Financial Aid Programs

To be eligible for financial aid assistance, you must:

• Complete the FAFSA;

• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;

• Be enrolled in a diploma or associate degree program;

• Maintain Satisfactory academic progress;

• Not be in default of a federal educational loan or owe a refund on an federal / state educational grant;

• Meet other regulations as noted.

• Have a high school diploma or GED^®.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is calculated by the Department of Education based on the information listed on the FAFSA form, the number of credit hours per semester and your cost of attendance. If you are enrolled for less than 12 credit hours, the Pell award is calculated as follows:

Federal Pell Grant funds are not available for certificate, special admit, transient, non-degree, learning support and high school students. This grant is also limited to 12 full-time semesters. Federal funds will only pay for one repeat of a previously passed course.

Ability to Benefit

Beginning July 1, 2015 students enrolled in both Adult Education and Career Pathways Programs can receive federal Pell Grant funds. These students must maintain enrollment in both Adult Education (GED^®) classes and college credit classes to maintain eligibility for federal Title IV funds. Once a GED^® is obtained you will no longer be classified as an Ability to Benefit student.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded based on your SAI number, when you apply, your financial need and funds available. FSEOG funds are not available for certificate, special admit, transient, non-degree, learning support and high school students. Students with the lowest SAI numbers receive priority. FSEOG awards range from $100 to $1,000 a year.

Federal Work-Study Program

This program provides part-time jobs for students with financial need. Students are paid $12.00 an hour and are limited to 20 hours a week. Students must first work in order to get paid. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a Title IV eligible program.

Georgia Hope Grant

This is a state grant funded by the Georgia Lottery. The HOPE Grant covers some tuition (certificate and/or diploma). Recipients must be residents of Georgia. Students must have at least a 2.0 GPA at 30 hours and 60 paid semester hours to maintain HOPE Grant. Students can only regain the HOPE Grant one time. The HOPE Grant is limited to 63 credit hours. The HOPE Grant will pay for learning support courses as a requirement for the completion of a diploma or certificate program; however, the hours will be counted toward the 63 Hope credit hour limit. Students cannot receive the HOPE grant after obtaining a bachelor's degree.

Zell Miller Grant

Georgia's Zell Miller Grant is available to Georgia residents who are working towards a certificate or diploma at a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) or University System of Georgia (USG) institution. Zell Grant covers full tuition. A minimum 3.5 cumulative postsecondary GPA, at the end of each term, is required in order to maintain eligibility. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for the Zell Miller Grant. Like HOPE grant the Zell Miller Grant has a 63 paid grant hour cap.

Georgia College Completion Grant-Per GSFC Regulations

Georgia College Completion Grant Program provides grant aid to assist eligible students who are within 80% of earning their credential and have an outstanding balance due to Direct Costs at their eligible postsecondary institution. Georgia College Completion Grant recipients must meet the financial need, academic and eligibility requirements specific to the grant program. Eligible students may receive a College Completion Grant award of up to $2,500, depending on the extent of their outstanding balance of Direct Costs.

Georgia Hope Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Georgia Lottery. The HOPE Scholarship covers some tuition for students seeking a degree at a technical college or university. The student must be a 1993 or later high school graduate with a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in a college preparatory track or a 3.2 GPA in a technical curriculum track to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship.

Students who receive their first HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship payment Summer term 2019 or later may receive HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship payment until ten years after the date of high school graduation, GED test date, home study completion date, or the date of their petition to receive a high school diploma, whichever comes first.

Students who received their first HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship payment between Summer term 2011 and Spring term 2019, may receive HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship funding until seven years after the date of their high school graduation, GED test date, home study completion date, or the date of their petition to receive a high school diploma, whichever occurs first.

A non-traditional student may qualify for the HOPE scholarship after completing 30 credit hours towards their degree and maintaining a 3.0 GPA. GPAs are recalculated at 30, 60 and 90 semester hours, and after each spring semester, at which time the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain the HOPE Scholarship. The scholarship is limited to 127 combined Hope Grant / Scholarship credit hours. Students can only regain the HOPE scholarship one time. The student must be a Georgia resident. This scholarship does not pay for learning support classes.

