Financial Aid Packet

Transcription

1 Use School Code: NEW! Financial Aid Packet Deadlines are Important! Complete your FAFSA Online and Complete your financial aid file 30 days prior to your term start date. Financial Aid Resources! Get Answers Inside! Stay Connected...Technology at Work! Look for us on SmartWeb Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter and InstaGram!... NEW! Financial Aid Office Telephone Directory: Augusta Campus Grovetown Center Thomson Campus Waynesboro Campus A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia Equal Opportunity Institution

2 Financial Aid How Do I Apply? Steps to complete the FAFSA: 1. Apply for your FAFSA PIN ( 2. Complete your FAFSA application ( 3. Use 2014 Federal Income Tax information. Note: We recommend the use of IRS Data Retrieval which electronically retrieves your tax data from the IRS database. 4. Follow up on your FAFSA. Check your for your FAFSA results and additional requirements in order to complete your financial aid file 30 days prior to your term start date. What s next? After FAFSA has been submitted and processed, the Federal Processor will send your electronic information to the Augusta Technical College Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will contact you via (Smartweb Account) regarding your financial aid application and award status. If you require additional financial resources, visit the following websites: An electronic version of our FAFSA Packet is available on our website: Select the Admissions tab; then select the Financial Aid tab Page 2

3 Financial Aid Opportunities Available at Augusta Technical College The Georgia HOPE Scholarship Program Colleges within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) participate in the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship Program sponsored by the Georgia Lottery for Education. Georgia residents who graduated from high school less than seven years ago as a HOPE Scholar, or graduated from high school or received their GED less than seven years ago with at least 30 semester hours and a cumulative 3.0 GPA may be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship as degree-seeking students. The HOPE Scholarship pays partial tuition. Learning Support courses are not covered by the HOPE Scholarship. The FAFSA is the required application. Students should consult the Financial Aid Office for application procedures and eligibility requirements. The Zell Miller Scholarship Program Georgia residents who completed rigor requirements and one of the following: were designated valedictorian or salutatorian or 3.7 high school GPA and 1200 combined SAT or 26 composite ACT Score and enroll in Associate Degree Programs. Visit GAcollege411.org The HOPE Grant Program Georgia residents enrolled in diploma or certificate programs may be eligible for the HOPE Grant. The HOPE Grant pays for partial tuition. Learning Support courses are covered by the HOPE Grant. The FAFSA is the required application. Students should consult the Financial Aid Office for application procedures and eligibility requirements. The Zell Miller Grant Program Georgia residents enrolled in certificate or diploma programs who have a cumulative 3.5 or higher college GPA; no high school graduation requirement. Visit GAcollege411.org for additional information. HOPE GED Vouchers Georgia residents who earned a GED in the State of Georgia after June 30, 1993, may be eligible to receive a one-time $500 HOPE GED award. The award can be used toward tuition, fees, books and other educational-related costs. The GED award is in addition to any other financial aid received. Present your GED Voucher to the Financial Aid Office for review and authorization. The FAFSA is the required application. Students should consult the Financial Aid Office for application procedures and eligibility requirements. Federal Pell Grant Students who have financial need and are enrolled in associate degree or diploma programs and specific certificate programs may be eligible for this grant if they have not previously earned a bachelor s degree. Federal Pell Grants range from $581 to $5,775 per year depending upon the cost of education and the student s eligibility index as calculated by the Federal Processor. The award also varies with the number of credit hours of enrollment. It is recommended that your financial aid file is complete 30 days prior to your term start date. The FAFSA is the required application. Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) FSEOG is a need-based grant administered by the federal government. Students with exceptional financial need may be eligible for this grant. The award amount is contingent upon the availability of FSEOG funds and the amount of other aid the students are receiving. Funds are limited for FSEOG and eligible students are awarded until allocated funds are expended. This grant requires students apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and only students with the most financial need are eligible. Federal Work-Student (FWS) Program The Federal Work Study (FWS) Program provides jobs for students demonstrating financial need. This award is contingent upon the availability of funds and positions. Through FWS, students are allowed to earn money to help pay for educational expenses while attending school. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for FWS. Hourly salaries are: $7.25 on campus and $7.75 off campus. Visit our website for applications and instructions. Institutional Scholarships A limited number of local scholarships are available to cover tuition and fees not covered by other sources. Applicants must have a completed financial aid file (FAFSA) to receive scholarship consideration. Students visit our website for additional information. Use the listed direct access link: GI Bill Any individual that is considered a veteran through the armed forces and his/her dependents may qualify. Your eligibility is determined by the Veteran s Affairs Office. You may apply online at Once your eligibility has been determined, contact the VA Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office via telephone at WIA (Workforce in Action) Contact your career advisor at the Department of Labor in your county of residence to confirm if your selected program of study is eligible for assistance. Georgia Rehabilitation Services Contact the Georgia Rehabilitation Counselor in your service area; if you are a high school student, contact your school guidance counselor. If you are eligible, your counselor will forward the appropriate paper to Augusta Technical College. Augusta contact: ; Burke contact: or ; Thomson contact: and Grovetown contact : Vocational Rehabilitation Services Contact the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor via telephone at or in person at 1 Freedom Way, Augusta, Georgia The VA Rehab Counselor will forward the appropriate paperwork to the Augusta Technical College representative. Student Access Loan Technical (SALT) Program Limited resource, state need-based, educational low interest loans administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA). Applications are only collected in pre-designated application cycle periods. If you are planning to enroll in a certificate, diploma or degree programs at a Technical College in Georgia, visit college411.org for additional details and to submit your initial application. Student Access Loan Limited resource, state need-based, educational low interest loans administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA). Applications are only collected in pre-designated application cycle periods. Visit college411.org for additional details. Private Student Loans Private Loans are available through various lenders. Our lender options include: Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan If interested, visit or call to submit your initial application and if eligible, receive pre-approval; or Regions Bank Smart Option Student Loan; visit to submit your initial application and if eligible, receive pre-approval; or Wells Fargo Student Educational Loan; visit to submit your initial application and if eligible, receive pre-approval. Nelnet Educational Planning and Financing (Tuition Payment Plan) The Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan breaks down your tuition balance into affordable monthly payments. There's no interest, payment options are flexible, setup fees are affordable, and it's easy to enroll! Visit and click on the Nelnet Logo or call Student Accounts at for additional details and enrollment information. Page 3

