1. Admissions and Financial Aid Where to Begin the Technical College Experience
The philosophy of need based financial aid programs is based upon the premise that it is the responsibility of the family to pay for college and aid is to bridge the difference between costs and family resources.
Holly Bates
Student Affairs Coordinator
Technical College System of Georgia
May 23, 2012

2. Admissions – Application Process
Admission to a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) college is a multi-step process which consists of evaluation of prior academic experience and assessment for postsecondary readiness of eligible applicants. Requirements vary by institution and may be higher than the system minimum.
Apply to your technical college of choice
25 Georgia Technical Colleges
Complete the Admission application
Printed Application
Online Application
GACollege411.org
Pay one-time Application fee
Includes all costs associated with admit process
Any individual 16 years of age or older who seeks access to quality instruction designed to develop or improve occupational competencies is eligible for admissions. Presidents of Technical Colleges may waive the “16 years of age” requirement for secondary students who are participating in an articulated program of study.
Must have the capability to meet technical standards of the specific program.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

3. Admissions –Application Process
Submit Official Transcripts
GED
High School Diploma
Must be accredited from TCSG’s List of Recognized Accrediting Agencies or a public school regulated by a school system and state department of education
Unaccredited, Certificates of Attendance or special education diplomas are not recognized for admission purposes
Must obtain a GED
Home School
Within Georgia
Outside Georgia
Postsecondary Institutions
With or without transfer credits
Home School Students – Within Georgia
Applicants of home schools located in Georgia who did not attend a recognized accredited program must adhere to the following alternative path for admission:
Submit a letter from the local superintendent’s office verifying that (1) the parent or legal guardian notified the superintendent of intent to home school and (2) that the parent or legal guardian submitted the required attendance reports to the superintendent’s office on a monthly basis as required by O.C.G.A. §
Submit annual progress reports or a final transcript for the equivalent of the home-schooled student’s junior and senior years. The final progress report should include the graduation date.
Home School Students – Outside Georgia
Applicants of home schools located outside the state of Georgia who did not attend a recognized accredited program must adhere to the following alternative path for admission:
Submit SAT or ACT scores that meet the TCSG system minimum requirements.
College transcripts used for GPA calculations
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

4. Admissions – Application Process
Take Placement Test
COMPASS
ASSET
SAT, ACT, or Georgia High School Graduation Test in English/Language Arts
Official transcripts from other post secondary institutions documenting program-level English and math coursework with a C or better
Assessment
The ability of a student to succeed in a program at a Technical College is greatly determined by the math and language skills possessed by that student. The Technical College System of Georgia is committed to assisting each student to achieve at their maximum potential. All students applying for diploma, degree, and certificate programs must be assessed prior to acceptance to a program of study at a Technical College. Students will then be admitted in accordance with the academic standards applicable to that program.
All Technical Colleges must utilize COMPASS or ASSET, the TCSG-approved assessment instruments, when evaluating students for program readiness. However, in the place of COMPASS or ASSET, Technical Colleges may accept a student’s official entrance score on a validated assessment instrument (such as SAT, ACT), or Georgia High School Graduation Test in English/Language Arts if the scores meet the college program’s required minimums. If a student’s SAT, ACT, or Georgia High School Graduation Test in English/Language Arts scores do not meet the college’s program minimums for regular admission, a student must be assessed using one of the TCSG-approved instruments. Assessment results will be valid for placement purposes for a period of 60 months and are transferable to any TCSG college. Each Technical College will develop its own retesting policy and charges may apply.
Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education documenting equivalent program-level English and math coursework successfully completed (C or better) may be used in lieu of completing the corresponding portion of the TCSG-approved assessment instrument.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

5. Admissions – Application Process
Admissions Categories
Regular
Provisional
Learning Support
Special Admit
Transient
Programs of Study
Certificate – 9 to 36 credit hours
Diploma – 37 to 59 credit hours
Associate Degree to 70 credit hours
Minimum admissions requirements shall be established for each program.
Students shall be admitted to a Technical College in one of the following categories: Regular; Provisional; Learning Support; Special; or Transient.
Regular Status
Students who meet all requirements for admission into a selected program and are eligible to take all courses in the program curriculum are granted regular admission status.
Provisional Status
Students who do not meet all requirements for regular admission into a selected program are granted provisional admission status. Provisionally admitted students may take learning support classes, and certain specified occupational courses as long as class pre- and co- requisites are satisfied.
All certificate, diploma, and associate degree program students initially admitted on a provisional basis must have satisfactorily completed the necessary prerequisite and learning support course work in order to progress through the State Standard Curriculum.
Learning Support Status
Applicants who score below the provisional cut scores in English, math and reading are granted learning support status or referred to Adult Education. Students with Learning Support status may not take occupational courses until achieving Provisional status. Students with this status are not eligible for federal financial aid (i.e. Pell, SEOG, or Federal Work Study).
Special Admit Status (Non-credential seeking)
Applicants who wish to take credit coursework, but are not seeking a certificate, diploma, or associate degree are granted Special Admit status. The following specifics define the parameters of this status:
may apply up to a maximum of 25 quarter or 17 semester credit hours into a specific program for credential seeking purposes after achieving regular admit status. The number of hours taken as a special admit student in no way waives the requirements of the regular admission process.
May enroll in classes only on a space-available basis.
Should adhere to the specific institutional prerequisite requirements when selecting courses.
Will not be eligible for any financial aid.
Transient Status
Students who submit a Transient Agreement Letter from their home institution are granted Transient admission status. The Transient Agreement Letter should verify that the student is in good standing and should list the courses the student is eligible to take. A current Transient Agreement Letter is required for each term of enrollment.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

