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FAQs
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid consists of federal work study, grants, loans, and scholarships that are distributed through the financial aid department to assist students with their educational expenses.
Federal work study and grants are need-based funds as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Types of grants include: Pell, SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant), ACG (Academic Competiveness Grant) and SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent). The ACG and SMART Grant programs are currently out of funding.
Ford Direct Stafford Loans are also available by completing the FAFSA.
There are two types of Ford Direct Stafford Loans:
- Subsidized Loans are need based loans the federal government pays the interest as long as the student maintains half-time enrollment.
- Unsubsidized Loans are loans that the student is billed quarterly for the interest.
To be awarded Stafford Loans, a student must indicate on the FASFA that they would like to be awarded student loans or fill out a Student Loan Request Form. The FASFA will also indicate which type of loan, subsidized or unsubsidized, the student is eligible to receive. Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for student loans. For additional funding, private loans are also available by applying to outside lenders.
Scholarships are also considered financial aid. There are several types of scholarships including: athletic (offered by the Athletic Department), private scholarships, HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) scholarship for in-state students holding a 3.0 or higher GPA and UWG's general scholarships (application available January 2nd each year on the Financial Aid website).
Application Process - General Eligibility
Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program of study as at least half time in most programs.
- Must be pursuing a degree.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Must be registered with Selective Service if male.
- Must have a valid Social Security number.
- All HOPE applicants must have a Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) at http://www.gacollege411.org/ on record even if you complete the FAFSA.
- Submit any additional paperwork requested to the school (Please submit ONLY what is required by school).
How do I apply for financial aid?
http://www.westga.edu/financialAid/index_2901.php
A student interested in federal financial aid (loans, grants) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. The application becomes available each year on January 1 and must be renewed each year. Below are some tips to help you complete the FAFSA:
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You must have your (and your parents' if dependent) previous year's tax returns.
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The FAFSA must be signed by student and parents (if a dependent student). The application process is faster if you sign using the electronic PIN#. You can apply for the PIN# at http://www.pin.ed.gov/.
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You must provide your school’s federal school code. The UWG school code is 001601. If you are unsure of the school you plan to attend you can list up to 10 school codes on the FAFSA and each school listed will receive a copy.
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A student interested in the HOPE scholarship or other State scholarships (such as Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship or Governor’s scholarship) must complete the GSFAPPS at http://www.gacollege411.org/.
The GSFAPPS is a one time only application and does not have to be renewed each year. If you have previously attended a higher education institution you must complete our HOPE Inquiry form found on our online forms at www.westga.edu/finaid to be considered for the HOPE scholarship.
Helpful Hints for Applying
- Read all instructions
- Complete the application carefully – errors can delay your financial aid and could cause you to pay out of pocket.
- Provide ONLY the information that is requested.
- Use your legal name as it appears on your Social Security Card.
- Use your Social Security Number as it appears on your Social Security Card.
- Print a copy of your completed FAFSA for your records.
- Complete all your paperwork early so financial aid will be available to help cover charges.
- Deadlines are posted on the Financial Aid home page each semester.
Additional Tips once you are enrolled
- Remember that you have to reapply for financial aid every year.
- Keep your address current in the Registrar’s office.
- Make Satisfactory Academic Progress each school year.
- Maintain a satisfactory GPA.
- Complete 67% of all attempted classes.
- View specific information for SAP at www.westga.edu/~finaid under Current Students.
HOPE Scholarship
What is the HOPE Scholarship, how do I know if I am eligible? See http://www.westga.edu/financialAid/index_2859.php.
- You must complete the GSFAPPS at http://www.gacollege411.org/. The GSFAPPS is a onetime only application and does not have to be renewed each year. If you have previously attended a higher education institution you will also need to complete our HOPE Inquiry form found on our online forms at www.westga.edu/finaid.
- Will pay up to the cost of tuition and a percentage of mandatory fees
- A student may enroll for any number of hours (fulltime not required)
- Eligibility is reviewed every 30, 60, and 90 attempted hours and each spring semester.