4 1 Before Beginning a FAFSA Apply for your PIN! Before beginning the FAFSA, students and parents must apply for a PIN. The PIN allows you to sign your FAFSA electronically. Even if you do not file online, a PIN is useful because it can be used to access and to correct your processed FAFSA information later. Apply for your PIN at If you are providing parental information on the FAFSA, one of your parents must also sign your application. To sign electronically, your parent should apply for his or her own PIN. (See the picture below.) Click here to apply for a PIN. 2 Gather the required information to Complete the FAFSA: To simplify the application process, it is important to gather required documents and other information ahead of time. The following information will be required: Page 4 Click here to begin your FAFSA. Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) (See Page 3) Your Social Security Number Your parents Social Security Numbers and birth dates if providing parental information Your driver s license number Your alien registration number if not a U. S. citizen Your 2014 Federal Income Tax Return, including W-2 information for yourself, your spouse if married and your parents if you are providing parental information Untaxed income information, such as Social Security Benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and veterans benefits, for yourself and for your parents if providing parental information Information on savings, investments and business and farm assets for yourself and your parents if providing parental information Start your FAFSA at (See the picture above.)

5 3 Complete and Submit your FAFSA at It is important to complete your FAFSA completely and accurately. The FAFSA contains questions that ask about you, your financial information, your parents, if you are required to provide parental information, your school plans and more. You must complete and submit the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid for college or career schools and for most state and institutional aid. Here are your options for applying: The quickest way to apply is online using FAFSA on the Web at You may also call FED-AID ( ) and complete your FAFSA on the telephone. The Financial Aid Office at Augusta Technical College uses information from the FAFSA to determine if you are eligible to receive federal student aid from grants, scholarships, work-study and loan programs. Be sure to fill out a FAFSA even if you think you won t qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. Select the school year for which you are applying for financial aid. If you plan to attend college between July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016 Select the FAFSA! Get started with your FAFSA! When are you attending college? Between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016? Between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015? START FAFSA START FAFSA Use IRS Data Retrieval... IRS Data Retrieval allows students and parents to electronically retrieve their tax data from the IRS database. All students and parents of dependent students who indicate on the FAFSA that a federal tax return has been filed will be directed to IRS Retrieval for this purpose. It is advisable to choose this option. Use your 2014 Federal Tax Return for the FAFSA. Determine your Dependency Status (Refer to Page 8 of this publication for additional information.) Search for School Codes or enter Augusta Technical College FAFSA School Code: To ensure that your financial aid is ready and in place during registration, it is recommended that you complete your financial aid file six weeks prior to the scheduled term start date. Sign your FAFSA Electronically with your PIN and have your parents sign with their PIN if you are providing parental information. Submit your electronic FAFSA and print your Confirmation Page. Follow-up on your FAFSA. Your application will be processed and you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) by or mail. Please review your SAR for any necessary corrections or updates. If you do not receive your SAR, go to and select Check the status of a submitted FAFSA or you may call for assistance. Check your application status online. Review your SmartWeb account for additional required documents and/or your financial aid award once your file is complete. Need Additional assistance? Contact your financial aid representative at the campus nearest you. Page 5

