Financial Aid Information
The Basics
One of the biggest concerns students and their families have about continuing their education beyond high school is how to pay for courses and programs. Fortunately, there are many sources of financial aid. There are several steps that students and their families must take in order to take advantage of many of these programs, and we hope to provide some basic information on this page.
In order to qualify for most of these types of aid, students and their families should complete the FAFSA (see below). The basic types of financial aid are:
In order to qualify for most of these types of aid, students and their families should complete the FAFSA (see below). The basic types of financial aid are:
- Scholarships & Grants - Scholarships and grants are funds to pay for your education that do not have to be paid back to the issuer. Grants are often based upon financial need, whereas scholarships are based upon merit (grades, accomplishments, etc.). Grants and scholarships can come from the government, private organizations, individuals, or colleges and schools. Use the links on our Scholarships page to search for these valuable sources of money. Look for eligibility requirements, and make sure you meet all deadlines!
- Loans - Student loans can originate from the federal government or private financial institutions. Make sure you understand who is making your loan and the terms that are associated with the interest that will be charged and the repayment schedule.
- Work Study - The federal government can provide some students with Federal Work Study opportunities. These programs allow students to work part-time to earn the money needed to help pay for tuition. Many schools also offer work-study programs on campus for students.
The NEW GSFAPPS is live on GAFutures.org. The application is good for 10 years.
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) is offering virtual meetings for State Aid and FAFSA, the main application used to apply for federal or state-supported financial aid to pay for a college education, with one on one appointments for families who need assistance.
The one on one appointments can be booked through the link HERE.
Federal Student AidClick here to visit this part of the US Department of Education's website that provides a wealth of information on the various types of financial aid offered through the federal government. The federal government provides grants, loans, and work-study funds for qualifying students.
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FAFSAThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an essential tool for qualifying for almost all financial aid that will be offered by the government and educational institutions. Completed free and online, the FAFSA uses information provided by the student and his/her family to generate the Student Aid Report (SAR), which determines the student's Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Beginning with the Class of 2016, the FAFSA can be completed during October using their tax records from the previous year.
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FAFSA VideosVisit FAFSA's official YouTube page to view several helpful videos regarding the FAFSA and the financial aid process. These videos, in addition to the FAFSA's official website, provide valuable suggestions on how to complete and submit this important document.
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Selective Service Registration - Males age 18 - 25
“…To furnish manpower to the Defense Department during a national emergency, to manage alternative service for men classified as conscientious objectors, and to register, with only a few exceptions, all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants residing in the United States who are ages 18 through 25...”
If you are a male who is 18 years old, you must register with the US Selective Service. To register, click here. If you don't register, not only are you violating the law, but you will be ineligible to receive any federal student loan or grant programs. It's simple to do, so register as soon as you turn 18!
If you are a male who is 18 years old, you must register with the US Selective Service. To register, click here. If you don't register, not only are you violating the law, but you will be ineligible to receive any federal student loan or grant programs. It's simple to do, so register as soon as you turn 18!
Georgia's HOPE ProgramsClick here to visit GAFutures page that provides the low-down on Georgia's various programs to provide assistance with paying for your education beyond high school. These programs include the HOPE Scholarship, the HOPE Grant, the Zell Miller Scholarship, and the HOPE GED Grant. You must apply for the HOPE programs by completing the application on GAcollege411 or by completing the FAFSA.
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District ResourcesClick here to visit the PCSD Counseling and Guidance Department's Financial Aid 101 and Scholarships page. It contains a wealth of information about financial aid, scholarships, and links to many outside resources available to students and their families.
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Paulding Education FoundationThe Paulding Education Foundation and its family partners are proud to offer several scholarships that are available to students within the Paulding County School District. Click here to visit their site for more information on specific scholarships, qualifications, and deadlines.
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