The Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) were authorized by the acts and plan signed into law providing financial resources to colleges and universities in response to the duly declared COVID-19 pandemic national emergency.  Each act and plan are listed below and linked for additional information from the Department of Education:

• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
• Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)
• American Rescue Plan (ARP)

Georgia Piedmont Technical College received funding from the federal government and as recommended by the Department of Education, students are awarded based on greatest level of financial need. The current year FAFSA is primarily used to assess financial need and students are encouraged to complete a FAFSA.  Students identified as eligible will automatically be awarded and will receive the funds to their Bank Mobile account.

Students that have authorized funds to be used toward tuition and fees will have funds applied toward their balance.  Students must be enrolled and maintain enrollment for the semester to be considered for the funds.

Unfortunately, due limited funding, at this time we are no longer able to offer the ability to apply for assistance through an emergency assistance application.  If funding becomes available at a later date, a notification will be provided to students of this opportunity.

Update June 30, 2023: All HEERF funding awarded to Georgia Piedmont Technical College was expended by June 30, 2023 in accordance with the Department of Education’s deadline; no additional funds may be awarded or paid after this date.

For additional funding information please review the student portion and quarterly institutional portion reports below.

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HEERF Student Reports

Download a PDF copy of the June 2, 2020, GPTC CARES Act report here.

Download a PDF copy of the June 29, 2020, GPTC CARES Act report here.

Download a PDF copy of the September 30, 2020, GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the March 31, 2021, GPTC HEERF Student Report Q1 here.

Download a PDF copy of the June 30, 2021, GPTC HEERF Student Report Q2 here.

Download a PDF copy of the September 30, 2021, GPTC HEERF Student Report Q3 here.

Download a PDF copy of the December 31, 2021 GPTC HEERF Student Report Q4 here.

Download a PDF copy of the March 31, 2022 GPTC HEERF Student Report Q1 here.

HEERF Institutional Reports

Download a PDF copy of the September 30, 2020, GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the December 31, 2020, GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the March 31, 2021, GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the June 30, 2021, GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the September 30, 2021 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the December 31, 2021 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the March 31, 2022 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the June 30, 2022 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the June 30, 2022 (revised) GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the September 30, 2022 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the December 31, 2022 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the March 31, 2023 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

Download a PDF copy of the June 30, 2023 GPTC CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report here.

The Pell grant is awarded to students in Diploma and Associate Degree programs, as well as the Basic Law Enforcement Certificate program, who have been determined to be eligible as a result of completing the FAFSA. The amount that is awarded is determined by the FAFSA results. The eligible amount each semester is also determined by the number of hours the student is enrolled. Federal regulations prohibit schools from paying federal aid for more than 30 attempted hours of learning support courses. Students who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree (either in the U.S. or the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree from any country) are not eligible for the Pell grant.

Students who are Pell eligible may have some portion of the Pell grant available in the bookstore to purchase books. This amount will only be available if the student has a credit balance once all tuition and fees have been paid.

The maximum Federal Pell Grant a student can receive for 2023-2024 is $7,395 provided the student has a zero “0” EFC, is attending full-time and meets all other eligibility requirements. The Pell Grant award is disbursed over two terms.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, an eligible student may now receive full Federal Pell Grant for summer 2018 even if they received a full Federal Pell Grant during the fall and spring semesters. Year-round Pell allows students to receive up to 150 percent of a regular grant award over the course of the academic year so that they can continue taking classes in the summer and finish their degrees faster than they would otherwise.  To be eligible for additional Pell Grant funds a student must be:

• eligible to receive the Pell grant
• enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) during the summer term
• maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

Note: The provisions of the new law states that any Pell Grant received will be included in determining the student’s Pell Grant duration of eligibility and Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU).

The Federal SEOG grant is awarded to Pell grant recipients with the greatest financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA.  Funding is limited, but if after awarding the Pell recipient group, student with financial need as determined by the FAFSA may also be awarded.

SEOG is disbursed Fall, Spring and Summer semesters, based on your enrollment. The maximum award a student can receive each award year is $1,500; up to $500 per semester.  Students enrolled less than 6 hours may receive up to $250 per semester.  Students enrolled 6 or more hours may receive up to $500 per semester.

