Financial Aid

Georgia Piedmont Technical College offers financial assistance to help students manage their educational expenses. Aid is available through federal and state grants, work-study programs, and scholarships. To determine eligibility, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year at www.fafsa.gov. Be sure to include Federal School Code 016582 to ensure GPTC receives your information.

Verification Process

Institutional Responsibility: If a student's FAFSA is selected for verification, the College is required to collect documentation that confirms specific information reported on the FAFSA, unless the student qualifies for a federal exclusion.

Student Responsibility: Students must submit the requested documents by the communicated deadline in order to remain eligible for financial aid.

Entrance Loan Counseling

The U.S. Department of Education mandates that all first-time borrowers of subsidized and/or unsubsidized federal loans complete Entrance Loan Counseling before receiving loan funds. This counseling explains:

• The Direct Loan process
• Managing education expenses
• Repayment options
• Borrower rights and responsibilities

Requirements:

• New students with no prior loan history must complete counseling before registering for classes.
• It is recommended that students complete this requirement within 14 days of submitting their application for enrollment.
• Students with a prior loan history who have already completed Entrance Counseling are not required to repeat it, although all borrowers are encouraged to review updated loan information.

To complete the counseling, visit www.studentloans.gov and log in using your FSA ID. Documentation Required: Confirmation of completed counseling from the COD system must be on file prior to enrollment.

Exit Loan Counseling

Exit Loan Counseling is required for students who:

• Are preparing to graduate
• Withdraw from the college
• Drop below half-time enrollment

This counseling ensures students understand their repayment responsibilities, loan terms, and financial obligations.

Requirements:

• Graduating students must complete exit counseling within 30 days prior to graduation.
• Withdrawn students must complete counseling or receive exit materials within 30 days of the college determining their withdrawal.
• The Financial Aid Office is responsible for verifying that students complete counseling online or, if needed, providing exit materials via email or mail.

To complete counseling, visit www.studentloans.gov.

Documentation Required: Confirmation from COD, a copy of the counseling letter, or electronic counseling records showing the student's email address.

All documentation must be submitted within the required timelines and must comply with federal regulations. For more details, visit the FSA Handbook.

Types of Aid

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) offers several types of financial aid to help eligible students cover the cost of education. These include grants and the Federal Work-Study program.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students enrolled in Associate Degree, Diploma, or Basic Law Enforcement Certificate programs who are eligible based on their FAFSA results.

Key Information:

• Eligibility: Determined by FAFSA results and enrollment status (number of credit hours).
• Limitations: Students with a Bachelor's degree (U.S. or foreign equivalent) are not eligible. Federal aid cannot be used for more than 30 attempted hours of Learning Support coursework.
• Bookstore Credit: Pell-eligible students may use a portion of the grant to purchase books if a credit balance remains after tuition and fees are paid.
• Maximum Award: For 2018-2019, the max award is $6,195 (for full-time students with 0 EFC).
• Disbursement: Funds are typically divided between two terms.

Year-Round Pell (150% Rule):

Students may receive Pell funds in the summer even after full use in fall and spring, provided they:

• Are Pell-eligible,
• Are enrolled at least half-time (6+ credits) for summer,
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Pell Recalculation Policy:

• Standard recalculation: Occurs on the 8th academic day of the term.
• Late Start B-term recalculation: Occurs on the 4th academic day.
• Only one recalculation applies, based on the last class a student enrolls in and attends.
• Exceptions: Include late FAFSA submission or failure to begin attendance.
• Applies to Pell funds only.

Note: All Pell Grant disbursements count toward the student's Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) limit.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a federal grant designed for Pell-eligible students with the greatest financial need.

Requirements:

• Must receive a Pell Grant
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Must not hold a Bachelor's degree
• Not required to be full-time
• Cannot be in high school

Award Details:

• Up to $1,000 per term, max $3,000 per academic year
• Availability is limited and based on annual funding allocations by the U.S. Department of Education
• Funds may be redistributed to other eligible students if not used

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program

FWS provides part-time campus jobs for eligible students with demonstrated financial need.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Enrolled in a Diploma or Degree program
• Taking at least 6 credit hours
• Must maintain SAP
• Must complete FAFSA and have a verified financial aid file
• Must not be in default or owe repayment on federal aid

Application & Hiring:

• Students must apply and complete documentation with the Office of Financial Aid and Human Resources
• Job placement is not guaranteed
• Students must be cleared before beginning work

Pay Rates:

• FWS Assistant: $9.00 - $12.00/hour
• America Reads Assistant: $13.00/hour
• Pay is monthly; direct deposit required after the first paycheck

