Financial Aid

HOPE Career Grant

The HOPE Career Grant is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them.

For detailed information and eligible programs of study at OFTC, visit HOPE Career Grant programs.

HOPE & Zell Miller Grants

OFTC offers various forms of financial aid which are part of Georgia’s HOPE Program, funded by the state lottery. Each program is tailored to support different educational pathways, helping students in Georgia achieve their academic and career goals:

• HOPE Grant
• Zell Miller Grant
• HOPE Scholarship
• Zell Miller Scholarship
• HOPE GED Grant
• Other Specific Financial Aid Programs

For detailed information, how to apply, and links to regulations concerning the above grants and scholarships, view HOPE Program Information on gafutures.org.

Georgia College Completion Grant (GCCG)

Georgia College Completion Grant (GCCG)

The Georgia College Completion Grant (GCCG) assists eligible students enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution that is experiencing a financial aid gap with their cost of education. Eligible students must have completed at least eighty (45) percent of credit requirements for graduation from their enrolled certificate, diploma or undergraduate major or program of study. Eligible students must owe their institution for an outstanding balance of direct costs for the current term of enrollment.

Grant awards are based on program requirements and available allocated funds at the eligible institutions – University System of Georgia (USG), Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) or eligible Private non-profit postsecondary institutions in Georgia.

For detailed information, visit https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/gccg/eligibility/.

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.

For detailed information, visit https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/state-georgia-post-secondary-tuition-waiver.

WIOA

East Central Georgia Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides exceptional career services and resource information to individuals who are in need of Career Planning, Career Development, and Career Placement. This program assists students with tuition, books, uniforms and transportation.

Learn more about WIOA.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant is based on the financial need of the student. Students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using their tax returns for the previous year, and those of their parents if required, in order to apply for Pell.  Students may complete the FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The FAFSA must be completed each year to ensure the continued receipt of the Federal Pell Grant.  The application should be completed well in advance of the registration date.

For detailed information on the Federal Pell Grant, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a need-based grant administered by the federal government. This grant requires students apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and only students with the most financial need are eligible. Funds are limited for FSEOG.

Students should consult OFTC’s Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program

The Federal Work Study (FWS) Program allows provides jobs for students demonstrating financial need.  Through FWS, students are allowed to earn money to help pay for educational expenses while attending school.  Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for FWS.

Learn more about Federal Work Study at OFTC.

Veterans’ Benefits

Veterans and dependents of veterans are sometimes eligible for assistance through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Certification is processed based on credit hours. Veterans should contact the Veteran’s Certifying Official at the college they plan to attend for complete information.

Veterans are encouraged to apply for other financial aid assistance.  Veterans may receive financial aid in addition to the Veteran’s Educational Benefits.  Students may contact the VA Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia at 1-888-442-4551 or visit the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov for more information.

Learn more about Veterans Services at OFTC.

HERO Scholarship

The Georgia Helping Education Reservists and their Offspring (HERO) Scholarship Program provides educational assistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and United States military reservists who have served in combat zones or the children of these members.

Students should consult OFTC’s Office of Financial Aid for more information on the application procedures and eligibility requirements.

Public Safety Memorial Grant

The Public Safety Memorial Grant is available to the son or daughter of any Georgia law enforcement officer, fire fighter, EMT, corrections officer or prison guard who was permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty. This program is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and covers the Cost of Attendance at a Georgia public post-secondary institution, minus other gift aid received.

Students should consult OFTC’s Office of Financial Aid for more information on the application procedures and eligibility requirements.

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: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/state-georgia-post-secondary-tuition-waiver

OFTC Foundation Scholarships

The OFTC Foundation offers many opportunities for both credit and dual enrollment students based on a variety of factors including need, merit, program of study, county of residence and/or campus that cover scholarships and grants to help with tuition, books and laptops, program-specific aid, and industry specific tools and supplies for use after graduation.

