Fees & Financial Aid

Fees and Expenses

Gwinnett Tech assesses fees based on policies of the Technical College System of Georgia for all technical colleges in Georgia. Certain student fees are mandatory and required to be paid each semester as flat fees. These fees include technology, instructional, registration, student activity, student accident insurance, campus safety, and facility access fee.  For transient students enrolled in more than one technical college during the same term, only the home technical college shall charge the technology support fee. All other transient students shall pay the technology support fee.

A current schedule of tuition and fees can be found below under the Course Fees section.  A hard copy of tuition and fees may also be obtained at the reception desk in the One Stop Center in building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus and building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus.

Course tuition fees are calculated based upon the number of credit hours, up to a maximum of 15, a student registers for each semester. Some courses and/or programs may be subject to a supply  fee.  These supply fees are listed in the applicable course descriptions.

Payments may be made in person at the Bursar Office locations on both the Lawrenceville and Alpharetta-North Fulton campuses. Payment can be made with cash, check, money order, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express) or online at GTC-Web.org by credit card. All fees are due by the early or late registration payment deadline published in the academic calendar. Credit card payments are not accepted by phone. For all students who register during the late registration period, a non-refundable fee of $45 will be assessed. Failure to fulfill financial obligations will result in denial of registration, transcripts, certification of degrees/diplomas, and other services.

Course Fees

The following is the current fee schedules for students enrolled in classes on campus. Course fees and tuition are subject to change at the end of any semester.

Fee schedule subject to change by Technical College System of Georgia

Gwinnett Technical College
Fee Schedules

Georgia Residents

        Out-of-State Residents

 Foreign Fees (Non-Citizen)

Explanation of Fees

Tuition Fee

All students are required to pay a tuition fee based on their residency status., which is calculated by the number of credit hours of enrollment.  For all programs, Georgia residents pay $89 per credit hour.  Students who are legal residents of the State of Georgia under the regulations of the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) shall pay tuition and fees at the state resident rate.  A legal resident is defined as an individual who has resided in the state of Georgia at least 12 months prior to their application date.

Out- of -State Tuition

Out-of-State tuition fees are calculated at twice the in-state residents’ tuition fees.

Foreign Tuition

Foreign tuition fees are calculated at four times the in-state residents’ tuition fees.

Technology Fee

A technology fee of $105 will be charged to all students each semester regardless of how many hours a student is enrolled.  This fee is used to increase instructional resources and technology.

Instructional Fee

An instructional support fee of $55 will be charged each semester to all students regardless of how many hours a student is enrolled.  This fee is used to fund instructional costs for the class.

Registration Fee

Each student will pay an administrative registration fee of $72.

Student Activity Fee

This fee, which is assessed to every registered student, will be used to support student activities, campus activity days, student organizations, and other student related activities. 

Student Accident Insurance Fee

This fee covers students in case of accidental injury on campus or while participating in an approved student activity as an official representative of the college.  All students must have student accident insurance. 

Campus Safety Fee

A campus safety fee of $25 will be charged to all students.  This fee is used to enhance safety for students and faculty to assist in providing a safe and healthy learning environment.  This fee is also used to enhance the well-being of the students.

Facility Access Fee

Each registered student will be assessed a $75 fee. This fund is used to maintain current and new facilities.

Residence and Residency Status Determine the Tuition Rate

Residency Categories for Purposes of Tuition Rate Determination

Georgia Resident: an individual or the status of such individual who is a United States Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen and is Domiciled in the State of Georgia and meets the in-state tuition requirements of TCSG. To register as a legal resident of the State of Georgia students must provide supporting documentation as required by the Registrar’s Office. Residency requirements for State of Georgia Scholarship and Grant fund recipients may differ from this definition. Please review specific residency requirements for state funds within the State of Georgia Financial Aid Funding section of the catalog.

Eligible Non-Citizen: a person who, in accordance with the Federal Title IV definition, is a United States permanent resident with a Permanent Resident Card (I-551); or a conditional permanent resident (I-551C); or the holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations: Refugee, Asylum Granted, Parolee (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired; or Cuban-Haitian Entrant. Also accepted are “Victims of Human Trafficking” T-Visa holders with T-1, T-2, T-3, T-4 visas.

Non-Citizen Student: a person who is not a United States born or naturalized citizen of the United States, including individuals with an F1 and F2 student visa, a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa, or a G series visa and who do not otherwise meet the definition of an eligible Non-Citizen.

Out-of-State Student: Students who are residents of the United States but do not otherwise qualify as Georgia Residents. A person who has not established domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the term for which the person is intending to enroll.

Eligibility for Out-of-State Tuition Exemptions: Students in the following classifications are eligible for out-of-state exemption. These exemptions do not affect the student’s eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship or Grant, except for exemptions for military personnel and their dependents as provided for in the GSFC regulations.

• Employees and their children who move to Georgia for employment with a new or expanding industry as defined in OCGA 20-4-40.
• Full-time employees of the Technical College System of Georgia, their spouses, and dependent children.
• Full-time teachers in a public school, a military base, or a public post-secondary college, their spouses, and dependent children.
• United States military personnel stationed in Georgia and on active duty and their dependents living in Georgia.
• United States military personnel, spouses, and dependent children reassigned outside Georgia, who remain continuously enrolled and on active military status.
• United States military personnel and their dependents that are domiciled in Georgia, but are stationed outside the State.
• Members of a uniformed military service of the United States who, within thirty-six (36) months of separation from such service, enroll in an academic program and demonstrate an intent to become domiciled in Georgia. This exemption may also be granted to their spouses and dependent children or individuals eligible for GI Bill benefits.
• Career consular officers and their dependents that are citizens of the foreign nation which their consular office represents, and who are living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments. This exemption shall apply only to those consular officers whose nations operate on the principle of educational reciprocity with the United States.
• Residents of the State of Alabama who attend an Alabama public community, junior, or technical college who apply and if accepted by a Georgia public post secondary vocational institution will pay tuition and fees at the same rate as charged to Georgia resident students (for at least 12 consecutive months prior to date of registration) These students are eligible for in-state tuition rates by virtue of a reciprocity agreement with the State of Alabama.