6 Augusta Technical College offers the following Types of Aid: GRANTS are awarded on the basis of financial need and do not require repayment. Frequently called gift aid, grants are available through federal and state governments and private sources. To apply for aid in any of the federal programs, you must be a citizen of the United States or intend to become a permanent resident, or be otherwise classified as an eligible non-citizen. SCHOLARSHIPS may be based on merit, need, program of study, or a combination of factors, and they do not require repayment. The majority of the scholarships available cover the cost of tuition and fees. If the aid you are receiving cover these cost, you are not eligible to apply. It is recommended that you meet with a financial aid representative prior to applying. STUDENT EMPLOYMENT provides part-time positions on and off campus to assist in meeting a portion of their educational expenses. Students are encouraged to apply for employment at the start of each award year (August). Eligible applicants must pass the mandatory background investigation. LOANS are available through Georgia Student Finance Commission and private sources. All loans require repayment. Loan eligibility requirements may vary. Interest rates, interest benefits, the repayment period and even when repayment begins depend on the particular loan program. Federal Requirement: Proof of Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose: Upon request, students should appear in person at the school and present a valid, governmentissued photo identification (ID) such as a passport or a driver s license or other state-issued ID. Augusta Technical College must maintain an annotated copy of that ID that includes the date it was received and the name of the authorized school official who received it. Students must also sign a statement of educational purpose that certifies who they are and that the federal student aid they may receive will only be used for educational purposes and for the cost of attending the school for the year. A student who is unable to appear at the school must sign and submit the statement of educational purpose, and he must submit a copy of his ID with the statement signed by a notary public confirming that the student appeared before him/ her and presented the ID confirming his/her identity. Page 6

7 ? Frequently Asked Questions Which application is required to apply for HOPE only? All students receiving financial aid will be required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This includes students who are receiving one or all of the following types of financial aid: Georgia HOPE Grant/Scholarship Federal Pell Grant Student Access Loans Private Loans NOTE: See Page 5 of this publication to determine the correct FAFSA based on your scheduled enrollment term. What is the Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility? Federal Student Aid changed the regulations governing the Federal Pell Grant Program. The regulations were revised to limit the number of terms a student may receive the Federal Pell Grant. The new regulations state that a student may receive up to 12 semesters or up to 600% in Federal Grant funds during his/her entire award history. To view your Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility, you may log on to the National Student Loan Data System. To gain access, your FAFSA PIN number is required. Should I use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool? Yes, use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is highly recommended! IRS Data Retrieval allows students and parents to electronically retrieve their tax data from the IRS database. All students and parents of dependent students who indicate on on the FAFSA that a federal tax return has been filed will be directed to IRS Retrieval for this purpose. It is highly recommend that you choose this option. Important Note: Students or parents who filed their 2014 tax returns, electronically, within the last three weeks, or through the mail within the last eight weeks, might need to either enter Their tax return information manually or return at a later date to transfer their tax return Information into the FAFSA, as their tax return information might not be available for transfer from the IRS. If an IRS Tax Transcript is required, how do I obtain one? Requesting Tax Transcripts is easy...use one of the following options:? Request Method* Where? Tax Return Output Document What: How? When? Direct to Third Party? Online (Get Transcript) PDF Electronic Same day No Telephone (800) IRSGo Mobile App Paper Mailed 5-10 days Paper Mailed 5-10 days Page 7 No No *Source: USAF, Inc.