6. Financial Aid – FAFSA How to apply
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Application for all student aid (annual)
& pin.ed.gov
Paper Application
Request a paper FAFSA by calling FED-AID ( ). If you are hearing impaired, please contact the TTY line at
The total amount of financial aid (federal and nonfederal) a student is offered by the school. The financial aid administrator at a postsecondary institution combines various forms of aid into a “package” to help meet a student’s education costs. Using available resources to give each student the best possible package of aid is one of the aid administrator’s major responsibilities. Because funds are often limited, an aid package might fall short of the amount a student needs to cover the full cost of attendance. Also, the amount of federal student aid in a package is affected by other sources of aid received (scholarships, state aid, etc.).
The total amount it will cost you to go to school—usually expressed as a yearly figure. It’s determined using rules established by law. The COA includes tuition and fees; on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students); and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and, if applicable, dependent care. It also includes miscellaneous and personal expenses, including an allowance for the rental or purchase of a personal computer. Costs related to a disability are also covered. The COA includes reasonable costs for eligible study-abroad programs as well. For students attending less than half-time, the COA includes tuition and fees and an allowance for books, supplies, transportation and dependent care expenses; but can also include room and board for up to three semesters or the equivalent at the institution, but no more than two of those semesters or the equivalent may be consecutive. Talk to the financial aid administrator at the school you’re planning to attend if you have any unusual expenses that might affect your cost of attendance.
An award letter from a school states the type and amount of financial aid the school is willing to provide the student accepts admission and registers to take classes at that school.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

7. Financial Aid – FAFSA What documents will I need????
Your Social Security card. It is important that you enter your Social Security Number correctly!
Your driver’s license (if any)
Your 2011 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
Your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) 2011 Federal Income Tax Return.
IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ or Foreign Tax Return
Your Parents’ 2011 Federal Income Tax Return (if dependent student)
Your 2011 untaxed income records
Your current bank statements
Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Need Analysis
The process of analyzing a student´s financial need, known as need analysis, focuses on determining how much the family reasonably can be expected to contribute towards the student´s education. Traditionally, determination of an applicant´s need is achieved by collecting information about the family´s income, assets, and living expenses. For the federal student aid programs, the law specifies a need analysis formula that produces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC and the college´s cost of attendance are used by the postsecondary school to establish the student´s need as well as to award grants, campus-based aid, and subsidized loans. The college might ask you to complete other paperwork to determine your need for non-federal aid.
Dependent student
A student who does not meet any of the criteria for an independent student. An independent student one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, or someone with legal dependents other than a spouse.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

8. Financial Aid – FAFSA
For help with completing the FAFSA, you can go to
Paper FAFSA – processes in (7-10) days
FAFSA on the Web – processes in (3-5) days
College will receive an electronic copy of the student’s FAFSA data
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

9. Financial Aid Application Process
Student/Parent applies for a PIN number at
Student/Parent completes FAFSA application at
U.S. Department of Education processes FAFSA and sends a Student Aid Report (SAR) to student and an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to Office of Student Financial Aid.
FA Office requests additional
information from student/parent
Selected for verification or additional information needed?
Yes
Has the student been admitted into a program of study by the Admissions Office?
Yes No No
Upon receipt of all requested documentation, the FA Office performs application review. Correction needed?
College will send an award or denial notice advising student of their Financial Aid award status.
College holds FAFSA data and continues to check admission status
Data checks
National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS)
Loans, Pell, Overpayments
Social Security Administration – Department of Homeland Security
Citizenship
Selective Service
Veteran Affairs
Yes No
FA Office will submit corrected FAFSA data to the U.S. DOE for reprocessing. Allow 1-2 weeks
College will send an award or denial notice advising student of their Financial Aid award status.
College will send an award or denial notice * advising student of their Financial Aid award status.

