General Information
The Financial Aid Office is dedicated to providing Florida Gateway College students with thorough financial assistance options to support student success. Financial Aid is available to assist eligible students in financing their education, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. There are several types of financial aid: Grants, Scholarships, Work-Study, and Loans. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from all categories. Federal and state financial aid is awarded according to each individual’s relative financial need as defined by the U.S. Department of Education formula “Cost of Attendance (COA) minus Student Aid Index (SAI).”
Financial Aid Application Process
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is the first step to obtaining federal student aid. Applications should be completed and submitted annually as early as October 1st in order to be considered for the full range of financial aid available.
Applying for Financial Aid Checklist
Whether you’re a first-time student or a returning Timberwolf, the process of applying for financial aid is essentially the same. Please read through the following instructions and refer to your MyFGC portal account to see which materials may be needed from you or your family.
Step 1: Complete the FAFSA® form.
The FAFSA® can be filed electronically at www.studentaid.gov. The application is available annually on or after October 1st. All students must apply or reapply annually for financial aid. To be considered for the full range of financial aid available, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA® as soon as possible. At Florida Gateway College, we have priority deadlines to complete your financial aid file. Check the academic calendar which is located on the FGC website for more information.
Step 2: Review your Student Aid Report (SAR).
After you have submitted your FAFSA®, if you listed an e-mail address, you will receive an e-mail stating that you can download your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you did not list an e-mail address, a paper SAR will be sent to you from the processor. Your SAR contains the information reported on your FAFSA® and usually includes your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is an index used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. Information provided in the SAR should be reviewed thoroughly. Follow the instructions on the SAR, make any required corrections or changes. Any school(s) that were listed on your FAFSA® when it was submitted will receive your SAR data electronically.
Step 3: Contact the Financial Aid office at Florida Gateway College to make sure that your FAFSA® information was received.
Make sure the Financial Aid office has all the information needed to determine your eligibility. It is important for you to check your MyFGC portal. If you’re eligible and your admission is complete, the Financial Aid Office will notify you of your estimated financial aid package based on your financial aid need through your MyFGC email. There, you will be provided with your status and what type of aid you have been awarded. Initial awards are considered estimates and may be amended due to factors such as contingent admission status, changes in enrollment, not meeting satisfactory academic progress, changes in need as a result of completing the verification process, residency for tuition purposes, incomplete financial aid file, additional resources, etc.
Financial Aid is disbursed onto student’s accounts, approximately 45 days after the first day of classes. All students should inquire at the Financial Aid Office about the terms and conditions of financial assistance. As a result of the Higher Education Act of 1998, the refund/repayment requirements have changed for students receiving Title IV funds. In general, a portion of federal Title IV grants or loan funds must be returned to the Title IV programs upon a Title IV recipient’s total withdrawal from school. Work-study funds are not included.
Verification Policy
The U.S. Department of Education (US DOE) randomly selects 35 percent of the school’s applicants for federal student aid for verification. In addition to the 35 percent selected by the US DOE, Florida Gateway College will select any SAR/ISIR with conflicting information. The institution is required by law to verify the data of those selected.
Standards of Academic Progress (SAP)
FGC’s Financial Aid Office monitors your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to ensure you’re successfully completing courses and therefore eligible to continue receiving financial aid. The SAP Policy standards requires recipients to maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA, maintain a 67% completion rate for all attempted classes, and complete your degree within 150% of the published length of your program. (For example: a 60 credit-hour A.A. degree must be completed within 90 credit hours.) SAP is reviewed after each term. For more detailed information on SAP (warning’s, suspension, Max150, and the appeals process), please see the Satisfactory Academic Progress web page.
Financial Aid Appeals Process
Students may appeal SAP only once. There are two types of appeals, SAP and Max 150. Should a student need to utilize the appeals process, they first will need to complete the proper appeals packets that pertains to their SAP status. Appeal packets must be completed with an advisor, along with all supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office. Appeal packets must be completed with an Academic Advisor and submitted to the Financial Aid Office along with any supporting documentation that is required. The appeals packets can be found under the app link under Financial Aid Suspension or on the Satisfactory Academic Progress web page.