Work Hours:

• Max 19.5 hours/week
• Cannot exceed annual FWS award amount
• Students cannot work during scheduled class time or when the college is closed
• Students are not required to work during finals week
• Breaks & Between Terms: Students may work if funding is available and they're registered

Managing Hours:

• Students should plan to earn half of their award each semester
• Supervisors receive monthly budget reports
• Time sheets must be submitted monthly, signed by both student and supervisor
• Late timesheets delay payment to the next payroll cycle

Timesheet Policy:

• Must reflect actual hours worked
• Must not exceed earnings listed in the Supervisor Contract
• Timesheets are due by the last GPTC business day of each month
• Supervisors must retain copies for records

Termination from Work-Study

Students may be terminated if they:

• Are frequently absent or tardy
• Underperform or fail to meet job expectations
• No longer meet FWS eligibility (e.g., enrollment changes, SAP failure, or receiving additional aid)

Students also have the option to resign or seek a different position.

Note: The Financial Aid Specialist is responsible for evaluating eligibility at the end of each term and managing award continuity.

HOPE Programs

Funded by the Georgia Lottery and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), the HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Programs support Georgia residents pursuing postsecondary education. Students can track eligibility and usage by logging into My GAfutures.

HOPE Grant

• For students enrolled in certificate or diploma programs.
• Must be a Georgia resident and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Residency requirement:
  • 12 consecutive months before term start (if resident at high school/home study/GED completion).
  • 24 consecutive months if not.
• Covers $76 per semester hour toward tuition at GPTC.
• Tuition is $100 per semester hour, so students cover the difference.
• Example: 10 credit hours → HOPE pays $760, student owes $240 + $359 in fees.
• Requires 2.0 GPA at 30/60-hour checkpoints to remain eligible.
• Maximum coverage is 63 semester hours.

Zell Miller Grant

• For students in certificate or diploma programs.
• No high school GPA requirement.
• Must maintain a 3.5 GPA at the end of each term.
• Tuition is covered in full (does not cover fees).
• First term is paid retroactively if GPA is met.
• Example: 15 credit hours = $1,500 covered; student pays fees ($359).

HOPE Scholarship

• For students in degree programs.
• Requires:
  • High school GPA of 3.0 or higher (HOPE Scholar designation), or
  • Completion of 30, 60, or 90 degree-level credit hours with 3.0 GPA (retroactive eligibility).
• Not available to students who already hold a bachelor's degree.
• Must maintain 3.0 GPA at 30/60/90 checkpoints and each Spring semester.
• Covers tuition similarly to HOPE Grant.
• Maximum coverage: 127 semester hours, including hours covered by the HOPE Grant.

Zell Miller Scholarship

• Pays 100% of tuition (up to 15 credit hours) for degree-seeking students.
• Students must graduate:
  • As Valedictorian or Salutatorian, or
  • With a 3.7 GPA and score 1200 SAT (CR + Math) or 26 ACT on a single test date.
• Students are responsible for fees.

Public Safety Memorial Grant

Provides aid to dependent children of Georgia public safety officers disabled or killed in the line of duty.

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or eligible permanent resident.
• Georgia resident for 12 months prior to receiving aid.
• Full-time enrollment (12 hours) at an eligible Georgia college.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Award Details:

• Covers total cost of attendance minus other financial aid.
• Capped at $18,000 per academic year, up to 8 semesters.
• Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as funding allows.

Georgia HERO Scholarship

Provides aid to qualifying military service members, their spouses, and children.

Eligible Categories:

• Service Member: Georgia National Guard/U.S. Military Reserves; served in combat zone 181+ days (or medically evacuated).
• Child of Service Member: Born before or within 9 months of service; under 26 during service.
• Child of Fallen/Disabled Member: Killed or 100% disabled in combat zone.
• Spouse of Fallen/Disabled Member: Same criteria as Category 3.

Award Amount:

• Up to $2,000/year, prorated for part-time.
• Up to $8,000 total for four academic years.
• Category 2: $2,000 per qualifying term (max 4 terms).

Veterans Educational Services (VA Benefits)

Assistance is available for veterans and eligible dependents through the Office of Special Services.

Getting Started:

• Submit a Veterans Data Sheet and documentation (e.g., DD214, Certificate of Eligibility).
• Submit registration invoice each term to VA Liaison.
• Courses must align with your approved VA program of study.

