Financial aid is funding that will help you and your family meet college expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, etc.  The basic sources of aid are grants, scholarships, employment, and loans.

You and your parents (if you are dependent) are considered the primary sources of funding for these costs.  Financial aid is intended to fill the gaps where you and your parents might fall short in paying for your education.

SUBMIT THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA): All students who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete a FAFSA.  Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov .  The FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year using your/your parent’s prior year federal tax information.  GTCC priority filing date for the federal processing center to RECEIVE your FAFSA is MARCH 15.  FAFSA’s received by the priority filing date are given first consideration for federal and state financial aid programs that have limited funds.  The toll free phone number for the federal processing center is 1-800-433-3243.

RETAIN the printout of your confirmation page after submitting your FAFSA online.
This is your proof that you applied.  RETAIN a copy of the information you submitted for your files.

You will receive e-mail notification that your FAFSA has been received and processed.  If no e-mail address is provided, approximately two weeks after submitting your FAFSA online (or four weeks after mailing the paper FAFSA), you should receive a SAR indicating that your FAFSA has been processed and sent to the institutions you designated. Check the SAR for accuracy and make sure that GTCC is listed as a recipient of your information.

Upon receipt of your FAFSA data from the Department of Education, we will mail you a letter requesting documents needed to complete your file. SUBMIT all requested documentation promptly (see priority deadlines below).  You may be asked to submit copies of tax returns or other documentation to complete your financial aid application.  Do not submit tax returns until they are requested.  If you are not eligible for the grant programs, you must still submit all requested documents to be eligible for other aid, including scholarships, work-study or loans.

Your FAFSA is also your application for GTCC scholarships.  No need to fill out a separate form!  However, make sure you submit all requested paperwork for your file.  An incomplete file will prevent your application from being considered.  Priority is given to students whose FAFSA is filed by March 15 and whose financial aid file is complete by May 31.  Throughout the year, other scholarship opportunities may become available.  Check our TitanCruiser announcements section often for new scholarships.

You must request a loan - - we will not automatically award a loan to you.  You can apply for federal Stafford/PLUS loans AFTER all follow-up paperwork has been submitted to GTCC.  Returning students who were previous borrowers at GTCC can print and complete a loan request form from the Financial Aid website for the upcoming fall semester. New GTCC Stafford loan applicants are required to attend a loan counseling workshop before a loan will be certified. Sessions are held frequently throughout the month.  Students must be enrolled at least six (6) credit hours each term to apply for and receive a Stafford loan.

Financial aid is awarded by the Financial Aid Office, but is disbursed by the GTCC Finance Office.  Aid awards made for the academic year are disbursed in two installments, one each semester, assuming you are registered for the number of hours on which your financial aid award was based.   You will be able to charge your books and supplies along with your tuition and fees to this account.  Any remaining funds will be mailed to your home address.

Funding for summer school is limited to students who have remaining Pell or loan eligibility not used during the previous fall and/or the current spring of the given academic year. 

We have computers available for student use in Enrollment Services.  We are located on the second floor of the Medlin Campus Center, Jamestown Campus.  If you have any questions, please stop by to see us.