- Student must have a 3.0 GPA at each checkpoint to retain the scholarship
- Students who lose HOPE at their first checkpoint may regain eligibility at 30, 60, or 90 attempted hours with a 3.0 GPA (HOPE Inquiry)
- Students may receive HOPE until 127 attempted hours or paid hours, whichever comes first
- New for 2009-2010 school year, all HOPE applicants must have a Georgia Student Finance Application http://www.gacollege411.org/ on record even if you complete the FAFSA.
Other Scholarships
Where can I find other scholarships?
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Foundation Scholarship for incoming freshmen. No application necessary – just be admitted to the University by February 1st.
Award is based upon high school GPA and SAT/ACT scores and a written essay. Plese contact Admissions for additional informaion. -
A student interested in the HOPE scholarship or other State scholarships (such as Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship or Governor’s scholarship) must complete the GSFAPPS at http://www.gacollege411.org/. The GSFAPPS is a one time only application and does not have to be renewed each year.
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A student interested in UWG scholarships can visit http://www.westga.edu/financialAid/index_2858.php . The application becomes available each year on January 2. The deadline to submit the application is March 1 of each year.
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Students must reapply every year.
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Other: http://www.westga.edu/financialAid/index_2939.php
- Local businesses
- Civic Organizations
- Churches
- Parents’ places of employment
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Local library resources
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Online Scholarship Search
- FastWEB Scholarship Search http://www.fastweb.com/
- College Board’s Scholarship Search www.collegeboard.com/paying & http://www.scholaraid.com/
- Our website now has an expanded section on private scholarships www.westga.edu/financialaid/index_2862.php
- Beware of companies charging for scholarships!
Other Offices
Where do I change my address?
Students are required to notify the Registrar’s Office of all address changes. Changes can be made on Banweb or by completing an address change form in the Registrar’s Office.
Where do I get my ID card?
Student ID cards are made in the University Community Center (UCC), Top Floor from 8 am –7 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8 am-4:30 pm Friday.
Where do I pay my fees?
Fees can be paid online through BANWEB with any of these major credit cards; American Express, Discover, Master Card or with a check by using the Web Check option.
They can also be paid in person with cash or a personal check at the Cashier’s window in Aycock Hall.
(Credit cards cannot be accepted in person or over the phone.)
Where’s my refund?
The University of West Georgia has a contract with HigherOne that all overpayments to a student’s account will go to their HigherOne account. Once activated, Higher One gives the student choices of how to get the refund. Go to http://www.westgeorgiaone.com/ for more information.
Generally, refunds are released to the students' HigherOne Account 7-10 days after the drop/add period and weekly after that. HigherOne notifies students via email when their refund is available. Holidays can delay refunds.
What is a Short Term/Emergency Loan and how can I apply?
The short term/emergency loan is available through the Bursar’s Office in Aycock Hall. The maximum amount is $450.00. If the application is approved, a repayment plan is set for the funds received to be repaid within the semester taken. Students are limited to one loan per term. The application can be found in BANWEB under Student Services. These funds are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis and are not always available.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
What are the requirements for Financial Aid?
In order to receive federal and state financial aid, students must demonstrate that they are making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Course Completion: This is measured by completing 67% of all attempted hours each semester. Progress is reviewed at the end of each semester. Unsatisfactory grades are: F, W, WF, I, and U. If you fail to complete 67% of your attempted hours, you will fall below a 67% Warning for your next semester of enrollment, in which you must complete 100% of all credit hours attempted. If you receive any unsatisfactory grades during your warning term, you will lose eligibility for all financial aid funds (including Hope and student loans) beginning with your next semester of enrollment.
Please be aware that the calculation for the 67% course completion is NOT rounded up.
Reinstatement: You must complete 9 hours of class work at UWG at your own expense with no unsatisfactory grades.
(All classes attempted during the financial aid reinstatement period must be completed without any grades of F, W, WF, I, or U).
GPA Requirement: You must maintain the required overall GPA at the hours listed:
30 overall hours: 1.8 GPA
31-60 overall hours: 1.9 GPA
61 overall hours & above: 2.0 GPA
Time Limits: You must complete your program within a certain number of attempted hours, including all transfer hours. Once you meet or exceed the maximum hours set for your program, you will be notified that your financial aid has been cancelled for the following semester. The limits are as follows:
