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GRANTS
Approximately two thirds of full-time college students receive some form of financial aid. Grants are a form of financial aid that do not have to be repaid.

Federal Pell Grant
A Pell Grant is money the government provides to eligible students each year. This grant is based on financial need, and full payment can be made if the student carries twelve or more credit hours per quarter. A student carrying one to eleven hours can receive a proportionately reduced award.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This is another federal grant provided to assist a student with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to those who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients. The amount awarded is therefore based on federal funding levels and College policy. A typical award at Southern State ranges from $200-$900 per academic year.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
The ACG is a federal grant that can be awarded in addition to a Pell Grant. To be eligible, students must be attending full-time and must be U.S. citizens in compliance with eligibility requirements for Federal Pell Grants.

How & When to Apply
You can apply for all federal, state, and some institutional financial aid programs by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can request a paper FAFSA from the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 800-4-FED-AID (433-3243).

Note – deadlines change throughout the year, so check with our financial aid office for the payment deadline by calling 800-628-7722.

FAFSA LOANS
All college students are expected to contribute to their education costs. How much you and your family will be expected to contribute depends on your financial situation. This is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form the U.S. Department of Education requires to determine your EFC.

The FAFSA is the application most colleges use to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs. The good news is: almost every student is eligible for some sort of financial aid, including low-interest Federal Stafford and/or parent PLUS loans, regardless of income or circumstances.

The Federal Stafford Loan program is designed to assist students with low-interest educational loans. The interest on the Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan is paid by the federal government while the student is in school. Repayment does not begin until six months after graduation or the last class schedule under six credit hours.

You can file your FAFSA as early as January 1, and since grants are based upon filing the FAFSA, it is recommended you file as early as possible to determine your eligibility for additional funding. For more information, or to file, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.

ALTERNATIVE LOANS
These are loans based upon the credit rating of the student or parents. Eligibility is determined by the lender. Southern State does not promote any particular vendor, but will certify any qualified candidate.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM
This program gives the student an opportunity to work part-time on campus and gain work experience at the same time. The student can earn extra money by working no more than fifteen hours a week in such areas as office services, student activities, and lab assisting.

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