8 ? Am I Dependent or Independent? You are a Dependent student if you answer NO to all of the following questions: Were you born before January 1, 1992? As of today, are you married? Are you currently serving on active duty in the U. S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? Are you a Veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces? Do you provide more than 50% of your child s support? Do you have other people who live with you and you provided over 50% of their support? Are both of your parents deceased or at any time since you turned 13 were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the or ward of the court? As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor? As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship? At any time on or after July 1, 2014, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self supporting? At any time on or after July 1, 2014, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were were self-supporting? At any time on or after July 1, 2014, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied your who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? Frequently Asked Questions? Who is considered my parent when I apply for financial aid? Biological parents Adoptive parents Stepparents who are married to one of your biological parents The following people are not your parents unless they have adopted you: Grandparents Older brothers or sisters Foster parents Uncles or aunts Legal guardians What if I don t live with my parents? Is parental information still required? You are still required to answer the questions about your parents if you are considered a dependent student. Are student loans available? Augusta Technical College participates in the Student Access Loan through Georgia Student Finance Commission and Private Loans through Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan Program. Refer to Page 3 of this publication for additional loan information. Students should contact the nearest Financial Aid Office for information regarding the application process. What scholarships are available? Limited local scholarships are available to our students. The majority of the scholarships cover cost of tuition and fees. If you are receiving assistance that covers the cost of tuition and fees, you are not eligible for these scholarships. To apply, visit your nearest campus and speak with a financial aid representative. What is the Federal Work-Study Program? This program is designed to provide a part time work opportunity for eligible students while attending school. It is need-based Federal aid. Eligible work-study students earn at least minimum wage upon being awarded and assigned to a work position. Eligibility must first be determined. Students are given opportunities to work based upon availability of funds and positions. Students may apply in the Financial Aid Office located in Building 1300 or visit your nearest campus and speak with a financial aid representative. Page 8 NEW! What are the financial aid application deadlines for each term? Term Fall Semester 2015 Spring Semester 2016 Summer Semester 2016 Deadline July 1, 2015 TBA* TBA* *To Be Announced

9 Applying for Financial Aid HOPE and PELL: For both grants, you must: Not be in default on any student loans or owe a refund on any grants Be a U. S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien Be enrolled in an eligible program. Grants will not cover your enrollment if you are a Special Student. Not have previously received a Bachelor s or higher Degree Apply yearly for all grants. Reminders about applying for Life-time Application for the HOPE Grant: Important Financial Aid Information & Reminders: Must be enrolled in Diploma or Certificate program Must be a legal resident of Georgia for past two years Documenting Residency: Documentation of Georgia residency is required for all HOPE applicants. The following items are acceptable forms of proof of Georgia residency: Georgia driver s license or state issued ID that is at least two years old. Valid voter s registration information that is at least two years old. Georgia 500 income tax return for the last two years. Dependent students must document their Parents residency also. Documenting Military Residency: The following items are acceptable forms of proof of military Georgia residency: Provide a copy of military orders; confirming the home state of record. Parents of dependent students must provide a copy of military orders; confirming the home state of record. Military ID; we must review a current military ID. Stay Connected...Technology at Work: Look for us on SmartWeb Like us on FACEBOOK Facebook.com/AugTechFinaid Follow us on Follow us on Augusta Technical College Financial Aid Staff: Director of Financial Aid Beverly Smyre-Hines bsmyre@augustatech.edu Transient Students, HOPE Scholarship/Grant Eligibility & Office Manager Patrice Walker pwalker@augustatech.edu Waynesboro &Thomson Liaison & Financial Aid Navigator Cicely Harpe charpe@augustatech.edu Customer Service, Local Scholarships & Financial Aid Assistant Roberta Reeves rreeves@augustatech.edu Customer Service & Federal Work-Study Coordinator Esperanza Wakely ewakely@augustatech.edu Verification Coordinator, Grovetown Center Liaison & Financial Aid Assistant Saundra Lee slee@augustatech.edu G. I. Bill/Veterans Benefits Liaison Customer Service & Financial Aid Navigator Lakishia Dinkins lakishia.dinkins@augustatech.edu Loan Coordinator, Customer Service & Financial Aid Consultant/Specialist Willene C. Holmes wholmes@augustatech.edu Georgia Rehabilitation Liaison Karissa D. Wright kdavis@augustatech.edu Need Help? Need help with the financial aid application process or have questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office nearest you. Page 9

