Student Finances

Print-Friendly Page

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

• What Students Should Know About Tuition and Fees
• Tuition
• Fees
• Classification for Tuition Purposes
• Additional Costs of Attendance
• Refunds Policy (Non-Financial Aid)
• Scholarships at Macon State College
• Office of Student Financial Aid
• Important Facts about Financial Aid
• Financial Aid Program Descriptions
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

GENERAL INFORMATION

All tuition and fees are due by the deadlines published in the “Schedule of Classes” for each academic semester. Payment deadlines are also listed on the College’s website at Macon State College: Tuition & Fees. Registration is not complete until all tuition and fees have been paid. All tuition and fees and other charges are subject to change at the end of any semester. See Macon State College: Explanation of Fees on the College’s website for current tuition and fee amounts.

Payments may be made at the following locations:

• Macon Campus
  
  • Payment Center, located in the Student Life Building
  • Business Office, located in the Administration Building
• Warner Robins Campus
  
  • Administrative Services Building
• Robins Resident Center
• Macon State College Website

The following forms of payment are accepted:

• Cash
• Check (payable to Macon State College in US currency and drawn on a financial institution located in the United States) Note: The College reserves the right to determine the acceptability of all checks.
• Credit Card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)
• Student Financial Assistance (federal and/or state aid, scholarship, third party contract)

A student attending classes who has not completed registration with the Business Office through payment of fees will be held liable for the fees due plus any service fees assessed, applicable collection costs, court costs, and legal fees associated with collection efforts. A “hold” will be placed on the record of any student who has a financial obligation to the College and will remain on the student’s record until the obligation is settled. This “hold” prevents a student from registering for additional classes, from graduating, and from obtaining grades and transcripts.

Persons who have credit card payments or checks returned by a bank for any reason must promptly settle that obligation with the College, along with a $20 returned item fee that is assessed. Failure to do so will be considered nonpayment of fees. The College reserves the right to void a student’s registration for nonpayment of fees at any time during the academic term. The College also reserves the right to place students on “cash only” status for writing checks that are not honored by a bank.

It is the responsibility of all Macon State College students to be informed of, and to observe all regulations and procedures regarding the payment of fees and the entitlement of refunds. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception granted because a student pleads ignorance of the regulation or asserts that he/she was not informed of the regulation by an advisor or other authority. Verbal misinformation is not grounds for waiver of a regulation. All questions concerning fees and refunds should be directed to the Business Office.

TUITION

Macon State College has four tuition rates: 

• Guaranteed Tuition Plan (Fiscal Year 2007 Freshman Cohort)  This tuition rate applies to those students who entered the College Fall 2006, Spring 2007, or Summer 2007. This rate will be held constant through Summer 2011.
• Guaranteed Tuition Plan (Fiscal Year 2008 Freshman Cohort)  This tuition rate applies to those students entering the College Fall 2007, Spring 2008, or Summer 2008. This rate will be held constant through Summer 2012.
• Guaranteed Tuition Plan (Fiscal Year 2009 Freshman Cohort)  This tuition rate applies to those students entering the College Fall 2008 and Spring 2009.  This rate will be held constant through Summer 2013.            
• Continuing (Non-fixed)  This rate applies to students who entered Macon State College or any University System of Georgia College for the first time prior to Fall 2006 and for those students entering the College Summer 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, and Summer 2010.

These rates apply to tuition only. Fees such as the Technology Fee or the Student Activity Fees are subject to increase from year to year.

The new rates are automatically calculated on students’ schedule bills and are listed on the College’s website at Macon State College: Explanation of Fees. More information on the Guaranteed Tuition Plan can be found on the website. Questions may be directed to one of the cashiers in the Payment Center (located in the Student Life Center on the Macon campus) or at the Business Office of the Warner Robins Center.  Questions may also be directed to the Business Office at  478-471-2705.

