Financial Aid

Types of Aid Available

Federal

Pell Grants
The Pell Grant is one of the most recognized federal grant programs and is awarded based on financial need and the number in your household. You must fill out a FAFSA( Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be awarded a Pell Grant. You must complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
The SEOG or Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is also a federal grant program and is awarded to Pell Grant recipients with the highest need. Because this fund is limited, SEOG recipients are randomly selected. In addition, to be eligible, a recipient must be enrolled 5 or more hours.

Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study is a campus-based program that provides part-time employment for students who are in need of such earnings to meet a portion of their educational expenses. Participation in the program is determined based on need and the availability of jobs. When at all possible, students are assigned to jobs related to their area of study.

State

HOPE Scholarship
Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement at the high school and/or college level. The scholarship provides tuition payments based on the current year's Factor Rate, as determined by the Georgia General Assembly. No payments for fees and books, effective fall 2011. Full-time enrollment is not required, but you must be making satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility and have a minimum GPA of a 3.00 at the 30, 60, and 90 hour check-points; in addition, check-points will be at every spring semester and at each three-tier.

HOPE Grant
Georgia's HOPE Grant (a separate program from the HOPE Scholarship) is available to residents of Georgia who are attending a Georgia public technical college or public college or university to earn a certificate or diploma regardless of high school graduation date or grade point average. To qualify for HOPE Grant funding, the certificate or diploma program must be approved by the Technical College System of Georgia or be a comparable program of study approved by the Board of Regents. The certificate or diploma must be awarded and issued by the institution. Continuing education programs are not eligible for HOPE Grant funding. The scholarship provides tuition payments based on the current year's Factor Rate, as determined by the Georgia General Assembly. No payments for fees and books, effective fall 2011. Full-time enrollment is not required, but you must be making satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility and have a minimum GPA of a 3.00 at the 30 and 60 hour check-points.

Zell Miller Scholarship
Beginning with the high school graduating class of 2011, the Zell Miller Scholarship Program may be available to the degree students who also met all HOPE Scholarship eligibility requirements. In addition to meeting all the HOPE Scholarship requirements for the first 30 semester hours, Zell Miller Scholarship applicants must graduate from an eligible high school as the Valedictorian or the Salutatorian; or graduate from an eligible high school with a minimum of 3.70 cumulative grade point average on a 4.00 scale as calculated by GSFC for Zell Miller and HOPE Scholarship purposes; and receive a minimum score of 1200 combined critical reading and math on a single administration of the SAT on a test administration at the time of high school graduation; or receive a composite scale score of 26 on a single administration of the ACT on a test administration at the time of high school graduation.

Other State Aid

By visiting the website for HOPE information at www.GAcollege411.org, you can apply for several other state grants and scholarships. Included in those, but not limited to the list below,are

By filling out the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov, you can cover the application process for ALL of your federal and state aid. However, if you prefer to NOT give your tax information through the FAFSA process, or you know that you will not qualify for need-based aid, you can limit your application to the www.GAcollege411.org website. Check with a counselor in Financial Aid at Athens Technical College if you are unsure about which application to complete.

Institutional Aid

Merit Scholarships
Athens Technical College administers a Merit Scholarship Program which is open to students who have satisfied the minimum academic requirements. You can view information concerning Athens Technical College Merit Scholarships at the ATC Foundation website at
http:///www.athenstech.edu/Foundation/scholarship.cfm.

Outside Awards

Outside awards consist of aid from sources and agencies other than Athens Technical College. They can include, but are not restricted to, scholarships from community or civic groups, religious organizations, and charitable foundations. Athens Technical College assists many students with their outside aid awards.

Loans

Athens Technical College Loans

Outside Loan Information

Athens Technical College does not currently participate in any federal student or parent loan programs (e.g. Direct Loans, Stafford). Any student loan for which a student wishes to apply must be a private student loan which will disburse funds directly to the college. Private loans are for "gap" financing or as a last resort to pay for educational expenses, such as outstanding tuition, fees, and books. The college does not certify loans for living expenses as it is our policy not to encourage students to incur additional debt for their college education. Students who have existing student loans will have to meet additional criteria to remain eligible for Title IV and HOPE funds.

Sallie Mae - Smart Option Student Loan
Wells Fargo - Student Loan for Career and Community Colleges