Students who enter Gwinnett Tech as non-residents and subsequently qualify as legal residents must submit verification of Georgia residency to the Registrar’s Office. The student’s residence status is not changed automatically. A request must be made for the change at the proper time, and the student must provide proof of change of residence status. Changes made during a semester will be effective for the following semester. Requests for change of classification will not be considered more than twice in one year.

Senior Citizen Waiver Students

Residents of Georgia who are 62 years of age or older are accepted to the college and eligible to enroll in Gwinnett Tech credit courses only on a space available basis during late registration. (This excludes courses which involve external agencies or individual instruction and Continuing Education or noncredit courses.) Senior citizen waivers must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office during the late registration period. These students will receive a registration time ticket for late registration only. Students who have been approved for a senior citizen waiver will not be considered for other types of financial aid. Senior citizen students must pay all course related fees, application fees, lab fees, and/or supply fees assessed. Tuition is waived when the waiver is submitted to the Registrar’s Office. A senior citizen waiver student may elect to audit courses, but must complete an audit form at the time of registration. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office.

Fees Paid by Outside Agencies

If student fees are to be paid by an agency outside the school, students are responsible for ensuring that the school has received proper written assurances from the outside agency before registration each term. Students may be dropped from classes for non-payment of tuition and fees if agency’s promise to pay has not been received by the payment deadline date as published in the class schedule. Any invoice submitted to an agency will be payable upon receipt. If a sponsoring agency does not pay the required fees, the student will be responsible for all obligated fees.

Other Expenses

Other services offered by the college carry the following non-refundable fee.

Some courses require additional costs outside of the fees assessed at the time of registration.  Students should consult with their academic advisors concerning these additional costs such as  books, supplies, uniforms or tools that may be required to purchase prior to school beginning and/or financial aid availability.

Refund/Return Check Policies

Credit Classes Refund Policy. It is the policy of Gwinnett Tech to refund for credit classes as follows:

• If a student drops a class during the drop/add period on or before the third day of the term for a full semester class, or on or before the second day of the term for a term C class, the student will receive a 100 percent refund for course tuition and fees.
• If a student withdraws from a class after the drop/add period, no refunds will be given and a grade of W or WF will be recorded on the student’s transcript.
• If a student drops for documented active military reserve or National Guard duty, the student will receive a 100 percent refund for course tuition and fees.
• Each change in enrollment will be considered as a separate transaction. Therefore, charges for credit classes which a student may elect to add after the beginning of the semester will be assessed in full.
• In addition to the portion of a student’s charges that are non-refundable as listed above, the application fee, late registration fee, and any other special fees are non-refundable. Stop payment of a check does not constitute formal withdrawal. A fee will be charged for returned checks or stop payments.

Exceptions to this policy will be made automatically for the following situations:

• Classes canceled by Gwinnett Tech: 100 percent refund or credit will be given.
• Changes in schedule required to meet academic eligibility based on assessment results: 100 percent refund or credit will be given.

Note: Financial aid may be adjusted if/when a refund for course credit is provided after the drop/add period.

Any other exception to this policy must be justified in writing and approved by the Vice President Of Administrative Services. In no case will the total applicable tuition charges for credit students exceed the maximum allowable charges.

Continuing Education Refund Policy

Gwinnett Tech makes every effort to assure a quality learning experience. If Gwinnett Tech cancels a Continuing Education class, registered participants will automatically receive a 100 percent refund. If a participant elects to withdraw from a course, a refund will be given minus a $15 processing fee provided the withdrawal from a course is received by Continuing Education at least two business days prior to the class start date. Students, who withdraw after the two business day deadline, but before the second class session, will receive a 50 percent refund. No refunds are given after the second class session and no refunds are given after the two business day deadline for one- or two-session seminars. Participants who cannot attend are encouraged to send a substitute or transfer their enrollment to another course in lieu of withdrawal to avoid paying a processing fee. Registered participants who fail to attend or send a substitute are liable for the full registration fee. Stop payment of a check does not constitute formal withdrawal. A $30 fee will be charged for returned checks or stop payments.  Note:  Refunds for cash/check payments can take up to 5 weeks to process.

Unpaid Obligations

Students are responsible for satisfying any unpaid obligations to the college. These unpaid obligations include, but are not limited to, unpaid tuition and fees, returned checks, financial aid reversals, fines and course supply fees. Any obligations that are not satisfied in full may be referred to an outside collection agency and to appropriate credit bureaus. Resulting collection costs will be added to the original debt and the student must pay these costs, as well as attorney’s fees, if applicable. Furthermore, all unpaid obligations will result in a hold on student records, diploma, transcripts and future registration activity.

Return Check Policy

It is the policy of Gwinnett Tech to assess a $30 penalty on all returned checks. Penalties must be paid by cash, cashier’s check, credit card or money order only. Application for admission, registration, or issuance of grades will be put on hold until payment is made. The school reserves the right to request cash only payments from students with repeated returned checks. The school also reserves the right to refer unpaid obligations to collection services.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office follows the Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States policy. For further information, please visit the General Admissions Procedures section of the catalog. Gwinnett Technical College’s Financial Aid Office offers various types of aid to assist students with their educational costs. The office is committed to helping students finance their education in a timely manner.

