Application Procedures
Application Procedures
There are four primary sources of student financial assistance: federal, state, institutional, and third-party sources. The financial aid application procedures for undergraduate students are available on the Financial Aid website at www.piedmont.edu.
Federal Assistance
To receive federal student aid, a student’s financial need must be established by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form may be completed online at www.studentaid.gov. Contact the Piedmont University Financial Aid Office at (706) 776-0114 with questions. For technical help when applying online, call the Federal Aid Help Line at 1-800-4-FEDAID. For Piedmont University to receive a copy of the FAFSA report, the student must add Piedmont University’s federal aid school code 001588 to the application.
The federal processor responds to the FAFSA with a Student Aid Report (SAR). This document contains a Need Analysis Form from which need-based aid is calculated. Need-based aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, the Federal Work-Study Program, and several institutional programs.
The SAR has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number assigned to it which reports the amount the federal government expects the family to be able to contribute toward the student’s cost of education. Educational costs include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses. The SAR also indicates whether a student is eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and other need-based aid.
After the EFC is established on the FAFSA, eligibility for the various student loan programs offered by the Federal Government can be determined. Piedmont University participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. These loans may be either subsidized or unsubsidized and are based upon financial need and dependency status. Half-time enrollment is required for receiving student loans. Amounts vary based upon academic grade level. Loan funds are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education, and funds are credited to the student’s account at Piedmont University. Repayment begins after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time or graduates. Students would be required to complete direct loan entrance counseling, and a master promissory note before a federal student loan would disburse to the school. When enrollment ceases or drops below half-time, the student would also be required to complete direct loan exit counseling. For more information, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.
Parents of dependent students can also apply for a PLUS loan to assist with educational expenses for a dependent child. This is a non-need-based program, and therefore, all parents may apply. Normal credit standards are used to determine whether a parent is approved for the loan. Loan amounts cannot exceed the cost of attendance less any financial aid received. Visit www.studentaid.gov for additional parent loan information.