The Process
1. How do I apply?
It seems like a simple question, but the answer depends upon the type of financial aid you are applying for:
Hope Only:
Complete a one-time application at the gacollege411.org web site. (Here is a tutorial to help you get to the Hope application....gacollege411 tutorial)
Federal Financial Aid and Hope:
Complete a FAFSA. Your Hope eligibility will be evaluated as well as your federal aid.
Other types of applications for loans, grants and scholarships can be found using the links on the left navigation bar on this financial aid web site.
The status of our receipt and processing of your application can be found on your Banner account.
-log in to Banner (How do I log in?)
-go to the "Financial Aid" tab
-choose "eligibility"
-choose "student requirements"
Be aware that once you apply, it will take a minimum of several weeks before your financial aid is reviewed. Depending on the time of year, it could take longer. Apply early. Check your Banner account and your NGCSU email regularly for the status of your financial aid and to see if we need any additional information from you.
2. How do I get a PIN?
You will use your PIN each year to "sign" your FAFSA. Students and parents apply for a PIN at the FAFSA web site http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before004.htm
3. I lost my PIN
If you lose your PIN, you must apply for a replacement PIN.
4. How do I check the status of my FAFSA with the Department of Education?
You can check the status of a submitted FAFSA at the FAFSA web site http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/follow003.jsp
5. How do I make a correction to my FAFSA?
You can make a correction to your FAFSA after you have submitted it at the FAFSA web site.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/complete014.jsp
6. How do I view/print my Student Air Report (SAR)?
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/studentaccess.jsp
7. How do I contact the Department of Education regarding my FAFSA?
You can contact the Department of Education by phone at 1-800-433-3243.
You can contact the Department of Ecuation via live help.
8. How do I check the status of my financial aid application with NGCSU?
The status of our receipt and processing of your application can be found on your Banner account.
-log in to Banner (How do I log in?)
-go to the "Financial Aid" tab
-choose "eligibility"
-choose "student requirements"
If you completed a FAFSA, "student requirements" should show we have received it about a week after you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). If this is not the case, please contact our office.
Once we receive your application, we will send you an email at your NGCSU email account if we need any additional information.
9. I was told I am "unofficial", what exactly does this mean?
When your FAFSA comes to us as unofficial, it normally means that the U. S. Department of Education did not receive information from you that was needed to calculate your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is used to determine eligibility for different types of financial aid. Until we have a valid EFC number, we can not calculate your eligibility for financial aid. To review what information is needed from you, you will need to access your Student Aid Report (SAR) on the following website: www.fafsa.ed.gov Go to column three and select "view and print your student aid report." The reason for your unofficial EFC should be listed on the comment section of your SAR. If you have any questions, contact the U. S. Department of Education: 1-800-433-3243
10. How do I log in to Banner?
11. How do I know when my financial aid has been evaluated?
You will receive an email at your NGCSU email account. You will also be able to view your award on your Banner account as follows:
-log in to Banner
-go to the "Financial Aid" tab
-choose "Award
-choose "Award for Aid Year"
If you were offered a student loan, you should "accept" it or "decline" it.
-choose "Accept Award Offer"
You may "accept" all of a loan, part of a loan, or you may "decline" the loan. If you decline a loan and then decide later in the academic year that you need the loan, you can request a financial aid review to see if you are still eligible for the loan.
12. How do I log in to my NGCSU email account?
Instructions for logging in to your NGCSU email account.
We will contact you through your NGCSU email. If we attempt to call you, we will use the phone number listed in Banner. It is important to keep your contact information in Banner up to date.
13. What do I need to do after I have "accepted" a student loan?
If this is your first student loan at NGCSU, you must sign a Master Promissory Note and complete an online session called Entrance Loan Counseling. You will need your PIN to sign your MPN.
14. How do I view/print my student invoice?
You check your student invoice in Banner. Student invoices are not mailed, so it is important to check your invoice before bills are due to ensure your class schedule is not dropped or you do not incur any late fees. To check your invoice:
-log in to Banner (How do I log in?)