Financial Aid Programs

Gwinnett Technical College complies with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the 1998 Higher Education Amendments. Gwinnett Tech is authorized to participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs by the U.S. Department of Education, as evidenced by the Program Participation Agreement which is valid through June 30, 2019.

The following Federal, State, and Institutional financing is offered to students who are eligible:

Federal Funds

• Pell Grant
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Work-Study (FWS)
• Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans

State Funds

• Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE)
  • Grant (certificate/diploma programs only) 
  • Scholarship (associate degree programs only)
  • General Educational Development (GED) Grant
  • Career Grant (formerly Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant)
• Zell Miller
  • Grant (certificate/diploma programs only) 
  • Scholarship (associate degree programs only)
• Dual Enrollment (MOWR)
• Student Access Loan-Technical (SALT)
• Public Safety Memorial Grant
• Helping Educate Reservist and their Offspring (HERO) Scholarship

• Institutional and Private Scholarships
• Veteran’s Educational Benefits
   

Steps to Completing Your Financial Aid File

• Submit the FAFSA
  • ​​​Complete the 2017-2018 FAFSA for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. At FAFSA.gov, use the Gwinnett Technical College School code, 016139.
• Check Your Email
  • Check the email address used on the FAFSA 3-5 business days after submitting an application. Notification will be sent that lists additional requirements, and how to obtain them on the Student Banner Account.
• Submit the Requested Documents
  • Students must be accepted into a Financial Aid eligible program of study before a reviewing a file and awarding funds. The Financial Aid process can be lengthy; it can take 3-5 weeks to review eligibility. Students should submit the requested documents as soon as possible.
• Check Your Student Banner Account
  • Updates to Financial Aid file can happen at any time. Students should review their Student Banner Account periodically for updates and award offers.
• Accept Your Awards
  • Once a student is accepted into a Financial Aid eligible program and documents have been reviewed, an award letter Will be sent via email to the student’s GwinnettTech.edu account.
• Review Financial Aid Authorizations
  • The Financial Aid Office will authorize aid based on enrollment status. Funds are disbursed to the Account Summary by Term in Banner after the semester begins. If the “Authorized Aid” balance is greater than the “Account Balance,” or tuition and fees owed to the college, then no further action is required.

FAFSA

Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to be considered for Federal or State aid. Always include the Gwinnett Tech school code (016139) on the FAFSA. Visit FAFSA.gov to submit the 2017-2018 application.

Applications and additional documents should be submitted to Gwinnett Tech by the Priority File Completion date. This gives the Financial Aid Office enough time to process and award funds within 3-5 weeks before the Course Fee Payment Deadline.

The Priority Completion Deadlines are as follows:

• Fall Semester 2017- May 15
• Fall Term C- August 31
• Spring Semester 2018- November 2
• Spring Term C- January 25
• Summer Semester 2018- March 29

Students will receive correspondence via their personal email address prior to enrolling, then their Gwinnett Tech email thereafter.

Students who do not meet the priority deadline date for the specific semester must pay for their Course Fees or use a payment arrangement through Nelnet to secure their classes. Please note, Nelnet is not available for Term C. The Financial Aid Office will continue to process your file, and awards can act as a full or partial reimbursement.

Students must be accepted into a Financial Aid eligible program of study to receive assistance. Financial Aid cannot be used prior to the semester of acceptance. Students can only use Financial Aid for required courses within their program of study. The only exceptions to this are the GED Voucher and Dual Enrollment (MOWR) funding.

Students receiving Title IV funds while concurrently enrolled at Gwinnett Tech and another school are required to notify the Financial Aid Office. It is strongly encouraged that students select one school to receive financial aid funding, however, a determination of concurrent aid eligibility will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss this policy in detail. 

Federal Student Aid Requirements

To receive Federal Student Aid, students will need to meet the following criteria:

• Qualify to obtain a college or career school education, either by having a high school diploma or GED certificate, or by completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law.
• Be accepted for enrollment for a Financial Aid eligible certificate, diploma, or degree program. Learning Support and General Studies programs are not eligible for Financial Aid.
• Be registered with Selective Service. If you are a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25).
• Have a valid Social Security number unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.
• Certify statements on the FAFSA that affirm:
  • The student is not in default on a federal student loan and have not been overpaid a federal grant.
  • The student will use Federal Student Aid only for educational purposes.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) guidelines.
• Be a United States Citizen or U.S National. Students are U.S. citizens if:
  • born in the United States or certain U.S territories;
  • born abroad to parents who are U.S. citizens; or
  • have obtained citizenship status through naturalization.
• If a student was born in American Samoa or Wains Island, they are considered a U.S. national.
• Have a Green Card.
  • This includes Form I-551, I-151, or I-551C, also known as a green card, showing you are a U.S. permanent resident.
• Have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) that shows one of the following statuses:
  • Refugee
  • Asylum Granted
  • Cuban-Haitian Entrant (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)
  • Parolee
• Have Battered Immigrant Status:
  • Must be a victim of abuse by citizen or permanent resident spouse, or the child of a person designated as such under the Violence Against Women Act.
• Have a T-Visa.
  • Student is eligible if he/she has a T-visa or a parent with a T-1 visa.
     

