Understanding Aid Eligibility

Your Financial Aid Award and Eligibility

Your financial aid award is based on the current information we have on file. It’s your responsibility to stay informed about your eligibility. If your information changes, your award may be adjusted even after funds have been disbursed. Adjusted awards that result in an overpayment will require repayment to the university.

You must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to remain eligible. You can check your SAP status on the ‘Overall Financial Aid Status’ page in WINGS.

Summer financial aid is typically based on unused aid from the fall and spring semesters. Summer awarding usually begins in early March.

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Understanding Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Department of Education requires each institution to establish an annual Cost of Attendance (COA) for every aid year. The COA is used to calculate your financial aid eligibility and includes both Direct and Indirect costs.

– Direct Costs: Appear on your Georgia Southern bill (e.g., tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans).
– Indirect Costs: Other expenses like transportation, books, supplies, and estimated living expenses (especially for off-campus students).

Georgia Southern provides this information via CampusLogic and the federal College Financing Plan in your WINGS account. Always compare it with your actual bill to understand your direct costs.

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PELL Grant

Eligibility is determined through your FAFSA submission and is based on your Student Aid Index (SAI).

– Students who use 100% of their Pell in fall and spring may still qualify for summer aid if enrolled at least half-time.
– Pell Grant is limited to 12 semesters (600% usage limit).
– Awards are finalized based on your enrollment as of the recalculation date, typically the day after the drop/add period.
– Students must meet SAP standards to receive or maintain eligibility.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements

To remain eligible for federal aid, you must:

– Complete at least 67% of all cumulative attempted credit hours (not including Learning Support).
– Stay within 150% of the length of your program (i.e., no more than 180 attempted hours for a 120-hour degree).
– Maintain minimum GPA:
  – Undergraduates: 2.0 (Education majors must have 2.5)
  – Graduates: 3.0

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Loan Information

To receive Federal Direct Loans, students must complete a FAFSA and be enrolled at least half-time:

– Undergraduates: 6 credit hours/semester
– Graduate half-time varies by program

Loan origination fees are deducted before funds are disbursed:
– Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans: 1.057%
– PLUS Loans: 4.228%

First-time borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note at StudentAid.gov.

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Class Attendance Verification

Federal regulations require attendance verification before disbursing aid. Georgia Southern sends out these notifications at the start of each term.

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HOPE Scholarship

There have been recent updates to the HOPE Scholarship. Please visit our HOPE Scholarship page for the most current eligibility and renewal information.

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Transient Students

Students with approval to take courses elsewhere must coordinate a consortium agreement for aid processing. Aid is disbursed once attendance is verified and an official transcript is received.

Note: If Georgia Southern is not your degree-granting (home) institution, contact your home institution for financial aid assistance related to your courses here.