Types of Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. The Pell Grant does not have to be repaid.

  • The U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information that a student reports on the FAFSA. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number, which is used to determine Pell Grant eligibility and the amount of the grant.
  • If eligible for the Pell Grant the amount a student receives will depend on the EFC and whether the student attends full-time or part-time. Students can only receive one Pell Grant per academic year and to attend one institution at a time.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need, lowest EFC, and are Pell Grant recipients only. SEOG funds are limited. A FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan is a need based loan program. Federal regulations require that a student complete a FAFSA before they can apply for a Subsidized Stafford Loan. Students are also required to complete a separate loan application, and a Master Promissory Note.

  • Students receiving the Subsidized Stafford Loan are not required to make payments on the loan and there is no interest accumulating as long as the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis (six credit hours). Repayment on the loan begins six months after the student graduates, ceases to be enrolled on a half-time basis, or withdraws from the college.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford loan is a non-need based loan program. Federal regulations require that a student complete a FAFSA before they can apply for an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Students are required to complete a separate loan application, and a Master Promissory Note.

HOPE Scholarship:

The HOPE Scholarship Program is funded by the Georgia Lottery and is awarded to students who meet the following requirements:

  • Entering Freshmen HOPE Scholarship Eligibility
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen for Title IV funds.
  • Meet the HOPE Georgia residency requirements.
  • If male, registered with Selective Service.
  • Be a 1993 or later graduate of an eligible high school.
  • Earned a "B" average in the core curriculum.

To continue to maintain the HOPE Scholarship a student must earn a 3.0 grade point average after "attempting" 30 and 60 credits. Please note that ALL HOPE eligible students are checked at the end of each Spring semester for eligibility. Full time entering freshmen are included and can loose eligibility if your GPA is less than 3.0 even though you have not yet attempted 30 hours. If a student loses eligibility at the end of Spring semester, eligibility cannot be regained unless the student is at a 30 or 60 hours checkpoint.

Other Students who graduated from high school before the HOPE Scholarship began in 1993, or were not academically eligible upon high school graduation, may be eligible for a HOPE Scholarship after attempting 30 or 60 semester credit hours if you have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in college course work at Atlanta Metropolitan State College and ALL other colleges attended.