Repeat Coursework

Federal regulations state that a student can receive Financial Aid for no more than two attempts for the same course. This policy is applied at Gwinnett Technical College, even if Financial Aid funding was not used to pay for the specific course. Transfer credit is also counted as an attempted course.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Department of Education requires schools to establish a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Although Financial Aid is awarded annually to those who qualify, there are steps that must be taken to maintain and continue receiving the award.

The Financial Aid Office calculates the SAP eligibility at the end of each semester, after official grades have posted.

Financial Aid recipients are required to maintain the minimum requirements outlined within the policy. These are in addition to Gwinnett Tech’s academic or program requirements. SAP Standards are as follows:

• Completion Ratio
  • Students must have at least a 2/3 (67%) or higher completion ratio. The ratio is calculated with the following formula: # of passed hours/ # of attempted hours.
• GPA
  •  Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
• Time Frame
  • ​ Students must complete their current program within 150% of the credit hour program length. Review the total amount of credit hours for the program and multiply the number by 1.5.

Students who fail to maintain the SAP standards related to Completion Rate and/or Cumulative GPA will remain eligible for ONE semester under the “Financial Aid Warning” status.  After the “Financial Aid Warning” semester, if a student still fails to meet the requirements, they will be placed in a “Financial Aid Suspension” status. Students who are placed in the “Financial Aid Suspension” status are not eligible for Financial Aid. 

However, students may appeal their Financial Aid Suspension status. If a student believes they have had an extenuating circumstance that may have contributed to Suspension, an appeal can be submitted.

The following documents are required for review:

• SAP Appeal Cover Sheet
• A detailed statement that explains the extenuating circumstance(s) that have prevented the student from being successful to-date.
• Supporting documentation related to extenuating circumstance(s).

Extenuating circumstances include (but are not limited to):

• Medical emergency leading to the hospitalization of the student or a member of the student’s immediate family (mother, father, spouse, children, and siblings);
• Death of a member of the student’s immediate family (mother, father, spouse, children, and siblings);
• Unexpected military service;
• Verifiable error on the part of the college.

Acceptable documentation may include (but is not limited to):

• Physician or hospital statement verifying dates of illness and a release that the student may return to school activities;
• Obituary or funeral program that lists student’s name;
• A letter from the Commanding Officer or a copy of the official activation orders; or
• Documentation of error on the part of the college.

Students must provide sufficient documentation in one packet to the Financial Aid Office. Students are eligible to submit one SAP appeal per academic year.

If an appeal is approved, the student will be placed on an “Academic Plan or APLAN” status. The Academic Plan is between the Financial Aid Office and the student. The student is required to meet the conditions of the Academic Plan for the duration of the program, or until meeting the minimum SAP standards.

Failure to meet the requirements will result in termination of the Academic Plan; the student will be placed back in a “Suspension” status and will be ineligible for Financial Aid. Students returning from Academic Dismissal will not automatically regain Financial Aid eligibility.

In addition to the quantitative and qualitative guidelines, students are also required to complete their programs of study in a timely fashion. Students who do not complete their program of study by the time they have attempted credits in excess of 150% (including all transfer hours) of the total hours required for their program will be placed on “Max Hours Reached” status. This status is given once it becomes mathematically impossible to complete the program within 150 percent of the published program length. Students who have 180 attempted credit hours or more are ineligible to appeal or receive federal financial aid.

Students may also submit an appeal for the “Maximum Hours Reached” status. The following documentation is required for a “Max Hours Reached” Appeal:

• SAP Appeal Cover Sheet
• A detailed statement that explains the extenuating circumstance(s) that have prevented you from being successful to-date.
• Supporting documentation related to extenuating circumstance(s).
• An Academic or Education Plan (completed with an Enrollment Advisor or Program Director)

There is no appeal process for students that only receive State Funding. State Funding limits are regulated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission and must be enforced by Gwinnett Technical College.

Students changing their programs of study may be in jeopardy of losing eligibility for Financial Aid. Students are encouraged to consult with an Enrollment Advisor at either campus if they intend to receive Financial Aid for the new program.

Federal Funds or Title IV

Gwinnett Technical College offers various forms of financial aid to students; Federal Loans, Grants, and Work Study are just a few. Students should review Title IV borrowing history and grant usage at NSLDS.ed.gov. For additional information about Federal Aid programs, visit StudentAid.gov.

Pell Grant

The Pell Grant Program provides need based grants to students to cover the costs of their collegiate education. The Pell Grant is available to students who demonstrate financial need and are eligible according to federal guidelines as outlined by the Department of Education (ED). A student cannot receive the Pell Grant at more than one institution at a time. The grant does not have to be repaid.

The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2017-2018 academic year is $5920. Students must meet all Federal Student Aid requirements to receive the grant. Pell Grant eligibility is based on the following:

• Financial need,
• Cost of attendance,
• Status as a full-time or half-time student (see chart below), and
• Plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. 

Each Pell award is different. For specific information regarding Pell Grants, visit the One Stop at either campus.

Requirements for the Pell Grant include:

• Students must meet all Federal Student Aid requirements.
• Students must be an undergraduate student (you cannot have a baccalaureate degree).
• Students must be accepted into a Financial Aid eligible program.

The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student can receive is limited by the Department of Education. Students have up to 6 years (or 12 full-time semesters) to receive the Pell Grant. This includes all semesters Pell was received at prior institutions. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov and search for “Pell Grant” in the top right corner. 

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The SEOG may be awarded in the amount of $250 to $1500 per academic year to students with exceptional financial need, subject to availability of federal funds. The SEOG funds are extremely limited, students are strongly encouraged to complete and submit their FAFSA early each year. This award does not have to be repaid.

