Financial Aid

Georgia Military College (GMC) calculates the cost of attendance by estimating the student´s education expenses for the period of yearly enrollment. This cost of attendance reflects how much the student alone will need to spend to live and attend school.

Standard costs of attendance are developed each year, reflecting average costs of attendance for students in various situations. Students can view current tuition and fee rates by clicking here. A cost of attendance is assigned to a student according to information obtained through the FAFSA.

Per federal regulations, a student’s cost of attendance will be adjusted if he or she withdraws from classes and the resulting enrollment status is less than full time. The adjustment to the cost of attendance may result in the student owing previously disbursed aid back to GMC.

By entering estimates of your family income and student academic information, in just a few minutes the Georgia Military College Net Price Calculator will provide an estimate of the financial aid and out-of-pocket costs involved in what will be one of the most important investments you will ever make – a college education.

Students may appeal their cost of attendance by requesting a Professional Judgement (PJ). PJ requests must be made to the Financial Aid Office at the campus the student attends.

The three areas for which we will consider PJ are:

• Increases in the student’s Cost of Attendance to account for extraordinary expenses a student might incur while attending GMC;
• Changes in financial circumstances including loss of income, loss of recurring taxed or untaxed income, loss of assets, or unusual medical expenses;
• Dependency override to change your financial aid dependency status from dependent to independent.

Cost of Attendance Increases

• Computer Purchase: Federal regulations permit GMC to consider the cost to purchase a computer when calculating a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Allowable expenses include the purchase cost of a computer, printer and other necessary software and supplies if the expenses are incurred no earlier than 100 days prior to the beginning of the academic year. GMC includes in the COA $700 per award year for a computer. You may request a PJ for a computer purchase if the expense incurred was greater than $700. Due to federal student aid program limits, such as annual Direct Loan limits, the inclusion of computer expenses in the COA may not result in additional funds for you.
• Dependent Care Expenses: Federal regulations permit GMC to include an allowance based on expenses incurred for dependent care. The period of time for which the dependent care expenses are incurred must be directly related to the time needed for the student to pursue his/her education. The dependent must have been included in the student’s number in household on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Changes in Financial Circumstances

• Parent Professional Judgment Request to Recalculate the Expected Family Contribution for Dependent Students: If the parents’ current expected income is substantially less than it was during the tax year used on the FAFSA due to special circumstances, we may be able to use the parents’ current estimated income to reevaluate eligibility for Federal Student Aid.  Please contact our office for additional information.
• Student Professional Judgment Request to Recalculate the Expected Family Contribution for Independent Students: If the students/spouses expected income is substantially less than it was during the tax year used on the FAFSA due to special circumstances, we may be able to use the students/spouses current estimated income to reevaluate eligibility for Federal Student Aid.  Please contact our office for additional information.

Dependency Status Appeals

• Petition to be declared an Independent Student for Federal Aid Purposes: The law governing Federal Student Aid (Title IV) categorizes students as “dependent” or “independent” based on the premise the student and parents have the primary responsibility for meeting the student’s educational costs.  This premise applies even when the parents are not actually supporting the student. If you can document the unusual or unique circumstances governing why you feel you should be declared independent for Title IV Federal Aid purposes, you may petition for a dependency override by completing this form and providing documentation. Parents refusal to contribute financially or unwillingness to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the student not being claimed on the parent(s)’ Federal Tax Return, or the student showing total self-sufficiency are not reasons to declare a student Independent for Federal Student Financial Aid.

Use our Net Price Calculator

Students applying for federal aid using FAFSA on the Web will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) Information Acknowledgment within 10 to 14 days of submitting the application. Students applying using the paper version of the FAFSA will receive a SAR within 3 – 5 weeks of mailing the application. The GMC Financial Aid Office will receive the information electronically. Eligibility for Title IV aid is based on the information on the SAR, so the student should review it carefully. If any information is incorrect, the student should follow the instructions included with the form to make necessary corrections.

Initial Steps

1. Submit an Application for Admission to Georgia Military College.
2. Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student financial aid and to apply for some state and college aid. Applying online with FAFSA on the Web at Studentaid.gov is faster and easier than using a paper FAFSA.
3. Apply Faster – Sign the FAFSA with a U.S. Department of Education FSA ID. If providing parent information, one parent must sign the FAFSA. To sign electronically, the parent can also apply for a FSA ID.