We encourage all students with questions about SAP to contact the Financial Aid Office
Federal Assistance
There are several types of financial assistance available to help students and their families pay for the cost of attending college. It is important to explore the many options available to pay for your college education. Through the Financial Aid Office, you may qualify for grants, scholarships, work study, loans, and more! So that students may fully understand the nature of each award, there is a detailed description below. Additional information is available from the Financial Aid Office.
Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grant is a federally funded, need-based grant that is available to undergraduate students working toward their first bachelor’s degree. Pell provides eligible students with a foundation of financial assistance. Eligibility is based on the amount of credit hours and is determined by a federal formula consistently applied to all applicants. The amount of the grant ranges from $692 to $7,395, not to exceed one-half of the educational cost. A tentative estimate for the Pell Grant is included in each student’s award package. It is based on a student being enrolled full time (12 credits or more). If the enrollment changes to less than full time, the Pell Grant award is prorated accordingly. A student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) determines the amount of the Pell Grant Award. Grants are considered gift-aid and are non-repayable.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG also provides federal money for undergraduate students working toward their first bachelor’s degree. FSEOG is awarded to students who demonstrate extreme financial aid need and may not be available to all students, as funds are limited. It is a grant and non-repayable.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The TEACH grant is for undergraduate students who are or will be taking course work necessary to become an elementary or secondary teacher. The recipient must sign an Agreement to Serve saying he or she will teach full-time in a designated teacher shortage area for four complete years (within eight years of completing academic program) at elementary or secondary school serving children from low-income families. The amount of the grant is up to $4,000 a year; total amount may not exceed $16,000.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
This grant is for students who are not Pell-eligible; whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11; and who, at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death, were less than 24 years old or were enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education. The maximum amount is the same as the Pell maximum. It does not have to be repaid. To apply submit a free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form at www.studentaid.gov and then contact your Financial Aid office.
Federal Work Study
This is a program that offers part-time work experiences to eligible students. This program helps students earn a portion of their educational expenses. Jobs are on campus and arranged around a student’s class schedule. Students are paid semi-monthly and earn the current federal minimum wage. Students average 15 to 20 hours of work per week depending on unmet financial aid need. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information at 386-754-4296.
Direct Loans
Students must be enrolled in at least a minimum of 6 credit hours or 180 clock hours and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be eligible for a loan. All loans must be repaid. All student loan borrowers are required to complete entrance counseling and a signed Master Promissory Note in order to receive a Direct subsidized and/or unsubsidized Stafford Loan as mandated by federal regulations.
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan
This program provides loans to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with financial need. A first-year undergraduate can borrow up to $3,500 per academic year; a second-year undergraduate can borrow up to $4,500 per academic year, if eligible. For current interest rate information, go to www.studentaid.gov.
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
This program provides loans to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. The total amount a student may borrow under any period of study is generally the same amount as for the subsidized loan. For current interest rate information, go to www.studentaid.gov.
Direct PLUS Loan
This program makes long-term loans to parents of dependent students and/or independent students to pay for the portion of their child’s education that is not covered by other financial aid, such as the Federal Stafford Loan. Eligible borrowers may obtain loans up to the cost of education minus other financial aid. Direct PLUS loans are limited to individuals with no adverse credit history. For current interest rate information, go to the Direct Loan website at www.studentaid.gov.
State Assistance
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Program is a need-based grant program available to degree-seeking, Florida resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need and are enrolled at participating post-secondary institutions. Eligible students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per term and should have a completed, error-free FAFSA at the college you plan to attend on or before May 15.
First Generation Matching Grant
The First-Generation Matching Grant (FGMG) program is available to degree-seeking, Florida resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need, and whose parent(s) have not earned a baccalaureate or higher degree. Eligible students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per term.
Florida Statutes State Financial Aid; Students with Disabilities
Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 1009.41(1)(b)1.b. regarding the number of credits earned per semester or other financial aid eligibility requirements related to the number of required credits earned per semester/term, a student with a documented disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, shall be eligible to be considered for state financial aid while attending an eligible post-secondary institution on a part-time basis. The State Board of Education shall establish the necessary criteria for documentation of the student’s disability and the post-secondary institution shall make the determination as to whether or not the disability is such that part-time status is a necessary accommodation. For the purposes of this section, financial aid funds may be prorated based on the number of credit hours taken. Students must self-identify through the Office of Accessibility Services. Accessibility Services will work with financial aid to determine eligibility.