10. How Much Can I Award a Student
Based on Financial Need
Cost of Attendance (Budget) – Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
Financial Need – Financial Assistance (Awards) = Unmet Need
Cannot Over-Award a Student

11. Financial Aid – Federal Programs
Federal Aid
Pell Grant
$5,550 Maximum Pell award (0 EFC)
Campus Based Aid
Federal Work Study
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Direct Loans (for those colleges that offer them)
Eligibility
Must be enrolled in an approved Title IV program
Must be admitted as a Provisional or Regular status student
Must be enrolled at least half-time (Direct Loans only)
LEAP, ACG – No longer funded
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

12. Financial Aid – Student Loans
Annual Loan Limits
Aggregate Loan Limits
Grade in School
Subsidized
Additional Unsubsidized
Total Combined
Subsidized Limit
Overall Limit
Dependent*
$ 23,000
$ 31,000
First Year
$ 3,500
$ 2,000
$5,500
Second Year
$ 4,500
$6,500
Third Year and beyond
$ 5,500
$7,500
Independent
$ 57,500
$ 6,000
$9,500
$10,500
$ 7,000
$12,500
The Direct Loan Program includes the following types of loans:
Subsidized Stafford Loans (for students)
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (for students)
PLUS Loans (for parents and graduate/professional students)
Consolidation Loans (for students and parents)
About one-third of the Technical College System of Georgia institutions will be participating in the Federal Direct Loan Program starting Fall Semester Another one-third will start Spring The Direct Loan program will provide students with additional aid, if eligible, to help cover the costs of attending college.
*Undergraduate Dependent students whose parents are unable to borrow a PLUS loan will be eligible for the Undergraduate Independent loan limits.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

13. Financial Aid – Student Loans
Generally, to be eligible for a Direct Loan students must:
Meet normal Title IV eligibility requirements
Be enrolled at least a half-time
Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress
Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe money for an overpayment
Have financial need if applying for subsidized Direct Loans
Not have obtained loan amounts that exceed annual or aggregate loan limits
Enrolled in a Title IV eligible program
Can be eligible with a Bachelor’s degree
Looks at grade level of current program
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

14. Financial Aid – State Programs
State Aid
HOPE Scholarship* – Associate Degree programs
Zell Miller Scholarship* – Associate Degree programs
HOPE Grant* – Certificate Diploma programs
HOPE GED* - $500 voucher
Student Access Loan Program
Georgia HERO Scholarship
Georgia Public Safety Memorial Grant
Accel – approved degree courses
*HB 326 designated these programs as Lottery Funded. All other programs are considered state funded. Program changes effective Fall Semester 2011
Eliminated LEAP, College Opportunity Grant
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

15. Financial Aid – GSFAPPS
Georgia Scholarship/Grant Application (GSFAPPS)
HOPE only application
HOPE Grant
HOPE Scholarship
Zell Miller Scholarship
HOPE GED
Valid for 72 months – 84 months beginning with the regulations
HERO, Student Access Loan, Accel, and Georgia Public Safety Memorial Grant each have their own application
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

16. Financial Aid – HOPE Eligibility
General Program Requirements for the HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and Zell Miller Scholarship
An eligible student must:
Be a legal resident of Georgia;
Meet academic achievement standards required by the program or the college;
Be registered with the Selective Service, if required;
Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
Meet HOPE’s U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;
Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program;
Meet enrollment requirements; and
Attend an eligible Georgia school.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

17. Financial Aid – HOPE Scholarship
HOPE Scholarship - Eligibility
Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school with a 3.0 GPA
Complete a HOPE eligible home study program with a 3.0 GPA
Graduate from an ineligible high school, complete an ineligible home study program, or earn a GED, and score in the national composite 85th percentile or higher on the SAT or ACT tests.
Earn a 3.0 grade point average at the college level on degree coursework after attempting 30, 60, or 90 semesters hours regardless of high school graduation status
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

18. Financial Aid – HOPE Scholarship
HOPE Scholarship – Seven Year Expiration of Eligibility
Seven years from the date of the student's high school graduation, home study completion, or successful GED test, if the student meets all other requirements.
The expiration of eligibility date will be June 30th of the seventh academic year following the student's date of high school graduation, home study completion, or successful GED test.
However, students that served on active duty in the U.S. Military after his or her date of high school graduation, home study completion, or successful GED test and before the calculated expiration of eligibility date may request an extension of eligibility based on such active duty service time.
If the student had a HOPE Scholarship disbursement prior to Summer Quarter 2011, they remain eligible until June 30, 2015.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

19. Financial Aid – HOPE Scholarship
A college degree-seeking student is ineligible for the HOPE Scholarship if the student:
Received payment from any combination of HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel Program funds (through Spring term 2011) totaling 127 semester hours of credit;
Attempted 127 semester hours of college degree credit, regardless of whether or not HOPE funds were received while attempting the hours;
Earned a baccalaureate (four-year) college degree, regardless of whether or not HOPE funds were received while earning the degree
Other
Does not pay for learning support coursework
Student can lose and regain eligibility once
Book allowance and mandatory fees payment eliminated
Dual hours will not count towards attempted hours in determining eligibility
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