FEES

In addition to tuition, Macon State imposes the following fees:

• Orientation Fee  All beginning and transfer students pay an orientation fee. This fee covers the cost of orientation, either online or in person, and is nonrefundable.
• Student Activities Fee All students enrolled in four or more semester hours are assessed a Student Activities Fee. Students enrolled in three semester hours or less are not required to pay this fee. The Student Activities Fee is $44.00 per semester. This fee is used to support extra- and co-curricular life at Macon State, including all of the Student Life programs, events, organizations, services, and facilities. These programs, events, organizations, services, and facilities are student-centered with students as the primary participants or beneficiaries. All aspects of the expenditure of Student Activities Fees through the Office of Student Life are available to students regardless of race, national origin, color, sex, age, religion, or disability. The Student Affairs Committee, which is composed of 50 percent faculty/staff and 50 percent students, recommends an annual expenditure budget to the President of the College.
• Technology Fee  All students enrolled at Macon State College are assessed a technology fee each semester. This fee is used to support technology improvements and/or upgrades on campus.
• Late Registration Fee  Students will be assessed a fee for registering on or after the first day of class of each semester.
• Applied Music Fee  Students enrolled in applied music courses at Macon State College are assessed an applied music fee each semester. This fee is nonrefundable.
• Student Health Insurance  Students enrolled in nursing or respiratory therapy programs, some HIMT, HIMA, and HLSA courses, or international students holding F or J visas at Macon State College are required to have health insurance that meets minimum standards as mandated by the University System of Georgia. More information can be found on the College’s website at http://www.maconstate.edu/studentlife/student_health_insurance.aspx.
• Liability   Insurance Students enrolled in programs requiring clinical time, such as nursing or respiratory therapy, are required to have professional liability insurance. This fee is nonrefundable.
• Other Nursing and Respiratory Therapy Student Fees Various other testing fees will be required in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. These fees are nonrefundable.

Current fee amounts are listed on the College’s website at Macon State College: Explanation of Fees.

ADDITIONAL COSTS OF ATTENDANCE

Students may incur additional costs of attendance while attending Macon State College. These costs include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Textbooks and Supplies
  Textbooks and school supplies are available in the Macon State College Bookstore in the Student Life Center and on the Warner Robins campus. The costs of books and supplies will vary with the courses selected by the student. A fair estimate is from $150 to $400 each semester.
• Nursing Uniforms and Instruments
  Nursing students are required to purchase uniforms and instruments at a cost of approximately $300 per year.

REFUND POLICY (NON-FINANCIAL AID)

A full refund will be given to students who officially withdraw prior to the first day of the semester. The refund amount for students completely withdrawing from the College after the first day of the semester will be based on a pro rata percentage determined by dividing the total number of calendar days in the semester the student has completed by the total number of calendar days in the semester. The total number of calendar days in the semester will include weekends. Scheduled breaks of five or more days and days that a student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded. No refunds will be issued once a student has completed 60% or more of a semester. However, a refund of all nonresident fees, matriculation fees, and other mandatory fees will be made in the event of the death of a student at any time during the academic session.

NO refunds will be made for the following:

• Withdrawal after 60% of the semester is completed
• Failure to withdraw officially
• Suspension or forced withdrawal for disciplinary reasons
• Reduction in hours after the “drop/add” period ends
• Late registration fee payments
• Applied music fee payments

The “stop payment” of a check does not constitute an official withdrawal from Macon State College. The student will be held liable for all charges unless the date of official withdrawal from the College is within the refund period, in which case the student will be liable for the portion of their tuition and fees that are not refundable, plus the returned check fee and any applicable collection costs, including court and legal fees associated with collection.

DELIVERY OF REFUNDS

Macon State College utilizes the HigherOne debit card to deliver refunds of tuition, fees, scholarships and financial aid remaining balances to students. Every student will receive an “Easy Refund” MasterCard from HigherOne in the mail. This card is a debit card, not a credit card, and can be used anywhere debit cards are accepted. More information about the HigherOne Easy Refund card can be found on the College’s website at Macon State College: Higher One Refund Card. All students should activate their cards even if they do not expect to receive a refund.

Balances of financial aid remaining on students’ accounts will continue to be released 14 days after the first day of class.

 Description of Terms Used in the Policy 

1. Dependent Student – an individual under the age of 24 who receives financial support from a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian. 

2. Emancipated – a minor who, under certain circumstances, may be treated by the law as an adult. A student reaching the age of 18 shall not qualify for consideration of reclassification by virtue of having become emancipated unless he or she can demonstrate financial independence and domicile independent of his or her parents. 

3. Independent Student – an individual who is not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian and whose parent or guardian has ceased to provide support and rights to that individuals’ care, custody, and earnings.  The other terms used in the Tuition Classification Policy can be found in the Glossary of Terms for Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes. 

United States Citizens 

A. Independent Students 

1. An independent student who has established and maintained a domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term shall be classified as in-state for tuition purposes. 

