FAQ Database (Click on a question to obtain the answer.)
1. What is FAFSA and its role in the financial aid proces?
2. What information is needed to complete FAFSA?
3. What is the school code for Atlanta Metropolitan State College?
4. Who is Eligible for Financial Aid?
5. What is a FAFSA special circumstance?
6. What are the financial aid deadlines?
7. What is a completed financial aid file?
8. What is a financial aid award?
9. What are some financial aid helpful hints?
10. What are the financial aid programs at AMSC?
11. What are the loan limits?
12. What is the HOPE scholarship?
13.What should I know about financial aid as a learning support student?
14. Describe the appeal process?
15. When are my tuition and fees due?
16. How does financial aid relate to course withdrawals and refund policies?
17. What is a credit balance?
18. What is the difference between a dependent and independent student?
19. My parents are divorced or separated. Which parent information do I report on the FAFSA?
20. Do I report information about my stepparent?
21. Are there any scholarships available from the financial aid office?
Students may complete the FAFSA application by clicking here or at www.fafsa.ed.gov
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application that a student must complete to apply for the following financial aid programs that are available at Atlanta Metropolitan College:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Academic Competitive Grant (ACG)
- Federal Work-Study Program
- Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
- Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
- Federal Parent Plus Loan
- HOPE Scholarship
A FAFSA must be completed each aid year, which is Fall to Summer. The FAFSA application is available January 1st for the academic year which begins in fall (August). Students may complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and use their Personal Identification Number to sign the application. Applicants may obtain a PIN number at: www.pin.ed.gov
- Complete the FAFSA Renewal Application if mailed to you by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Applications may be mailed to: Federal Student Aid Programs, P.O. Box 7001, Mt. Vernon, IL. 62864-0071
Yours’ and your parents’ (if applicable) Federal Income Tax Return for the calendar year immediately preceding the first year for the previous year. For example, if you are filing for the 2008-2009 academic year, youwill need yours and your parents (if applicable) 2007 Tax Returns.
Yours’ and your parents’ untaxed income records (Social Security payments, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, welfare or veterans benefits records) for the calendar year immediately preceding the first year in the FAFSA aid year.
Current bank statements, business and investment information, business and farm records, and stock, bond, and other investment records.
The Atlanta Metropolitan College’s school code is '012165.'
For more information, go to: www.fafsa.ed.gov/faq001.ht
Contact the Financial Aid Office to check on the status of your application. At least two weeks after applying for financial aid. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL registration to check on your financial aid status.
- U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number.
- Persons who have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
- Officially accepted for admissions at Atlanta Metropolitan College or currently enrolled as a regular student in good standing and seeking a degree.
- If male, has registered with the Selective Service Administration. Register with Selective Service at www.sss.go
- Not in default on federal student loan or does not owe a refund to the Pell Grant program.
- Applicants for any state funds, HOPE Scholarship or LEAP, must meet the Georgia residency requirements as defined by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents.
If you or your family has experienced an income reduction because of unemployment, disability, divorce, or death, your financial aid eligibility may be recalculated using the updated information. In all cases, these circumstances must be fully documented with tax returns, death certificates, court documentation, or letters from appropriate agencies, individuals, or employers. Contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible if you or your family is affected by any special circumstances that might change the amount you are able to contribute toward your education
To ensure that financial aid funds are available to students to pay their fees at registration, the Financial Aid Office must receive the FAFSA information and any other required and requested documents by the following deadlines:
- Fall Semester: May 1st
- Spring Semester: October 15th
- Summer Semester: March 1st
- A student's financial aid file must consist of the following items before aid can be awarded:
- A valid FAFSA received by the semester’s deadline date that does not have to be corrected or correction has been made by the deadline. *A Rejected FAFSA is not valid.
- If required, the appropriate years’ signed federal tax returns and verification worksheet.
- Any other requested documents submitted by the deadline.
- Officially accepted for admissions to the college; all documents and records submitted to the Admissions Office by the financial aid deadline or currently enrolled in good standing and meeting the Satisfactory of Academic Progress Policy at Atlanta Metropolitan State College.
