Policy Statement
The Office of Student Financial Aid awards financial aid based on eligibility criteria as set forth by the Higher Education Act of 1965 (includes any reauthorizations) and any other applicable laws.
Augusta University Office of Student Financial Aid is committed to helping students gain access to and finance their post-secondary education. The Office of Student Financial Aid has established this policy to ensure that students applying for financial aid meet eligibility requirements as set forth by the Higher Education Act of 1965 and any other applicable laws.
Affected stakeholders
All entities and persons within the Enterprise that are affected by this policy:
Graduate Students, Health Professional Students, Undergraduate Students
Policy Owner
Enrollment and Student Affairs
Definitions
Half-Time: Enrollment is 6 semester hours for undergraduate students and 5 semester hours for graduate/professional students.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): All students are expected to contribute towards the cost of their post-secondary education. The FAFSA is the application used by the Department of Education to determine the student’s Expected Family Contribution and to conduct a needs analysis. The FAFSA is used by the Office of Student Financial Aid to determine eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and private grants, scholarships, loans, and any other applicable laws.
Selective Service Registration: Selective Service Registration is for the military draft. Male students who are U. S. citizens must meet the federal guidelines for selective service registration. Refer to www.sss.gov.
Process & procedures
All students who have been accepted for admission to Augusta University and who wish to apply for financial aid must meet certain eligibility requirements as specified by the U. S. Department of Education, the Georgia Board of Regents, Augusta University, and other applicable agencies.
Academic Eligibility Requirements:
- The student must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of study at Augusta
- The student must be making Satisfactory Academic
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible to receive federal loans through the Direct Loan
Federal Eligibility Requirements:
- The student must be a U. S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- The student must have a valid Social Security Number (exceptions may apply for a student from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of Palau).
- If the student is a male and 18 to 25 years old, he must be registered with the Selective Service System.
- The student must have a high school diploma, a General Education Development (GED) Certificate, home-schooled with a secondary school completion credential, or pass an exam approved by the U.S. Department of
- The student must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate.
- The student must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a student
- The student must not have a drug conviction for an offense while the student is receiving federal student
- The student must demonstrate financial need except for Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans.
Application Procedures:
- Students who wish to apply for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov.
- The Office of Student Financial Aid will process student applications and determine eligibility.
- Student award letters will be available on their POUNCE account once applications have been processed.
- Students must complete a FAFSA each year beginning on or after the appropriate date published by the Department of Education at fafsa.ed.gov.
Office of Student Financial Aid Policies & Procedures
References & supporting documents
Related policies
Intentionally left blank.
Approved by
President, Augusta University and CEO, AU Health System Date: February 5, 2018
Last Revision: January 9, 2018 Last Review: February 5, 2018