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Return to: 1200 Financial Information
Financial aid is any scholarship, grant, loan, or part-time employment offered for the purpose of helping a student meet their educational expenses. Aid is usually provided by federal, state, institutional or private agencies. In order to apply, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to apply online at www.FAFSA.gov.
Recipients are selected on the basis of demonstrated financial need and/or academic achievement. Information concerning application for financial assistance is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid. The FAFSA is available after October 1, 2019 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Students are urged to apply early for optimum financial aid benefits at www.FAFSA.gov. April 1, 2020 is the priority date for submission of completed financial aid applications to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Office of Student Financial Aid cannot guarantee that applications made after July 1, 2020 will be processed before the beginning of the fall semester.
Some programs offering financial assistance to students are administered by offices or organizations other than the Office of Student Financial Aid. Contact information concerning a particular program or group of programs appears with each listing.
Audited, orientation, and certain certificate courses are not covered by financial aid. Students are not eligible to receive financial aid for a passed course attempted more than two times.
For more information on financial aid see sfs.gsu.edu/the-financial-aid-process/.
1230.05 Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order for a Georgia State University student to continue to receive financial aid from federal or state financial assistance programs, the student must exhibit Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined in Georgia State University SAP Policy. Satisfactory Academic Progress is defined by federal regulations as an assessment of a student’s cumulative academic performance to determine if a student is academically progressing toward earning a degree. The assessment includes all accepted transfer and institutional attempted hours; this includes hours where financial aid may or may not have been awarded.
The assessment is measured using both a qualitative and quantitative standard. The qualitative standard requires that a student meet a certain cumulative GPA. The quantitative standard requires: 1) a pace of progression - a student must earn a certain percentage of courses attempted; and 2) maximum time-frame - a student may receive financial aid up to 150 percent of the published program of study required hours to earn a degree.
Satisfactory Academic Progress is assessed at the end of each semester and if at the time of the assessment it is determined that the standards are not being met the student will be allowed a warning period to continue to receive financial aid. If at the end of the warning period the student has not met the SAP standards, the student will become ineligible for financial aid. Students that lose financial aid eligibility have the ability to appeal for reinstatement of financial aid. Appeals that are approved will have conditions that must be followed in order to continue to receive financial aid.
For information on Georgia State University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy a student may visit the Student Financial Management Center at any of the campus locations, and the policy is available at sfs.gsu.edu/sap.
1230.07 Course Program of Study (CPoS)
Over time, the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) regulations have evolved to help guide students to academically progress and be successful in earning a degree. One such regulation, requires that Federal Student Aid only pay for courses within a student’s Program of Study. Federal Student Aid includes: Pell Grant, Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (SEOG), TEACH Grant, Direct Student Loan, and Direct Parent Loan programs.
Georgia State University’s Enrollment Services Division works in close collaboration to assist students that are impacted by this regulation. This collaboration begins when registration opens, students awarded Federal Student Aid and enrolled in courses outside of their Program of Study, are notified and given an opportunity to work with the University Advisement Center. Students are also encouraged to monitor their own account in DegreeWorks to track academic progress.
Students that opt to remain enrolled in courses that are outside the Program of Study will have Federal Student Aid adjusted to pay for those courses identified as being within the Program of Study.
For additional information on sfs.gsu.edu/resources/policies/cpos-policy/.
1230.10 Scholarships and Grants
A scholarship is financial assistance which does not have to be repaid and is awarded to students based on academic excellence, civic achievements, course of study, or other specific criteria developed by the sponsor. For further details about scholarships available at Georgia State University, see our website at sfs.gsu.edu/scholarships-grants/.
Teach Grant
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants to full-time students who plan to teach full-time in high-need subject areas at schools serving students from low income families. Students attending less than full-time will have the grant reduced.
For more on the Teach Grant, visit sfs.gsu.edu/scholarships-grants/grants/.
1230.20 Student Loans
A loan is a form of financial assistance which must be repaid. While Georgia State University does not encourage borrowing, loans are frequently necessary to meet educational costs not covered by the student’s income, the family’s contribution, or grant and scholarship awards. When student loans are necessary, Georgia State University advises borrowing conservatively.
Graduate students who meet federal eligibility requirements are able to borrow under one or more of the loan programs described below. All recipients must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree seeking program, be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen; be making satisfactory academic progress; cannot be in default or owe a repayment on a previous financial aid award; and must register with the Selective Service if required to do so. Upon acceptance of a loan, a first-time borrower must complete Entrance Counseling at http://StudentLoans.gov and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://StudentLoans.gov.
Federal Direct Loan borrowers who are leaving school, dropping below half-time enrollment, or graduating must complete Exit Counseling at http://StudentLoans.gov. Exit Counseling provides you with information about repayment and your rights and responsibilities.
There are several types of loans available to graduate students:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan Program
Graduate students are awarded on a Borrower Based Aid Year (BBAY). A BBAY allows students to borrow up to $20,500 every two consecutive semesters, with a cumulative maximum of $138,500. This loan is not based on need therefore the interest on this loan accrues while students are in school.
- Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
Federal Direct Grad PLUS (Grad PLUS) is a loan from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) which provide additional funds for educational expenses not met by other types of aid. They enable a graduate/professional student to borrow up to the cost of education minus other aid. This loan is a credit based loan.