Once a student has submitted all of the required and requested documents their file will be reviewed for accuracy. If the data reported on the FAFSA does not agree with the documents submitted then the FAFSA will be corrected. Once corrections are received by the Financial Aid Office a financial aid award letter will be mailed to the student. Special Note: It is important that you use the appropriate year’s tax return and other financial documents to complete the FAFSA. Errors will cause a delay in the awarding of your financial aid and funds being available at registration.
- Apply for financial aid as early as possible but not before January 1st. It is recommended that you use the appropriate year’s tax return and other financial documents to complete the FAFSA. Doing so will reduce errors and the delay of your financial aid award.
- Make sure you apply for financial aid by the established deadlines.
- Remember that the fall semester always starts a new financial aid year and therefore you will need to reapply for financial aid.
- Keep copies of tax returns and other financial information used to complete the FAFSA.
- Read the FAFSA or Renewal form instructions first to determine what documents you need to complete the form.
- If applying online be sure to either print off the signature page, sign and mail it immediately to the address given or sign the application by using your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- Once your FAFSA is processed you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). When you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) either by email or in the mail, read the comments. Keep the SAR for your records. Atlanta Metropolitan College will receive this same information electronically if you listed the school code on the FAFSA.
- If corrections need to be made to the SAR please make the corrections and bring the SAR to the Financial Aid so that the corrections can be made electronically. Also please make a copy of tax returns and other financial documents and submit them to the Financial Aid Office with the SAR.
- After submitting your FAFSA please check to make sure that the Financial Aid Office received your SAR electronically.
- If you are a new student to Atlanta Metropolitan College check with the Admissions Office to make sure they have received all of the required documents needed from you to be officially accepted to the college.
- Check with the Financial Aid Office frequently regarding the status of your financial aid file or until you receive an award letter.
- Student loan applicants must complete a FAFSA and have a completed Financial aid file before they can apply for a Stafford Loan. The student must also complete a separate loan application.
- 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 is awarded to Pell Grant recipients only and the availability of funds. A FSEOG does not have to be repaid.
- Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for students with financial need. The program allows students to earn money to help pay for their educational expenses. Jobs are available on campus and in the community.To apply for Federal Work-Study a student must have a completed financial aid file and complete a separate application for employment. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.
- 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, which is sent to the student by the lender. .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, which is mailed to the student by the lender.
Students in the following categories are eligible to borrow the following loan amounts:
Freshmen - $3500.00 (has earned 0-29 credit hours)
Sophomore- $4500.00 (earned at least 30 credit hours)
Students receiving an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan will have the interest accumulating but can request to have interest and principal deferred until the student leaves school or ceases to attend on a half-time basis (six credit hours).
Loan Limits for Unsubsidized Stafford Loan:
Freshmen- $4000.00
Sophomore- $4000.00
Stafford Loan recipients, Subsidized and Unsubsidized, who are new students to Atlanta Metropolitan College, are required to complete Entrance Loan Counseling. Students are required to do loan counseling online at: www.mapping-your-future.org
Loan funds are sent to Atlanta Metropolitan College electronically and then disbursed to a students account. Federal Plus Loans are available to parents of dependent students who are enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The parent is the borrower, and:
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Have a valid Social Security number.
Not in default on federal student loan.
Must pass a credit check.
The Financial Aid Office will assist parents in determining the amount of Plus Loan that they can borrow.
HOPE is a higher education scholarship provided by the State of Georgia. 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.
Students can obtain information regarding the eligibility requirements for the HOPE Scholarship Program at www.georgiacollege411.org.
tudents enrolled in Learning Support classes are eligible to receive financial aid until they have attempted 30 Learning Support semester credit hours. If a student is enrolled in Learning Support classes after the 30 hours limit, the student must pay for those classes out of pocket and those Learning Support classes will count in the SAP calculation.
