Financial Aid
The primary purpose of the financial aid program is to provide assistance to students, who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college. Parents are expected to pay as much as they can afford, but beyond this point, the university offers a variety of aid programs consisting of loans, grants, scholarships, and employment. No application for assistance, sponsored or supported from state or federal funds, may be considered until financial need has been established. Once need is established and amounts are determined, the Office of Student Financial Aid prepares for the individual a "financial aid package" from various money sources.
Students seeking financial assistance are required to complete an NGCSU aid application and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), designating North Georgia College & State University as one of the colleges to which the report of financial need will be sent. These forms may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid, NGCSU, Dahlonega, GA 30597 or via our web site.
All financial aid recipients are required to meet appropriate Standards of Satisfactory Progress as defined by this university. A copy of these standards can be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid or visit our web site.
Federal Pell Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is open to all students and is a federal aid program. The annual maximum grant under this program is $4,000. The award, however, may be less than this maximum amount because the actual grant is based on (1) the family's expected contribution, (2) the amount of funds appropriated by Congress, and (3) the yearly educational costs.
Any citizen of the United States, or eligible non-citizen, who has never received an undergraduate degree is eligible to apply for this grant.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) was established by the Higher Education Act of 1965 and is a direct award to students with exceptional financial need. The exact amount of the award depends upon the financial resources of the individual and parents and the cost of attending North Georgia College & State University. The average award at this institution is $600 per year.
HOPE Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) is funded by former Governor Zell Miller's Georgia Lottery for Education and is available to Georgia residents. Full-time enrollment is not a requirement. Grade point eligibility for entering freshman is based on a high school GPA of 3.0 or better as determined by the high school. Sophomores, juniors and seniors may receive the the HOPE Scholarship based on NGCSU's certification of their grade point eligibility. For further details of the HOPE Scholarship Program contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission at 1-800-546-HOPE or www.gsfc.org.
HOPE Promise Scholarship
HOPE Promise Scholarship is a component of the HOPE program and is for undergraduate students with 60 or more semester hours completing their teaching degree. The student must have a 3.00 GPA.
GA LEAP Grant Program
GA LEAP Grant Program (Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership) is a jointly funded state and federal program specifically intended for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need and PELL Grant eligibility.
North Georgia College & State University ROTC Grant
Please see full explanation of this program on page 36.
The Georgia Military Scholarship (GMS)
Please see a detailed explanation of this scholarship on page 36.
The university has combined several sources of funding to establish the NGCSU Scholarship Programs for academic excellence, demonstrated leadership participation, athletic ability, or excellence in a major field of study. Determination of award is based on the availability of funds and the number of qualified applicants. Most awards are renewable for continued eligibility. Some awards require participation in programs, events, or other assigned tasks. Completion of the financial aid application process is required for several awards. Generally, the application deadline is December 15th for the following academic year. Interested students should visit our web site for scholarship information and applications or contact the Office of Admissions. Funding for our scholarship programs are made available by private gifts, through NGCSU, from the following:
NGC Class of 1940 Scholarship Fund
NGC Class of 1951 Scholarship Fund
NGC Class of 1952 Scholarship Fund
Scott Amerson Scholarship Fund
Tommye Baker Fund
Robert P. Beierschmitt Memorial Scholarship Fund
Hardy Bennett Fund
Gretchen Anne Blaschke Memorial Fund
Desmond Booth Fund
Roy Bottoms Fund
Bill Branch Memorial Scholarship Fund
Corps of Cadets Fund
Mac A. Callaham Scholarship Fund
Christian L. Carreras Scholarship Fund
Cody Women's Fund
Marian Prior Couch Scholarship Fund
Professor C.M. Dismukes Fund
James W. Early & Evelyn C. Early Scholarship Fund
Ernest Elder Scholarship Fund
Robert H. Farrar, Sr. Scholarship Fund
Helen B. Fowler Memorial Scholarship Fund
L.B. Freeman Scholarship Fund
Thomas H. & Ruth Crumley Frier Scholarship Fund
The Goizueta Foundation Scholars Fund
Asa D. Hammock Scholarship Fund
William A. Hatfield Fund
Nina McClure Head Scholarship Fund
Professor Paul M. Hutcherson Scholarship Fund
Charles J. Ingram Fund
Marguerite Spitler Jennings Scholarship Fund
Joseph Kanaday, Jr. & Connie W. Kanaday Scholarship Fund
Fred Kellar Scholarship Fund
Robert Alan Kemper Scholarship Fund
