Financial Aid FAQ
- What is the deadline for financial aid?
- Do I have to reapply each year?
- Can I register if my financial aid file is not complete?
- Do I have to be full-time to receive financial aid?
- What is considered full-time enrollment during a summer semester?
- How much financial aid can I receive for the year?
- How will I be notified of my award status?
- How can I check on my financial aid via web browser?
- What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
- What about the HOPE Scholarship?
- Where do I find information about scholarships?
- If I have more than enough financial aid to pay my charges at GSU, do I get the rest back?
- Must I apply for summer?
- When will I receive funds that are available after all expenses have been paid?
- Can I buy my books at the bookstore?
What is the deadline for financial aid?
Our priority deadline is April 1. For consideration of available aid, however, we process financial aid applications throughout the year.
Do I have to reapply each year?
Yes. Applications for the upcoming year are available the proceeding January of each year.
Can I register if my financial aid file is not complete?
Yes. You may register, but your file must be complete by the fee payment deadline if you expect to use financial aid to help cover your fees.
Do I have to be full-time to receive financial aid?
Some academic scholarships require full-time attendance, but most programs including Pell Grants, Supplemental Grants, Work Study, LEAP, and Federal Direct Loans do not require full-time enrollment. Pell Grants are adjusted for ½ time (6-8 hours), ¾ time (9-11 hours) and some students are eligible for some Pell Grant even if they enroll less than half time. Direct Loans, Supplemental Grants, Work Study and LEAP require at least half-time enrollment. There are no minimum hours for the HOPE Scholarship. This program pays tuition and fees for eligible students, even if they sign up for only a one-semester hour course. Keep in mind, for 5 hours or less, the student receives a $75 HOPE book allowance; 6 hours or more, the student receives a $150 HOPE book allowance.
Note: Effective Summer term 2004, the amount HOPE will pay for mandatory fees at public colleges, universities, and technical colleges is capped at the amount paid at each institution for the 2003-2004 award years. If an institution increases its fees, HOPE will not pay the difference.
What is considered full-time enrollment during a summer semester?
Fulltime for undergraduates is 12 or more hours (9 or more hours for graduate students) every semester, including summer. All the hours taken in all the summer sessions are added together to determine enrollment, but the number of hours required being ½ time, ¾ time, or fulltime is the same as any other semester.
How much financial aid can I receive for the year?
The award amount of your financial aid is based on your enrollment status, classification (undergraduate or graduate), residency, housing arrangements, program limits, and outside aid received (GRA, scholarships, etc.).
How will I be notified of my award status?
The Financial Aid Office will be contacting you regarding your award using your Georgia State-designated e-mail address.
How can I check on my financial aid via web browser?
You may check the status of your application by going to https://www.gosolar.gsu.edu/webforstudent.htm. You may also check on your financial aid Award Notification when your file has been processed. You will have the option to accept or decline your financial aid award on the website. Note: If you do not accept all or part of the awards within 15 days from the date of your award letter, all awards may be canceled for the entire year.
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
There are minimum requirements to maintain your continued financial aid eligibility. The SAP standard has three parts: qualitative, quantitative, and time frame. The qualitative standard requires that the student not be on academic suspension. The quantitative standard requires that the student successfully complete 67% of all attempted credit hours. The time frame standard requires that the student complete the degree program within a specific period.
What about the HOPE Scholarship?
You can find out information about the HOPE Scholarship by reading our HOPE FAQ page.
Where do I find information about scholarships?
A listing of all need-based scholarships is available in the General Catalog. For scholarships based on academic achievement you should contact your academic department for a list of eligibility requirements.
Also you can search for outside scholarships at www.fastweb.com
If I have more than enough financial aid to pay my charges at GSU, do I get the rest back?
You will receive you excess check approximately ten days after the first day of classes each semester. We release checks after proof rolls have been received from professors and your attendance has been verified.
Must I apply for summer?
You will need to fill out an application for summer financial aid if you would like to attend summer session. These applications are available on the Financial Aid office website at http://www.gsu.edu/financialaid beginning in February.
When will I receive funds that are available after all expenses have been paid?
Starting fall semester 2005, funds exceeding your institutional cost (tuition, fees, housing, etc.) will be mailed or directly deposited into your bank account during the second week of classes, after drop/add registration.
Note: If you are in the first year of an undergraduate program and you are a first-time Stafford borrower, the first installment of the Stafford loan will not disburse until 30 calender days after your program of study begins.
Can I buy my books at the bookstore?
If you have financial aid or other funds available it will show on your GoSolar account. If the amount of assistance exceeds your institutional charges, a refund will be processed after the end of the drop/add period. This delay could cause a hardship for some students purchasing books and supplies. A line of credit will be sent to the Georgia State Bookstore that will allow you to charge books and supplies if you have a pending refund. The amount will be based on what you have available up to $500 ($750 for law students). You will be notified by e-mail when a credit is available in the bookstore.