No student shall gain or acquire in-state classification while attending any postsecondary educational institution in this state without clear evidence of having established domicile in Georgia for purposes other than attending a postsecondary educational institution in this state. 

2. If an independent student classified as in-state for tuition purposes relocates out of state temporarily but returns to the State of Georgia within 12 months of the relocation, such student shall be entitled to retain his or her in-state tuition classification. 

B. Dependent Students 

1. A dependent student shall be classified as in-state for tuition purposes if such dependent student’s parent has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term and (a) the student has graduated from a Georgia high school; or (b) the parent claimed the student as a dependent on the parent’s most recent federal or state income tax return. 

2. A dependent student shall be classified as in-state for tuition purposes if such student’s United States court appointed legal guardian has established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term, provided that such appointment was not made to avoid payment of out-of-state tuition and the U.S. court appointed legal guardian can provide clear evidence of having established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term. 

3. If the parent or United States court appointed legal guardian of a dependent student currently classified as in-state for tuition purposes establishes domicile outside of the State of Georgia after having established and maintained domicile in the State of Georgia, such student may retain his or her in-state tuition classification so long as such student remains continuously enrolled in a public postsecondary educational institution in this state, regardless of the domicile of such student’s parent or United States court appointed legal guardian. 

Noncitizen Students 

A noncitizen student shall not be classified as in-state for tuition purposes unless the student is legally in this state and there is evidence to warrant consideration of in-state classification as determined by the Board of Regents. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or other eligible noncitizens as defined by federal Title IV regulations may be extended the same consideration as citizens of the United States in determining whether they qualify for in-state classification. 

International students who reside in the United States under nonimmigrant status conditioned at least in part upon intent not to abandon a foreign domicile shall not be eligible for in-state classification. 

Macon State College may waive out-of-state tuition for:

A.  Academic Common Market (Waiver A). Students selected to participate in a program offered through the Academic Common Market.

B. International and Superior Out-of-State Students (Waiver B). International students and superior out-of-state students selected by the institutional president or an authorized representative, provided that the number of such waivers in effect does not exceed 2% of the equivalent full-time students enrolled at the institution in the fall term immediately preceding the term for which the out-of-state tuition is to be waived.

C.  University System Employees and Dependents (Waiver C). Full-time employees of the University System, their spouses, and their dependent children.

D.  Full-Time School Employees (Waiver E). Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia (BR Minutes, October 2008), their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver (BR Minutes, 1988-89, p. 43)(BR Minutes, October 2008).

E.  Career Consular Officials (Waiver F). Career consular officers, their spouses, and their dependent children who are citizens of the foreign nation that their consular office represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments.

F.  Military Personnel (Waiver G). Military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children stationed in or assigned to Georgia and on active duty. The waiver can be retained by the military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children if the military sponsor is reassigned outside of Georgia, as long as the student(s) remain(s) continuously enrolled and the military sponsor remains on active military status (BR Minutes, February 2004).

G.  Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists (Wavier J). Active members of the Georgia National Guard, stationed or assigned to Georgia or active members of a unit of the U.S. Military Reserves based in Georgia, and their spouses and their dependent children (BR Minutes, October 2008).

H.  Students enrolled in University System institutions as part of Competitive Economic Development Projects (Waiver K). Students who are certified by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development as being part of a competitive economic development project.

I.  Students in Georgia-Based Corporations (Waiver L). Students who are employees of Georgia-based corporations or organizations that have contracted with the Board of Regents through University System institutions to provide out-of-state tuition differential waivers.

J.  Students in ICAPP Advantage programs (Waiver N). Any student participating in an ICAPP Advantage program.

K.  International and Domestic Exchange Programs (Waiver O). Any student who enrolls in a University System institution as a participant in an international or domestic direct exchange program that provides reciprocal benefits to University System students (BR Minutes, October 2008).

L.  Economic Advantage (Waiver P). As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident who is a dependent or independent student and can provide clear evidence that the student or the student’s parent, spouse, or U.S. court appointed legal guardian has relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full‐time, self‐sustaining employment and has established domicile in the State of Georgia.  Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education. For U.S. citizens or U.S. legal permanent residents, this waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted (BR Minutes, October 2008).

