Please contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions about assistance programs available to students.
Federal Pell Grant
The purpose of the Pell Grant is to provide funds to qualified students who demonstrate financial need that will assist them in obtaining the benefits of a postsecondary education. Every student enrolled in a degree, diploma, or Pell-eligible certificate should complete and electronically submit a FAFSA. To apply, the student may complete the FAFSA online at . 听Our Federal School Code is 005624. A Pell award is a grant provided for educational costs and does not have to be repaid unless the student has been over-awarded.
If a student withdraws from all classes during the semester, Federal regulations require that 华体育 calculate the amount of 鈥渆arned鈥� and 鈥渦nearned鈥� Title IV financial aid for the semester. The amount of Title IV aid earned is first used to pay the tuition, fees, and The Campus Store charges deferred to the student aid account. If any funds remain after deducting 100 percent of tuition and fee charges, the student will receive the balance. If the amount of Title IV aid earned is not sufficient to cover the tuition, fee, and The Campus Store charges, the student will be responsible for paying the balance due.
The 鈥渆arned鈥� percentage is determined by dividing the number of calendar days in the semester up through the date of withdrawal by the number of calendar days in the semester. If the student completes 60 percent or more of the semester, 100 percent of the financial aid for that period is earned. If the student withdraws before completing 60 percent, the amount of aid 鈥渦nearned鈥� is returned to the Department of Education. The student鈥檚 account will be placed on hold until the amount of 鈥渦nearned鈥� aid is paid to 华体育. Students are notified if they owe for a Return to Title IV calculation via CTC student e-mail.
To receive a PELL Grant the student must:
- Have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent (GED);
- Be enrolled听in a degree, diploma, on Pell-eligible certificate;
- Meet citizenship requirements;
- Be registered with Selective Service (if applicable);
- Have financial need;
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress;
- Not be in default or owe a refund on any Title IV funds; and
- Not possess a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
HOPE Grant
In order to qualify for the HOPE Grant, students must be enrolled in a diploma or certificate program and must meet Georgia Residency requirements as defined by Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Hope Scholarship
Students who have graduated from an eligible Georgia high school as a final HOPE scholar with a cumulative 3.0 GPA may be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship if they are seeking an associate degree for their first 30-semester degree hours. Students may be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship if they are enrolled in an associate degree program and have completed at least 30-semester degree hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA (these students must have a HOPE GPA evaluation completed). The College re-evaluates grades after students complete each 30-semester tier and at the end of each spring semester.听 Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in order to retain the HOPE Scholarship. Students must meet the Georgia residency requirement of the Technical College System of Georgia.听 Military personnel, his or her spouse, or his or her dependent child shall be treated as a Georgia resident for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility if the military personnel is stationed in Georgia on active duty or lists Georgia as his or her home of record.听 The HOPE Scholarship covers a portion of tuition.听 To apply, students may complete the FAFSA online at . To determine eligibility for HOPE Scholarship, students must complete the
HOPE Career Grant
The HOPE Career Grant听is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select diploma or certificate majors specifically aligned with one of 17 industries. These industries were initially identified by Governor Nathan Deal and later expanded under Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly as strategically important to the state鈥檚 economic growth. Recipients of this grant pay no tuition and in some cases, the grant will cover fees and equipment as well.
Students enrolled in the following career paths听may be eligible for this grant:
| 听Automotive Technology | 听Aviation Technology |
| 听Certified Engineer Assistant | 听Commercial Truck Driving |
| 听Computer Programming | 听Computer Technology |
| 听Construction Technology | 听Diesel Equipment Technology |
| 听Early Childhood Care & Education | 听Electrical Lineman Technology |
| 听Health Science | 听Industrial Maintenance |
| 听Logistics/Transportation Technology | 听Movie Production Set Design |
| 听Practical Nursing | 听Precision Manufacturing |
| 听Welding & Joining Technology | 听 |
Columbus Tech offers more than 80 different certifications and diplomas under the HOPE Career Grant.听听Several of the programs listed are diplomas with embedded certifications.
The HOPE Career Grant is also available to recipients of the Zell Miller Grant.
State of Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver
The State of Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver Program exempts or waives payment of tuition and fees (and where applicable, on-campus housing) for students attending a technical college within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Eligible students must be a youth or young adult under the age of 28 who is currently in foster care, has experienced foster care, or who was placed for adoption by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.
Find more information here 鈥撎�
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Private Loans
Private student loans are different from federal student loans* in that they are not guaranteed by the federal government, require a credit check, and often require a co-signer. Terms and conditions vary significantly by lender. Carefully consider your needs, and then select a loan product that best meets your individual situation.