Verification is a process used to check the accuracy of the information that a student and/or parent gives when applying for financial aid. The GMC Financial Aid Office will notify the student if selected for verification by the federal processor and will request certain documentation in order to complete the verification process. Until the verification process is complete, no Federal Funds may be released to the student. Once the file is complete, the student will be notified of eligibility and the amount of aid available through an award letter. If aid has been denied the student will also be advised by mail.

Need-Based Aid 

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
• Federal Work Study Program

Non-need-based Aid

• Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
• Federal Direct Plus Loan
• Private Student Loans
• Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant
• Georgia HOPE Scholarship
• Georgia Public Safety Grant
• Georgia Student Access Loan
• Georgia HERO Scholarship
• Georgia HOPE GED Voucher  –  (The HOPE GED program is no longer funded effective the Summer term of 2022)
• Georgia Zell Miller Scholarship

• Demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
• Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• Be registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25);
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree program;
• Be enrolled at least half-time (6 quarter hours) to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress;
• Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) stating that:
  • You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on federal student grant and;
  • You will use federal student aid only for educational purposes and;
  • Show you’re qualified to obtain a college education by
    • Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Education Development (GED) certificate;
    • Completing a high school education in a home-school setting approved under state law.

Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Violations

1. All Title IV funds are awarded based on the information received from the FAFSA. You must complete the FAFSA to be eligible. The FAFSA can be found at www.studentaid.gov.

2.  Georgia Military College’s academic year, for the purposes of administering federal Title IV financial aid programs is defined as:

• 4+1 – Four nine (9) week terms for a total of 36 weeks during which the average undergraduate student is expected to complete a minimum of forty-eight (48) credit hours.

Enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours per term is required in order to be considered a full-time student for Title IV federal aid purposes.
The Scheduled Academic Year (SAY) applies to the administration of Federal Direct Loans at GMC. The statutory maximum annual loan limits apply to this period of time. The SAY begins with the first day of class each Fall 1 and ends with the last official exam day of the following Spring term. The Summer term at GMC is considered a “trailer” to the SAY; therefore, the applicable annual loan limits apply to the Fall 1 – Spring SAY, plus the Summer trailer.

3. Once the FAFSA is received and processed in our office the student’s file will be marked for awarding in groups based on the date all the information was received. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Based on a student’s enrollment and housing plans, an estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) will be assigned for packaging purposes.  The COA includes the following items:

• Tuition and Fees
• Books and Supplies
• Personal Expenses
• Transportation Cost
• Food and Housing

5. The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the COA to determine each student’s demonstrated financial need.

• COA – EFC = NEED
  • The sum of all need based awards will not exceed the need of the student.
  • The sum of all awards (need and non-need) will not exceed the COA.

The packaging methodology for undergraduate students:

1.  PELL Grants will be automatically awarded based on the student’s EFC and the PELL tables published by the US Education Department.

2. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) will be automatically awarded based off an EFC of Zero (0000) and the File Complete Date.  SEOG is awarded on a first come first served basis and the availability of funds.

3. Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized loans are packaged “up-front”. GMC will not certify loans unless the student submits a Request for Stafford Loan form. Before the loans will transmit to the students account, the student must complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan Counseling.

4. Federal Work-Study will be awarded if the student applies for a position through Human Resources and the financial aid office determines eligibility.

NOTE: Pell Grant, SEOG, and Direct Loans have amount limits established by regulation.

You can find more information about the maximum amount of Pell Grant funds here.

2024 – 2025 Direct Loan Information Handout

Return of Title IV (Federal) Financial Aid

When a student withdraws during a term, the amount of federal financial aid earned by the student is determined on a pro-rata basis up to the end of 60% of the term. For example, if the student has completed 30% of the term, he or she has earned 30% of the aid originally scheduled to be received. Once a student has completed more than 60% of the term, he or she has earned all of his or her federal financial aid. (Federal Work Study funds are excluded from the return of Title IV funds requirements.)

If a student has received excess funds, the College must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

• the student’s institutional charges multiplied by unearned percentage of funds, or
• the entire amount of the excess funds.

If the aid to be returned is in the form of a loan that has been released to the student (or parent) borrower, the student (or parent) can repay the loan in accordance with the terms of the promissory note over a period of time. If the aid to be returned is in the form of grant funds, the law provides that the student may repay 50% of the grant rather than 100%.