A student who has lost eligibility for financial aid under these Standards of Academic Progress may feel that there were unforeseeable circumstances that prevented them from meeting these requirements. In such cases, the student will adhere to the following appeals process.
Step 1. The student will complete the Financial Aid Appeal Form;
Step 2. The student must document mitigating circumstance that resulted in performing below the published standards.
Step 3. The student will return the Financial Aid Appeal Form back to the Financial Aid Office.
Step 4. The Director of Financial Aid will review the Appeal Form, and will determine whether the appeal is granted. The student will be advised in writing of the decision.
Tuition and fees must be paid before a student can begin to attend classes each semester. Students are not authorized to attend classes if tuition and fees are not paid.
Financial aid applicants should check their financial aid status online at www.atlm.edu. If you have received an official award letter and have returned the signed acceptance page, your financial aid will memo (authorize), no earlier than 10 days prior to the first day of classes, it is not necessary to come to the Financial Aid Office. Please check your account to ensure your financial aid has authorized. If your aid is not on your account as pending credit, you must see the Financial Aid Office.
As part of the Higher Education Amendment Act of 1998, Congress passed regulations that dictate what happens to a student’s federal financial aid when a student completely withdraws from the college during any given semester. The HOPE Scholarship program requires that colleges apply this same refund policy to HOPE Scholarship recipients who completely withdraw.
Even though students are awarded and have federal and/or HOPE funds disbursed to them at the beginning of the semester the student is required to ‘earn’ the financial aid disbursed to them by attending classes up until at least 60% of the semester has passed.
When a student completely withdraws from the college before 60% of the semester has expired the student has failed to ‘earn’ all of the financial aid that they received and therefore, the student may be required to repay a portion of the federal and/or HOPE Scholarships funds back to the appropriate programs.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College must calculate the portion of the federal financial aid and/ or HOPE Scholarship that a student has ‘earned’ and is entitled to is based on the day of the student’s complete withdrawal from the college. The formula that is used for this calculation is a formula prescribed by the federal guidelines that govern the federal financial aid programs. The refund calculation is based on the total number of days in the semester and the total number of days that a student attended classes before the student completely withdraws from the college.
If a student receives more aid than they ‘earned’ then the ‘unearned’ portion of the student’s aid must be returned. A student may owe money back to the U.S. Department of Education and Atlanta Metropolitan College.
Students who enroll at Atlanta Metropolitan College and decide, for any reason, that they no longer want to be enrolled at the college must officially withdraw from classes. Students can obtain the withdrawal form and documentation covering the procedures for withdrawing from the Registrar’s Office.
Failure to properly withdraw from classes may result in the student receiving failing grades in all of their classes as well as negatively impacting the student’s eligibility for financial aid.
Credit balances exist when a student’s financial aid, grants and loans exceed a student’s tuition and fees. The issuance of refund checks to students who have credit balances on their account will be determined by the semester start date and the official drop/add period, and verification of attendance. Scholarships, grants and loans will be officially credited to the student’s account the day after the published verification of attendance ends. Refund checks will be issued to students within fourteen days after financial aid is officially credited to the student's account.  Students who are awarded financial aid after the drop and add period ends will have their funds disbursed to their account immediately and a refund check will be issued within fourteen days.
- An applicant is considered Independent IF at least one of the following applies:
- The applicant is at least 24 yearsÂ
- The applicant will be a graduate or professional student
- The applicant is married
- The applicant has children or dependents (other than a spouse) for whom the applicant provides more than half support
- The applicant is an orphan or ward of the court
- The applicant is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
You report information about the parent you lived with for the greater amount of time during the 12 months preceding the date you file your FAFSA application.
If you didn't live with either parent, or if you lived with each parent an equal amount of time, then use information about the parent who provided the greater amount of financial support during the 12 months prior to the date your file your FAFSA application.
Yes, your stepparent's financial information is required on the FAFSA.
Other than the federal and state awards mentioned there are no other scholarships through our department, however the Financial Aid Office has a list of Scholarship information including websites which students can research and apply for scholarships