What is the Federal Pell Grant and how do I qualify?

The Federal Pell Grant provides up to $4731 per student annually for educational costs. Like all grants, the Pell Grant does not have to repaid. To qualify for a Pell Grant, you must have exceptional need (Expected Family Contribution of $4041 or less for 2008-2009), be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, and not have a bachelor degree. The amount of your grant is based on your EFC, which means that you must have a zero EFC to qualify for the maximum award amount. The amount of your award is also affected by the number of hours that your are taking. This means that a full-time student with an EFC of zero will receive more than a part-time student with an EFC of zero.

What is the FSEOG and how is it awarded?

The FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) is awarded to Pell Grant recipients on a first come basis. In order to improve your chances of receiving the FSEOG, you should complete your financial aid file before the priority deadline of June 1st. The maximum annual award is $300.00

What is the HOPE Scholarship and can I receive one?

The State of Georgia provides the HOPE Scholarship for students who graduated from a Georgia high school in 1993 or later with a 3.0 GPA in an academic track or a 3.2 in a vocational track. If you do not qualify as a high school graduate, you can become eligible if you are a Georgia resident and have a 3.0 GPA after 30 or 60 attempted hours of college coursework. You must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain eligible for HOPE. Your GPA is checked at the end of each 30 semester hours you ATTEMPT. If you fall below a 3.0 at the first checkpoint, you may regain HOPE at the 60-hour checkpoint if your GPA is a cumulative 3.0. Additionally, if you loose HOPE at 60 attempted hours, then you may regain it at 90 attempted hours with a 3.0 GPA. HOPE will cover a maximum of 127 hours (attempted hours for HOPE include credit courses, withdrawals, and developmental studies). You must also meet Waycross College's Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to remain eligible. The scholarship covers tuition and fees and includes a maximum book allowance of $150/semester. For more information on the HOPE scholarship call 1-800-546-HOPE or visit the web site at http://www.gsfc.org/HOPE/Index.cfm

LEAP GRANT PROGRAM

Georgia's LEVERAGING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (LEAP) Grant Program is a state funded program created to provide educational grant assistance to residents of Georgia who demonstrate substantial financial need to attend eligible post-secondary institutions in Georgia. The maximum award amount is $2000 per academic year and the minimum award amount is $300 per academic year.

GOVERNOR'S SCHOLARSHIP

The GOVERNOR'S SCHOLARSHIPS are awarded to high school seniors who are the STAR Student, Salutatorian, or Valedictorian of a publicly supported Georgia high school or who have been designated as a Georgia Scholar by their high school.

WAYCROSS COLLEGE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

The WAYCROSS COLLEGE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS were established by local citizens and organizations to provide incentive, encouragement, and recognition to Waycross College students with proven records or academic accomplishment and excellence in their high school and college work. Potential students are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. Information on Foundation Scholarships may be obtained from the Director of Development and Community Services and the Financial Aid Office.

ADULT START COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

The ADULT START COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP was established for adult/non-traditional students who have been out of high school or college for 5 or more years and who have earned fewer than 15 transferable semester hours or 20-quarter hours of college credit. The scholarship will cover the cost(In-State) of one course.

EMPLOYMENT

What can I do if I want to work while attending Waycross College? Working while attending college can help you finance your education, and most students find that they can be successful in their studies while working 19.5 hours per week. As a student worker, you receive a bi-weekly payroll check. The basic types of student employment on campus are work-study and student assistantships. The Federal Work-Study Program offers employment for students with financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office. You can work in clerical, technical, and manual positions in a variety of departments and offices on campus. In addition, some positions are available in community services areas. Student Assistantships are on-campus jobs available regardless of your financial need. The jobs are similar to those available in the work-study program except that there are no community service positions. Federal Work Study is not automatically awarded as part of the student's award package. The student must contact the Financial Aid to request work-study and department heads to request student assistantships.