Within 30 days of the date of GMC’s determination that a student withdraws, GMC will provide written notification to the student, or parent in the case of a parent PLUS loan, that outlines results of the refund calculation and post- withdrawal disbursement eligibility, if applicable. Any unearned Title IV funds are returned within 45 days of the date GMC determined the student withdrew.

Order of Funds to be Returned

The funds must be credited to outstanding loan balances or to any amount awarded for the term in which a return of funds is required in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Loans
3. Federal PLUS Loans received on behalf of the student
4. Federal Pell Grants
5. Federal SEOG Grants

Example of a Refund and Return of Title IV Financial Aid

Student enrolls for Quarter 2, beginning on October 10 and ending on December 6 (57 days). Student withdraws from all courses on November 5.

Refund Calculation

Total Charges for Tuition and Fees = $2,010

Student attends October 10 to November 5 (withdrawal date) = 26 days/57 days in term = 46% of the term

Return of Title IV Aid Calculation

Step 1. Title IV Aid Disbursed on November 5:

Subsidized Direct Loan $ 866.25

Unsubsidized Direct Loan $990

Total aid disbursed $1,856.25

Step 2. Percentage of Title IV Aid Earned:  26 days of enrollment/57 days in term = 46%

Step 3. Amount of Title IV Aid Earned: 46% x $1,856.25 = $853.88

Step 4. Total Title IV Aid to be Returned: $1856.25 – $853.88 =$1,002.37

Step 5. Amount of Unearned Title IV Aid Returned by the School:

Subsidized Direct Loan $12.37

Unsubsidized Direct Loan $990.00

Total Title IV aid returned to federal programs $1,002.37

Refund of Funds from the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)

Students who withdraw after the census date (the end of the drop/add period) may receive state grant or scholarship payment for the costs incurred up to the term award. Students who withdraw before the census date are not eligible for state grants or scholarship payments for costs incurred for the term. State grants or scholarship payments received for the term, prior to the census date will be returned toGSFC. Students will be responsible for the balance caused by the cancellation of this financial aid.

Refund of Private Scholarships, Grants and Loans

Unless otherwise requested by the donor or a private scholarship, grant or loan award, the refund/cancellation of private financial assistance follows the pro-rata policy for the cancellation of institutional charges and institutional financial aid.

GMC students now have real-time access to their financial aid record! Log into your GMC Student Portal and click on Financial Information to view your most current information!

• Check to see if your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been received
• Review any additional required documentation
• Verify that you are meeting the criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and are eligible to continue receiving federal financial aid
• View details regarding your financial aid awards

Click here for instructions on how to fill out Direct Loan form

2024-2025 Financial Aid Forms

• Loan Change Form
• Direct Loan Information Handout
• PLUS Loan Authorization
• Georgia College Completion Grant
• Financial Aid Checklist
• Non-Federal SAP Appeal
• Summer PLUS Loan
• Verification Procedures

Financial Aid Applications

Free Application for Federal Student Aid Information (FAFSA)

• 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Federal Work Study Application
• Georgia Student Finance Application 

Miscellaneous

• Georgia Tuition Equalization Correction Form

View available scholarships for GMC students

View Georgia Military College financial aid benefits for Veterans

• • Military Benefits
  • 2024-2025 Request for VA Educational Benefits
  • 2024-2025 Online Learning Acknowledgement
  • 2023 – 2024 Request for VA Educational Benefits

A loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest.  Few students can afford to pay for college without some form of education financing.  In fact, two-thirds of undergraduate students graduate with some debt.  Education loans come in three major categories:  student loans, parent loans, and private or alternative loans.  A fourth type, consolidation loans, allows the borrower to lump all of their loans into one loan for simplified payment.

Click here for a Quick Comparison of the Loan Types.

Parents and students are encouraged to visit the following websites to learn more about the different types of loans available through Georgia Military College.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

This is a federal student loan with an interest subsidy, to help meet the financial need according to the federal formula.  As a direct lending school, loans are processed directly between the College and the federal lender.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

This is a federal student loan with no interest subsidy.  Demonstration of financial need is not required to receive this loan.  As with the Direct Subsidized Loan, loans are processed directly between the College and the federal lender.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

PLUS stands for Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students.  This is a federal loan that a creditworthy parent of a dependent student may borrow.  It does not have an interest subsidy and repayment starts within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.