Zell Miller Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Georgia lottery. The Zell Miller Scholarship covers 100% of tuition for students who are the Valedictorian or Salutatorian for their graduating class; or received a score of at least 1,200 combined critical reading score and math score on a single administration of the SAT or an ACT composite scale score of at least 26 and graduated from high school with at least a 3.7 calculated GPA. Students must be enrolled in a degree program. Students must have a 3.3 GPA at all checkpoints (30, 60 and 90 semester hours), at the end of spring and at the end of 3 part time terms for beginning students. Students who lose eligibility may regain the scholarship once. Students who lose eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholarship may continue to receive the HOPE scholarship if they are eligible. Degree classes taken at any post-secondary institution are counted in the GPA calculation. Funds are disbursed to the students account during the first week of the term.

HOPE Career Grant

The HOPE Career Grant is for Hope/Zell Grant eligible students in high demand programs: Child Development Specialist Certificate, Commercial Truck Driving Certificate (1 term only), Comercial Truck Driving Owner/Operator Certificate, Computer Engineering Technology, Design and Media Production Technology Diploma, Electronics Fundamentals Diploma, Electronics Technology Diploma, Engineering Technology Fundamentals Certificate, Computer Forensic & Investigation Specialist, Computer Hardware & Network Technician Certificate, Computer Programming, Convergent Telecommunications Technology Diploma, Criminal Justice Technology Diploma,Cybersecurity Diploma, Java Programmer, Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma, Diesel Equipment Technology Diploma, Infant Toddler Care Specialist Certificate, Medical Front Office Assistant Certificate, Networking Specialist Diploma, Pharmacy Technology Diploma, Pipe Welder Certificate, Surgical Technology Diploma, Web Site Design Diploma, Welding and Joining Technology Diploma.

Please check www.gafutures.org for the most current listing of eligible programs.

Student Loans

Loans are money borrowed that must be repaid, with interest. Albany Technical College will process private student loans upon request.

Other Available Aid

Rehabilitation Services:

Provides assistance to qualified students with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. Application is made through the local office of Rehabilitation Services, and assistance on-campus is provided through the coordinator of disabled student services.

Social Security Benefits:

For information concerning Social Security payments while attending Albany Tech, the applicant should contact the local Social Security Office.

Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA):

A federally funded program locally operated by the Southwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board, designed to mobilize and integrate public and private partners to educate, train, and place individuals with the necessary skills and resources in jobs to fulfill employer needs. Eligible and suitable participants can be provided assistance with occupational skills training and supportive services while attending training. The Southwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board can provide services to residents of the following counties: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth. Please call 229-430-5010. Students in Randolph and Clay counties please contact Lower Chattahoochee Local Workforce Investment Area at 706-225-3812 for more information. Students in Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Taylor and Webster counties please contact Sandhya Muljibhai at 229-931-5101 for more information.

Bright from the Start/BFTS (Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning):

BFTS provides financial help through its “SCHOLARSHIPS” program. “SCHOLARSHIPS” is for childcare staff and family daycare home providers who work in licensed centers or registered homes. An individual preparing for work that is interested in working in a childcare program, but not yet employed, does not qualify for this financial assistance. “SCHOLARSHIPS” considers wages, position, hours of employment, length of employment, and work setting in determining eligibility for this financial assistance. SCHOLARSHIPS pays, directly to the institution, 80% of fees not covered by HOPE or PELL if enrolled in a public two- or four-year institution in an early childhood care and education program of study. It does not cover course work offered through Continuing Education—only academic, credit-bearing course work is covered. At private institutions, SCHOLARSHIPS awards up to $1800 per semester after HOPE and PELL have been applied.

Many teachers may not need tuition assistance but SCHOLARSHIPS also provides a cash stipend of $200, directly to the teacher each semester or $150 each quarter that he/she is enrolled in an eligible program. The student receives the stipend regardless of their financial aid status. Finally, there is a one-time CDA (a national credential) assessment fee scholarship available through this program. For all your questions regarding “SCHOLARSHIPS” please call Care Solutions directly at 1-800-227-3410 to talk with their trained staff.

Veterans Education Benefits:

In order for a student to see if they are eligible for veteran benefits, students must first apply through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (gibill.va.gov) website. Students must also submit their letter of eligibility to the Financial Aid Office prior to processing eligibility. Please visit va.gov/education for program options.

A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 benefits.

• Your policy must permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
  • The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
  • 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

• Your policy must ensure that your educational institution will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.