Grants

NOTE: You must apply annually for all grants and loans

Federal PELL Grant - Students who have financial need and are enrolled in an associate degree or a diploma program may be eligible for this grant if they have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree. All students seeking financial assistance at Augusta Technical College must apply for the grant before aid will be awarded. Grants vary per year depending upon the level of federal funding, the cost of education, and the student’s eligibility index as calculated by PELL Grant. The award also varies with credit hours of enrollment. It is recommended that the student apply at least ten (10) weeks prior to the term beginning date.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - Students with exceptional financial need may be eligible for this grant. The award amount is contingent upon the availability of SEOG funds and the amount of other aid the student is receiving. Eligible students are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until allocated funds are expended.

Zell Miller Grant Program - The Zell Miller Grant program provides grant assistance to residents of Georgia pursuing certificates or diplomas at Georgia’s public eligible postsecondary institutions. The Zell Miller Grant program does not require a high school academic requirements; however, recipients are required to have a minimum postsecondary cumulative grade point average of 3.5 at the end of each term. Students who do not have a grade point average (i.e. first term students) may become eligible after their first term of enrollment. An eligible student seeking a certificate or diploma from a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) may receive Zell Miller Grant funds as determined by Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

To apply for Zell Miller Grant, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Hope Career Grant (formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant) - Hope Career Grant (formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant) provides grant assistance to Georgia residents seeking certificates or diplomas in Commission approved, designated programs of study. A student must be receiving the HOPE Grant in order to be eligible for Hope Career Grant (formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant).

HOPE Scholarship/Grant Program - The Georgia Lottery for Education funds this program. The HOPE Scholarship covers tuition and in some cases only a portion of tuition is covered. Students with a Bachelor’s Degree are not eligible.

HOPE Grant is used to pay for a portion of tuition for the technical certificate of credit and/or diploma programs of study. For more information or to apply for the HOPE Grant, please visit http://www.augustatech.edu/financial_aid_admissions or http://www.gafutures.org.

HOPE Scholarship is used to pay for associate degree programs of study. For more information or to apply for the HOPE Scholarship, please visit http://www.augustatech.edu/financial_aid_admissions/; or http://www.gafutures.org.

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid-FAFSA application can be completed by going to the Augusta Tech site: http://www.augustatech.edu/financial_aid_admissions/, the Georgia Student Finance Commission partner's site: http://www.gafutures.org, or the federal financial aid site: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

General Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be a “legal” resident of Georgia for one year or active military/dependant.
2. Must be enrolled in an eligible post-secondary institution.
3. Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien.
4. Must not be in default of Federal Title IV aid or owe a refund on Federal Title IV aid.

Specific Eligibility Requirements for Associate Degree Students

1. Must have graduated from high school no more than seven years ago.
2. Must have a high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for college preparatory curriculum or cumulative 3.2 in other curriculum.
3. Eligible student may receive grant payments up to 127 credit hours.
4. Must maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA at each 30-credit hour increment, additional established checkpoints, and also meet Federal standards of satisfactory progress.
5. For associate degree students who have previously attended post-secondary schools, see Financial Aid office for additional eligibility requirements.
6. Students who have completed 30 degree level credit hours and maintained a “B” average, see Financial Aid office for eligibility.

The HOPE Scholarship covers a portion of tuition for Associate of Applied Science degrees.

Specific Eligibility Requirements for Diploma/Certificate Students

1. Eligible regardless of year of high school graduation.
2. Eligible for a maximum of 63 semester hours HOPE Grant payments.
3. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the 30th and 60th attempted hour and 67% of coursework completion.
4. Must not be in default on a student loan or owe a refund on a grant.

The HOPE Grant covers a portion of tuition cost for diplomas and technical certificates of credit.

NOTE:

Military personnel in Georgia are eligible for the HOPE Grant provided they are enrolled in a certificate or diploma program.