As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to an independent non‐citizen possessing a valid employment‐related visa status who can provide clear evidence of having relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full‐time, self‐sustaining employment. Relocation to the state must be for employment reasons and not for the purpose of enrolling in an institution of higher education. These individuals would be required to show clear evidence of having taken legally permissible steps toward establishing legal permanent residence in the United States and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia. Independent non‐citizen students may continue to receive this waiver as long as they maintain a valid employment‐related visa status and can demonstrate continued efforts to establish U.S. legal permanent residence and legal domicile in the State of Georgia (BR Minutes, October 2008).

A dependent non‐citizen student who can provide clear evidence that the student’s parent, spouse, or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian possesses a valid employment‐related visa status and can provide clear evidence of having relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full‐time, self‐sustaining employment is also eligible to receive this waiver. Relocation to the state must be for employment reasons and not for the purpose of enrolling in an institution of higher education. These individuals must be able to show clear evidence of having taken legally permissible steps toward establishing legal permanent residence in the United States and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia. Non‐citizen students currently receiving a waiver who are dependents of a parent, spouse, or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian possessing a valid employment‐related visa status may continue to receive this waiver as long as they can demonstrate that their parent, spouse, or U.S. court appointed legal guardian is maintaining full‐time, self‐sustaining employment in Georgia and is continuing efforts to pursue an adjustment of status to U.S. legal permanent resident and the establishment of legal domicile in the State of Georgia. (BR Minutes, October 2008.)

M.  Recently Separated Military Service Personnel (Waiver Q). Members of a uniformed military service of the United States who, within 12 months of separation from such service, enroll in an academic program and demonstrate an intent to become a permanent resident of Georgia. This waiver may also be granted to their spouses and dependent children. This waiver may be granted for not more than one year (BR Minutes, October 2008).

N.  Nonresident Student (Waiver R). As of the first day of classes for the term, a nonresident student can be considered for this waiver under the following conditions: 

Dependent Student. If the parent, or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months and the
student can provide clear and legal evidence showing the relationship to the parent or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian has existed for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term. Under Georgia code legal guardianship must be established prior to the student’s 18th birthday (BR Minutes, October 2008).

Independent Student. If the student can provide clear and legal evidence showing relations to the spouse and the spouse has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term. This waiver can remain in effect as long as the student remains continuously enrolled (BR Minutes, October 2008).

If the parent, spouse, or U.S. court‐appointed legal guardian of a continuously enrolled nonresident student establishes domicile in another state after having maintained domicile in the State of Georgia for the required period, the nonresident student may continue to receive this waiver as long as the student remains continuously enrolled in a public postsecondary educational institution in the state, regardless of the domicile of the parent, spouse or U.S. courtappointed legal guardian (BR Minutes, June 2006).

O.  Vocational Rehabilitation Waiver (Waiver S). Students enrolled in a University System of Georgia institution based on a referral by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program of the Georgia Department of Labor (BR Minutes, October 2008). 

Out-of-State Student Classification Change

Students are responsible for registering under the proper classification for tuition purposes. If they believe the initial determination of their classification as an out-of-state student is in error or if they have established legal residence in the state since the semester of their first enrollment, they may apply for classification as an in-state student. The residency petition may be obtained in the Office of the Registrar or the Office of Admissions. The petition must be filed no later than 30 days before the first day of class for the semester for the semester begins in order for the reclassification to take place.  This affidavit, when completed, should include documentation such as a statement of voter registration, a copy of the most recent income tax withholding statement, a certified copy of the most recent Georgia Income Tax Return, and copies of any other documents which might substantiate the claim that they have been legal residents of Georgia for twelve months or more prior to the date of registration. These documents might include their selective service registration, a hunting or fishing license, an insurance policy, Last Will and Testament, indication of a Georgia checking or savings account and/or safety deposit box, and certification of membership in professional, business, civic, or other organization in Georgia.

The Registrar or Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services will review petitions for classification as an in-state student and will notify students of action taken. If the petition is granted, reclassification will not be retroactive to prior semesters.

Appeal of Classification as an Out-of-State Student

Students who wish to appeal a residency decision may request a review of the petition by the College within twenty days. This request must be in the form of a written statement listing in detail the grounds on which they challenge their classification and must include any documentation not already submitted. Any residency decision may be finally appealed in writing to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

More than 60 scholarships are available to students who have been accepted to Macon State College or who currently are enrolled.

The scholarships, which are available through Macon State College and the Macon State College Foundation, are awarded on a competitive basis.
Generally, recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.

Scholarship applications may be picked up in the Office of Development, Office of Admissions, Office of Financial Aid, and the Academic Division Offices. Scholarship applications should be completed and returned to the Office of Development, Suite 217, in the Administration Building. Applications list the criteria for each scholarship.

