Students who have financial need and are enrolled in an eligible program may be eligible for this grant if they have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree. All students seeking financial assistance must apply for the grant before financial aid can be awarded. Grant awards are based on the level of Federal funding, the cost of education, the student’s eligibility as calculated by the US Department of Education, and the student’s enrollment status. It is recommended that the student apply at least 10 weeks prior to the term beginning date.

To apply for federal Pell Grant, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The Pell Recalculation Date (sometimes referred to as the census date) is a date in the semester when the Financial Aid Office is required to evaluate your Federal Pell Grant eligibility based on your current enrollment status. If the Pell Grant you were awarded does not match with your current enrollment status, your award must be adjusted.

• All award amounts listed in SmartWeb are subject to change.
• If you were not yet enrolled for the semester at the time of your initial award, the award is based on an assumed full-time enrollment status.

Pell Recalculation Date

Fall Semester 2024 Pell Recalculation Date | September 13, 2024
Spring Semester 2025 Pell Recalculation Date | February 7, 2025
Summer Semester 2025 Pell Recalculation Date | June 13, 2025

After the Pell Recalculation Date

Any classes added after the Pell Recalculation Date will not count towards your Federal Pell Grant eligibility, regardless of the start date for the class. If you drop, withdraw from, or do not attend classes that you were registered for, your financial aid award may be adjusted in the following situations, which may result in a balance on your account.

• If funding has already disbursed, you may be required to repay your financial aid.
• If funding has not yet disbursed and:
  • You were awarded any state grants, your award may be reevaluated, depending on the grant.
  • You were awarded a Pell Grant, your award will be reevaluated to determine your eligibility.

Students with exceptional financial need may be eligible for this grant. The award amount depends on the availability of FSEOG funds and the amount of additional aid the student is receiving. Eligible students are processed on a first come, first serve basis until allocated funds are expended.

To apply for FSEOG, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU), is the percentage of Pell Grant you have used against the lifetime maximum allowable. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant, the maximum you may receive is the equivalent of 6 years - which is 12 full-time semesters, or 18 full-time quarters. The maximum amount you can receive each year is equivalent to 100%, therefore, the 6-year maximum is 600%. The Department of Education keeps track of how much of your award you use each year and calculates the percentage against the whole, (or 100%). This percentage is then deducted from the Lifetime Eligibility Used maximum of 600%.

To apply for federal Work-Study, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  and complete the Federal Work-Study Application Process.

The Financial Aid Office has implemented a new federal mandate regarding Repeated Coursework. In accordance with the new July 1, 2011 regulation outlined in Section 668.2, 34 CFR, the definition of a “Full-Time” enrollment has been changed. Institutions are now required to track all repeated courses taken by students receiving Title IV aid. Repeated courses now count toward a student’s enrollment status thus possibly changing eligibility for federal aid based on enrollment criteria.

Students may be eligible to receive up to 150 percent of their Scheduled Award for an award year. This provision is called Year-Round Pell which allows students to receive up to 150 percent of a regular grant award over the course of the academic year so that they can continue taking classes in the summer and finish their degrees faster than they would otherwise. To be eligible to receive Pell funds in excess of 100% of their Scheduled Award during a single award year, students must be enrolled at least halftime (6+ hours). .

• If you enrolled full-time (12+ credits) and received the full-time Pell Grant amount for Fall and Spring semesters, half-time (6 or more hours) enrollment is no longer required for Summer semester even if you were enrolled full-time in both fall and spring semesters effective 2024-2025. 
• If you enrolled part-time Fall or Spring semesters, there is no minimum credit requirement to receive a summer Pell Grant (unless required by your EFC/SAI). You can use the remainder of your annual Pell Grant amount during summer with no minimum credit requirement.

The federal Work-Study program provides jobs for students who need financial aid and who must earn a part of their educational expenses. The amount of the award depends on need and the amount of funds available. Tuition and fees cannot be deducted from a federal Work-Study award. Students normally work 10 to 15 hours per week.

To apply for federal Work-Study, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  and complete the Federal Work-Study Application Process.

