Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant: This grant is available to undergraduate U. S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who demonstrate financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA applications. The amount of a Federal Pell Grant depends on the student's cost of attendance, expected family contribution, enrollment status (full or part-time), and whether the student will attend for a full academic year or less.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): This grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. Since there are limited funds available, students should make sure to complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year.
Federal Loans
(current interest rates may be found at www.studentloans.gov)
Federal Direct (Subsidized) Student Loans:
Subsidized loans are based on financial need. The principle is deferred until six months after your last day of attendance at a half-time level. The federal government pays the interest on the loan while you are in school at least half-time, during your six months grace period, and during authorized periods of deferment.
Federal Direct (Unsubsidized) Student Loans:
This loan is a non-need based loan. While the principle is deferred until six months after your last day of attendance at a half-time level, you are responsible for the interest that accrues from date of first disbursement forward. Interest can either be paid while you are in school, or it can be postponed until you enter repayment. If you postpone paying interest, once you enter repayment it will be capitalized (added to principal) thereby increasing the outstanding balance on which interest accrues daily.
Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS):
The federal government sponsors PLUS loans for families needing additional loan assistance. If a parent borrows on behalf of a dependent undergraduate student, the student must also meet general eligibility requirements. The maximum PLUS loan amount that a parent can borrow is the student's cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student receives.
Federal Work Study
This program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to pay part of their educational expenses by working at a part-time job. To be employed under this program, students must show evidence of financial need each semester, and maintain good academic standing while employed under this program. Preference will be given to students with exceptional financial need.
Under the Federal Work Study Program students are given the opportunity to work approximately 16 hours per week depending on the award. These funds must be earned. Students must arrange their employment schedule with their assigned supervisors.
Student Assistant Program
This program, sponsored entirely by Middle Georgia State University, employs students on a part-time basis on campus. Financial need is not a determinant. Students must be enrolled for at least six hours to be employed as a student assistant.
Under the Student Assistance programs, students are given the opportunity to work approximately 15 to 19 hours per week depending on the award. These funds must be earned. Students must arrange their employment schedule with their assigned supervisors.
State Aid Programs
Students wishing to apply for the Georgia’s Zell Miller or HOPE Scholarship/Grant programs (only) will need to complete the GSFAPPS form at www.GAfutures.org and the Middle Georgia State University HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Grant Evaluation Request form, if applicable. For more information about Georgia’s Zell Miller or HOPE programs, refer to www.GAfutures.org.
Dual Enrollment
Students who are enrolled in eligible high schools may participate in the Dual Enrollment Program (previously Move On When Ready Program).
Beginning with Fall term 2015 (FY 2016) the program is offered during all terms of the school year; fall, spring and summer semester or fall, winter, spring, and summer quarter.
To be eligible for the Dual Enrollment program, a student must be enrolled in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade of a private or public high school in Georgia or a home study program within the State of Georgia operated in accordance with O.C.G.A. §20-2-690(c); be admitted to an eligible, participating USG, TCSG or Private postsecondary institution as a dual credit enrollment student; be enrolled in courses listed in the approved Dual Enrollment Course Directory; and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the eligible postsecondary institution. Students attending a home study program must complete the Dual Enrollment paper application. Students attending an eligible public must complete the Dual Enrollment online application. For more information, you may visit www.gafutures.org.
Georgia HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship program is Georgia's unique scholarship program that awards an undergraduate student's hard work with financial assistance. This program is fully funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).
Georgia HOPE Grant
The HOPE Grant Program provides grant assistance to residents of Georgia pursuing Certificates or Diplomas at Georgia’s public postsecondary institutions. Unlike the HOPE Scholarship Program, students are not required to graduate from high school with a specific grade point average. However, students are required to have a minimum postsecondary cumulative grade point average of 2.00 at certain Checkpoints. The purpose of the HOPE Grant Program is to encourage Georgians to obtain technical training in order to increase the knowledge and skills of Georgia’s workforce.
Georgia HOPE GED
A one-time $500 HOPE voucher is available for Georgia GED recipients. Recipients must maintain financial aid SAP as defined by Middle Georgia State University. More information is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Zell Miller Scholarship
Qualifications are the same as HOPE Scholarship recipients except students must graduate from high school with a GPA of 3.7 or higher and receive a score of at least 1200 on combined Critical Reading Score and Math Score on the SAT or have received a score of at least 26 on the ACT. A Valedictorian or Salutatorian is automatically eligible. Zell Miller Scholarship recipients receive full tuition at Middle Georgia State University. Checkpoints and award limits are the same as the HOPE scholarship except to remain eligible they must have at least a 3.3 at checkpoints. Students who do not have the required GPA for the Zell Miller but do have the required 3.0 for HOPE may be eligible to receive HOPE instead of Zell Miller.
Zell Miller Grant
The Zell Miller Grant Program provides grant assistance to residents of Georgia pursuing Certificates or Diplomas at Georgia’s public eligible postsecondary institutions. The Zell Miller Grant Program does not include a high school academic requirement, however, recipients are required to have a minimum postsecondary cumulative grade point average of 3.5 at the end of each semester. The purpose of the Zell Miller Grant Program is to encourage Georgians to obtain technical education in order to increase the knowledge and skills of Georgia’s workforce.
The Student Access Loan Program
Georgia Student Finance Authority offers the Student Access Loan (SAL) Program for eligible students attending an eligible USG (University System of Georgia), Private or TCSG (Technical College System of Georgia) postsecondary institution in Georgia. The SAL is a 1% fixed rate loan, designed to assist undergraduate and technical college students who have a gap in meeting their educational costs. For more information, you may visit www.gafutures.org.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Students who have fees paid by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, must request the Office of the Registrar to send copies of their grades to the Vocational Rehabilitation Office each semester. The University Business Office must be in receipt of written authorization from the Vocational Rehabilitation Office prior to students' registration each semester.