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program consists of Florida Academic Top Scholars, Florida Academic Scholarship, Florida Medallion Scholarship, Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship and Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholarship. These scholarships are funded by the State of Florida. The legislature determines the funding levels each academic year. If you drop and/or withdraw from a class or classes, you are obligated to pay back the entire cost (tuition) of that class or classes. A hold will be placed on your records until the debt is paid in full. For more information, log on to www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund
The Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund is a need-based merit scholarship that provides financial assistance to eligible students of Hispanic origin who will attend Florida public or eligible private institutions. Students seeking scholarship funding will need to complete an error-free Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by April 1 and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to be processed error-free by the U.S. Department of Education on or before May 15.
Rosewood Family Scholarship Fund
The Rosewood Family Scholarship Program was created to provide student financial assistance for a maximum of 50 eligible students who prove they are direct descendants of Rosewood families affected by the historical events of January 1923. Applicants are required to supply the descendant information on the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) for verification by April 1 and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to be processed error-free by the U.S. Department of Education on or before May 15.
Other State Aid
There are other programs which are funded in varying degrees each year. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information and other state scholarship/loans programs. Any new scholarships are listed on the Financial Aid web page of the college. For more information, a student may wish to contact the Bureau of Student Financial Assistance in Tallahassee at 1-800-827-2004.
Institutional Scholarships
Board of Trustees Scholarship (BOT)
- Incoming public high school seniors should apply with their high school.
- Must be from one of our five-county district schools (Baker, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Union)
- High school GPA of 2.5 or greater, and final high school transcripts required for scholarship award must be placed on student’s account.
- No discipline problems.
- Attending FGC full time.
- Complete a FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov.
- 2 letters of recommendation.
- Must maintain 2.5 GPA at FGC to remain eligible.
- Scholarship covers the cost of tuition for 12 credit hours for two years; fall and spring only.
- Receives an FGC mentor.
Other Institutional Scholarships
The College also offers an array of scholarships that can be used for tuition assistance and/or books. Each institutional scholarship has its own particular requirements. Students are urged to contact the Financial Aid Office or visit the Financial Aid web page for more financial aid opportunities and additional information.
Foundation Scholarships
The Foundation for Florida Gateway College is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization that exists solely to provide financial support to Florida Gateway College and the students it serves. Funds are raised to provide student scholarships, purchase equipment and teaching resources, and to grant other, much-needed support. Various scholarships are funded by the Foundation and administered through the financial aid office. The scholarship application opens after July 1st for the upcoming aid year. An updated FAFSA® and an online scholarship application are required. All students are encouraged to apply. For information on applying for scholarships and the online scholarship application, visit the Grants & Scholarships web page.
Gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible and may be designated for a particular program, use, or area of interest consistent with FGC’s mission. For more information on making a tax-deductible gift to support FGC education, call (386) 754-4201 or e-mail Foundation@fgc.edu.
Off-Campus Assistance
Private
Many off-campus organizations and agencies offer educational financial assistance to students. All students are urged to contact any organization that offers assistance so that they may obtain the “best” package of financial aid possible. The College Financial Aid Office posts off-campus scholarship information as it is received.
Public
The College also participates with several state agencies to provide needed educational support for district students. Students may find that they qualify for assistance offered through any number of other public funding sources. Students are encouraged to contact any agency which might provide financial assistance for their education. Students should be aware that most outside assistance received must be counted as a resource in the eligibility of some types of financial aid.
Financial Aid Procedures
The procedure for each type of financial assistance may vary with the scholarship, grant, work, or loan. Students are urged to make early and regular contact with the Financial Aid Office to ensure a smooth application process. The application for federal and state financial assistance may be started as early as October 1 of each year. For more information, go to: www.fgc.edu/how-to-apply-for-financial-aid.
|