Dual Enrollment is for eligible high school and home school students who are receiving college credit at Augusta Technical College. The award covers the cost of tuition. Mandatory fees are waived and books are provided at no cost. For more information, please visit our Dual enrollment page.

For more information about these programs and for the full list of all state programs, please visit the Georgia Student Finance Commission website.

The HOPE Grant Program provides grant assistance to residents of Georgia pursuing certificates or diplomas at Georgia’s public postsecondary institutions. Students are required to have a minimum postsecondary cumulative grade point average of 2.00 at certain checkpoints. An eligible student seeking a certificate or diploma may receive HOPE Grant funds as determined by the Commission.

To apply for HOPE Grant,  complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or complete the online Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) or printable paper GSFAPPS application.

HOPE Scholarship (Helping Outstanding Students Educationally) is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education. These scholarships are available to eligible Georgia residents who graduated from a HOPE-approved high school. Awards are made to graduating high school seniors with at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) as determined by Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). HOPE recipients must also maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average while in college. Students who are not eligible out of high school can gain eligibility after attempting 30 semester hours as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements. HOPE awards are based on credit hours of enrollment. HOPE Scholarship rates can be found on the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) website. HOPE does not cover fees, books or housing.

To apply for the HOPE Scholarship, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the GSFapps. Additionally, a HOPE Scholarship Evaluation Form must be submitted if a student is not a current recipient or transferring from an out of state institution. Graduating high school seniors do not need to submit a request form. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) reports eligible students as their final academic status is determined.

Students can track their eligibility by logging onto the My GAfutures tab at gafutures.org. Recent high school graduates should select the "My High School HOPE GPA" link. Current undergraduates should select the "My College HOPE Profile" link.

*Note: The FAFSA is valid for Fall, Spring & Summer semesters of that academic year. It must be completed each year for consideration. Students who are admitted starting summer semester must complete two FAFSAs. For example, for Summer 2021, students should complete the 2020-2021 & 2021-2022 FAFSAs.

The Zell Miller Grant program provides grant assistance to residents of Georgia pursuing certificates or diplomas at Georgia’s public eligible postsecondary institutions. The Zell Miller Grant program does not require a high school academic requirements; however, recipients are required to have a minimum postsecondary cumulative grade point average of 3.5 at the end of each term. Students who do not have a grade point average (i.e. first term students) may become eligible after their first term of enrollment. An eligible student seeking a certificate or diploma from a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) may receive Zell Miller Grant funds as determined by Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

To apply for Zell Miller Grant, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or complete the online Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) or printable paper GSFAPPS application.

Zell Miller Scholarship, like HOPE is funded by the Georgia Lottery for education and is for eligible Georgia residents who graduated from a HOPE-approved high school. Graduating high school seniors must have at least a 3.7 GPA as determined by GSFC. In addition, students must have at least a 1200 SAT or 26 ACT score from one test sitting. Valedictorians and Salutatorians as reported to GSFC automatically qualify for the Zell Miller Scholarship. While in college, Zell Miller recipients must maintain a 3.3 cumulative grade point average. The Zell Miller Scholarship will cover full tuition for all eligible credit hours. It does not cover fees, books or housing.

To apply for the Zell Miller Scholarship, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the GSFapps. Additionally, a HOPE Scholarship Evaluation Form must be submitted if a student is not a current recipient or transferring from an out of state institution. Graduating high school seniors do not need to submit a request form. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) reports eligible students as their final academic status is determined.

Students can track their eligibility by logging onto the My GAfutures tab at gafutures.org. Recent high school graduates should select the "My High School HOPE GPA" link. Current undergraduates should select the "My College HOPE Profile" link.

*Note: The FAFSA is valid for Fall, Spring & Summer semesters of that academic year. It must be completed each year for consideration. Students who are admitted starting summer semester must complete two FAFSAs. For example, for Summer 2021, students should complete the 2020-2021 & 2021-2022 FAFSAs.

Effective Summer term 2022, the HOPE GED Grant Program is no longer funded. The HOPE GED Grant Program is no longer funded effective Fiscal Year 2023, Summer term 2022. Spring term 2022 was the last term HOPE GED vouchers could be accepted and any awards could be made.

