Financial Aid Programs

The Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Federal Pell Grants do not have to be repaid and are usually the foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

A student's eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is determined by the U.S. Department of Education using a standard formula established by Congress. Information provided on the FAFSA is evaluated to produce an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. This number is included on your Student Aid Report (SAR) and will tell you if you qualify.

Awards depend on program funding, and you can receive only one Pell Grant in an award year. The amount you receive will depend not only on your EFC but also on your cost of attendance, whether you're enrolled full-time or part-time, and whether you attend school for a full academic year. You may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

At SGC, Pell Grant funds are credited to student accounts.

Campus-Based Programs

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need--that is, students with the lowest EFCs--and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG does not have to be repaid. Funding for this program is limited, so not every student who is eligible will receive an FSEOG award.

At SGC, FSEOG awards are usually in the amount of $300 per term ($500 per term for out-of-state students and students who live in campus housing) and are credited to student accounts.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study.

At SGC, participants in the Work-Study Program are paid the current minimum wage and are paid every two weeks. Most Work-Study positions are located on-campus; however, some off-campus positions are available. The number of hours a student may work per week depends on the amount of his or her award.

AT SGC, FWS earnings are paid directly to the student by the College.

Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program

FFEL Stafford Loans are available to students at SGC and can be either subsidized or unsubsidized.

A subsidized Stafford Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. A student is not charged interest on this loan while he or she is enrolled in school at least half time or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods.

An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of financial need; therefore, the student will be charged interest on the loan from the time it is disbursed until the time it is paid in full.

Beginning Fall 2007, first-year students may borrow up to $3,500 per year; second year students may borrow up to $4,500. Independent students may borrow an additional amount up to $4,000 per year.

Beginning July 1, 2006, the interest rate on Stafford Loans will be a fixed rate of 6.8 per cent. Lenders are required by law to notify students of changes in the interest rate. Repayment of the loan usually begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time in school. If needed, students may defer repayment of their loans for a time.

Currently at SGC, Stafford funds are received by the College via electronic funds transfer (EFT) and will be credited to student accounts. Any excess loan funds remaining in a student's account after all fees have been paid will be paid to the student via a paper check.

Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program

Georgia's Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program

The LEAP Program was created to provide educational grant assistance to residents of Georgia who demonstrate substantial financial need to attend eligible postsecondary institutions in Georgia. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are also GA residents and must be enrolled at least half-time. Other requirements apply. Funding for this program is limited, so not every student who is eligible will receive an LEAP award.

At SGC, LEAP awards are credited to the student's account. The amount awarded per term is usually $300.00.

SGC Foundation Scholarships

SGC does offer a number of Foundation scholarships each year. These scholarships are administered through the Office of College Relations. For more information, call 912.260.4268.