Frequently Asked Questions
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| General Financial Aid FAQs |
How do I apply for financial aid?
Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Can I get financial aid if I attend less than full-time?
When will I get my financial aid funds?
How do I qualify for summer financial aid?
Why do I have to report my parent(s)' income?
How does withdrawing from classes effect my financial aid?
Can I apply for financial aid if I haven’t applied for admission?
Are all programs of study eligible for financial aid?
Are adult high school students able to receive a Pell Grant? |
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| How do I apply for financial aid? |
To be considered for any type of federal, state, or need-based financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (RFAFSA) on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can submit the FAFSA or the RFAFSA any time between January 2 and June 30 of the following year. However, in order to be considered for state aid, as well as for federal campus-based programs (Federal SEOG and Federal Work-Study), the signed FAFSA or RFAFSA must be received by the federal processor by March 15.
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| Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year? |
Yes. Financial need is determined each academic year.
Therefore, you must complete a new FAFSA or RFAFSA each year for the upcoming academic year.
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| Can I get financial aid if I attend less than full-time? |
Yes. All Pell Grant awards are based on full-time status (12 credit hours or more). However, if you attend less than 12 credit hours your Pell Grant will be prorated based on the number of credit hours you are attending. Some students could be eligible for a small Pell Grant if they are enrolled less than six credit hours (depending on eligibility). You also may be able to receive Work-Study, and SEOG if you attend less than full-time. You must enroll for at least six credit hours or more to receive a Stafford Loan.
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| When will I get my financial aid funds? |
If you have aid in excess of your tuition/fees and bookstore charges, a check will be written to you for the balance after all semester charges have been made. Pell Grant checks will be mailed to you per the address you provide to the GTCC Records office unless you have any outstanding balance with the college.
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| How do I qualify for summer financial aid? |
Summer aid is limited to students who have remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility from the current academic year because of less than full-time enrollment during the previous fall and/or spring terms. If you have remaining eligibility for a Stafford loan after the fall and/or spring semester, you can complete a summer loan request form after March 15th and submit it to the Financial Aid Office.
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| Why do I have to report my parent(s)' income? |
Financial aid is based on the principle that students and their parents have the primary responsibility for paying for their postsecondary education. However, the federal government will consider a student independent of parents if one of the following requirements is met: you are 24 years old; married; enrolled in a graduate program (ex., Master's or doctorate); have legal dependents other than spouse; you are an orphan or ward of the court; or you are a veteran.
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| How does withdrawing from classes effect my financial aid? |
Federal and State regulations require that students receiving financial aid maintain satisfactory academic progress. One requirement is that each student must complete at least 66% of the total cumulative credit hours attempted at GTCC (e.g., 50 attempted credit hours, student must complete at least 33). Therefore, withdrawals and failing grades will count against you. Also, if you completely withdraw from the college before the 60% point of the semester, you may be required to return all or part of the aid awarded to you.
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| Can I apply for financial aid if I haven’t applied for admission? |
Yes. Since applying for financial aid is a very extended process you need to begin applying as soon as possible. However, in order for GTCC to begin to process your FAFSA or RFAFSA, the college must have received your Admission application.
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| Are all programs of study eligible for financial aid? |
No. A program must be at least 16 total credit hours in length, and must lead to a degree, diploma or certificate in order to be eligible for financial aid. Special credit and undecided students are not eligible for financial aid.
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| Are adult high school students able to receive a Pell Grant? |
No. To be eligible for any type of financial aid, including a Pell Grant, you must have at least a high school diploma or GED, or meet minimum score requirements on the college placement test.
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