Office of Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for Financial Aid?

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Renewal FAFSA and submit it to the federal processor as soon as possible AFTER January 1st. 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 before your expected term of enrollment. You may prefer to apply online by using FAFSA on the Web at 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 admissions.

2. What is the Title IV School Code for STC?

STC's Federal Title IV School Code is 030665. This number must be used when completing the FAFSA in order for STC to receive your financial aid application.

3. Do I need to reapply for financial aid each year?

Yes. Each year you must file either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the Renewal FAFSA if you receive one from the federal processor, for the appropriate academic year and submit the documents that are requested. You must also maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to qualify for aid each year.

4. Can the Office of Financial Aid estimate if I am eligible for Title IV Aid?

The Office of Financial Aid cannot determine the amount of your awards until the results of your FAFSA has 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). The federal processor determines your "Expected Family Contribution" (EFC) according to a formula supplied by the U.S. Congress and then forwards this information to the Office of Financial Aid. Only then can the Office of Financial Aid begin to determine the amounts of your awards.

5. Why do I need to complete a Verification Worksheet and submit a copy of my Federal Income Tax Return?

Each year, the Federal Processor selects at least 30% of the financial aid applicants to a particular school for a process called verification. The school must verify the information that the student provided on his or her FAFSA. These documents are required to verify that information.

6. How do I know if my financial aid application has been processed and approved?

The Office of Financial Aid uses the colleges assigned Campus Pipeline Email address to communicate with each student. Any requests for documentation or award notifications will be sent to this email account. The email will instruct the student to log into the secure BANNERWeb portal where students can review their application status and award notice for the current aid year.

7. Can a veteran receive both VA Benefits and federal/state financial aid?

It is possible, but veterans' benefits can greatly impact the amount of financial aid a student can receive.

8. How do I apply for the HOPE Scholarship or Grant?

A student must either complete a FAFSA application or GSFAPPS Application online in order to determine eligibility for HOPE. If the GSFAPPS Application is only completed, eligibility for Title IV aid will not be determined.

9. Do I have to be full-time to receive HOPE?

There is not a minimum or maximum number of enrollment hours for a student to receive HOPE. A student will be paid HOPE according to the number of enrollment hours (capped at 12 hours).

10. How many hours must I take to be classified as a full time student for financial aid purposes?

12 credit hours or more is required to be considered full-time status.

11. What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

Satisfactory Academic Progress is a set of federal, state, and institutional guidelines for students receiving financial assistance. If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress, he/she will be placed on probation or suspension status.

12. Can I appeal my SAP status if I am suspended from financial aid for failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress?

Students who feel they have extenuating circumstances that have contributed to their failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may appeal the status according to the guidelines established by the Office of Financial Aid. This policy can be found in the STC Student Handbook and Catalog or online under the Satisfactory Academic Progress section.

13. What happens to my financial aid status if I withdraw from school?

Students who withdraw from school while on financial aid may have their awards reduced. Depending upon when you withdraw from school, your awards can be reduced and you may be required to repay a specified percentage of any aid you have received in the term in which you are withdrawing. Check with the Office of Financial Aid before withdrawing from school to see if withdrawing could have an effect on your awards.

14. How can I get my financial aid transferred to another school?

Students transferring to another institution will have to make a correction to their current year FAFSA by adding the institutions Federal School Code. Students must also contact the institution and complete any necessary forms to determined eligibility.

15. What type of financial aid can I receive as a transient student while I am a student at STC?

A student wishing to take a transient class another TCSG Technical College may be eligible to receive HOPE at the HOST school if the student is eligible for HOPE at STC. If the student is eligible for Title IV aid, STC will notify the HOST school in order that they may send an enrollment verification form after 60% of the quarter. This allows STC to award the students' Federal Aid at that time during the quarter. Students will be required to pay for any fees or book costs that HOPE does not cover while a transient student.

16. I probably don't qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?

Yes. Students often think they do not qualify for aid and prevent themselves from receiving the financial assistance that is available. The Office of Financial Aid offers a variety of financial aid programs with different eligibility requirements.

17. If I am not eligible for Federal Grants, can I apply for a student loan?

NO! Southeastern Technical College does not participate in the Student Loan Program. The Scholarships and Grants that Southeastern Technical College offers assist a large majority of our student population with tuition and book costs. An additional percentage of students receive assistance with other educational costs.

18. If I don't attend class, what happens to the PELL Grant and HOPE Awards for the quarters listed on my award letter?

Your award notice does list awards for the entire award year. However, if you withdraw from school or do not attend class during a particular term, you cannot receive those estimated awards. Classes that are not eligible for financial aid are those you do not attend, do not make, or do not start.

19. If I moved to Georgia less than 1 year ago, can I qualify for the HOPE Grant?

A student must be legal resident of Georgia one year before the first day of the quarter they are planning to enroll in classes to be considered eligible for the HOPE Grant/Scholarship.

20. If I get married after I complete my application, can I change my marital status?

No, the student's marital status is effective for the award year as of the date the application is submitted. During the Application Renewal period for the next award year is when a student can update his/her marital status.

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