There are a variety of ways to receive scholarships to help pay for your education. Georgia State offers several competitive scholarship programs. Also, many of our Colleges and School offer scholarships specific to their areas of study. Lastly, there are outside scholarships, including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship, which can help provide financial assistance for your education.
You can find more information on available scholarships and browse a listing of Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen on our Scholarships site.
Loans let you pay for your education over a long period of time and at a low (and often tax-deductible) interest rate. Some loans are need-based, while others are available to nearly anyone. These are a few of your loan options.
Federal Direct Loans
Federal Direct Student Loans are a way for students to borrow money from the federal government to pay for an education after high school. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education makes loans directly to students through their schools. Direct loans simplify the loan process and eliminate the need for an outside lender such as a bank. Direct loans make loan repayment much easier; your payments go directly to the federal government.
The kinds of loans available under the direct loan program are Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Federal Direct PLUS loans. The Office of Student Accounts applies all loans awarded directly to any outstanding student fees and then issues the remainder directly to the student.
Federal Perkins Loan
Primarily for students who show exceptional financial need. A student may receive a Perkins Loan and a Direct Loan. Repayment of these loans does not begin until nine months after a student has left college.
Alternative Loans
Alternative Loans allow you to borrow additional aid after you have reached your Federal Stafford Loan limit. These types of student loans are designed to help you meet the total cost of higher education.
Although similar to loans, grants actually work like a gift — you don’t have to give the money back. Here are a few popular grants.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are available until you earn your first undergraduate degree. Eligibility is determined by the federal government based on family income and resources. Actual awards will be calculated upon registration and based upon actual hours attempted.
SEOG/IMG
All recipients must be in a degree-seeking program working toward a first baccalaureate degree. Funds for Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and Institutional Matching Grants (IMG) do not have to be repaid.
HOPE
For Georgia residents, the HOPE award covers tuition and some fees not paid by other sources. HOPE-BOOK is a stipend for books and supplies and disbursement is calculated based on hours attempted. However, this stipend may be applied to any outstanding fees for the term in which the stipend was awarded.