Requirements for the SEOG include:

• Students must meet all Federal Student Aid requirements.
• Students must be an undergraduate student (you cannot have a baccalaureate degree).
• Students must be accepted into a Financial Aid eligible program.
• Students must have a half-time enrollment status (6 credit hours or more).

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Federal Work Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs with flexible hours revolving around a student’s class schedule. Students are limited to working 20 hours per week - leaving ample time for studies.

Students may receive a maximum of $4,500 per academic year if they demonstrate financial need. FWS Awards are paid as monthly paychecks, and this award does not have to be repaid.

The funds for FWS are very limited, so complete an application early at FAFSA.gov. When asked, be sure to indicate interest in Federal Work Study.

Federal Work Study requirements include:

• Students must meet all Federal Student Aid requirements.
• Students must be an undergraduate student (you cannot have a baccalaureate degree).
• Students must be accepted into a Financial Aid eligible program.
• Students must apply. A background check will be performed as part of the hiring process through the Gwinnett Tech Human Resources Office.

To apply for a Federal Work Study position, visit GwinnettTech.edu and click on the “GTC Careers” link at the top of the web page. Submit an application for any Federal Work Study position; the campus location will be specified.

FWD applications will be forwarded to the specific hiring department for review. Departments will then interview and select the applicant they wish to hire. Once a background check has been cleared, the applicant will be notified. They will then complete the required employment paperwork.

Students must also maintain their Federal Work Study Eligibility. Students are only permitted to work during scheduled office hours. Students will not be permitted to continue working once their FWD funding has been exhausted for the academic year. Eligibility is monitored every semester and termination may result if at any time a student does not meet the requirements of the program. The Financial Aid Office abides by the regulations in the Student Employee Handbook.

Subsidized Loans

The Federal Subsidized Loan program offers low interest loans to students who demonstrate financial need. Students are required to repay Federal Student Loans.

Federal Subsidized Loans have slightly better terms; the government pays the interest if:

• Students are in school and have at least a half- time enrollment status (6 credit hours or more)
• Students are in your “grace period,” the 6-month period after you graduate or cease attendance
• Students are in a deferment period, or postponing the loan payments

There is of $3,500 maximum per year for students that have earned less than 30 credit hours and a limit of $4,500 for students with 31 earned credits or more.

The loan must be accepted in the Student Banner Account or GTC-Web.org. After acceptance, students must complete the Loan Entrance Counseling and sign the Master Promissory Note at Student Loans.gov before the funds can be applied. Exit counseling is also required when a student graduates, ceases attendance, or does not have a half-time status (6 credit hours or more).

Effective July 1, 2013: First-time borrowers on or after July 1, 2013, have a limit on the maximum period of time (measured in academic years) that they can receive Subsidized loans. Students are eligible the Subsidized loan for up to 150% of their program length. This time frame includes any prior course work at Gwinnett Tech and other institutions. 

For example:

• Students who are enrolled in an eligible certificate or diploma program that is one year in length, are eligible to receive the Subsidized loan for a maximum period of 1.5 years, including any prior coursework.
• Students who are enrolled in an associate’s degree program that is 1.5 years in length, are eligible to receive the Subsidized loan for a maximum period of 3 years, including any prior coursework.

Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized Loans have the same requirements as the Subsidized Loan. However, the Unsubsidized Loan accrues interest over the entire life of the loan. Students do not have to demonstrate financial need to receive this loan. You are required to repay all loans.

Students receive the same deferred payment benefit while maintaining at least half-time enrollment (6 credit hours). Interest is added 14 days after the disbursement and is added to the principal balance while the student is in school. Students may choose to pay the interest each quarter or monthly.

Students may be eligible for up $2,000 per academic year if they are dependent, and up to $6,000 if independent. The loan amount may increase if you are not eligible for a Subsidized loan (see chart below).

Entrance  Counseling and the Master Promissory Note must be completed at StudentLoans.gov before the funds will be applied to the account. Graduating students, less-than-half-time students, or student who cease enrollment must also complete the Exit Counseling session at StudentLoans.gov.

State Funds

Gwinnett Tech students may be eligible for State Aid from the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). Students must have an In-State residency status to be considered for this funding. Visit  GAFutures.org for additional information.  
The Financial Aid Office requires the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as the first step in applying State funds. Visit FAFSA.gov  and use our school code (016139) to apply.

Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Grant

The HOPE Grant is a merit-based award for Georgia residents who have been accepted into a Financial Aid eligible certificate or diploma program. The HOPE grant is not subject to the seven-year graduation requirement and it does not have to be repaid. HOPE Grants are awarded based on enrollment status; students will receive $67 per credit hour, but it does not cover books or fees.  Note: this amount is subject to change.

HOPE Grant requirements include:

• You must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
• GPAs will be checked at 30 and 60 semester hours. If lost, the HOPE Grant can be regained one time at a GPA checkpoint. However, if a student lost the HOPE Grant between 2011 and 2013 because  their GPA fell below 3.0, they may be able to regain the grant as long as the GPA remained 2.0 or above. 
•  HOPE Grant benefits are capped at 63 credit hours.
• The HOPE Grant can be used for developmental and learning support classes, if students are accepted into a Financial Aid eligible program of study. Learning support hours do count towards 63 credit hours cap.
• Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to receive the grant.
• Students must meet the Georgia residency requirements for 12 consecutive months before the first day of the semester for which the HOPE Grant is sought.
• Students who were not Georgia residents when they graduated from high school, must meet state residency requirements for 24 months before receiving the HOPE Grant. (Active military, their spouses and their dependents are Georgia residents for HOPE program purposes if stationed in Georgia or list Georgia as their residence of record).

Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship

The HOPE Scholarship is a merit based award for Georgia residents who have been accepted into an Associate’s degree program. The scholarship provides tuition assistance and does not have to be repaid. HOPE Scholarships are calculated based on your enrollment status; you will be awarded $67 per credit hour, but it does not cover books or fees. Note: this amount is subject to change.

HOPE Scholarship requirements include:

• Students must have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) upon graduation from an eligible Georgia high school.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and submit the Institutional HOPE/Zell Scholarship survey on GTC-Web.org each year.
• Students  must receive a high school diploma through petition of the local school board, in accordance with O.C.G.A. §20-2-281.1, from a HOPE eligible high school with a minimum 3.0 grade point average; or
• Graduate from an ineligible high school, complete a home study program in Georgia, or earn a GED and score in the national composite 75th percentile or higher on the SAT or ACT prior to completing 30 credit hours; or
• Graduate from an ineligible high school or complete a home study program in Georgia and then earn a minimum 3.0 GPA after attempting 30 credit hours to receive a retroactive HOPE Scholarship payment.
• Students  must earn a 3.0 GPA after attempting 30, 60, or 90 credit hours regardless of high school graduation status.
• GPAs will be checked at 30, 60 and 90 semester hours and at the end of each Spring semester.
• If the scholarship is lost, it can be regained one time at a subsequent GPA checkpoint. Any previous gains or losses prior to Fall Term 2011 will not apply.
• HOPE Scholarship benefits are capped at 127 credit hours.
• Students who have a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the HOPE Scholarship.
• Students must use the HOPE scholarship within seven years of your high school graduation. First time HOPE Scholarship recipients in Summer 2011 or later are also bound by this seven-year rule.
• A student that serves on active duty in the military during the seven-year period after graduation, home school completion, or passing of the GED test will have that active duty period added to the seven-year limit.
• Students who received the Scholarship prior to Summer 2011 will remain eligible regardless of graduation date, if they are meeting eligibility requirements.
• Home schooled students may be eligible to receive a retroactive HOPE Scholarship disbursement, if they earned a 3.0 GPA at the end of the semester in which they attempted 30 semester hours.

HOPE General Educational Development (GED) Grant

The HOPE General Educational Development (GED) Grant is offered to In-State students who earn a GED diploma after June 30, 1993. The grant offers a one-time award of $500 that can be used towards their educational costs at Gwinnett Tech. Full-time enrollment is not required, but students must use their HOPE GED Grant voucher within 24 months of receipt.

Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Career Grant

Georgia has partnered with state agencies, private organizations, and businesses to find solutions that ensure a workforce pipeline for companies. 
The HOPE Career Grant (formerly Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant) directly addresses specific workforce needs.
HOPE Career Grant is available to In-State students who are enrolled in a certificate or diploma program. You must be eligible for, and receiving, the HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant to be awarded the fund. It provides assistance with educational costs that are not covered by the HOPE or Zell Miller Grants.

The HOPE Career Grant is also awarded based on your enrollment status each semester. See chart below:

To receive the HOPE Career Grant, you must be accepted into one of the following programs:

Child Development Specialist (CD61) 

Computed Tomography Specialist (CT91)

Computer Programming (CP24)

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECC2)

Early Childhood Care and Education Basics (EC31)

Early Childhood Program Administration (ECP1)

Flux Cored Arc Welder (FC61)

Game Developer (CSZ1)

Game Development (CSD4)

Gas Metal Arc Welder (GM31)

Gas Tungsten Arc Welder (GTA1)

Heavy Diesel Service Technician (HD31)

HIT Certificate Program (FNT1)

Information Security Specialist (IS12)

Information Security Specialist (IS81)

Java Programmer (JP11)

Linux/Unix System Administrator (LA31)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Specialist (MRI1)

Medical Front Office Assistant (MF21)

Networking Specialist (NS14)

PC Repair and Network Technician (PR21)

Website Design (IS64)

Website Developer (ISE1)

Welding and Joining Technology (WAJ2)

Zell Miller Grant

The Zell Miller Grant is a merit-based award for Georgia residents who have been accepted into a certificate or diploma program. It is for students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. The grant is not subject to the seven-year graduation requirement and it does not have to be repaid. Zell Miller Grants are awarded based on your enrollment status; you will receive $89 per credit hour (100% of tuition), but it does not cover books or fees. Note: this amount is subject to change.

The Zell Miller Grant requirements include:

• Students must have a GPA of 3.5 or better after the completion of one semester; you must maintain the GPA at the end of each subsequent semester.
• Students can be retroactively awarded the balance of the Zell Miller Grant for the previous semester after verification that you have achieved the minimum 3.5 GPA. The payment can be awarded retroactively only one time.
• Students who lose the Zell Miller Grant will still qualify for the HOPE Grant, as long as they maintain a 2.0 GPA at the required checkpoints.
• Dual and joint enrollment students are not eligible for the Zell Miller Grant until after they graduate from high school and complete their first full qualifying college semester.
• Students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible to receive the Zell Miller Grant.
• Zell Miller Grant benefits are capped at 63 semester hours.
• Students must meet the Georgia residency requirements for 12 consecutive months before the first day of the semester for which the Zell Miller Grant is sought. Students who were not Georgia residents when they graduated from high school must meet state residency requirements for 24 months before receiving the HOPE Grant. (Active military, their spouses and their dependents are Georgia residents for HOPE program purposes if stationed in Georgia or list Georgia as their residence of record).