Click Here to view the interest rates for Direct Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

Click Here for Georgia Military College Statistics.

GENERAL LOAN REQUIREMENTS / REGULATIONS

• All students applying for a Federal Direct loan and parents applying for a Federal PLUS loan must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
• All students must be enrolled half-time (or at least six hours per quarter for undergraduates to qualify for a Federal Direct loan or to have their parents qualify for a Federal PLUS loan.
• Students must attend classes and maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue being eligible for loans.
• If students withdraw from classes before the end of the term, he/she must still repay their loans.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities before borrowing a loan. By doing so, you will greatly diminish delays or problems you may otherwise encounter. Your rights and responsibilities include the following:

• You must pay back your loan(s) with accrued interest and any deducted fees.
• You are required to repay education loans even if you don’t complete your education, if you are dissatisfied with your education, or if you are unable to get a job after you complete your education.
• You must repay your loan(s) within 10 years, unless your loans are consolidated.
• You may prepay all or part of your loan(s) without penalty.
• Your minimum monthly payment for a loan is $50, but may be more depending on the amount borrowed.
• Your repayment will begin as follows:
  • Direct Subsidized Loan – following a six-month grace period. Direct Unsubsidized Loan – following a six-month grace period, even though interest accrues while you’re in school and can be paid or postponed until graduation.
  • PLUS Loan – within 60 days of the last disbursement, unless a deferment has been approved.
• You are responsible for notifying your school and lender if you have received student loans from more than one lender.
• You must use money received from student loans for education-related expenses only. You can’t use loan funds to buy a car.
• You will be notified, in writing, if any of your loans are transferred to a servicer or secondary market. You will direct all future correspondence to that organization.
• You must notify your lender in writing of:
  • Name or address change
  • Failure to enroll at least half-time.
  • Failure to enroll for the loan period certified.
  • Withdrawal from school or reduction of attendance to less than half-time.
  • Graduation
• If you do not qualify for a deferment and are unable to make payments on a loan, you may request forbearance from the holder of your loan(s). Forbearance is a special benefit for borrowers experiencing financial hardship.
• You cannot have your student loan(s) discharged through bankruptcy.
• If you meet the eligibility requirements, you have a right to repayment deferments which suspend principal and interest payments for a specified period of time. Deferments can be requested for a number of reasons, including returning to school on at least a half time basis.
• You have a right to consider the loan repayment alternative for which you qualify as you enter the repayment process. This includes loan consolidation alternatives.
• If you fail to repay your loan(s), you may be considered in default and the following may result:
  • Your status may be reported to a national credit bureau resulting in a negative effect on your credit rating for seven years after the loan(s) are paid in full.
  • The entire unpaid amount of your loan(s), including interest, may become due and payable immediately.
  • Your federal and state income tax refunds may be withheld from you.
  • Your wages may be garnished
  • You may be ineligible to receive any future federal or state financial aid funds.
  • In addition to the amount borrowed, you will be responsible for the collection costs incurred if your loan should default.

REPAYING YOUR LOAN

You are required to begin repaying your Federal Direct loan six months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time attendance. Your parents are required to begin repaying PLUS loans 60 days after the loans are fully disbursed. In both cases, borrowers generally have 10 years to repay these loans. Under a level repayment plan your monthly payment would be at least $50.

Please Note: If you fail to repay your loan, you will be considered in default. If this occurs, your credit rating will be damaged and you may not be able to borrow in the future to pay for a car or home or even to continue your education. Your wages may be garnished and your federal and state income taxes may be withheld; your loan may be sent to a collection agency and you will be liable for collection fees.

ENTRANCE/EXIT LOAN COUNSELING

Entrance counseling must be completed before a student can receive a disbursement of Perkins or Direct loan funds. Georgia Military College students may fulfill this federal requirement by clicking on studentloans.gov

Entrance counseling is designed to ensure that a potential borrower is educated and informed of loan processes, eligibility, and responsibility.

Exit counseling must be completed when a student who has received Federal Direct loans and either graduates or leaves Georgia Military College permanently. Georgia Military College students may fulfill this federal requirement by clicking on studentloans.gov

Our goal is to make sure you are ready to meet your repayment obligations successfully and to counsel you on your options.

