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Things to Know
Currently Enrolled/Prospective Students
How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a
Renewal FAFSA and return it to the federal processor as soon as possible
AFTER January 1. Be sure to submit your FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA to the
federal processor in time for them to process it (about four weeks) and
transmit the results to us by our priority deadline of March 15. You may prefer
to apply online by using FAFSA on the Web at:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
We strongly encourage this method of applying since it is faster and generally
more accurate because the online version has built-in edits. Apply for
financial aid at the same time, or even before, you apply for admission.
What is the Title IV School Code for AASU?
001546
This number must be used when completing the FAFSA in order for AASU to receive
your financial aid application.
When should I apply?
AASU has a priority financial aid deadline of March 15. Meeting the deadline
gives you priority for all funds. Students that fail to meet these deadlines
must be prepared to pay their own fees. If the student fails to meet the
deadlines, their file will be processed in date order. Students may have to pay
their own fees and expenses and be reimbursed up to their aid eligibility once
the file has been processed.
Do I need to reapply each year?
Yes. Each year you must reapply for your aid. You must also maintain
satisfactory academic progress in order to qualify for aid each year.
Can the College estimate if I am eligible?
AASU cannot determine the amount of students' awards until the results of their
FAFSAs/Renewal FAFSAs have been received from the federal processor.
Your eligibility is determined by the federal processor from information you
and your family supply on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA. The federal processor determines your
"Expected Family Contribution" according to a formula supplied by the U.S.
Congress and then forwards this information to the College. Only then can the
University begin to determine the amounts of students' awards. The Office of
Financial Aid begins to mail out the first student awards in March or April, so
the best way to find out for how much you will qualify is to fill out the
FAFSA early to get the process started.
How do I apply for scholarships at AASU?
In January of each year, applications for the
AASU Scholarships
are available in the Office of Financial Aid. The deadline date for freshmen
students' submission is March 1. Continuing and transfer students' deadline is
May 1. Students are encouraged to visit the
AASU Scholarship Bulletin Board frequently. This bulletin board is
updated as the Office of Financial Aid receives scholarship notices from
outside donors.
Why do I need to complete a Verification worksheet, Credit & Benefits
worksheet and submit a copy of my and/or my parents' Federal Income Tax
Returns?
Each year, the Federal Processor selects 30% of the financial aid applicants
from a particular school for a process called verification. The Office of
Financial Aid is required to verify the information that the student/parent
provided on his or her FAFSA. These documents are required to verify that
information.
How do I know if my financial aid application has been processed and approved?
Once your financial aid file is complete, you will receive an award
notification letter. This letter will detail each financial aid award and the
amount you will receive for each semester.
What is Half Time vs Full Time?
Full Time for Undergraduates is 12 hours. Half Time is 6 hours.
Full time for Graduate students is 9 hours. Half time in Fall and Spring terms is 4 hours and Summer term is 3 hours.
What is "Verification of Attendance" and why does it affect my financial aid
disbursement?
Federal regulations require that you must ATTEND the classes for which aid is
awarded. Verification of attendance is the process of having your professor
indicate whether or not you have been in attendance. If you are NOT verified in
attendance by faculty, your aid may be reduced or cancelled. You should be
aware that your registration for classes that begin in the later part of the
term also may result in a delay of your financial aid disbursement as
attendance cannot be verified until the classes begin. Verification of
attendance usually takes place in the first 2 weeks of the class period and
disbursement of aid happens in the 3rd week.
I am interested in auditing a class at AASU just for fun. Can I get
financial aid for this?
No, audit classes are not aid eligible. The rationale is because students do
not actually get credit for audits. Students will, however, be charged full
price for an audited class.
How do I get financial aid for Summer semester?
Students attending in the Summer semester must complete the AASU Summer
Application for aid. This form is available each year beginning in January
online at our web site or may be picked up in the Office of Financial Aid. Your
application will be reviewed and you will either receive an award letter
showing the aid for Summer term or you will receive an explanation if no award
is able to be made for you. HOPE scholars should note that the Office of
Financial Aid may delay the awarding of HOPE funds for Summer until Spring
grades are evaluated for eligibility.
I am interested in taking courses as a Study Abroad Student. How does that
work?
Study Abroad students are encouraged to meet with their Financial Aid
Counselors to determine the best process for their aid based on the program
requirements. Aid can be processed to help with the cost of studying abroad,
however, students should be aware that not all study abroad programs qualify
for aid. Also, aid cannot be disbursed early for study abroad students. This is
why it is important to meet and discuss your options with your Financial Aid
Counselor.