Key Notes:

• VA Chapters 30, 35, and 1606 pay directly to students; plan to cover initial costs.
• Notify the Veteran Support Liaison of any changes in schedule or program.
• Contact: Nathan Gholston, Veteran Support Liaison

Accepting Your Financial Aid Awards

Before receiving financial aid, students must accept the Terms and Conditions for all awarded funds. Awards are made automatically based on eligibility and funding availability. Students awarded Federal Work Study must accept the award in Banner Web before beginning a work assignment.

How to Accept Your Aid in Banner Web:

• Log in to Banner Web
• Go to Student Services and Financial Aid
• Select Award Information > Current Award Year
• Click Terms and Conditions to accept
• Click Accept Award Offer to accept, adjust, or decline awards

Financial Aid for Basic Law Enforcement Certification

This non-term program has its own academic calendar, consisting of:

• 17 weeks
• 42 credit hours
• 30-week standard academic year

Disbursement of Federal Aid:

• Aid is split into two disbursements:
  • First between the start of classes and week 9
  • Second after week 9

• Aid is prorated if students:
  • Withdraw early
  • Are no-shows
  • Enroll in only part of the program

Federal aid for this non-term program follows Formula 4 from the U.S. Department of Education's FSA Handbook.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To maintain financial aid eligibility, students must meet both qualitative (GPA) and quantitative (pace and timeframe) standards.

Key SAP Requirements:

• Minimum GPA: 2.0 cumulative (on a 4.0 scale)
• Course Completion: At least 66.66% of all attempted credit hours
• Maximum Timeframe: Complete program within 150% of its published length (e.g., 50-credit hour program must be completed in no more than 75 credits)

SAP is evaluated at the end of each semester and applies to all students, whether or not they have previously received financial aid.

Grade Definitions:

• Successful grades: A, A*, B, B*, C, C*, D
• Unsuccessful grades: D*, F, F*, I, IP, W, W*, WF, WF*, WP, WP*

SAP Statuses and Appeals

Warning

• Triggered after failing to meet SAP for the first time
• Financial aid continues for one semester
• Student is notified via student email

Exclusion

• Occurs if SAP is not met after the Warning term
• Student becomes ineligible for financial aid
• Must submit an appeal to regain eligibility

Probation

• Granted if appeal is approved
• Student follows an Academic Plan
• Must meet terms each semester to remain eligible
• Eligibility is restored once SAP standards are met

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Special SAP Considerations

Learning Support Classes

• Count toward SAP completion and timeframe
• Must be completed with A*, B*, or C* to count as successful

Dropped & Repeated Courses

• Withdrawals, repeats, and no-shows are counted in SAP
• Courses dropped during drop/add are not counted

Transfer Credits

• Count toward completion rate and maximum timeframe
• Do not affect GPA for SAP

Multiple Programs

• Students changing programs may request a completion reset
• Must appeal if they exceed the 150% cap after January 28, 2019

Notifications

• Students are notified by email when placed on Warning or Exclusion
• Courtesy reminders are sent mid-semester if close to 150% limit

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

Eligibility may be regained by:

• Meeting SAP standards at a future evaluation
• Submitting a successful appeal and following an academic plan

SAP Appeals

Students on Financial Aid Exclusion may appeal by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form with:

• A detailed explanation of extenuating circumstances
• Documentation (e.g., medical records, obituary, employer letter)
• A plan for academic improvement

Appeals must be submitted by the semester midpoint. Decisions are final unless denied due to missing documentation (students will have 1 week to submit additional info).

Extenuating Circumstances May Include:

• Death of a relative
• Hospitalization or illness
• Family emergency
• Involuntary job changes

Academic Plans

If an appeal is approved, students are placed on an Academic Plan, which may include:

• 100% course completion each term (no W, F, or D if C is required)
• Minimum cumulative 67% completion rate and 2.0 GPA
• Regular meetings with academic advisors or support services
• Expiration date based on program length and student progress

Failure to meet plan terms results in financial aid exclusion.

Re-Appeal Rules:

• Students may re-appeal only after 3 semesters
  • Example: Denied Fall 2024 → may re-appeal Fall 2025

Return to Title IV Policy (R2T4)

Federal Title IV aid is awarded under the assumption a student will complete the full term. If a student withdraws before completing more than 60% of the term:

• A Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation is performed
• The school determines how much aid was "earned"
• Unearned funds are returned to the U.S. Department of Education

Withdrawal Process:

• Notify the school in writing or verbally
• If no official notice is provided, the withdrawal date defaults to 50% of the term
• "Participation" is based on academic activity (submitting assignments, taking exams), not just physical or virtual presence

Final Notes

• All financial aid policies and procedures are subject to change.
• Students are encouraged to regularly check their GPTC email for important updates.