More information on scholarships is available in the Office of Development at (478) 471-2732.

The Office of Student Financial Aid is located in the Student Life Building on the second floor in Room 204. To contact the Financial Aid Office, call (478) 471-2717, email fainfo@mail.maconstate.edu, or write:

Macon State College
Office of Student Financial Aid
100 College State Drive
Macon, Georgia 31206

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday.

• Financial Aid provides assistance to students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend Macon State College. It is the intention of the College to help as many students as possible by providing assistance with grants, scholarships, student employment, and loans.
• Macon State College uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results to determine the level of financial need. Students may pick up the FAFSA from the Financial Aid Office or complete the online FAFSA at www.FAFSA.ed.gov.
• Students must also complete other forms or applications as required by the MSC Office of Student Financial Aid.
• Students wishing to apply for the Georgia HOPE Scholarship/Grant only will need to complete the GSFAPPS form at www.GAcollege411.org and the applicable MSC HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Grant application.
• Financial Aid eligibility is reestablished each year beginning with the Fall semester; therefore, students must re-apply annually. FAFSA applications are available each year beginning in January. Applicants who apply early generally experience fewer delays in processing. First consideration will be given to students whose applications are received by the April 15 priority deadline. Any financial aid applications received after the April 15 deadline will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The Financial Aid Office uses the student’s permanent home address that is on record with the Registrar’s Office or the student’s Macon State College email address for all correspondence.
• Students who pre-register for classes should note the payment deadline provided with their registration materials.

Financial Aid

Macon State College is pleased to announce participation in the U.S. Department of Education’s Quality Assurance Program. The mission of the Quality Assurance Program is to ensure that student financial aid is administered accurately and expediently and with integrity. While participation in the Q.A. program is voluntary, it represents the College’s commitment to providing the best service possible to financial aid applicants.

As a Quality Assurance college, Macon State College must gather specific information from financial aid applicants (as required by the U.S. Department of Education). To accomplish this, a random sample of financial aid applicants is selected annually for verification purposes. If selected for verification, students may be required to submit additional documentation to the Financial Aid Office. Once verified, students are notified of any informational discrepancies noted, and awards are recalculated, if necessary. Because students may be randomly selected for the verification process, it is important that the FAFSA be completed accurately.

Verification of Application Information

If a student’s application is selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or the Quality Assurance Program, that student will be asked to verify, at a minimum, the following: adjusted gross income, federal income taxes paid, untaxed income, household size, number of family members in college, and independent status.

Students selected for verification will be asked to submit to the Office of Financial Aid a signed copy of their federal tax return,W2 form(s), and their parents’ and/ or spouse’s return and W2 form(s), if applicable. The verification process must be completed within 45 days.

Grants

Federal Pell:* This grant is available to undergraduate U. S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who demonstrate financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA applications. The amount of a Federal Pell Grant depends on the student’s cost of attendance, expected family contribution, enrollment status (full or part-time), and whether the student will attend for a full academic year or less.

* All financial aid applicants are encouraged to apply for the Federal Pell Grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): This grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) -For undergraduates receiving Pell Grants who are U.S. citizens enrolled full-time in their first or second academic year of study. First academic year undergraduate students must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2006. Second academic year undergraduate students must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2005, and have at least a 3.0 GPA for the first academic year for their eligible program. Students also must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study and be enrolled in at least a two-year academic program acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants( National SMART Grant)- This grant is for Pell eligible undergraduate students who are enrolled full time in the third or fourth academic year of an eligible four-year degree program. Student must be pursuing an eligible major in physical, life, or computer sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics, or a critical-need foreign language. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.

NOTE: MSC will be able to determine which of their Pell Grant students are eligible for an ACG or National SMART Grant. There is no need for the student to provide any information beyond what was submitted with the FAFSA.

Leveraging Education Assistance Partnership (LEAP): This grant provides educational grant assistance to residents of Georgia who demonstrate substantial financial need to attend eligible postsecondary institutions in Georgia.

Georgia HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship: The HOPE Scholarship program is Georgia’s unique scholarship program that awards an undergraduate student’s hard work with financial assistance. This program is fully funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

HOPE Scholarship qualifications for entering freshmen are:

• Be a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S. or have evidence from Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) of eligible permanent resident alien status.
• Be a Georgia resident as defined by HOPE regulations.
• Be a 1993 or later Georgia high school graduate.
• Have a “B” average as defined by the HOPE program regulations.
• Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student.