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Transfer Students
I have already completed my financial aid award at another school and now I'd
like to transfer to AASU. How do I do that?
Students should go back to their FAFSA application and add AASU's title IV code
(001546) so that the Office of Financial Aid may download their federal
application for aid. If the student is a HOPE scholar who has only completed
the E-Hope application, you must add Armstrong Atlantic State University to
your E-Hope application.
I am transferring as a HOPE scholar. How do I get my HOPE at AASU?
As a transfer student, AASU has no way of knowing that you were HOPE eligible
at your last school. You must notify the Office of Financial Aid to have your
file reviewed for HOPE. All final transcripts from all institutions you have
ever attended must be received and posted by the Registrar's office. Also, you
must have an aid application (FAFSA or E-Hope) on file and completed. Please
note all hours taken as degreed work, regardless of whether or not AASU accepts
the credit, will be counted in your review for HOPE eligibility.
If I got aid at another school during this year, does it affect the award I
may get from AASU?
Yes, because aid is awarded per academic year, your award at AASU will be
adjusted. Total eligibility minus aid received equals what you may be awarded
at AASU.
Can my EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) be different at AASU from my
previous school?
Yes, AASU is required to verify information if the Department of Education
selects your application for this review. If AASU updates information based on
what you provided, it is subject to change your EFC.
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Transient Students
I would like to take courses as a transient student at another school. Can I
use my financial aid at AASU for this?
In most cases, yes, AASU can use your enrollment at another school to process
your aid. You must get a Letter of Good Standing from the AASU Registrar's
Office. You must submit this letter, along with a signed Consortium Agreement
to the Office of Financial Aid. This form is available on our web site and also
can be picked up in the Office of Financial Aid. The students' financial aid
will be sent to the host institution unless the student provides the Office of
Financial Aid with proof of payment. AASU will still disburse financial aid
according to its own schedule. Consortium agreements do not serve as payment to
the host institution, nor can AASU defer another institution's fee payment
deadline. Students may be required to make payment upfront and be reimbursed
their aid at a later date. Students must have all transcripts from the host
institutions returned to AASU and posted to their records before any future aid
can be disbursed. UGS Independent Study coursework is not exempt from having
transcripts submitted prior to receiving future financial aid disbursements.
I am currently attending another school and would like to come to AASU as a
transient student. How can I get my aid to pay?
As the host institution, AASU does not process your aid. You must contact your
financial aid office at your home school and ask about their process for
transient students. Many schools do not participate in consortium agreements.
Consortium agreements do not serve as payment to AASU and classes may be
dropped unless timely payment is received.
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HOPE/ACCEL Students
How do I apply for HOPE or know if I qualified for the HOPE Scholarship when
I graduated from high school?
Every year in June, each high school guidance office provides the HOPE Program
(Georgia Student Finance) with the names of the students who graduate meeting
the HOPE Scholarship academic requirements. You can check to see if you made
the "Final HOPE Scholar" list by calling toll-free in Georgia at 1-800-505-GSFC
or
view your scholarship and grant status online. AASU uses data from GSFC
to verify your HOPE eligibility once you apply for HOPE through our financial
aid office.
Does my HOPE scholarship cover all tuition and fees assessed by AASU?
No, per regulation, HOPE scholarship covers the fees at AASU as set in the
2003-2004 aid year. Many new fees and fees associated with specific coursework
are not paid for by HOPE scholarship. Students will be asked to authorize their
HOPE book allowance or other types of aid to pay these fees.
My parents are active-duty military. Do I have the same residency rules for
HOPE as everyone else?
If a military dependent is a non-resident but a HOPE Scholar from a Georgia
high school, then he/she will be eligible at the freshman HOPE Scholarship
level.
I am an older student and graduated from high school prior to the HOPE
Program. Is there HOPE assistance for non-traditional students who started
college years ago and are now returning to college to complete their degree?
Yes. If you graduated from high school prior to the inception of the HOPE
Program in 1993, you can become eligible for the HOPE Scholarship in a degree
program beginning your sophomore year and continuing years if you have a 3.0
cumulative GPA for all course work attempted since your high school
graduation.
How long may I use my HOPE scholarship?
As long as you remain eligible, the HOPE scholarship will be available until
you have attempted 127 hours or you have earned a bachelors degree (whichever
occurs first). If your program of study requires more than 127 hours,
exceptions may be made but, cannot exceed 150 hours total.