George H. & Marilyn T. Kilpatrick Trust
Olin B. King Scholarship Fund
Charles N. King & Sarah Mae King Scholarship Fund
U.A. Lawson Fund
Willie W. Leatherwood Scholarship Fund
Harold B. & William M. McEver Fund
Meredith M. McKenzie Fund
Thomas C. Montgomery Scholarship Fund
Robert & Ola Smith Moore Scholarship Fund
Dahlonega Woman's Club - Ola Smith Moore Scholarship Fund
Thomas B. Murphy Scholarship Fund
Newton Oakes - Herbert Eugene Freeman Memorial Scholarship Fund
John & Margaret Owen Fund
Clarence E. Palmer Scholarship Fund
David Earl Partridge Scholarship Fund
Sarah Lee Patram Fund
Alva Nathaniel Pendergrass Memorial Fund
Eugene C. Patterson Scholarship Fund
Olin Perkins Scholarship Fund
Lamar Pittard Memorial Fund
Health Professions Endowment
Hal B. Rhodes, III Fund
Margaret Kennedy Richardson Scholarship Fund
A. Webb Roberts Fund
J. Fred Sanders Scholarship Fund
Gloria Shott Scholarship Fund
Betty Dalton-Shott Scholarship Fund
Dr. J.C. Simms Fund
John & Virginia Simpson / Pi Kappa Phi Scholarship Fund
LTC Robert M. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund
Bob Stein Scholarship Fund
James A. & Louise Eaton Stinson Fund
Dot Strother Scholarship Fund
LTC George W. Swearingen III Scholarship Fund
American Legion / Jep Tanksley Scholarship Fund
Judge H.G. Vandiviere Scholarship Fund
Bradley Alan Walsh Scholarship Fund
Edward William "Will" Well, IV Memorial Scholarship
Fund
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship Fund
John Word West Scholarship Fund
Claude Williams, Jr. Scholarship Fund
David B. Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund
James G. Woodward Scholarship Fund
Will D. Young Scholarship Fund
Federal Perkins Loan
The university participates in the Federal Perkins Loan Program established by the National Defense Education Act of 1958 as amended. Perkins funds are available to degree-seeking students who are enrolled in college and have established financial need.
A maximum loan of $3,000 for undergraduate and $5,000 for graduate work may be obtained each year for an overall maximum loan not to exceed $15,000 for undergraduate and $30,000 for graduate work. Loans must be repaid at five percent simple interest scheduled on a monthly basis beginning the first of the tenth month after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The total loan may be repaid over 10 years (depending on the size of the loan).
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFELP)
(formly named Guaranteed Student Loan Program)
These guaranteed loans are arranged through private banks and other financial institutions participating in the programs. There are four types of loans:
1. Federal Stafford Loan - Low interest loan to students with financial need. No interest during periods of authorized enrollment.
2. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan - Low interest loan to students with limited/no financial need. Student is charged interest at all times.
The maximum annual combined loan limits for either/both Stafford Loans are: freshman- $2,625; sophomore- $3,500; undergraduate students working beyond an associate degree- $5,500; graduate students- $8,500.
3. Federal PLUS Loan - Low interest loan to the parent of a dependent student. First payment is due within 60 days of check disbursement. Families must complete the financial aid application process, but established need is not a requirement. PLUS Loans are generally considered the last option.
Interest rates, loan amounts, and repayment/deferment options may vary. For additional information contact the Office of Student Financial Aid or the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC): www.gsfc.org.
Service Cancelable Loans
The Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) offers both FFELP and state sponsored loan programs with a service cancellation option for specific health fields. Our Nursing and Physical Therapy programs are currently approved for participation. Funds are limited and applicants must complete the financial aid application process prior to consideration. For additional program information visit the GSFA website: www.gsfc.org.
NGCSU Loan Funds
Private loan programs have been established for NGCSU students. Each program has specific eligibility requirements, application procedures, and repayment guidelines. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid. Funding for these loans are made available by private gifts from the following:
Charles McDonald Brown Loan Fund
Roy Bottoms Fund
J.W. & Lakotah Mozeley Garrett Fund
Buford Johnson, Jr., Memorial Fund
John H. Moore Student Loan Fund
OTHER SOURCES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Pickett & Hatcher Education Fund
The Pickett and Hatcher Educational Fund, Inc., is a nonprofit, noncommercial educational trust fund created to assist full-time undergraduate students in fields of study other than law, medicine, or the ministry. Low interest loans with deferred payments are made to qualified residents of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia. The deadline for applications is May 1. For more information and application forms, write to Pickett and Hatcher Educational Funds, Inc., Post Office Box 8169, Columbus, GA 31908.
Employment Opportunities
Students who demonstrate need and otherwise qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program can be employed for up to 20 hours per week. Applicants must be capable of maintaining good academic standing while employed under this program.