HOPE Scholarship qualifications for sophomores, juniors, and seniors are:

• Meet the above residency and citizenship requirements.
• Establish a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 at the completion of the 30th, 60th, and 90th attempted semester hours.
• Hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 at the end of the Spring term.

All students must:

• Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements.
• Not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program.
• Maintain financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by Macon State College.

Changes to HOPE Eligibility Requirements Effective May 2007:

HOPE Scholars from 1993 - 2006 who did not begin receiving the HOPE Scholarship until after May 1, 2007, must meet the new HOPE requirements. The high school academic requirements for the HOPE scholarship will be a true “B average” of a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, rather than an 80 numeric average, for all core curriculum courses in the college preparatory curriculum. For additional information on the HOPE Scholarship Program eligibility requirements, please visit the Web site at www.GAcollege411.org.

Award Amounts:

The HOPE Scholarship award amount covers tuition, HOPE - approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance of up to $300 an academic year. Effective Fall 2004, the amount HOPE will pay for mandatory fees (activity and technology fee) is capped at the amount paid at each institution for the 2003-2004 award year. HOPE will not pay the difference for any increases to fees.

Eligibility Checkpoints:

The HOPE program established certain eligibility checkpoints. At theses checkpoints a student must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain eligible for the HOPE Scholarship.

HOPE Scholarship Attempted - Hours Checkpoint

• “Attempted Hours” means all college degree-level quarter or semester hours, after high school graduation, for which a postsecondary student was enrolled (e.g. learning support courses, repeat courses, all transfer work, withdrawals, etc.).
• All HOPE Scholarship recipients must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA at the 30, 60, 90 semester hours checkpoints to remain eligible for the HOPE.
• HOPE Scholarship eligibility can be lost, gained, or regained at these checkpoints.

HOPE Scholarship Spring - Hours Checkpoint

• Effective Summer term 2004.
• All HOPE Scholarship recipients must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA at the end of each and every spring term, regardless of whether the student is enrolled for spring term.
• HOPE Scholarship eligibility can be lost at the spring checkpoint.
• HOPE Scholarship eligibility cannot be gained or regained at a spring checkpoint. A student can regain the HOPE Scholarship only at a future attempted-hours checkpoint.

Scholarship Award Limits

A student becomes ineligible for the HOPE Scholarship once the student has:

• Received payment from any combination of HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel Program funds totaling 127 semester hours of credit; or
• Attempted 127 semester hours of college degree credit, regardless of whether HOPE funds were received while attempting the hours; or
• Earned a baccalaureate (four-year) college degree, regardless of whether HOPE funds were received while earning the degree.

Georgia HOPE Grant: Georgia residents attending Macon State College to earn a certificate are eligible for HOPE assistance regardless of high school graduation or grade point average. This grant covers only courses specified in the college catalog for the students’ intended majors. These funds cover tuition and mandatory fees. Recipients receive a book allowance of up to $150 per semester. Recipients must maintain financial aid SAP as defined by Macon State College.

Georgia HOPE GED: A one-time $500 HOPE voucher is available for Georgia GED recipients. Recipients must maintain financial aid SAP as defined by Macon State College. More information is available in the Office of Financial Aid.

PROMISE Teacher Scholarship: The PROMISE Teacher Scholarship assists students seeking their first undergraduate degree in education OR students seeking a second undergraduate degree in education if their first undergraduate degree was not in education. Students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA for all course work and be classified as either a junior or senior in an approved education program. The scholarship provides $3,000 per academic year. Generally, it takes an additional two years to complete a second bachelor’s degree, but it may vary depending upon the institution’s program requirements.

NOTE: For more information about Georgia HOPE programs, refer to www.GAcollege411.org.

Loans

Federal Stafford (Subsidized) Student Loans: Long-term, deferred-payment student loans are available to qualified students through agreements with banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, and other lenders. Interest on these loans is paid by the federal government during the period in which the recipients are enrolled at least half-time and during any grace period or deferment. After this period, students begin repayment of the loan.