10 Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress Financial Aid students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and a course completion rate of 67% for all credit hours attempted (any courses in which you are enrolled on the 4th day of the term are considered attempted hours.) Financial Aid Suspension Students, who fail to make satisfactory academic progress at the end of their financial aid probationary term, are suspended from financial and are not eligible to receive financial aid. Students are not eligible for financial aid until their satisfactory academic progress standards are met by earning 2.0 cumulative GPA and a cumulative completion rate of 67% or better or an appeal has been submitted, reviewed and approved by an Academic Counselor in the Counseling Center. General Requirements Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is evaluated at the end of Fall and Spring terms. You will be notified via Smartweb if you fail to meet SAP after each Evaluation period. If satisfactory progress is not met, the student is placed on financial aid probation (warning). Satisfactory Grades are: A, B, C, D and SC (unless otherwise specified by the college catalog) Unsatisfactory Grades are: F, WP, WF, IP, NG and I Financial Aid Probation (Warning) The first term that satisfactory academic progress is not met, students are placed on financial aid probation and probation letters are issued. Students are eligible for financial aid during their probationary term. Students placed on financial aid probation, who fail to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and an overall course completion rate of 67% or better will be suspended from financial aid. Financial Aid Appeals Students who have been suspended from financial aid can appeal through an Academic Counselor. Appeals are accepted during the designed schedule each term. Contact the Counseling Center, Augusta Campus, Bldg. 1300, at if you have questions or require additional information regarding the appeal process. Page 10

11 Maximum Allowable Timeframe Program Changes The maximum allowable timeframe, for undergraduate programs measured in credit hours, is 150% of the published length of program. This means that students may receive financial aid up to 150% of their required length of program. The formula for calculating the 150% is as follows: Number of credit hours required to complete program x 1.5 = Number of eligible financial hours. Students, who exceed their maximum allowable timeframe, are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. Students should check with the Financial Aid Office for advice before making a program change. Failure to do so could result in the loss of your financial aid eligibility. To request a program change, a student must complete and submit a Change of Program Request Form to the Admissions Office. Transfer Credits Classes Outside Program of Study Classes which are not included in the curriculum for the specified program of study will not be covered by financial aid unless the courses can be used as electives. Electives must first be approved by the advisor, then the Registrar. The approval of classes in question should be forwarded to the Financial Aid Office for review and processing. The Elective Approval Form is issued by the advisor and should include the following when submitted to the Financial Aid Office: Transfer credits are counted as attempted hours in the course completion rate and in the maximum allowable timeframe calculations. Successful coursework for which transfer credit is accepted can only be repeated once under financial aid. Repeated Classes Classes that have already been successfully completed can only be repeated once under financial aid. Graduation Compliance Form (Instructions located on back of Elective Approval Form) Advisor s Signature Registrar s Signature Page 11

12 Financial Aid Checklist Steps to Apply for Financial Aid at Augusta Technical College The Financial Aid Office receives numerous questions regarding what to do next. Hopefully, this checklist will serve as a quick reference for many of the common financial aid questions. Step #1: To apply for all possible Federal Funds (Pell, SEOG, Work Study, and/or private student loans) as well as HOPE and other State Funds, you MUST fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at Step #2: So you ve completed your FAFSA form. Processing time can take 3-5 business days. All of your information will be available with current updates through BannerWeb via your SmartWeb account. Please check for periodic updates. Step #3: Once we have received your FAFSA information, we will contact you via through your Smart- Web address. If your application is chosen for review in a process call Verification, we will require additional documentation (income tax transcripts, W-2 Forms, Verification Worksheets, etc.) from the previous tax year, it will be requested via your SmartWeb address. Step #4: After we have received all of the required information and your financial aid file is complete, a staff member will review your file and verify all of your information. Once this is complete, (during peak processing, 10 business days or more to process), we can then make your financial aid award. Step #5: Once you have been awarded financial aid, an award letter will be ed to you through your SmartWeb account. Your award letter will contain amounts and as well as information on the type(s) of aid you are eligible to receive. All of your information will be available with current updates through BannerWeb via your SmartWeb account. Step #7: What if you need to borrow funds? Currently, there are only three possible loan options offered at Augusta Technical College. Once your financial aid file is complete, you may apply for the Student Access Loan Technical (SALT); Student Access Loan (SAL) through Georgia Student Finance Commission or Private Loans through Sallie Mae Smart Options. Step #8: You are now ready to receive financial aid. Once all aid has been awarded, you can use the amount in excess of your tuition and fees to purchase books and supplies, from our Bookstore during the allotted schedule each term. Any excess funds from your financial aid (may not include a loan refund), are refunded to your bank account through direct deposit or in the form of a paper check each semester. The scheduled refund dates will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Step #9: If you elect not to complete a FAFSA or apply for financial aid and wish to set up a tuition payment plan, through Nelnet, visit our web site or contact Student Accounts for details, deadlines and additional assistance. Student Accounts may be reached at during normal business hours. Normal Business Hours Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Page 12