- Private Loans
Also known as Alternative or Commercial Loans help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the limited amount the government allows you to borrow in its programs. Private loans are offered by many lending institutions, terms and conditions can vary significantly from one institution to another.
1230.30 Graduate Assistants
Graduate Assistants are defined as full-time graduate students providing a service to the university in exchange for a stipend and, in some cases, additional benefits such as a tuition waiver or employer-based health insurance. Students generally may hold the equivalent of up to 50% FTE (approximately 20 hours per week). However, students must have the permission of their degree program to hold an assistantship and cannot exceed their program’s limitation on the number of hours to be worked. Students must be eligible to work in the United States and cannot exceed any hourly limitations placed on them by a visa.
Graduate Assistant types include Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Computing Assistants, and Administrative Assistants. Types of Graduate Assistantships may also be combined to reflect a combination of assistantship duties. Any student accepted into a graduate degree program may be appointed, depending on credentials such as: (1) admission test scores, (2) grade point averages in previous course work or in the degree program, (3) previous experience, and (4) the nature of the work for which the assistantship is funded.
Additional information on employment and funding opportunities can be found at the Graduate Programs website at graduate.gsu.edu.
1230.40 Veteran’s Financial Assistance
Veterans Benefits
The Office of the Registrar assists eligible military-connected students with their veterans education benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Any veteran who wishes to attend Georgia State University under any of the veteran education benefit programs provided by public law must apply to the Georgia State University Office of Admissions in the normal manner. It is advisable for a veteran who has not previously used any education benefits to apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs for those benefits. For a veteran who will be transferring to Georgia State University from another institution where education benefits were received, a veteran must submit a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training form (VA Form 22-1995 for veterans and VA Form 22-5495 for eligible dependents) with the Department of Veterans Affairs concurrently with his or her application to Georgia State. As soon as the Georgia State University Office of Undergraduate Admissions notifies the applicant of his or her acceptance, and a certificate of eligibility has been received from the Department of Veteran Affairs, the applicant should contact the Office of the Registrar at vetstudentservices@gsu.edu.
Continuing students who wish to receive benefits must complete the Online Veterans’ Enrollment Verification Form (gVerify), located at https://registrar.gsu.edu/gi-bill-benefits/gverify-information/, each academic term. Students are certified on a term-by-term basis. Students whose attendance was interrupted must renew their certifications at the beginning of the next academic term of attendance in which they wish to receive benefits. Those students who are certified on a term by term basis will routinely experience a break in benefit payments between academic terms and should contact the Veterans Administration Regional Office to determine the amount and schedule of their benefit payments at https://www.va.gov/education/.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Certain physically or mentally disabled individuals enrolled at Georgia State University may qualify to receive financial aid through the State Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Students who think they may qualify under this program should contact one of the area vocational rehabilitation centers.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Georgia State University is proud to be a sponsor of the Yellow Ribbon Program in support of our nation’s veterans. The program provides additional assistance to cover out-of-state tuition that is currently not covered by the Post-911 GI Bill.
Program Details
- Georgia State University contributes 50 percent toward out-of-state tuition charges for those eligible and the Department of Veteran Affairs matches Georgia State’s scholarship contribution. The program funding is only applied toward out-of-state tuition. It does not cover books, housing, and other student expenditures. Yellow Ribbon Scholarships are available only in fall and spring semesters.
- Scholarships are awarded to 30 students on a first come, first serve basis. This means that after the initial application is approved, as long as the student remains continuously enrolled in a program of study at Georgia State and the University remains a participating institution, the student will be guaranteed to receive this scholarship. If continuous enrollment is not maintained, the student is required to re-apply for the program. If all scholarships have been awarded, a waiting list will be maintained. As scholarships become available, students placed on a waiting list will be honored first.
Eligibility Requirements
Non-active Service Member receiving Post 9/11 Educational Benefits at the 100 percent eligibility rate.
A dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill based on a Non-active Service Member’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above.
A Fry Scholarship recipient (eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program on or after August 1, 2018)
How to Apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program:
Veterans and their dependents interested in applying for this program should initiate an application through the Office of the Registrar, 224 Sparks Hall.
- Students must complete a Georgia State University’s Yellow Ribbon Application.
- A Certificate of Eligibility Letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs must be submitted with the Yellow Ribbon Application.
For more information regarding the Yellow Ribbon Program, contact the Office of the Registrar, vetstudentservices@gsu.edu.
1230.50 International Students, Students with Non-U.S. Academic Credentials, and Non-Native Speakers of English
International Students
Only United States citizens or eligible non-citizens may receive federal financial aid or State of Georgia financial aid. Permanent residents, asylees, and refugees are eligible non-citizens. Holders of A, B, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L or M visas are not eligible non-citizens.
An individual who has applied for permanent resident status is not eligible until that status is approved. An individual may have resident status in the State of Georgia but not be considered a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. An individual is not eligible on the basis of the status of family members, for example a parent or a spouse.
All students that are not confirmed as U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) on their initial application for financial aid are required to submit appropriate documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid is required to submit this documentation to CIS for secondary confirmation. Until secondary confirmation is received, an individual cannot be approved to receive financial aid.
Students with Non-United States Academic Credentials
There are no special financial aid rules for students with non-United States academic credentials.
Non-Native Speakers of English
There are no special financial aid rules for students who are non-native speakers of English.
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