Clayton State University | Home | Top | Table of Contents

The purpose of financial aid at Clayton State University is to provide assistance to the student who otherwise could not attend college. Clayton State has established the guideline that the primary responsibility for financing a college education lies with the students and their families. Thus the needs of an individual student for financial assistance are determined by the difference between what the student and the family can contribute and the actual cost of attending Clayton State University. A student’s family contribution will be determined by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA forms are available from most secondary school counselors and from the Office of Financial Aid at Clayton State University (STC-217).

__________________________________________________

Detailed standards for academic progress and financial aid eligibility are available in the Office of Financial Aid. All students receiving financial aid should be aware that these standards for retaining aid are in addition to the academic standards expected for continued enrollment.

__________________________________________________

FEE PAYMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL AID

Students receiving financial aid must closely follow procedures as indicated by the Office of Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office in order to make sure that their financial aid is credited to their accounts at class registration time each semester. Payment procedures are explained in the published Schedule of Classes. A student who neglects to follow proper payment procedures may find that the courses that he or she registered for have been dropped for non-payment.

The Federal Pell Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance to those who need it to attend post-secondary educational institutions. Federal Pell Grants are intended to be the "floor" of a financial aid package and may be combined with other forms of aid in order to meet the full costs of education. The amount of a Pell Grant is determined on the basis of an applicant’s and his or her family’s financial resources. Every student is encouraged to apply for the Pell Grant.

To apply for a Pell Grant, a student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Copies are available from the Office of Financial Aid and from high school counselors.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a grant that is available to students who demonstrate financial need. To apply for the SEOG, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and request that the information be sent to Clayton State University. Federal Pell Grant recipients will be given priority for the SEOG.

The State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) is a program of need-based assistance to qualified Georgia residents who are enrolled full-time at eligible post-secondary institutions within the state. The grant awards are designed to provide only a portion of the total cost of a student’s post-secondary education. A student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and request that the information be sent to Clayton State University. The student must also be enrolled on a full-time basis to be eligible.

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program was created to provide part-time employment opportunities to students who need help to meet the costs of their college education and to encourage participation in community service activities. The Federal Work-Study Program is not a grant program. Students are paid only for hours actually worked, and wages are subject to the same federal, state, and local income taxes as other earned income. Since students earn the funds, no repayment is necessary.

To be eligible for work-study positions, students must have financial need. In order to determine eligibility, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Work-study positions are available in various campus departments. Opportunities to work off-campus as reading mentors in local elementary schools are also available.

Students who meet certain income criteria may borrow Stafford Loans from banks and other lending institutions that participate in the Stafford Loan program.

Before a student’s eligibility can be determined for a Stafford Loan, the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The student must request that information from the FAFSA be sent to Clayton State University. The amounts that an undergraduate student may borrow vary according to dependency status and year in college. If a student indicates that he or she is interested in borrowing, the Financial Aid Office will determine maximum eligibility. The aggregate limit or total amount an undergraduate student may borrow from the Stafford Loan program is $23,000.

Stafford Loans made to students by lending institutions are guaranteed by the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation (GHEAC). If a student has borrowed from the Stafford Loan Program prior to October 1, 1992, the interest rate on a Stafford Loan is 8% the first four years of repayment. If the student still owes any money on the Stafford Loan after four years, the interest rate increases to 10%. If a student borrowed from the Stafford Loan Program for the first time after October 1, 1992, the interest rate is variable. The current interest rate for new borrowers may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid at Clayton State University. All interest on a Stafford Loan is paid by the United States federal government while the student is continuously enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis.

Loans may be repaid in monthly installments six months after graduation or withdrawal from school. Stafford Loan applications are available in the Office of Financial Aid.

Loan checks will be held for thirty days after classes begin for first-time, first-year borrowers. These students must see their financial aid counselors to arrange to have fees deferred until their student loan checks are released.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program

The Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program is a program for students who do not qualify, in whole or part, for the subsidized Stafford Loan Program. The only difference between the Stafford Loan and the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is that the federal government does not pay the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled in school, during the six-month grace period, and during periods of deferment or repayment. There are two ways for a student to pay the interest while enrolled in school, during the six-month grace period, and during a period of authorized deferment:

2. the student and the lender may agree to add interest to the principal of the loan, but not more often than quarterly. All other aspects of the Stafford Loan Programs apply to the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program.

Loan checks will be held for thirty days after classes begin for first-time, first-year borrowers. These students must see their financial aid counselors to arrange to have fees deferred until their student loan checks are released.

State Direct Health Career Loans may be awarded by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) to students who are enrolled in or have been accepted to educational programs leading to careers in certain health-care fields. Students may borrow up to $2,000 per academic year and may choose to cancel the repayment obligation by practicing their professions in Georgia one calendar year for each academic year of financial assistance. Otherwise, the same interest and repayment plans apply that apply to State Guaranteed Loans. Clayton State University students in the nursing and dental hygiene programs are eligible to apply. The loan application and transmittal letter must be filed and can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

Students applying for the State Direct Health Career Loans must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and request that the information be sent to Clayton State University before an application for this loan can be certified by the Office of Financial Aid.

The PLUS Loan Program provides educational loans to parents on behalf of the dependent undergraduate son or daughter. PLUS loans are available at the discretion of lending institutions to eligible borrowers and are guaranteed by the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation for residents of Georgia or other guaranteeing agencies for non-residents.

The maximum amount that a parent may borrow for the PLUS Loan Program will vary and will be determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

PLUS Loans are available at a variable interest rate not to exceed ten percent (10%), and borrowers must begin repayment 30 days after the loan is disbursed. PLUS Loan checks will be sent to the University.

PROMISE Teacher Scholarship Program

The PROMISE Teacher Scholarship Program is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and is a component of the HOPE Scholarship Program. The PROMISE Teacher Scholarship provides forgivable loans up to $3,000 per academic year for direct and indirect educational expenses for a maximum of two years.

A student is eligible to enter the PROMISE program only during his or her junior year. The student must have at least 60 and no more than 90 semester credit hours. Also the student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.6 based on the 4.0 grade point scale. In addition, the student must be a declared education major and be accepted into a teacher education program leading to an initial teacher certification.

Applications for the PROMISE Teacher Education Program are available at the Teacher Education Office at Clayton State University.

A student may apply for an emergency loan to cover all or part of the cost of in-state tuition and fees in case of exceptional circumstances. To apply for an emergency loan, a student must be in good academic standing with the University and must not have had returned checks or previous financial problems with the University. A copy of the guidelines and an application may be obtained from Student and Enrollment Services in room 223 of the Student Center.

The Veterans Affairs Office was established at Clayton State University to assist students eligible for benefits to utilize their educational benefits to the fullest advantage. Federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures concerning standards of progress (i.e., attendance, length of program, and specific classes pursued) are currently in effect for all students receiving veteran benefits. Veterans enrolled or planning to enroll at Clayton State University should contact the Veterans Affairs Counselor in the Office of Financial Aid to obtain information and apply for benefits.

PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID

A. Required Documents

B. Awarding Procedures

1. Be a U.S. citizen, or eligible non-citizen.

D. Disbursement:

The HOPE Scholarship Program, funded by the Georgia Lottery, provides financial assistance to Georgia residents who have achieved academic excellence. HOPE will pay for tuition and mandatory fees not covered by federal grants (such as the Pell Grant). Students will also receive a stipend for books.

Students at Clayton State University may qualify for the HOPE Scholarship in several ways.

Freshmen entering Clayton State qualify for HOPE if they graduated from high school with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in a college preparatory curriculum or a 3.2 cumulative grade point average in a non-college preparatory curriculum. Other students enrolled in a degree program will qualify for HOPE if, after attempting 30 credit hours, they have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Clayton State University offers a variety of one-year certificate programs, principally through the School of Technology. Most students enrolled in any of these certificate programs qualify for HOPE Grants. There is not a grade point average required; however, the student must satisfy the Standards of Academic Progress policy at Clayton State University.

Georgia residents who earned a General Education Development (GED) high school equivalency certificate awarded by the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education after June 30, 1993, may receive a one-time $500 HOPE award. This can be used toward tuition, books, and other education-related expenses. Students must use the HOPE GED award within 24 months of the date of the GED certificate. HOPE GED recipients may also qualify for assistance through other selected components in addition to the $500 award.

In order to establish eligibility for HOPE, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (See Procedures for Applying for Financial Aid above.)

These scholarships are provided by the Board of Regents through the institutions of the University System of Georgia. A student must be full-time, have financial need, and be in the upper 25% of his or her class. The amount of the scholarship is $750. Candidates must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at (770) 961-3511 for additional information.

Clayton State University offers outstanding students a wide variety of academic scholarships. These scholarships are funded by the Clayton State University Foundation, the Spivey Foundation, and other private sources. Most scholarships are awarded based on a student’s academic achievement, aptitude, and involvement in school and community activities. Some academic scholarships are available to students regardless of their major, and others are for students majoring in particular fields.

PROCEDURES TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Clayton State University scholarship packets are available in late Fall each year. The priority application deadline is in late March for the upcoming academic year. Some scholarships, such as Spivey Music Scholarships and private scholarships, have different application deadlines and may require a separate application.

Some scholarships require demonstration of financial need as well as academic potential. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be completed when any merit-based scholarship is based on financial need. Scholarship amounts vary but in most cases are in addition to HOPE Scholarship awards.

Scholarship applicants who meet the qualifications to apply for the Clayton State University Honors Program are strongly encouraged to do so. See the next heading in this catalog.

The Honors Program at Clayton State University is designed to help academically talented students get "a step ahead." Honors Program students enroll in special enriched sections of Core Curriculum courses such as Critical Thinking and American Government in an International Context.

In addition to the special class sections, Honors Program students will have many opportunities for leadership training, community service, and close contact with key business and government leaders in the Atlanta region.

Students admitted to the program will be awarded an ongoing scholarship. Honors Program students are also encouraged to apply for HOPE scholarships, which may be awarded in addition to the Honors Program Scholarship.

To be eligible to apply for the Honors Program, an entering student must complete the foundation Honors Program scholarship application and meet the following minimum qualifications:

Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee acceptance.

Acceptance is based on "demonstrated potential" for the following:

Many high school counselors have application materials available. To request application materials and other information, please contact the Honor Program Coordinator at 770-961-3463 or the Office of Admissions at 770-961-3500.