Search Foundation Scholarships

OFTC Lending Library (Books & Laptops)

Miscellaneous Scholarships

• Awards for Early Educators from Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) (formerly called Bright from the Start BFTS Scholarships)
• Career & Technical Scholarship Program by the Horatio Alger Endowment Fund
• Georgia Mining Technical College Scholarship
• The local TCSG colleges receive scholarship postings from outside agencies from time to time. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid at your local OFTC campus for more information on these scholarship opportunities.
• Other Scholarship Websites

• Complete the GSFAPPS if you have a high income. You do not need to complete the FAFSA.
• Complete the GSFAPPS if you are not able or willing to provide your income tax information for the FAFSA.
• Complete the FAFSA if you have received the HOPE Grant or Scholarship in the past and maxed out your hours and/or can no longer receive HOPE. You do not need to complete the GSFAPPS.
• If you are not sure which application to complete, always complete the FAFSA.

NOTE: If you completed a GSFAPP and received HOPE Grant or Scholarship within the last year, you do not need to do another GSFAPP.

Verification of Lawful Presence is a process used to verify that information reported on the FAFSA is accurate. Students may be selected either by the Department of Education or by the school.

Some of the main reasons for being chosen for verification are:

• Application is randomly selected.
• FAFSA has incomplete data.
• Data on the FAFSA appears to contradict itself.
• FAFSA application has estimated information on it.

The Financial Aid Office will review your FAFSA application. Once it is determined what documents and forms are needed, the Financial Aid Office will send an email or text requesting certain documents and forms. Some documents and forms that may be requested are:

• Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet
• IRS Tax Return Transcript – If you use the IRS Data Retrieval option when completing the FAFSA and make no changes to the tax information, a tax transcript will not be required.
• Marriage License
• Social Security/Disability Benefit Statement
• Child Support Received or Paid Information
• Alien Registration Card
• Final Divorce Decree
• Other forms and documents

The types of documents required will vary from student to student. Not all students selected for verification will have to submit the same documents.

Once all documents are received, the Financial Aid Office will compare the required documents to the FAFSA. If errors are found, corrections will be made. Once the verification process is complete, an award letter will be sent to the student notifying them of the type of financial aid they are eligible to receive. Financial Aid cannot be disbursed until the verification process is complete.

The Department of Education could not confirm your social security number with your name or date of birth. Submit your card to the Financial Aid Office. If you have lost your card, visit the Social Security Administration website.

For more information about what you need to do to get a replacement card and where to send your completed Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5), see Documents You Need for a Social Security Card.

Once you receive your new or replacement social security card, submit to the Oconee Fall Line Technical College Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.

The Department of Education could not confirm that you registered with selective service.

Register online at the Selective Service website and/or come into the Financial Aid Office for assistance with the registering process.

If you are not registered and over the age of 25 you must:

• Contact the Selective Service at 847-688-6888 to request a Status Information Letter addressing failure to register.
• Submit written statement explaining the situation & the Status Information Letter to OFTC’s Financial Aid Office. The student should provide a description of his situation: where he was living from the age of 18 – 25 when he should have registered, whether he was incarcerated or institutionalized, and his citizenship status during the period. Those having served in the military under a condition other than dishonorable must submit DD 214 Form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

The Financial Aid Office will review the documentation. To receive aid, such students must demonstrate that they did not knowingly and willfully fail to register.

Selective Service Exemption Request

The Department of Education could not confirm citizenship status. To qualify for student financial aid, proof of citizenship or eligible non-citizen status is required. According to the federal regulations mandated by the U. S. Department of Education and state regulations mandated by Georgia Student Finance Commission the following documentation is acceptable proof of citizenship or eligible non-citizen for educational purposes.

