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Scholarships & Aid

Scholarships and Aid

Georgia Southwestern strives to offer students a quality education at an affordable price. With our competitive pricing, scholarships generally allow students relief from the burden of student loans. Nearly 70 percent of GSW students receive some form of financial assistance from the state of Georgia, federal grants, or private scholarships while the GSW Foundation also provides approximately one million dollars in scholarships to students annually.

796

Scholarships distributed to students by the Foundation

640

Students receiving scholarships from the GSW Foundation

142

First-generation students awarded GSW scholarships

139

Different scholarships available to students across campus

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Funding Sources

GSW Scholarships

Georgia Southwestern offers a variety of scholarships and fellowships designed to assist in funding your future.

HOPE & Zell Miller Scholarships

Provided by the government, these scholarships provide funding to high academic achieving students.

Federal Grants

Federal grants, including Pell Grant, usually are awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

Financial Aid Checklist

In order to qualify for financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants and loans, students must complete the following items:

  • Watch for the availability of your Student Aid Report (SAR) in RAIN.
  • If you are eligible for either the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarships, complete the Georgia Student Finance Application.
  • Once you do have an Official Award, you can log in to your Award in RAIN and complete any remaining requirements.
  • Give permission to the Office of Student Accounts to use available aid to cover any other charges within RAIN.
  • Set up your refund preference.

FAQs

How do I apply for Federal Student Aid (FSA)?

Students and parents of dependent students must complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every Award Year they wish to apply for Federal Student Aid (FSA). The FAFSA also qualifies as the application for the Zell Miller or HOPE Scholarship.

The Award Year begins August. Students and parents of dependent students should complete the FAFSA as soon after October 1st as possible. Students and parents must create a FSA ID before they may submit the FAFSA.

How do I apply for the HOPE Scholarship?

You should complete the FAFSA to apply for HOPE/Zell Scholarships. If you are only planning to apply for the HOPE or Zell Scholarship, then you may complete the GSFAPPS application at GaFutures in lieu of the FAFSA.

How do I find out how much aid I will receive?

Once you have completed the financial aid process, you may review ‘Estimated Awards’ on Check Your Status in RAIN.

When are refunds issued?

Refunds are typically issued approximately 30 days into the semester.  If you still have aid remaining in your RAIN account after your charges have been paid, GSW Student Accounts will deliver those remaining financial aid funds directly to you through your Bankmobile Disbursements selected preference.

What is Verification?

Verification is the process by which schools review student financial aid applications for accuracy. For more details, see our Verification information.

Awarding Process

Official Awards are generated around June 1 of each year after tuition and fees for the upcoming Award Year have been set by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents; and the HOPE and Zell Scholarship award amounts have been set by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Prior to June, please review Estimated Awards by Checking Your Status.

Once you do have an Official Award, you can log in to your Award in RAIN and complete any remaining requirements. 

My scholarship has taken the financial burden off my shoulders. Because of my donor’s generous contribution, I am able to focus more on being involved on campus. During my time as an undergraduate, I was part of the Student Engagement Team, GSW Marshals, Storm Spotters, and much more. I was one of the very first students to enroll in the Double Canes program as well.

Ric Ware, '22 Management & MBA Graduate
Albany, Georgia
 
Virtual Advisor