The HOPE Program began in 1993 and is entirely funded by the Georgia Lottery. The HOPE Grant program provides assistance to Georgia residents pursuing certificates and diplomas and the HOPE Scholarship provides assistance for students in degree programs of study. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) is the state agency that administers the HOPE scholarship and grant programs. Below are some of the highlights of the grant and scholarship programs. For detailed information please visit their website at www.gsfc.org. Students are able to track their eligibility and usage of HOPE funds by logging into MyGAFutures.

HOPE Grant is available to Georgia residents in certificate or diploma programs of study who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and who also meet residency requirements. If a student was a resident of Georgia at the time of his or her high school graduation, home study program completion or successful GED test, that student must also meet the residency requirement for twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE grant is sought. Students who do not meet these requirements must meet the Georgia residency requirement for twenty four (24) consecutive months immediately prior to the term for which the HOPE grant is sought.

• The 2023-2024 HOPE program pays $100.00 per semester hour toward the cost of tuition only, at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. The current rate of tuition is $100 per semester hour. Below is an example to illustrate.
  • A student enrolls in 10 semester hours in a diploma program of study and is eligible for the HOPE grant based on residency requirements. The HOPE grant will pay $1000.00. The student is responsible for paying the difference between the actual charges and the amount paid by the HOPE program.
    $100 x 10 semester hours = $1000.00 (tuition)  and $394 (fees)  = $1,394
    $100 x 10 = $1000 (HOPE Grant).
    $1394 – $1000= $394. The student is responsible for $394 in fees.
    If the student is receiving other types of financial aid assistance (for example, the Pell grant), in excess of the fees, then the student should not have a balance.
• Students must have a 2.0 GPA at two checkpoints (30/60 semester hours) to remain eligible. Students who do not have a 2.0 GPA at the 30 hour checkpoint will lose the grant but may regain it at the 60 hour checkpoint if the student then has a 2.0 GPA
• There is a solid cap of 63 paid semester hours. The term that a student reaches the Paid-Hours limit of 63 semester hours, the grant will only pay for hours up to the limit. (Example: The student has 60 semester hours that have been paid by HOPE at the end of Fall semester. The student registers for 6 hours for Spring semester. The HOPE grant will only pay for 3 credit hours. The student is responsible for paying for the other 3 credit hours).

 

HOPE Career Grant is available to Georgia residents who are receiving the HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant and pursuing an approved certificate or diploma at an eligible college or university in Georgia. The grant provides assistance toward educational costs for students enrolled in career fields that have been identified as strategically important to the state’s economic growth.

Students enrolled in eligible certificate and diploma programs may receive up to $500 per semester based on enrollment.  Specifically, $125 for 1 to 2 hours, $250 for 3 to 8, and $500 for 9+ hours of enrollment.  The specific programs listed below have different enrollment and award amounts:

• Truck Driving – receives $366 for 1-5 hours, $733 for 6-8 hours, and $1100 for 9+ hours of enrollment. Award not to exceed $100 per truck driving program
• Basic Law Enforcement – receives $1,875 for 1-12 hours, and $3750 for 13+ hours of enrollment. Award not to exceed $3750 for Basic Law Enforcement Program.

 

HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who graduate from high school as a HOPE Scholar with a 3.0 or better GPA and meet all other requirements (citizenship, residency, etc.).   Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) determines students who are HOPE Scholars upon graduation from high school.  If a student is not a designated HOPE Scholar upon graduation from high school a student could become eligible by completing at least 30 semester hours of degree level courses at a college or university.  A 3.0 GPA is required at the 30-, 60- or 90-hour checkpoint to become eligible. The student will need to complete the HOPE Scholarship application, which is available in the Financial Aid Office, and the student must ensure that all transcripts from previously attended colleges or universities have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar. The student must be enrolled in an Associate degree program of study to receive the scholarship. The HOPE Scholarship is not awarded to students who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree (either in the U.S. or from any other country).  Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the 30th, 60th, and 90th hour checkpoint and at the end of every Spring semester to remain eligible.