Federal Stafford (Unsubsidized) Loans: The unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program was created for students who do not qualify, in whole or in part, for subsidized Federal Stafford Loans. The terms of unsubsidized loans are the same as the terms of the subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, except as described below:

Interest Payment: The federal government does not pay the interest on student’s behalf. Students must pay all interest that accrues on unsubsidized loans during the time of enrollment in school, during the grace period, and during any periods of deferment or repayment. There are two ways students may pay the required interest:

1. Make monthly or quarterly payments to the lender, OR
2. Reach an agreement with the lender to add interest to the principal of the loan, but no more frequently than quarterly; this is called capitalization. If students do not make interest payments as scheduled while in school, in grace period, or during a period of authorized deferment, the lender may automatically capitalize the interest every three months. During other periods, students must pay this interest to the lender, unless the lender agrees to grant forbearance, as explained in the promissory note.

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loans: The federal government sponsors PLUS loans for families needing additional loan assistance. If a parent borrows on behalf of a dependent undergraduate student, the student must also meet general eligibility requirements. The maximum PLUS loan amount that a parent can borrow is the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student receives.

Service Cancelable Student Loans: Legal residents of Georgia who are majoring in health career fields are eligible to apply for Service Cancelable Student Loans. Borrowers receiving degrees in health career fields approved by the State Scholarship Commission may elect to cancel all or a portion of their loan by practicing in Commission-approved locations within the State of Georgia. Graduates may cancel an academic year’s loan or its equivalent by practicing in an approved field for one calendar year. Repayment policies regarding loan cancellations are subject to change at the discretion of the State Scholarship Commission.

Employment

Federal Work Study Program: This program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to pay part of their educational expenses by working at a part-time job. To be employed under this program, students must enroll for at least a half-time course load, show evidence of financial need each semester, and maintain good academic standing while employed under this program. Preference will be given to students with exceptional financial need.

Student Assistant Program: This program, sponsored entirely by Macon State College, employs students on a part-time basis on campus. Although it is not entirely disregarded, financial need is not a major determinant. Students must be enrolled for at least six hours to be employed as a student assistant.

Under the Federal Work Study and Student Assistance programs, students are given the opportunity to work approximately 15 to 19.5 hours per week depending on the award. These funds must be earned. Students must arrange their employment schedule with their assigned supervisors.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Students who have fees paid by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, must request the Office of the Registrar to send copies of their grades to the Vocational Rehabilitation Office each semester. The College Business Office must be in receipt of written authorization from the Vocational Rehabilitation Office prior to students’ registration each semester.

Financial Aid Policies Governing the Administration of Awards:

Refund/Repayment Policy for Financial Aid Recipients

When financial aid recipients withdraw during a semester, the amount of federal assistance that students have earned up to that point is determined by a formula specified by the Department of Education. If students were disbursed less assistance than the amount earned up to the point of withdrawal, they are eligible to receive the additional funds. If students received more assistance than earned, then they and the institution will share in returning excess funds to the appropriate federal agency. A percentage of book charges must also be returned, which will cause debt to Macon State College. To avoid these charges, students should contact the Bookstore to see if the books can be returned for credit.

The amount of assistance earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. That is, if students completed 30 percent of the period of enrollment, they have earned 30 percent of the assistance originally scheduled. Once students complete more than 60 percent of the enrollment period, all assistance originally scheduled has been earned.

If students received excess funds based on this formula, the College must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

• The institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of student funds, or
• The entire amount of the excess funds.

If the College is not required to return all of the excess funds, students must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that students must return must be repaid by the students (or their parents for a PLUS loan) in accordance with the terms of the promissory note.

If students are responsible for returning grant funds, they do not have to return the full amount. Financial Aid policy provides that students may retain 50 percent of the grant amount calculated for return. Any amount students are required to return, however, is considered to be a grant overpayment. Arrangements to repay these funds must be made with the College within 45 days.

Example A:

Student A received the following financial aid:

 Student A withdraws from school after completing 20.8% (# of days completed/total # days) of the semester. Federal law states that this student has “earned” 20.8% of federal aid disbursed. 

 The institution is required to return 20.8% of institutional charges ($846), which is $670.00. This amount will be returned to the Unsubsidized Stafford loan program.

The student will be responsible for the remaining balance.

The remaining $516.31 unsubsidized loan and the $1,272.64 subsidized Stafford loan will be returned in accordance with the terms of the promissory note. The remaining amount of $1,092.05 funds are Pell Grant funds, and in accordance with federal regulations, 50% of the original award ($2,025) is protected. Therefore the student is responsible for $80.05, which the student would need to make arrangement with MSC to repay to the Pell Grant program within 45 days.

