Application Process

All students (regardless of Pell Grant eligibility) must complete the application process in order to receive federal or state aid. The only exception is for students who are applying for the HOPE Scholarship ONLY; these students may complete the HOPE Application instead of the FAFSA and will not be considered for any federal aid. The HOPE Application may be completed on-line at www.gacollege411.org.

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the Renewal FAFSA. Complete either the paper application and mail it in the envelope provided, or electronically access the FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Either of these methods will allow the OFA to receive your application information electronically, as long as SGC was listed as one of your college choices.
   
• Complete the SGC Institutional Data Sheet. This form is not an alternative to the FAFSA, nor is it an application for any of SGC's Foundation Scholarships. However, the form does collect information needed in awarding federal or state aid. Submit your completed form to the OFA.
   
• After the Federal Processor receives your application, your application will be processed and a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to you. You should review your SAR for accuracy.  If any information on the SAR is incorrect, make corrections according to the instructions on Part 2-Information Review Form and either return it to the Federal Processor or forward it to SGC's OFA and the OFA will make the corrections and receive the revised information electronically. Do not submit a correct SAR to the OFA; submit Part 2 only if you have made corrections which need to be processed.
   
• The U.S. Department of Education created a Verification process to check the accuracy of information submitted on the FAFSA by students and parents. The process includes submitting a Verification Worksheet and tax returns to match information on the FAFSA. Your SAR may indicate that your application has been selected for Verification; however, even if your SAR does not say you have been selected by the Department, you may still be required to complete a Verification Worksheet and provide tax documents. Please make sure that the Verification Worksheet and tax documents you submit contain the appropriate signatures.
   
• The OFA will contact you if additional information is needed to process your request for financial aid. Please respond promptly in order to prevent delays in processing your application for aid.
   
• Once the OFA has received all required documents, you will receive an AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTER detailing your eligibility for aid. Please be aware that your award package will be based on your eligibility for aid as well as the availability of funds. 

Important Tips

• Remember that you must complete the aid application process each year.
• Your aid package may vary from year to year.
• Apply early!
• Use the correct Social Security Number.