ALTERNATIVE LOAN INFORMATION

Code of Conduct for Education Loans:

• We do not offer a preferred lender list for Private Education Loans, but our office will work with lenders that our students choose to work with. We do not have any revenue-sharing arrangement nor receive gifts from lenders, guarantors, or loan services. Our school is not affiliated with any lender. We seek only to assist our students in funding their education with integrity and transparency with the process.

An Alternative loan is an educational loan through a lender with no ties to the federal government or Georgia Military College that allows students to borrow additional funds after federal student loans have been exhausted.

There are many private lenders that offer alternative loans.

• The choice of which lender to borrow from is a decision that the student must make.
• The Office of Student Financial Aid will certify an alternative loan from any lender the student chooses.
• Students should always consider the Federal Loan Programs first.

We recommend that you conduct a search on the internet to identify alternative student loan lenders.

Alternative loan programs differ from Federal Direct Loans in several important ways.

• Interest rates are normally variable rates that change on a quarterly basis. Students are responsible for researching the terms and conditions of all loan programs.
• Loan and interest rates are based on credit approval and approval is not guaranteed.
• Georgia Military College is not involved in the credit decisions or denials for these loans. Questions are best addressed to the individual lender.
• Loans are not federally guaranteed; therefore, they do not have the same deferment, cancellation and consolidation benefits.

When applying for alternative loans keep in mind:

• The entire alternative loan process can take up to six weeks. The amount a student may apply for is limited to their cost of attendance minus any other financial aid they are receiving.  Students should review all lenders and determine which loan program best meets their needs.
• Some alternative loan lenders require students be enrolled at least half-time or require that they meet reasonable academic progress.
• As you compare lenders, be sure to identify educational loan products.
• Not all lenders provide loans for students who are enrolled less than half-time, not in a degree seeking program or not making Satisfactory Academic Progress. You should select lenders who provide loans for students in your situation.
• After choosing a lender, a student should contact the lender directly to apply for the loan. Most lenders will have on on-line application process.
• While we encourage students to compare lenders, students should only apply with one lender
• Lenders may require supporting income and employment documentation and/or co-signer.

Once approved:

• The lender has approved the loan, a certification request will be sent to Georgia Military College.  It can take up to 14 business days from the date the certification request was received until the loan is actually certified
• Once Georgia Military College receives the loans, the Financial Aid Office and Business Office will process the disbursement and issue a refund if one is due

Click here to view the Priviate/Alternative Loan Self Certification Form

To complete the loan counseling requirement visit StudentLoans.gov

Click here to view our Financial Aid Policies

Below you will find a list of helpful links that can assist you in the Financial Aid process. 

Complete Entrance Counseling and/or a Master Promissory Note

Register for Selective Service

Create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) to electronically sign FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA

Apply for State Grants and Scholarships at GAfutures

Request a Tax Transcript

Apply for Outside Scholarships (not administered by GMC)

Research Federal Student Aid Programs

Avoid Scams when Applying for Financial Aid

Information for Parents

Financial Aid Self-Service Logon Instructions

• What is financial aid?
  • Financial aid is money provided to the student to help pay for the student’s education.  Major forms of financial aid include gift aid (grants and scholarships) and self-help aid (loans).
• I don’t think I qualify for financial aid, should I apply?
  • You should apply.  Every student who submits a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) might be eligible for gift aid (grants and scholarships).
• No one is helping me pay for college; that makes me an independent student, right?
  • The federal government determines your dependency status by asking a series of questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• When does Georgia Military College receive my Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
  • We will receive your FAFSA information from the federal government approximately in 3 business days.
• How does Georgia Military College process refunds?
  • We process refunds each week following the end of the drop/add period.  Refer to your GMC Portal for more details.

At Georgia Military College, we understand that student loans can be intimidating. That’s why we have partnered with Inceptia, a division of the National Student Loan Program, to provide you with free assistance on your student loan obligations to ensure you feel comfortable and can be successful in your loan repayment.

Inceptia may be calling to help you with next steps in your repayment journey. Their friendly counselors are there to help you every step of the way. While you are in your grace period, they might reach out to you to answer questions you may have on your repayment options. If you become delinquent on your loans, they may also contact you to help find a solution that works within your means.

The Inceptia counselors are there to help you with every step by staying in touch with you via phone calls, letters, and/or emails. They will not be collecting money from you. Inceptia’s nonprofit purpose is to help you find answers to your questions and solutions to your issues. We encourage you to visit Inceptia’s Student Loan Knowledge HQ website at HeroKnowl.org.