-choose the "Student" tab
-choose the "Registration" option
-choose the "Student Invoice" option
-choose the term
15. I lost my Higher One card
If you lost your Higher One card after you activated it, you will need to call Higher One customer service at 1-877-327-9515 to order a replacement card.
If you lost your Higher One card before you activated it, you will need to go to the NGCSU Business Office on the second floor of the BB&T building to order a replacement card. There is a fee of $20.00.
If you are not sure if you received a Higher One card, you can check the status of your card at https://ngcsu.higheroneaccount.com/cardsearch/initSearch .
To learn more about the Higher One card https://ngcsu.higheroneaccount.com/
16. What is my FERPA my authorization code?
A student may set up/change the authorization code in Banner under the "Student" tab using the "Update Authorization to Release/Discuss Education Records" option.
17. What makes the Standards of Academic Progress so important?
Students must meet the "Standards of academic Progress" to be eligible to receive financial aid.
18. Do I have to be a full time student to qualify for financial aid?
The enrollment requirement varies depending upon the kind of financial aid you are applying for.
Federal Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loans: You must be enrolled at least half time (this is 6 hours for undergraduates and 5 hours for graduate students) at the time the loan funds are received.
Service cancelable loans: The requirements may vary by program. Check them carefully.
Private loans: The requirement varies by lender.
Hope Scholarship: Hope pays for the number of hours you are enrolled. There is no minimum number of hours you must be enrolled per semester. (Hope Promise and Hope Teacher are service cancelable loans. Check the program specifics).
Private scholarships: The requirement varies by the donor. Check this requirement carefully.
19. What happens to my financial aid if I drop a class during drop/add?
The funds you expected to receive may be reduced. If you had a refund coming before you dropped the class, that refund may be reduced. If you purchased books in the bookstore against a refund you had coming, you could owe that money back. It is important to check your student invoice if you drop a class during drop/add.
-log in to Banner (How do I log in?)
-choose the "Student" tab
-choose the "Registration" option
-choose the "Student Invoice" option
-choose the term
What happens if I am dropped during Enrollment Verification?
During Enrollment Verification, a professor may drop a student for non-attendance. The financial aid funds you were eligible for may be reduced. If you received a refund, you could owe some or all of that refund back.
20. What happens to my financial aid if I withdraw from a class after drop/add…
- Will I have to pay back money I already received for this semester?
You will receive a W or WF in the course. You will not have to pay back any financial aid funds you have already received.
- Will this affect my financial aid for the rest of the semester?
Withdrawing from a course reduces your enrollment for the rest of the semester and may impact funds you have not yet received.
- Will this affect my financial aid for next semester or next year?
Yes, it is possible. Withdrawals are considered an unsuccessful completion of the course. If you collect too many withdrawals, your successful completion rate my drop below 70%. If this happens, you will not be eligible for any financial aid—even loans.
21. What happens to my financial aid if I withdraw from all my classes?
See the Return of Title IV Funds Policy.
22. I am leaving NGCSU
You must complete Exit Loan Counseling. Otherwise, a "hold" will be placed on your records.
23. I am transferring to another school
You must complete Exit Loan Counseling. Otherwise, a "hold" will be placed on your records. If you will be requesting Federal Financial Aid for the current aid year at the school you will be transferring to, you will need to have a copy of your FAFSA transferred to the new school. Keep in mind when transferring, it may be necessary to pay your bill before your financial aid has been evaluated.
24. I am graduating
You must complete Exit Loan Counseling. Otherwise, a "hold" will be placed on your records.
25. Do you have an information packet I can print and read?
Financial Aid Information Packet 2009-2010
What does it cost to attend NGCSU?
The official "cost of attendance" is determined by NGCSU each year and approved by the Board of Regents. The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel and personal expenses. The amount a student can actually borrow may not exceed the cost of attendance minus other assistance (or, for subsidized loans other assistance plus the EFC)
2009-2010 Cost of Attendance
2009-2010 Itemized Tuition and Fees