You must submit one of the following documents to OFTC’s Financial Aid Office for consideration:

• Birth Certificate listing American citizenship
• An Alien Registration Receipt Card, also called an I-151 or an I-551 form
• A conditional permanent Resident Form, also called an I-151C form
• An eligible non-citizen documentation form with an Arrival-Departure Record, such as the I-94 form from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service showing any one of the following designations: a) Refugee, b) Asylum Granted, c) Indefinite Parole and/or Humanitarian Parole, or d) Cuban-Haitian Entrant.
• Students who only have F1 or F2 student visa, J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa or G series visa are not considered eligible non-citizens for financial aid purposes.

You listed that you had been convicted of a drug related crime. You need to complete the following worksheet in order for the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility.

• Student Aid Eligibility for Question 23 (PDF)

OFTC’s Financial Aid Office has been notified that the current status of your previous student loan(s) is DEFAULT.

• Default Notice (PDF)

Check the status of your student loans at Federal Student Aid.

Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program which includes the Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Student Loans. To a lesser extent, private loans are also processed for students on an as-needed basis. To comply with the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act (enacted August 14, 2008), OFTC adopts the following Student Loan Code of Conduct to serve as the formal guiding principles in ensuring the integrity of the student aid process and ethical conduct of OFTC employees in regard to student loan practices.

1Revenue Sharing

The term “revenue-sharing arrangement” means an arrangement between an institution and a lender which – (i) a lender provides or issues a loan that is made, insured, or guaranteed to students under the Higher Education Act attending the institution or to the families of such students; and (ii) the institution recommends the lender or the loan products of the lender and in exchange, the lender pays a fee or provides other material benefits, including revenue or profit sharing, to the institution, an officer, or an employee of the institution. OFTC and its employees will not enter into any type of revenue-sharing arrangement with any lender, guarantor, or servicer. OFTC does not provide students a preferred lender list from which to select a lender for a private student loan. All loans are processed without regard to lender or mode of transmission (i.e., electronic or paper). OFTC will neither recommend a private loan lender nor accept material benefits including revenue or profit sharing to the institution, an officer, or an employee of the institution or an agent.

2Gifts

Employees of the Offices of Student Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office and Student Accounts are prohibited from soliciting or accepting any gifts from a lender, guarantor, or servicer of education loans.

• Gifts include any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, or other item. This includes gifts of services, transportation, lodging, or meals, whether provided in kind, by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the expense has incurred.
• Gifts to family members of an OFTC employee are considered to be a gift to the employee if the gift is given with the knowledge and acquiescence of the employee and there is reason to believe the gift was given because of the official position of that employee.

3Contracting Arrangements

Employees of the Offices of Student Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office and Student Accounts shall not accept from any lender or affiliate of any lender any fee, payment, or other financial benefit (including opportunity to purchase stock) as compensation for any consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.

4Preferred Lender Status

OFTC participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program which provides student and parent loans through the U.S. Department of Education. Lenders in the private student loan industry will not be given a preferred status. OFTC will not produce a preferred lender list that gives any lender an advantage in securing business from OFTC students.

5Interaction with Borrowers

OFTC will not assign a borrower’s private student loan to a particular lender; all decisions will be made by the borrower in his/her independent review of borrower benefits and lender services. Further, OFTC will not refuse to certify, or delay certification of, any loan based on the borrower’s selection of a particular lender or guaranty agency.

6Opportunity Pool Loan

OFTC will not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds to be used for private education loans (defined in section 140 of the Truth in Lending Act) including funds for an opportunity pool loan in exchange for OFTC providing concessions or promises regarding providing the lender with a specified number of loans made, insured, or guaranteed; a specified loan volume of such loans; or a preferred lender arrangement for such loans.

7Staffing Assistance

OFTC will not request or accept from any lender, guarantor, or servicer of student loans any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid office staffing.

8Advisory Board Compensation

Employees of the Offices of Student Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office and Student Accounts who serve on an advisory board, commission, or group established by a lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, are prohibited from receiving anything of value from the lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, except that the employee may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in serving on such an advisory board, commission, or group.