HOPE Career Grant (formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant) provides grant assistance to Georgia residents seeking certificates or diplomas in Commission approved, designated programs of study. A student must be receiving the HOPE Grant in order to be eligible for HOPE Career Grant (formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant).

The State of Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver Program exempts or waives payment of tuition and fees (and where applicable, on-campus housing) for students attending a technical college within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Eligible students must be a youth or young adult under the age of 28 who is currently in foster care, has experienced foster care, or who was placed for adoption by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.

Find more information here – http://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/state-georgia-post-secondary-tuition-waiver

At, Augusta Technical College, we understand that student loans can be intimidating and sometimes confusing. That is why we have partnered with Inceptia. They will provide you with free assistance in understanding information, tools and resources available on your obligations for the Student Access Loan you have received from the Georgia Student Finance Authority. Inceptia may be calling to help you with next steps in your repayment journey so be sure to answer the call so you can be counseled.

Their friendly counselors are there to help you every step of the way. For instance, if you fall behind on your KIT (Keep In Touch) payment, they can guide you where to go to get back on track. While you are in your grace period, they might reach out to you to answer questions you may have on your repayment options. If you become delinquent on your loans, they may also be giving you a call. They will not be collecting money from you but can navigate you to the GSFA pathway2gsfa web portal perhaps auto_debit is right for you.

1. Students must meet Georgia residency requirements. Students receiving a military out-of-state tuition waiver may be eligible. Please contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
2. Students' grade point average is reviewed at the end of each Spring semester as well as after the 30th, 60th, or 90th attempted semester hour. This includes attempted courses at all prior institutions attended as well as Augusta Technical College.
3. If you lose eligibility due to failure to maintain the required GPA, you are eligible to reapply at the 30th, 60th, or 90th attempted semester hour. Students may only regain eligibility one time and will then no longer be able to reapply if they lose eligibility again. Students who lose Zell Miller eligibility may still receive HOPE Scholarship funds provided their GPA is at least 3.0.
4. The HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships only pay up to 127 attempted semester hours or 127 paid hours, which includes prior institution attempted hours and Augusta Technical College attempted hours. Attempted hours include all courses a student has passed, failed, repeated and/or withdrawn. Additionally there is a hard cap of 127 attempted/paid hours. Therefore students close to the cap will only receive payment for their remaining hours up to 127. 
5. Students have 7 years from their high school/home school/GED completion date to use HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship funds. A student who received a HOPE Scholarship award prior to Summer term 2011 is not subject to the seven year limit. Students who serve in the military after high school graduation may receive an extension to this limit. More information. 
6. All grades count in the GPA calculation. This includes the first attempt for any course you repeat. The Augusta Technical College GPA will vary from the HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship GPA if courses were repeated. 

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by our institutional policy.

The Financial Aid Office assists veterans and eligible dependents in applying for VA educational benefits. Information is also available at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

For enrollment information, please refer to the Veteran/Dependent Enrollment Information form. To request enrollment certification, please refer to the Veteran/Dependent Enrollment Certification Request form. For questions concerning enrollment, please contact Migdaliz Berrios at migdaliz.berrios@nigzob.com.

The Student Accounts Office assists active duty military and eligible dependents with Tuition Assistance.  If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at (706) 771-4030.

To find our more about how to apply for available scholarships, visit our apply for scholarships page. 

Private loans are available to students. In order to apply for a private loan, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and complete the application process with the lender. Augusta Technical College works with the following lenders:
 

• College Ave
• LendKey
• Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan
• Smart Option Loan funded by Regions Bank

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides exceptional career services and resource information to individuals who are in need of career planning, career development, and career placement. Program objectives are designed to meet the needs of employers to acquire well-trained job seekers and to provide assistance to eligible individuals who are underemployed, have barriers to employment, or have been laid off due to situations such as plant closures or downsizing.  WIOA provides assistance with tuition and fees, textbooks and required supplies, uniforms and tools to students enrolled in approved programs of study found on the WorkSource Georgia Eligible Training Program List (ETPL).  Additional support services are available based on individual eligibility that may include transportation and/or child care.

For more information regarding WIOA for the Augusta Technical College service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond), contact or visit a regional Worksource Georgia Office or One-Stop Career Center.