In addition to federal aid, student also received HOPE as follows:

 Since all or part of the student’s Title IV aid was disbursed directly to the student, the school must bill the student for the $668.34 HOPE to be returned. A hold will be put on the student’s record to prevent the student from receiving any additional scholarship or grant from the State until the refund is paid. The book allowance is not part of the refund calculation.

Example B:

Students who fail to receive a passing grade in at least one course are considered to have “unofficially withdrawn” and are subject to return of Title IV calculations.

Financial Aid Received:

Student B did not receive any passing grades for the spring semester. Since the College has no record to determine when the student stopped attending, the College must perform the Return to Title IV calculations using the midpoint of the semester (50%). 

The institution is required to return 50% of the institutional charges. However, since all of the aid has been given to the student and since the student did not officially withdraw, no refund of tuition and fees is given by the school; therefore, the amount (*) the institution has to return will become a debt to MSC by the student as follows:

Since the $1,390.13 student share is subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loan funds, Student B will pay these funds back in accordance with promissory note.

Students Receiving Financial Assistance

The U.S. Department of Education mandates institutions of higher education to establish a standard of satisfactory academic progress for students who receive financial aid. This standard must apply to the student’s entire academic history, whether Title IV financial aid was received or not. In order to remain eligible for student financial aid at Macon State College, students must meet the standards specified for acceptable academic performance and for satisfactory progress toward the completion of their program of study. The standards are established within the framework of applicable federal regulations specifically for the purpose of determining the eligibility of students to receive aid under the generally funded Title IV programs, including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, Georgia HOPE Scholarship and Grant, and Federal Family Educational Loan Programs (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS). The financial aid satisfactory academic policy should not be confused with Probation or Good Standing as defined by academic regulations.

Components

The Macon State College definition of satisfactory academic progress for receiving financial aid includes the following components:

I. Qualitative Standards

Macon State College uses the 4.0 grade point average and numerical code:

4.0 = A, 3.0 = B, 2.0 = C, 1.0 = D, 0.0 = F, 0.0 = WF.

Students are expected to maintain the following overall institutional grade point average (GPA) based on the number of semester hours attempted:

Students who are required by the institution to enroll in Learning Support courses are allowed 30 semester hours to exit learning support. Students who have not met the criteria for completion will be placed on financial aid suspension regardless of their total hours attempted and cumulative average. Learning Support courses are not counted in the quantitative process.

II. Quantitative Process

Students must show measurable progress toward earning a degree by successfully completing 67% (see example below) of the hours for which they enroll each academic year. Grades of A,B,C,or D count as the successful completion of a course. The grades of F, W, WF, I, K, or V do not count as the successful completion of a course.

III. Maximum Time-Frame

In addition to previously stated standards, student financial aid is available for up to 150% (see example below) of the number of hours required to complete a cooperative, certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree program.  

The purpose of student financial aid is to assist students in earning a degree. Students who have earned enough hours to complete degree requirements may no longer be eligible for student financial aid.

Students who change majors or degree programs may reach eligibility limits before obtaining a degree. Students who decide to change majors or degree programs should do so early so as not to jeopardize eligibility for student financial aid.

IV. Transfer Students

Transfer students will be required to complete 67% of the attempted hours for which they enroll and have the required cumulative GPA for their grade level. Transfer hours accepted for credit toward a degree from Macon State College will be counted for purposes of the maximum time frame.

Financial Aid Suspension

A student will be automatically placed on financial aid suspension in the event that the student fails to meet the qualitative standards or quantitative process requirements. A student in this category may receive financial aid for the summer semester, but by the end of that semester, that student must have completed both the aggregate number of semester hours required and attain the overall institutional GPA required to establish satisfactory academic progress. If the student does not make up the deficiencies, the student is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is placed on financial aid suspension for the fall semester. Financial Aid Suspension means the termination of all financial aid until the student has returned to a satisfactory academic progress standing.

A student who does not meet the maximum time frame requirement will, without warning, become ineligible for financial aid.

Appeals Process

Student financial aid recipients who have lost eligibility for aid may appeal in writing to the Office of Student Financial Aid if there are extenuating circumstances. The appeal must specifically address:

1. Reasons why the minimum requirements were not met, and
2. Reasons why the student’s aid should not be terminated.

The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review the appeal to determine whether the suspension/termination will be lifted. Written notification of the Committee’s action will be provided, along with any special conditions which must be met in the event the suspension/termination is lifted. Decisions of the Committee may be appealed in writing to the Director of Enrollment Management