Students who received the HOPE Scholarship prior to Summer term 2011, and meets all other eligibility requirements for HOPE Scholarship, may receive the HOPE Scholarship until June 30 following the completion of the seventh full year after the first of one of the following events has occurred:

• The first of the high school graduation date; or
• The graduation date of the student’s high school class if the student withdrew from high school prior to his or her graduation date; or
• The Home Study completion date; or
• The successful GED test date.
• The scholarship will pay for 127 semester hours. These 127 hours include any HOPE grant paid hours. The term that the student meets the cap, the scholarship will only pay for hours up to the cap. (Example: The student has 124 semester hours at the end of Fall semester. The student registers for 6 hours for Spring semester. The HOPE Scholarship will only pay for 3 credit hours for Spring semester).
• The tuition amount paid for the HOPE Scholarship will be paid the same as indicated above for the HOPE grant

Zell Miller Grant is available to Georgia residents who are working towards a certificate or diploma. Full-time enrollment is not required and students are not required to graduate from high school with a specific GPA. At the end of each term a minimum 3.5 cumulative postsecondary GPA is required in order to maintain eligibility. The first term of enrollment will be paid retroactively if the student has the required 3.5 cumulative postsecondary GPA at the end of the term. This award covers full tuition. For example, a student enrolled in 15 hours has a tuition charge of $1500.00 because tuition is currently $100.00 per credit hour. The fees are an additional charge of $394.00. The Zell Miller grant will pay for full tuition of $1500.00. The student is responsible for paying for fees and other charges, which may be covered based on additional awarded aid.

 

Zell Miller Scholarship recipients are identified by Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). The academic requirements for this scholarship that must be met are (1) graduate from an eligible high school as the Valedictorian or Salutatorian with a minimum 3.0 calculated HOPE GPA, and earned a minimum of four rigor credits; or (2) graduate from an eligible high school with a minimum 3.70 cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale, receive a minimum score of 1200 combined critical reading and math on a single administration of the SAT or receive a composite scale score of 26 on a single administration of the ACT, and earned a minimum of four rigor credits.

The Zell Miller Scholarship recipient will have his/her tuition paid at 100% up to 15 hours. Students are responsible for the payment of fees.

 

The Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship program is a needs-based mentoring and scholarship program designed to ensure that Georgia’s academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, attend college, and achieve postsecondary success. Private and public donations fund the scholarships.

REACH scholarship is available to students that participated and successfully completed the REACH program during high school.  REACH Scholars may receive the scholarship by enrolling 12 hours per semester to receive $1250/semester or $2500/year.  The total maximum award for a four-year period of $10,000.  For additional information on REACH Scholarship visit http://GAfutures.org.

The State of Georgia Postsecondary Tuition Waiver is a program that offers free tuition, fees, and housing (where available) for qualified students in Georgia’s foster care system. More information can be found here: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/state-georgia-post-secondary-tuition-waiver

Dual Enrollment is a dual credit enrollment program for eligible high school and home study students, enrolled in 10th, 11th and 12th grades, who wish to earn high school and college credit for postsecondary coursework. Dual Enrollment funding is available during the fall, spring and summer terms of the school year. Eligible students may receive Dual Enrollment funding up to the 30 semester hours program Funding Cap. Dual Enrollment funding may cover the cost of tuition for a maximum of 15 semester; fees are waived with the exception that students may be responsible for program lab fees.

 

The Georgia Public Safety Memorial (GPSM) Grant provides grant funds to the dependent children of Georgia Public Safety Officers who were permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty. Funds may be used towards the cost of attendance at eligible colleges, universities or technical colleges in Georgia.

Eligibility for the Georgia Public Safety Memorial Grant

To be eligible for the Public Safety Memorial Grant, a student must:

• Be the dependent child of a Georgia Public Safety Officer who was permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty; and
• Be a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S. or have evidence from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) of eligible permanent resident alien status; and
• Be a legal resident of Georgia 12 months prior to receiving aid; and
• Be enrolled in a Georgia public or private college, university or technical college as a full-time (12 hours) undergraduate student seeking a college degree or technical certificate/diploma; and
• Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements; and
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the college; and
• Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990; and
• Not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program.

Award Amounts for the Georgia Public Safety Memorial Grant

The grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and as appropriated funds are available. Recipients are eligible to receive payment for a maximum of eight semesters or 12 quarters of undergraduate study.

Recipients receive an award that covers their total cost of attendance, minus any other student financial aid, at an eligible postsecondary institution in Georgia, not to exceed $18,000 per award year.

The Georgia National Guard (GNG) Service Cancelable Loan (SCL) was established as an incentive for qualified men and women to join the GNG and to retain skilled, productive citizens within the state. It is a student financial aid program that provides loans to be used towards the cost of tuition in an undergraduate program at an eligible postsecondary institution.

