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| Frequently Asked Questions |
What types of aid are available?
Several types of aid generally offered to students are described below:
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Pell Grants
Pell Grants are Federal funds that do not have to be repaid. The amount will vary each term with your enrollment status (full time, three-quarter time, half time or less than half time). Your award letter indicates the amount as a full time student. Any Pell funds not used in Fall and Spring terms will be carried over into the Summer term. |
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National SMART Grant Program
An eligible student may receive a National SMART Grant of $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must: |
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Be a U.S. Citizen; |
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Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient; |
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Be enrolled full-time in a degree program; |
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Be enrolled in a four-year degree-granting instituion; |
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Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale; and Major in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, General Science Instrumentaion, Mathematics or Physics |
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
(FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need--that is, students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) -- and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants . An SEOG doesn't have to be paid back. The funds are awarded on a first come, first serve basis and are paid out in Fall and Spring Semesters |
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Alabama Assistance Grants
Alabama Assistance Grants are State Funds with guidelines similar to SEOG. These are awarded on a first come, first serve basis to students with the highest need and are paid out in Fall and Spring Semesters. |
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Federal Work Study
The Federal Work Study program has limited opportunites for students to earn funds for their education. We have campus positions and tutoring at local elementary schools. Interested students must submit a resume to the Financial Aid Office for circulation to offices with openings. The offices with openings may, at their discretion, interview several candidates. Hiring is competitive. Other opportunities for work are available through the Career-Placement Office located in Sandridge Student Center. The Career-Placement Office has listings for Full and Part time positions as well as resume, interview and job search assistance.
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Subsidized Loans and Unsubsidized Loans
are the US Department of Education's major form of self-help aid. Direct Loans are available through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. Under the Direct Loan Program, the funds for your loan are lent to you directly by the U.S. government. You can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period. The student must maintain 6 hours of enrollment to be eligible for loans. The Student must repay these funds.
A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need . You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment . The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods.
An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need but cannot exceed the student's budget or the regulatory ceiling per year. You'll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized --that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. |
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Parent PlUS Loans are loans available to parents to fund their child’s education at Athens State University. Parents can borrow a PLUS Loan to help pay educational expenses for their dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time in an eligible program at an eligible school. PLUS Loans are available through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. PLUS loans require an acceptable credit history. Parents may borrow up to the cost of education less other financial aid offered to the student. Repayment for PLUS loans begins 60 days after the last disbursement.
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What Additional steps should I complete to Receive a Student Loan
How do I view and accept financial aid awards on the web?
ACCESS YOUR AWARD INFORMATION AT WWW.ATHENS.EDU
Go to ASU Online
And Login using your ASU ID and pin
Select Student Services and Financial Aid
Read and Accept the FA Terms and Conditions
Select My Account and Award Information
Choose the appropriate award year
Select Accept Ward Offer by Aid Year
Please note: Only initial awards can be accepted on the web Adjustments to previously accepted/declined awards and term changes must be made in person or in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services
How do I get my aid to pay my tuition and fees each term?
Register for classes. Be sure to take advantage of our online registration process.
Have your financial aid complete and awards accepted prior to the payment date for your registration.
Your tuition and fees will be deducted from your aid. Any balance will be mailed to your address on file with Admissions Office, in the second week of classes each term.
Additional check runs during the semester are set by the Business Office.
When will I get my check?
• Any balance will be mailed to your address on file with the Admissions Office, in the second week of classes each term. Additional check runs during the semester are set by the Business Office.
How do I keep my aid?
• Comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards
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Maintain a 2.0 GPA |
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Successfully complete 67% of all coursework attempted. All W's, I's, F's and audited coursework count as unsuccessful completions. When unsuccessful completions exceed 33%, Financial Aid will be suspended until the student's completion ratio is again at least 67%. |
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Complete your degree requirements within 150% of the usual timeframe. Degrees at Athens State University require no more than 128 semester hours of credit. Aid eligibility expires after 192 semester hours attempted. All transfer work and courses attempted at Athens State University are counted in this calculation. |
• Apply for aid each year as soon as you complete your Federal Tax Return
• Meet all federal Eligibility Standards
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Have a high school diploma. |
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Have a valid Social Security Number. |
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Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. |
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Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. |
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Sign a statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes. |
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Use Federal student aid only for educational purposes |
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Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant, and |
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Register with the Selective Service. |
What happens if I drop classes or withdraw from school?
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Change in enrollment status prior to term
If the federal financial aid student withdraws from some classes prior to the first day of class, the student is subject to a 100% refund to be returned to Financial Aid Sources. Financial aid is credited with all funds paid from a financial aid source and the federal financial aid student has no drops or unsatisfactory progress for the term. |
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Change in enrollment status during the first three weeks of the term
If a federal financial aid student registers for courses, pays and begins attending all classes, then has some circumstance that causes them to drop some of their classes, the federal financial aid student will be subject to the satisfactory progress standards outlined in the section HOW TO KEEP YOUR AID and the State Refund Policy. |
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Change in enrollment status during the
fourth week
through the ninth week of the term
If the federal financial aid student withdraws from some of their classes during the fourth through the ninth week of classes, the federal financial aid student will be subject to the satisfactory progress standards outlined in the section HOW TO KEEP YOUR AID. |
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Withdrawal from all classes prior to term
If the federal financial aid student withdraws from all classes prior to the first day of class, the student is subject to a 100% refund. Financial aid is credited with all funds paid from a financial aid source and the federal financial aid student has no drops or unsatisfactory progress for the term. |
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Withdrawal from all classes during the first three weeks of the term
If the federal financial aid student withdraws from all classes during the first three weeks of the term, the federal financial aid student is first subject to the Federal Refund Policy and then the State Refund Policy. |
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Withdrawal from all classes during the
fourth week through the ninth week of the term
If the federal financial aid student withdraws from all classes during the fourth through the ninth week of classes the federal financial aid student is subject to the Federal Refund Policy. |
How do I handle scholarships, employer education plans, and waivers,etc?
Academic Scholarship
Employer Sponsorship Assistance programs
GI Dependents Awards
Job Training Partnership Act
Miltary Tuition Assistance
Outside Scholarship Awards
PACT -- Prepaid Affordable College Tuition
Workforce Investment Act
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Are all handled by the Business Office and are considered Outside Resources. Be sure to have your documentation submitted to them prior to the tuition due date each semester for proper credit to be applied to your account. REMEMBER tuition payment is always the student's responsibility.
Where do I get tuition and fee information for filing my tax return?
The Business Office will mail a 1098T to each eligible student by the Federal deadline, generally the end of January. The 1098T is not required to list an amount. The student is responsible for documenting tuition and fees paid. For assistance with 1098 T information please refer to our link under Tax Credit Information or contact the Business Office @ 256-233-8100.
My Application was selected in a process called verification. What does that mean?
Verification Process at Athens State UniversityApplications are selected for verification either by the Federal Central Processing System or by the school. Some applications are randomly selected by the central processing system, others are selected if there is a reason to believe data items are incorrect or discrepant. Each school must have a system to identify conflicting or discrepant information—regardless of the source and regardless of whether the student is selected for verification by the central processing system. Athens State University is required to resolve all such conflicting or discrepant information prior to disbursing aid to a student. Each student selected for verification must submit a completed verification worksheet, either for a dependent student or independent student as appropriate. The student must also submit federal tax returns and supporting w-2s and/or 1099s. Additional information may be required to complete the verification process for some students. The student can view document requirements by visiting our website at www.athens.edu .
Go to ASU Online and login using your ASU ID and pin
Select Student Services and Financial Aid
Read and Accept the FA Terms and Conditions
Select My Eligibility
Select Student Requirements
Choose the appropriate award year
View unsatisfied requirements
Verification Worksheets are available @http://www.athens.edu/financial/forms.php
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