Increasing access to education: helping students is our only business

Increasing Access to Education
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't[ORGIA
Student finance Commission

~fORGIA
Student finance Commission
2082 East Exchange Place Tucker, GA 30084
www.gsfc.org

"Financial Aid: Here's how to get started
The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) is here to help as you begin looking at your education beyond high school. We provide grants, scho larships and loans to Georgia students to attend colleges, universities and technical institutes across the state. In 1998, we assisted more than 231,000 stude nts by providing them with financial assistance.
Steps in the financial aid process: 1. Contact your intended school'sfinancial aid office for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)*.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January I. After four to sixweeks,you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Follow the instructions and check the information for accuracy. Your school may require you to submit your SAR to the financial aid administrator.
3. Check with your school's financial aid officeto see if there are additional app licatio n steps you mu st complete.
*The FAFSA f orm can be obtainedthroughyour school guidance office, your college'sfi nancial aid office or GSFC at (770) 724-9000 or (800) 776-6878.
The Programs of the Georgia Student Finance Commission
'If''Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program GSFC administers Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program, which provides tuition, mandatory fees and a book allowance to Georgia students who earn a"B" average in high school for attendance at a Georgia public college,university or technical institute. A "B" average is not required for those students enrolled at a technical institute. Private college students can receivea $3,000 HOPE Scholarship per academic year as well. For more information, please call (770) 724-9030 or (800) 546-HOPE.
'If''PROMISE Teacher Scholarships GSFC provides service cancelable loans ($6,000 maximum) for high achieving (3.6 GPA) undergraduate junior & senior students pursuing

Georgia's
HOPE
Scholarship
Governor's
Scholarships
Student
Loans
Service
Cancelable
Loans

a teaching career. Recipients must teach in a Georgia publicschool for one academic year for each $1,500 awarded, with a maximum of four years to repay. For more information, please call (770) 724-9030 or (800) 546-HOPE .
'HOPE Teacher Scholarships GSFC provides serv ice cancelable loan s ($10,000 maximum) to individ uals seeking advanced education degrees in critical shortage fields of study. Recipients are obligated to teach in their critical shortage field of study in a Georgia publ ic school for each $2,500 awarded, with a maximum of four years to repay. For more infor mation, please call (770) 7249030 or (800) 546-HOPE.
, Governor's Scholarships GSFC awards a maximum annual scholarship of $1,575 to high achieving students (Georgia Scholar, Valedictorian, Salutatorian, or STAR Student) to attend a Georgia public or private college. For more information, please call (770) 724-9030 or (800) 546-HOPE.
'Military Scholarships GSFC administers two scholarships for Ge orgia students interested in pursuing a career in the military. Students can attend either N orth Georgia College and State University (and participatein the ROTC) or Georgia Military College. Upon graduation, students serve in the G eorgia National Guard. For more information, please call (770) 724-9030 or (800) 546-HOPE.
'Student Loans (lender code #822573) The G eorgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) and their lending institutions provide low -interest, repayable FFELP loans for covering college costs. Stud ents can also take part in Georgia Advantage, a borrower benefit program designed to save students money by rewarding good repayment habits. All GSFA loans are guaranteed through the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation. For more information on student loans and Georgia Advantage, please call (770) 724-9000 or (800) 776-6878.
'Tuition Equaliz ation Grants GSFC provides Tuition Equalization G rants (rEGs), which help Georgia students attending a Georgia private college or university by providing non-

tORGIA
Student finance Commission
MISSION Statement
The mission of the Georgia StudentFinance- Commission
is to promote and increase access to education beyond high schoolfor Georgians, by delivering studentfinancial aidinfor~ mation, services andfUnding in a Way thatisjisCaoy responsible
and understandable.

repayable 51,000 grants . For more information , please call (770) n .p)mO or (1\00) 546- HOPE .
"'Service Cancelable Loans GSFA provi des loans th at are ca ncelable based on the years of service the student serves in Georgia. These loans are limited to fields that are in critical shortage in Georgia (such as health-related , computer and military careers). Loans range from 52,000 to $10 ,000 . For more inforrnarion , please call (770) 724-9000 or (1\00) 776-6'67'6.
Outreach (Financial Aid Counseling)
The Commission ottersji",' financial aid counseling to parents and students. Whether you have questions regarding HOPE eligibility, loan application , borrowing advice or default prevention, please call (770) 7249000 or (1\00) 776-61\71\ .
Internet Services (www.gsfc.org) GSFCS Web site features a wide array of interactive services, such as filling out the Free Ap plication for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), infixmati on about our programs and loan account updates. " Mapping Your Future" (lI 'II'lt :111<1ppil~~:I'O/ll:till1l1l'.OI)j, a site designed to provide information on financial aid and career choices, is linked to our Web site as well.
Publications The Commission publishes guides , brochures and directories for the benefit of students pursuing education beyond high school , Below is a list of our more popular publications: Georgia's Postsecondary Sd1001s: A Guide to Georgia's HOPE-eligible
colleges, universities and technical institutes (a listing of tuit ion costs and d egree programs for each school) HOPE Brochures (General , Private, Technical Institute, HOPE Teacher and Promise Teacher) A Guide to Student Financial Aid in Georgia Georgia Student Finance Commission Annual Report 1~ 1 rcquvs: Ii irn: ( '(lp\, 0/ our plf/,l il'tltin11.\, / ' /1'(1.\ 1' ('t/I! (770)7J/t)(JOO.

U Education is a top priority in Georgia.
It's important that every student in 0t!'r state begiven an opportunity to attend institutions of higher learning. The Georgia Student Finance Commission is instnlmental
in this effort. By helping students, GSFC isinvesting in
the future of Georgia. "
-Roy E. Barnes, Governor

We'll guide you
through the
financial aid
process!
The Georgia Student Finance Commission provides a free counseling service to help guide parents and st udents through the financial aid application process. All you need to do is call us at (770) 724-9000 or(800) 776-6878 and ask lor a counselor. or visit our Web site at www. gsfc.org tor more inforrnarion ,
t[ORGIA
Student rin~n(e Commission
(770) 724-9000 or (800) 776-6878 www.gsfc.org