Zell Miller Scholarship

The Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit based award for Georgia residents who have been accepted into an Associate’s degree program. It is for students who have demonstrated academic achievement. The Zell Miller Scholarship provides tuition coverage and does not have to be repaid. Zell Miller Scholarships are awarded based on your enrollment status; you will receive $89 per credit hour (100% of the tuition), but it does not cover books or fees. Note: this amount is subject to change.

Zell Miller Scholarship requirements include:

• Students must have a 3.7 GPA upon graduation from an eligible high school.
• Students must maintain a 3.3 GPA and submit the Institutional HOPE/Zell Scholarship survey on GTC-Web.org each year.
• Students must, in addition to the 3.7 GPA, have a combined 1200 (from a single test) on the critical reading and math sections of the SAT or at least a 26 Composite ACT score.
• Students who drop below a 3.3 GPA can earn the HOPE Scholarship, if their GPA remains at 3.0 or above.
• One valedictorian and salutatorian from each high school will be eligible to receive the Zell Miller Scholarship without consideration of the GPA or ACT/SAT requirements.
• Combined Zell Miller Scholarship and HOPE Scholarship benefits are capped at 127 semester hours.
• Students who have Bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the scholarship.
• Zell Miller Scholarship recipients must meet all of the HOPE Scholarship requirements to continue eligibility.
• Students who entered an eligible post-secondary institution prior to 2007, will not be eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship.
• Home schooled students may be eligible to receive a retroactive Zell Miller Scholarship if they earned a 3.3 GPA at the end of the semester in which they attempted 30 credit hours.

Student Access Loan-Technical

The Student Access Loan-Technical (SALT) is a low interest loan that is administered through the Georgia Student Finance Commission. It is available to Georgia residents; the SALT has to be repaid with interest. The Student Access Loan-Technical is designed to assist students who have a gap in meeting their educational costs. You must have a half time enrollment status (6 credit hours or more).

SALT requirements include:

Students must have first applied for, and exhausted all other financial aid options. This includes federal and state loans, scholarships, grants, and Veteran’s Educational benefits.

• The minimum loan amount is $300 per year
• The maximum loan amount is $3000 per year and up to a maximum of $12,000 over your collegiate career.
• Loans must be repaid with a 1% fixed interest rate. The interest rate accrues, or is added, whether you are in or out of school, or if you have graduated from your program of study.
• A monthly Keep in Touch (KIT) payment of $10 is required approximately 60 days after the first disbursement is posted to your Student Banner Account.
• Students can have their loans discharged if they graduate with a 3.5 cumulative GPA in the program of study for which the loan was received.

Approved/certified loans will not be adjusted after the first disbursement.

Public Safety Memorial Grant

The Public Safety Memorial Grant provides aid to the dependent children of Georgia Public Safety Officers who were permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty. Funds may be used towards the cost of attendance. This grant does not need to be repaid.

Requirements include:

• Students must be a legal resident of Georgia for 12 months prior to receiving the grant.
• Students must be enrolled in a Financial Aid eligible program of study.
• Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Students also must have a full time enrollment status (12 credit hours or more) each semester.

Helping Educate Reservist and their Offspring (HERO) Scholarship

Georgia’s HERO Scholarship program provides educational scholarship assistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists who served in combat zones, and the children and the spouses of such members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reserves. For more information on the HERO Scholarship, visit GAFutures.org and search for “HERO Scholarship” in the top right corner.

Institutional and Private Scholarships

Institutional scholarships are awarded to students who meet the specific requirements of each the program. They do not need to be repaid and eligibility may or may not be dependent on financial need. 

The scholarship funds can be used for any educational expenses you incur for your program at Gwinnett Tech, including tuition, books, or program supplies.

If a student receives funds through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and is awarded a scholarship, additional funding may reduce the amount of WIOA funds available to the student.  Visit GwinnettTech.AcademicWorks.com to apply today.

Veteran’s Educational Benefits

Gwinnett Technical College is in compliance with The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Student (HEROES) Act of 2003. The HEROES act is intended to ensure that service members who are receiving Federal Student Aid are not adversely affected because of their military status and to minimize the administrative burden placed on such individuals. These individuals must self-identify to Gwinnett Tech.

Credit programs are approved for VA benefits. However, Continuing Education courses are not approved. Interested students should contact the VA Regional Office in Atlanta at 1-888-442-4551 for specific information concerning eligibility and benefits.

Additional resources are available for qualifying veterans through the Gwinnett Technical College Foundation. For more information, contact the Veteran’s Affairs Coordinator at 678.226.6841 (Lawrenceville Campus) or 470.282.5453 (Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus). The VA Benefits procedures are as follows:

• Complete the Application for Benefits (Veterans -22-1990) (Dependents/Spouses-22-5490)  by logging onto Benefits.VA.gov.
• All GI Bill beneficiaries are required to attend a mandatory Information Session, then schedule an appointment with the Office of Veteran’s Affairs by calling 678-226-6841 or 470.282.5453.
•  Chapter 30, 35, and 1606 beneficiaries must register for classes, submit certification request form, and pay tuition.
• Chapter 33 and 31 beneficiaries must register for classes and submit certification request form.
• The Gwinnett Tech VA Certifying Official will forward the appropriate Enrollment Certification form (22-1999) to the Veteran’s Affairs Office.
• Then, the VA regional office will process the enrollment certification form (22-1999)

Chapter 30, 35, and 1606 beneficiaries are required to confirm class attendance monthly via WAVE. Benefits are paid directly to students by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. There is no advance payment.

Students are required to submit schedules each term for verification. Complete the Certification Request Form each semester; this can be obtained through the Office of Veterans Affairs.