Full details regarding the program guidelines can be found in the Georgia National Guard Service Cancelable Loan Program regulations.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

1. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of the term of funding;
2. Be an active member in good standing with the Georgia National Guard;
3. Be enrolled at least half-time in a certificate, diploma, baccalaureate, graduate, or first professional degree program;
4. Not be in default on a federal Title IV, State of Georgia educational loan, or owe a refund on a federal or State of Georgia student financial aid program;
5. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990.

Award Amounts for the Georgia National Guard Service Cancelable Loan

The GNG SCL award amount at a public postsecondary institution is equal to the current standard per hour undergraduate tuition amount at the institution. A student must be enrolled a minimum of six hours per term in order to receive the GNG SCL.

If a student is receiving financial aid from a source other than the GNG SCL, and that aid is required by the donor to be applied to the student’s tuition, the student’s GNG SCL award must be reduced by the amount of such aid.

A student is eligible to receive the GNG SCL for a maximum of 120 semester or 180 quarter paid hours. The paid hours limit will include the hours in which a student received the GNG SCL beginning with the 2016-17 academic year.

Service Commitment and Cash Repayment for the Georgia National Guard Service Cancelable Loan

In order to repay by service, a GNG SCL recipient must:

• Maintain a cumulative 2.0 postsecondary GPA, and
• Remain in good standing as an active member of the Georgia National Guard during the term in which the student received the GNG SCL, and
• Serve in the GNG for two years following the last term of enrollment for which the student received GNG SCL funds.

Recipients who fail to meet the requirements of the GNG SCL must repay the amount received, plus interest, in accordance with the GNG SCL promissory note signed by the recipient.

Recipients must complete the GNG Verification of Status form within 30 days following the last term of enrollment and within thirty days of completing each year of the two year commitment.

Students who need additional funds beyond what they qualify for in federal or state grant and scholarship student aid may wish to apply for a private education loan. Note: A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is not required to apply for a private education loan.

A private education loan is a non-federal education loan through a private lender typically issued in the student’s name and requiring a cosigner. The availability of these loans is declining, and most lenders who still provide these loans are increasing their interest rates.

Each lender has different eligibility requirements, interest rates, repayment terms and conditions. For example, some lenders require students to be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program, while others will lend to students who are non-degree seeking or are enrolled less than half-time.

Students and/or parents who find they must apply for a private education loan may contact their bank, credit union or other private lending institution to ascertain if they provide private education loans.

Student Access Loan Program (discontinued)

Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)offered the Student Access Loan (SAL) Program for eligible students attending an eligible TCSG (Technical College System of Georgia) postsecondary institution in Georgia.  GSFC terminated the SAL Program after Summer 2024.

Federal Direct Loan Program (discontinued)

Georgia Piedmont Technical College is focused on helping students achieve their educational goals.  A large part of that success is getting financial support. Effective August 2018, Georgia Piedmont Tech discontinued participation in the Federal Student Loan Program.  While this option is not available, there are many other resources to help you keep moving forward in your educational journey.  In addition to the loan options above, the following options are also available:

• Grants and Scholarships: Grants and scholarships are available through federal, state, institutional, and other outside resources and do not require repayment
• Work-Study: This federal program allows students to work part-time and earn wages while enrolled in school.

The decision to end participation in the Federal Student Loan Program was not made lightly. We remain committed to your educational success and assisting you in every way possible.

Exit Counseling

Federal Direct student loan borrowers have a legal obligation to repay their loans to the Department of Education. If you drop below half-time enrollment, leave school, or graduate, The U.S. Department of Education also requires you to complete Exit Loan Counseling.

To complete exit counseling:

• You must have a verified FSA ID (Username & Password) instead of a PIN to log in to StudentLoans.gov.
• Select Complete Exit Counseling and allow 20 to 30 minutes to learn about your repayment responsibilities and options.
• After you complete the session, print the Confirmation Page and keep one for your records.

Repayment

Repayment begins six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment (six credit hours). If you receive a loan and Withdraw, Graduate, or Drop below six hours you must contact or Financial Aid Office so we may counsel you regarding your loan status.

Under certain circumstances you may receive a deferment or forbearance. This will allow you to temporarily postpone making loan repayments. For more information please visit https://StudentAid.gov.

Students are able to track the amount owed, student loan servicers, and interest rates by logging into https://StudentAid.gov.

Please remember, if you begin to have trouble making your payments, you must contact your loan servicer immediately. You can retrieve the loan servicer contact information and all of your loan record details on the National Student Load Data System for Students.