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BASIC STEPS TO FINANCIAL AID
- In early Fall, apply for admission to all considered colleges/university or technical programs. No financial aid can be offered until the student has been accepted into a school.
- Check private sources for scholarships, such as employers, vocational rehabilitation, church, civic and club organizations.
- Apply directly to the school for aid. Write the Director of Student Assistance for an application and information on grants, loans, scholarships, work-study and co-op.
- Complete Free Application for Student Assistance (FAFSA) form as soon as possible. This can not be postmarked before January 1 of the new year.) The post-secondary school may require other forms, which can only be obtained through the post-secondary school’s Finacnial Aid office. Completing your federal income tax form will make completing the FAFSA easier.
- Complete the Georgia Student Grant Application. This form allows one to file for the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (restricted to private Georgia schools), Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant, and the North Georgia College ROTC Grant. (CHECK AID DEADLINES and obtain these from the college/technical school.
- Complete State Direct Student Loan. IF entering a critical field of study under the
SDSL, this application needs completing as soon as you are accepted into school.
- Complete Georgia Guaranteed Student Loan (private lenders have varied deadlines). If you need assistance beyond that provided by other sources, you can borrow money from banks, credit unions, or loan companies which participate in the GSL program.
For complete information on financing, be sure to read the GEORGIA STUDENT FINANCIAL AID HANDBOOK and the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID
(FAFSA), which are available in January through the Georgia Finance Authority (770)414-3000, local high schools and all colleges.
HOW IS NEED COMPUTED?
Cost of school (minus) expected family contribution (equals) NEED
SUGGESTIONS FOR SEEKING SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are announced during the Daily Announcements and information on each opportunity is posted in a continuous listing in the Career Room. Students should check this list regularly. The "Senior Update" is distributed through Senior Language Arts teachers for posting and to be given each student.
- College/university: Write to each school in which you are interested and ask for applications and information on grants, loans, scholarships, work study, and co-op programs. Request a "complete financial aid package." Each will have an application in addition to state and federal applications. Ask to be added to the mailing list.
- Submit a neat application in blue or black ink. Check information for accuracy. Be certain the student's social security number is correct.
- Keep copies of all applications. Make a note of the date mailed.
- Parents and students should check with employers for possible scholarship or tuition plan benefits.
- Apply for everything for which you are eligible.
- Prepare a TYPED "Activity-Recognition Resume" to include with all applications and give a copy to anyone you ask to write a letter of recommendation. Add a copy to all scholarship applications. The resume should include, by grade levels, all in-school activities (athletics, clubs, dramatic productions, music, etc.) and any office, honors and recognition's in each. It should list all community activities (church, civic groups, volunteer projects, scouts, etc.) and any offices, positions and recognition. Include any employment during high school.
ACADEMY AND ROTC APPOINTMENTS
Applying for either an appointment for a military academy or a ROTC scholarship is a very involved process. Contact the armed services recruiter, or military academy for an application and your counselor for assistance. All pre-candidacy questionnaires and applications should be completed by mid-October.
HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
The HOPE Scholarship Program (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) is funded by the state of Georgia through the lottery. Tuition scholarships are available to students who qualify and attend any public Georgia college. No income requirements.
Students graduating with the college prep curriculum must have an academic average of
3.0 or higher, or
if earning a technical diploma, an 3.2 core average. This includes Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language. The scholarship is currently for all four years of college if you maintain a B average in college. All aspects of this program are subject to change at any time. Your correct social security number must be on your transcript.
Only the grades earned in core-curriculum high school subjects will be counted in the GPA for HOPE eligibility. The only subjects that will be counted, and the number of units that must be earned, are listed below:
|
Area |
Subject College Prep |
Technical Diploma |
|
Language Arts |
4 units |
4 units |
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Math* |
4 units |
3 units |
|
Social Studies |
3 units |
3 units |
|
Science |
3 units |
3 units |
|
Foreign Language |
2 units |
0 units |
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