If you would like to change your program of study, you must visit the Office of Veteran’s at either campus. Failure to follow this process may delay enrollment verification.

Books and Supplies

Students who have excess Financial Aid funds after their educational costs are covered, can use a portion of the aid in the bookstore. Up to $600 in Pell and up to $600 in loan funds can be used in the Bookstore.
Authorizations begin approximately one week before the semester begins, and ends one week after classes start. Bookstore Authorizations are not available for Term C; if a student has registered for a Term C course, they should purchase books and supplies during the two-week authorization period.

Students are not required to purchase books and supplies using this method. Funds not used at the Bookstore will be refunded to the student using the BankMobile Disbursement program.

For more information on Refunds and the BankMobile Disbursement program, please contact the Business Office at 678.226.6700 or GTC-BusinessOffice@GwinnettTech.edu.

Financial Aid Fraud

Gwinnett Technical College abides by federal regulation 34 CFR 668.16(g) “A school is required to refer to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Education for Investigation of any information indicating that an applicant for the Title IV Federal Student Aid may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with his or her application.”

Examples of falsified items include, but are not limited to:

• False claims of independent student status
• False claims of citizenship
• Falsification of identities and the use thereof
• Forgery of signatures or certifications
• False statements of income

If false intent is suspected of a student, parent, or third-party servicer, the case will be forwarded to the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) legal counsel immediately. TCSG will conduct an initial investigation, followed by a formal report that is sent to the Department’s Office of Inspector General.

Withdrawal Policy or Return to Title IV

Federal Student Aid, or Title IV, is offered based on the assumption that students will remain enrolled in their courses for the entire semester. When a student ceases attendance, withdraws completely, or does not pass at least one of their courses within a semester, the Financial Aid Office is required to calculate a return of the funds.

This calculation is performed using a specific formula required by the Department of Education. Students who complete more than 60% of the semester, will have earned the Federal Student Aid percentage that is equal to the period completed. The percentage completed is calculated using the following method:

• Determine the percentage of the enrollment period completed
  • Days attended / Days in Enrollment Period = Percentage Completed
  • If the percentage exceeds 60%, all Title IV aid has been earned for the enrollment period.
• Days in the enrollment period include all calendar days but exclude breaks of five days or longer.
  • Multiply the percentage completed by the Title IV Aid eligibility to determine the Earned Aid.
  • Title IV Aid Eligibility X Percentage Completed = Earned Aid
• Determine the amount of Unearned Aid to be returned to the appropriate Title IV aid program
  • Total Disbursed Aid - Earned Aid = Unearned Aid to be Returned

If the Disbursed Aid equals the Earned Aid, no further action is required. If the Disbursed Aid is greater than the Earned Aid, the difference will be returned. The student will be responsible for paying any of the returned aid to the Gwinnett Tech Business Office.

Federal Student Aid is returned to the Department of Education in the following order:

• Unsubsidized Loan
• Subsidized Loan
• Pell Grant
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

If a student withdraws or drops to less than 6 credit hours and they have a Federal Work Study (FWS) award, their employment will be terminated.

Unofficial Withdrawals

Students are expected to follow the Withdrawal Policy if they are unable to continue attendance in their courses. Gwinnett Tech follows the federal regulation HEA, Section 484B 34 CFR 668.22, “An institution must determine the Earned and Unearned portions of Title IV Aid as of the date the student ceases attendance.”

In addition, Gwinnett Tech is required to review students who received Federal Student Aid and did not successfully pass any courses.

An assessment is made to determine whether or not a student:

• Earned the non-passing grades while attending classes; or
• Stopped attending classes but did not Officially Withdraw.

Students who stop attending classes may be required to repay Federal Student Aid for the semester. If a student never began attendance in some or all classes, Federal Student Aid may be canceled.

Federal Student Aid recipients who did not earn at least one passing grade are identified at the end of each semester. The Last Date of Attendance, or LDA, is also listed with each grade. Then, a determination is made if the grade is considered Earned or Unearned. Unearned grades are any grade with an LDA that is prior to the last day of classes for the semester.

The Financial Aid Office is notified to perform the withdrawal calculation. If a student officially withdraws, the Federal Student Aid return calculation will be performed, as outlined above.

Verification of Attendance

The Last Date of Attendance, or LDA, is provided the course instructor. This is the official date that is used to determine the percentage of completion within a specific course

The Financial Aid Office will not adjust the LDA. However, if you do not agree with an LDA, it can be discussed with the instructor. Evidence of academic activity must be provided to the Registrar’s Office before it is revised. Any revisions made to an LDA must be provided to the Financial Aid Office within 15 days.

Attendance can be verified by an instructor to confirm an Earned Grade. If a student has at least one Earned Grade at the end of the semester, they may not need to repay any Federal Student Aid.

The Federal Student Aid repayment amounts are in accordance with the Return to Title IV policy. Any amount owed to a Federal Student Aid program is the student’s responsibility. The amount will appear as a balance on the Student’s Banner Account. Outstanding balances must be resolved with the Business Office. If a balance remains on the account, students will be prohibited from registering for classes, requesting transcripts, or graduating.

For more information regarding balances, please contact the Business Office at 678.226.6700 or GTC-BusinessOffice@GwinnettTech.edu.

Financial Aid Contact Information

Phone: 678.226.6677

Fax: 678.226.6916

Email: FinancialAidOffice@GwinnettTech.edu

Website: GwinnettTech.edu/Plan

Helpful Student Aid Websites: StudentAid.gov

                                                 NSLDS.ed.gov

                                                 StudentLoans.gov