20. Financial Aid – Zell Miller Scholarship
Zell Miller Scholarship Eligibility
Must meet HOPE Scholarship eligibility
All students entering the scholarship program must earn at least a 3.7 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for all English, math, science, social studies and foreign language coursework attempted between grades 9-12 and score at least a 1200 on the Math and Reading/Verbal portions of the SAT in one test administration or score at least a 26 composite score on the ACT;
Graduate as the Valedictorian or Salutatorian
Once enrolled in college,
3.3 GPA at each checkpoint (End of Spring, Three Term, & after attempting 30, 60, 90 semester hours)
Award Limits – Same as HOPE Scholarship (previous slide)
Other
Does not pay for learning support coursework
Student can lose and regain eligibility once
Final eligibility determined by Georgia Student Finance Commission
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

21. Financial Aid – HOPE Grant
HOPE Grant – Major Changes
Book allowance and mandatory fees payment eliminated
Eliminates eligibility for students with a Baccalaureate degree
3.0 GPA requirement
GPA will be checked at the first checkpoint a student reaches after Fall Semester 2011, but will include all coursework taken up until that point
Must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the 30 and 60 semester hour checkpoints
Dual enrollment coursework will not count in GPA or checkpoint calculations
Learning support coursework will not count in GPA or checkpoint calculations
Coursework taken prior to July 2003 does not count
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

22. Financial Aid – HOPE Grant
HOPE Grant – Residency
Beginning Fall Semester 2011, a student who meets the Georgia Residency requirements at the time of his or her high school graduation, Home Study program completion or successful GED test, must also meet such Georgia Residency requirements for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Grant is sought.
Beginning Fall Semester 2011, a student who does not meet the Georgia Residency requirements at the time of high school graduation, Home Study program completion or successful GED test must meet such Georgia Residency requirements for 24 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Grant is sought.
A student attending a USG or TCSG institution as a Joint or Dual Enrolled student must meet the Georgia Residency requirements of the Board of Regents or the Technical College System of Georgia for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Grant is sought.
Beginning Fall Semester 2011, Military Personnel stationed in Georgia on Active Duty, or listing Georgia as his or her home of record, his or her Spouse, and his or her Dependent Child shall be treated as a Georgia Resident for purposes of HOPE Grant eligibility.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

23. Financial Aid – Residency
Beginning Fall Semester 2011, Military Personnel stationed in Georgia on Active Duty, or listing Georgia as his or her home of record, his or her Spouse, and his or her Dependent Child shall be treated as a Georgia Resident for purposes of HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE GED..
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

24. Financial Aid – HOPE Payment
Factor Rate will be determined by GSFC annually
Fall Semester HOPE Award =
Currently pays 81% of standard tuition rate
(Prior Year Standard Tuition Rate x 15 hours) x Factor Rate 15
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

25. Financial Aid – HOPE GED
The HOPE GED Grant amount is a one-time $500 award.
This award can be used toward tuition, books and other educational costs at an eligible public technical college or public or private college or university in a degree, diploma or certificate program.
Valid for 24-months from date of issuance of GED
Residency
A student must meet the Georgia Residency requirements for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE GED Grant is sought.
Beginning Fall Semester 2011, a student who received a GED who did not meet the Georgia Residency requirements on the date of successful GED test, must meet such Georgia Residency requirements for 24 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE GED Grant is sought.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

26. Financial Aid – Student Access Loan
Introduced in HB 326 and administered by Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)
The SAL loan program is designed to be funding of last resort for college students who have a gap in their college financing.
The interest rate on the loan is 1% and the repayment term is ten years after graduation.
Students may borrow up to $10,000 per year up to COA.
Interest payments are required while the student is enrolled.
Students must graduate from an eligible high school with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5 in core subjects. (This is subject to change with new regulations)
Students must be Georgia Residents
To be eligible for a SAL Program loan, students must have applied for other student financial aid including federal and state student loans, scholarships and grants.
Students are randomly selected from the pool of all applicants.
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

27. Financial Aid - Other Other Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Veteran’s Benefits
Vocational Rehabilitation
Local Scholarships
Private Scholarships
Third-Party
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

28. Important!
Admissions and Financial Aid application processes are COMPLETELY separate!
It’s important that students understand each has its own requirements, forms, and deadlines!
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

29. A typical financial aid officer’s secret desk drawer…
A Myth……
A typical financial aid officer’s secret desk drawer…
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience

30. Student Affairs Coordinator
Questions…
Holly Bates
Student Affairs Coordinator
(404)
May 23, 2012
Admissions & Financial Aid - Where to Begin the Technical College Experience