The following list of private loan products offers a variety of loan options with competitive interest rates. Students, however, are free to borrow from any lender, even if they are not listed here. 华体育 does not endorse or support any specific lender or student loan program/product.
If you choose a loan option that is not listed, please contact the lender directly to determine the application process.
华体育 does not participate in the Federal Stafford Student Loan program or the Federal Parent PLUS Loan program.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program is a need-based federal grant to help students fund educational expenses by providing part-time employment opportunities on campus.听 Students wishing to apply for participation in the program must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at and have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) issued by the Department of Education.听According to federal and state regulations and institutional policy, students must meet specific eligibility requirements. The application can be found on the Financial Aid Forms page or by clicking here.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
FSEOG is a need-based federal grant to assist exceptionally needy students to help pay for post-secondary education. FSEOG recipients are required to be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
HERO Scholarship
The HERO Scholarship provides educational scholarship assistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military reservists who served in combat zones or the children of such members of the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Military Reservists.
General Aid/Scholarships
Various local organizations provide aid for deserving students on the basis of need and availability of funds. Examples of scholarships for which eligible students may apply include the following:听 Grainger, Klaydor, Hartline, and Aranas Scholarships.听 Students should check the 华体育 website for current any scholarships.
Veterans鈥� (VA) Benefits
华体育 is approved for veteran training under U.S. Code 38. Eligible persons should make application through their local and regional Veterans Administration (VA) Office. Application forms are available at 华体育, and the College has personnel available to assist applicants in filing for educational benefits.听 For further information, students may contact the Veterans Affairs鈥� Office in Room 151A, Hartline Building, 706.649.1458
Students receiving veterans鈥� benefits are responsible for obtaining official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended. Students should send transcripts, including applicable military training, to the Office of Admissions for evaluation for transfer of credit. The College will not process the paperwork for veterans鈥� benefits until students furnish the results of a completed evaluation to the VA Office.
VA Certification Requirements
Individuals wishing to enter a program of study at 华体育 and receive training under U.S. Code 38 must adhere to the following requirements in order to ensure initial and continued VA certification:
- Notify the College鈥檚 VA Office regarding all schedule changes made after class registration each semester.
- Submit a Change-of-Major Form and/or Dual-Major Form to the College VA Office to be submitted to Veterans Administration. These forms are required in addition to the Change-of-Major and Dual-Major forms required by the College.
- VA will not penalize students for dropping a class through the drop/add period; however, after the drop/add period ends, VA will reduce students鈥� benefits pursuant to the withdrawal.
- VA encourages students to complete one program of study before entering another.
VA Work-Study Program
This program is available to students receiving veterans鈥� education benefits and attending school three-quarter time or more. Individuals working under this program may work at the College鈥檚 VA Office, VA Regional Office, VA medical facilities, or approved state-employment offices. Work-study students receive the federal minimum wage.
VA Tutorial-Assistance Program
Tutorial assistance is available if students receive VA educational assistance at the half-time-or-more rate and have a deficiency in a subject, making tutorial assistance necessary.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Individuals with disabilities who qualify may receive financial assistance while attending 华体育 through Vocational Rehabilitation. Interested persons should contact the Director of Student Disability Services at 706.649.1442.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program provides classroom-occupational-skills training for adults and youth with limited financial resources. This program provides services for dislocated workers laid off from a Georgia employer.
Students qualify for workforce-investment training services if they have been determined unable to attain and retain employment without training services. The One-Stop System at the Department of Labor makes this determination after applicants have received core and intensive services. Applicants must take applications to the following location:
Georgia Department of Labor
Columbus Comprehensive One-Stop Center
700 Veterans Parkway
Columbus, GA 31907
For further information, students may contact the Workforce Investment Act Office in Room 156B, Hartline Building, 706.649.1856.
Tuition Assistance for Active Duty Military Personnel
In order to get tuition assistance, students must be active military. The process begins with the Education Center at Fort Benning, Georgia. Students should apply at the Education Center, and once approved, they must take the completed forms to the cashier鈥檚 window in the Hartline Building at 华体育. Students receive 100% of tuition only.
Third Party Billing
This is a program that allows 华体育 to bill the participant鈥檚 company for tuition, fees, and, in some cases, books. Each company is different; therefore, participants must clear the procedure with the company. Authorization to bill the company must be in writing on company letterhead and presented to a 华体育 cashier prior to registration.
*华体育 does NOT participant in the federal student loan program. Information concerning the college's loan default rate can be found on the page.
**华体育 is an Equal Opportunity Institution please read for more information
