Financial Aid for Certification Students
Students enrolled in programs leading to teacher certification may be eligible for financial aid. Certification students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility under federal guidelines. Certification students who are under the age of 24 must complete the FAFSA as a dependent student and include their parent’s tax information. Certification students must meet the additional requirements listed below:
- Certification students must submit a copy of their Certification Program sheet to department of Financial Aid.
- Financial aid will only pay for those classes that count toward the student’s certification and are on the program sheet.
- Certification students must be enrolled at least 6 hours (as listed on the program sheet) each semester in order for financial aid to pay.
- Financial aid will not cover any repeat classes that are used to pull up the student’s grade point average.
- Certification students who change programs or update their program sheet must submit these changes to the Department of Financial Aid.
- Sources such as scholarships or assistantships received after loans are awarded may reduce the amount of any student loans.
Please note: Certification or provisional students are not eligible for the HOPE Teacher Scholarship. A student must be admitted to a “regular” graduate program or specialist degree program to receive these funds.
For more information regarding this policy, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 678-839-6421 or finaid@westga.edu. Thank you.
Provisional Students
Students with the admission status of Provisional Graduate may be eligible for Federal Work-Study, Stafford and Perkins loans if enrolled at least half time. Provisional status indicates coursework, usually 9 graduate hours, and/or other criteria must be completed that will lead to regular graduate admission status. Students with this classification may only receive federal aid for 2 semesters for which they have attended classes.