FAQ

Q: How do I apply for Federal aid at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW)?
Q: What is the deadline for submitting my FAFSA?
Q: What is GSWs school code that is required on the FAFSA?
Q: I completed my FAFSA in March and received my Student Aid Report in April. Do I wait until I hear from you?
Q: How do I apply for a HOPE Scholarship?
Q: Who determines HOPE eligibility for new students?
Q: Why does it take so long to have my academic transcript evaluated for HOPE if I am a transfer student?
Q: When will you check my GPA for HOPE?
Q: How much can I borrow on a Stafford Loan?
Q: My parents did not claim me on their tax returns this year. Can I file my FAFSA as an Independent student?
Q: Why wouldn't you tell my parents what kind of aid I had received?
Q: How can I get a scholarship?
Q: What records will I need to apply for financial aid?
Q: Should I send in my tax forms and other paperwork before you ask for it?
Q: What does it mean when you say I am not making SAP?
Q: My academic transcript indicates that I am in good standing and I received a letter stating I am not making SAP. How could this be?
Q: Why is it when I try calling your office I can never get through?
Q: Where do I go if I have a complaint?

Q: How do I apply for Federal aid at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW)? [ top]
A: All it takes at GSW to apply for Federal aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Certain types of aid, usually loans, do require additional paperwork AFTER you have been awarded, but only the FAFSA is required to determine eligibility.

Q: What is the deadline for submitting my FAFSA? [ top]
A: The priority deadline to have your application RECEIVED BY THE FEDERAL PROCESSOR is March 1 of each year for the following academic year.
Example: FAFSAs must be received by the Federal Processor by March 1, to be considered on-time for the upcoming academic year. This is a GSW priority deadline.

Q: What is GSWs school code that is required on the FAFSA? [ top]
A: Our school code is 001573.

Q: I completed my FAFSA in March and received my Student Aid Report in April. Do I wait until I hear from you? [ top]
A: ABSOLUTELY NOT. You should make sure that we have received the electronic version of your Student Aid Report by calling us or coming by. If we don't know you have applied, we will not contact you.

Q: How do I apply for a HOPE Scholarship? [ top]
A: There are two methods of application for new students: (1) complete the FAFSA; (2) complete the HOPE application electronically. You may go on line at www.GACollege411.org to complete application .

Q: Who determines HOPE eligibility for new students? [ top]
A: Effective Summer 2007, for new students just out of high school, the HOPE GPA will be determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The Commission informs the University of your eligibility electronically.

Q: Why does it take so long to have my academic transcript evaluated for HOPE if I am a transfer student? [ top]
A: Maintaining HOPE eligibility is dependent upon the number of hours attempted, not earned. To determine eligibility, each transcript from all other colleges attended must be evaluated and recalculated to determine the "HOPE" GPA.

Q: When will you check my GPA for HOPE? [ top]
A: There are three check points; after 30 attempted hours; 60 attempted hours; and 90 attempted hours. As of Spring 2005, there is an end-of-Spring check point. Whether you have completed 30 hours or not, you will be checked at the end of Spring.

Q: How much can I borrow on a Stafford Loan? [ top]
A: Generally, a dependent Freshman can borrow up to $3500; an independent Freshman can borrow up to $7500; a dependent Sophomore, $4500; an independent Sophomore, $8500; dependent Junior or Senior, $5500; an independent Junior or Senior, $10,500.

Q: My parents did not claim me on their tax returns this year. Can I file my FAFSA as an Independent student? [ top]
A: Probably not. To determine dependency status, first see if you meet any of the 7 automatic criteria on the FAFSA. If you do not meet any of those, but feel that you should be considered an independent student, you may speak with the Financial Aid Director to see if it is possible.

Q: Why wouldn't you tell my parents what kind of aid I had received? [ top]
A: The Buckley Amendment prohibits us from discussing any of your specific financial matters with anyone without your written permission. To sign an authorization form so that we may discuss your financial aid with your parents, come by our office or mail a notarized statement.

Q: How can I get a scholarship? [ top]
A: The majority of the scholarships we deal with are either based on your admissions application (new student applications), the department in which you are a major, or from an outside source. Most applications are offered to new students in the application packet. The Financial Aid Office has a limited number of general scholarships. You may apply by completing an application by April 1 of any year.

Q: What records will I need to apply for financial aid? [ top]
A: Useful documents include your tax returns from the previous year, as well as your parent's return if dependent, or your spouse's if applicable. Other records such as W-2 forms, business/farm records, and bank statements are also very useful. Please make sure that the school has received all required documents such as the electronic SAR and/or your academic transcript (if you are a transfer student).

Q: Should I send in my tax forms and other paperwork before you ask for it? [ top]
A: You should not submit tax forms unless we specifically ask for them. Paperwork that is not required causes us to take time away from tracking information that WAS requested.

Q: What does it mean when you say I am not making SAP? [ top]
A: SAP stands for "satisfactory academic progress." The Federal Government requires a student receiving federal assistance to maintain progress toward a degree or certification. If you are told that you are not making SAP, you must write a letter of appeal.

Q: My academic transcript indicates that I am in good standing and I received a letter stating I am not making SAP. How could this be? [ top]
A: To meet the federal standards for SAP, other criteria are considered in determining progress: (1) you must be passing 67% of the classes for which you have enrolled and (2) you must not exceed 180 attempted hours. If you enroll in 15 hours, withdraw from 9 of them, make an 'A' in the 3 hours you retained, your GPA is 4.00 but you did not pass 67% of the total hours enrolled, thus you are not making satisfactory academic progress (3/15)

Q: Why is it when I try calling your office I can never get through? [ top]
A: Our office handles thousands of phone calls per week during peak times. We have 1 incoming phone line that is constantly busy. During peak times, we need several lines and people to answer them. Unfortunately, this is not our situation at any time of the year. Please consider calling or coming by the office before peak time. This time frame is from May 31 ¨C August 31.

Q: Where do I go if I have a complaint? [ top]
A: The Office of Student Financial Aid welcomes feedback from the students and parents. Please direct all concerns to the attending Counselor. If the need is not satisfied at this level, direct your concerns to the Director. You may schedule an appointment with the Director if necessary.