share | $360 |
The balance of the loan, $195, will be returned in accordance with terms of the promissory note. The remaining $165 would be returned at a 50% rate to the Federal Pell Grant program.
Student A would need to make arrangements with GCSU to repay $82.50 to the Pell Grant Program within 45 days.
Pell Grant Overpayment
$165
x 50%
$ 82.50
Example B:
Student B received the following financial aid:
Unsubsidized Direct Loan
$2000
Subsidized Direct Loan
+ $1600
Total
$3600
Institutional Charges
$3000
Student's Refund Check
$600
Student B withdrew from school after completing 40% (# of days completed / total # days in semester = %) of the total semester.
Federal law states that this student has "earned" 40% of Federal aid disbursed:
| 100% of aid disbursed | $3600 |
| 40 % earned aid | + $1440 |
| 60% unearned aid | $2160 |
The institution and the student will share the 60% of unearned aid to be returned. The institution's portion is determined by multiplying the total charges ($3000) by the unearned percentage (60%), which will be $1800.00. This will be returned to the Unsubsidized Loan Program.
The student will be responsible for the remaining balance.
| Unearned aid | $2160 |
| Institutional Share | - $1800 |
| Student Share | $360 |
Because the $360.00 of the student share represents loan fund, Student B will not repay these funds until entering repayment on all loans.
[ Back to Index ]
| GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS |
A limited number of graduate assistantships are offered through the departments which have graduate degree programs. Recipients provide educationally beneficial assistance to the department which awards the assistantship. Duties must be relevant to the student's major field of study and shall be of academic value.
Applications for graduate assistantships should be directed to the school dean or director. Approval is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation of the school dean or director
Graduate assistants will be required to work between fifteen and twenty hours per week. Course loads for graduate assistants must be at least six hours per semester.
A graduate assistant must have been approved for regular admission to a graduate program and have at least a 3.0 GPA on any graduate courses taken at Georgia College & State University. To continue an assistantship, the graduate student must maintain academic good standing, except that if a student's grade point average falls below 3.0 (academic warning) that student will have one semester to improve and return to academic good standing before termination of the assistantship. Should a student fail to return to good standing after one semester, or should a student receive academic exclusion and be dismissed from the degree program, the assistantship will be terminated at once.
[ Back to Index ]
| REGENTS SCHOLARSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES |
The Regents Opportunity Scholarships offer stipends of $2500 per academic year to selected economically disadvantaged students entering a full-time graduate program of Georgia College & State University. For eligibility, an applicant must have regular admission status in a graduate program, must be a resident of Georgia, and must maintain good standing. The scholarships are renewable and priority is given to previous recipients who continue to meet eligibility requirements. Persons interested are encouraged to contact the Dean of the Graduate School & Research Services, Georgia College & State University, Campus Box 73, Milledgeville, GA 31061.
[ Back to Index ]
| SENIOR ARMY ROTC |
The mission of the United States Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program is to attract, motivate and prepare selected students with high potential to receive a commission in the United States Army Reserve. In addition to providing the courses required to earn a commission through the ROTC program, military science instruction and associated activities have the aim for all students of developing leadership and managerial potential, providing an understanding of the requirements and organization for national security, and instilling a strong sense of personal integrity and individual responsibility.
Selected students may enter the two-year Senior Army ROTC program available to Georgia College & State University. Qualified applicants may receive $150 per month for up to twenty (20) months or a maximum of $3000. Additionally, students receive approximately $750 for a six week leadership practicum taught during the summer at a major military installation.
Additional information and applications can be obtained by calling collect (478) 453-4737 or writing Georgia College & State University, Army ROTC Opportunities, Box 2395, Milledgeville, GA 31061.
[ Back to Index ]
| VETERANS SERVICES |
In addition to the regular benefits, veterans can obtain financial aid in the form of work-study. For further information, contact the Veterans Administration Regional Office, 730 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA. 30365. The Veterans Secretary in Parks Hall is available to assist you.
[ Back to Index ]