Students are required to complete 67% of all attempted classes. If you withdraw or drop any classes, this could affect your financial aid status. If you are considering withdrawing or dropping any classes, please contact the Financial Aid Office to see how it will affect your financial aid status.

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale that includes all credit courses appearing on the academic transcript. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below the minimum, his/her financial aid is subject to Financial Aid suspension. Also, the Department of Education requires that students complete 67% of all attempted classes.

Students will be placed on FA warning the term after failing either criteria. If the student does not meet financial aid standards during the warning term, he/she will be placed on suspension.

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale that includes all credit courses appearing on the academic transcript. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below the minimum, his/her financial aid is subject to Financial Aid suspension. Also, the Department of Education requires that students complete 67% of all attempted classes.

Students will be placed on FA warning the term after failing either criteria. If the student does not meet financial aid standards during the warning term, he/she will be placed on suspension.

Students have the right to appeal a finding that they are not making satisfactory progress if they feel that there are extenuating circumstances which have prevented them from meeting the specified requirements. Any student on suspension may file an appeal with the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Appeals for Satisfactory Academic Progress must be based on specific extenuating circumstances. Documentation supporting the extenuating circumstance must be submitted with the appeal. If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning and/or given an academic plan to ensure success for the following and subsequent terms. If a student is given an academic plan, it is the student’s responsibility to check on status by contacting the Financial Aid Office after grades are posted each term. The deadline for submitting an appeal is 10 days from the date the student was notified of suspension.

Students will be given an academic plan IF the committee approves the SAP appeal. A student under an academic plan will agree to the following requirements:

• Must successfully complete all courses
• Must maintain a term GPA of at least 2.3
• Failure to comply with all requirements of the academic plan will result in the student being placed back on suspension.
• A second appeal may be considered if extenuating circumstances have occurred that is different from the first appeal, while on an academic plan. (This is essentially an unanticipated and unavoidable occurrence beyond the student’s control which directly affected his or her ability to be academically successful and which has been resolved or stabilized so he or she is now able to become academically successful. Examples of mitigating circumstances include but not limited to a documented illness, death in the immediate family, or natural disaster.)
• If the length of the SAP Academic Plan has expired and the student is still not making SAP, then the student would not be eligible for another extension of aid. The student would need to submit another SAP Appeal to request their aid be reinstated or students can submit up to 2 SAP Appeal Forms.

Professional judgment is the ability of a financial aid administrator to recalculate the student’s financial aid eligibility due to special or unusual circumstances. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) only requests certain information, which may not show the student’s/parents entire financial situation. The financial aid administrator, under federal law, has the authority to take these special or unusual circumstances into consideration and make changes to the student’s financial aid application.

Special circumstances are situations that may occur that are not addressed in the application process. Some common special circumstances that may occur are:

• Separation from employment due to layoff, termination or disability
• Excessive non-reimbursed medical and/or dental expenses
• Reduction of untaxed income source such as child support, disability benefits, etc.
• Separation or divorce which occurred after applying for financial aid
• Death of parent or spouse which occurred after applying for financial aid

In order to start the Professional Judgment process, a request must come from the student. Once the student has requested that Professional Judgment be performed, the student is given an OFTC Professional Judgment Appeal Form. This form has instructions and a list of documents that must be presented to the Financial Aid Office before the Professional Judgment Appeal can be completed.

The student must complete and submit the FAFSA, the Verification Worksheet, tax transcripts for student and parents (if dependent), Professional Judgment Appeal Form, and documents that support the appeal. On the Professional Judgment Appeal Form, the student must provide income earned from different sources up till then and projected total income for the entire year.

Verification will first be performed on the application. If needed, corrections may be made to the application. Once the correction has come back from the Department of Education, the Financial Aid Administrator will review the supportive documents. The Financial Aid Administrator will make any necessary adjustments to the application using the information provided by the student. All documentation will be taken into consideration.

Once adjustments are made to the application the Financial Aid Administrator will make the final decision. The decision is final and cannot be appealed.