Can I use my HOPE Scholarship to attend college out-of-state?
No. By law, HOPE cannot be used to attend college outside of Georgia even if
your major is not available in Georgia.
I have a diploma from a technical college. Does this matter when evaluating
my HOPE eligibility?
If the transcript contained credit hours from diploma programs only, then those
credit hours that are accepted into the degree program shall be counted toward
the HOPE maximum attempted hours. If the transcript contained credit hours from
diploma programs and degree programs, then those credit hours from the diploma
programs that are accepted into the degree programs and the credit hours from
the degree programs shall be counted toward the HOPE maximum attempted hours.
Also, all hours paid for by HOPE Grant after summer 2004 will be counted in
HOPE Paid-Hours for all programs.
How do I keep the HOPE Scholarship?
Keep a 3.0 GPA in attempted coursework at each of the following check
points:
- 30 semester hours
- 60 semester hours
- 90 semester hours
- End-of-Spring Term
- Three Term (part-time Freshmen only)
I lost my HOPE Scholarship. Can I regain the scholarship in the future?
Yes. Students attending AASU have an opportunity to regain the HOPE
Scholarship. Following the school term that they attempt either 60 semester
hours (junior year re-entry) or 90 semester hours (senior year re-entry) of
study with a 3.00 cumulative GPA they can regain HOPE.
I am a High School student taking college level classes? Can I receive any
funds from HOPE?
The ACCEL program is available to Georgia high school students who are earning
college degree-level credit hours as they simultaneously meet their high school
graduation requirements. Recipients attending public colleges/universities and
technical colleges receive an award that covers tuition, approved fees, and a
book allowance up to $100 per quarter or $150 per semester course work. You can
access the online or downloadable ACCEL application by
clicking here.
Do my ACCEL hours affect my HOPE eligibility in the future?
All hours paid for by the Accel Program will be included in the combined
Paid-Hours limit of 127 semester/190 quarter hours, which includes payments
from the HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel programs.
I am a home-schooled student; will I be eligible for HOPE scholarship?
Home-schooled students who completed their home study requirements in 1997 or
later (and students who graduated from an ineligible high school in 1997 or
later) may receive the HOPE Scholarship retroactively for their freshman year
of college if they earn a 3.00 cumulative grade point average after attempting
30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college credit and meet all other HOPE
eligibility requirements. Students who graduate from an institution accredited
by the Accrediting Commission for Independent Study, and meet all other HOPE
requirements, are eligible for the HOPE Scholarship as entering freshmen.
I would like to use my HOPE scholarship to attend AASU this summer. Can I use
it as a transient student?
Yes, students must be coming from a HOPE eligible institution to receive HOPE
at another school. This is done via a HOPE Eligibility Certificate sent by the
home school to the host institution (AASU).
Does AASU offer any HOPE Grant programs?
Yes, our Law Enforcement Training Center is the only certificate/diploma
program that AASU offers. It can pay the full cost of the tuition for this
program. Students must meet the requirements by completion of the
E-HOPE application, have a physical Georgia address and be eligible
to pay in-state tuition.
I have been issued a GED voucher from HOPE, how may I use this at AASU?
You must submit the GED voucher to the Office of Financial Aid prior to the
semester you wish to use it. Students should know they MUST use this voucher
prior to its expiration date and MUST use it their first term enrolled or they
lose their eligibility.
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Post Baccalaureate/Certificate Students
Will I qualify for financial aid if I am getting my Teacher's Certification?
Yes, you will be awarded as a 5th year senior. This means your award will be
based on undergraduate senior eligibility. Many students may have used all of
their as eligibility as an undergraduate and may need to use alternative means
of financing their education. Further, as a Teacher's Certification student the
Office of Financial Aid is required to verify that you are taking classes as
prescribed in your program of study. This verification may cause a delay in the
process and disbursement of your aid. Students are not eligible for aid if they
take coursework outside their program of study.
Do all certificate programs offered at AASU qualify for federal aid?
No, many of them do not. You can seek information on qualified programs at the
Office of Graduate Studies or the Office of Financial Aid.
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Continuing Education
If I come to AASU for one of their continuing education programs, can I
qualify for federal aid or HOPE scholarship?
No, none of the continuing education programs are eligible for federal aid or
HOPE funds. However, there is alternative funding available. You may seek
information about this funding from the Director of Continuing Education.
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