There are a number of federal and state programs available to assist in paying tuition, books and fees for eligible students, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study Program and Alabama Student Assistance Grant Program.
A Federal Pell Grant does not typically have to be repaid, unlike a traditional loan. Students must attend through 60% of their full period of enrollment to earn 100% of Pell awards. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree, which is usually obtained after a bachelor’s degree in a field such as medicine, law or dentistry.
Federal Pell Grant funds provide a foundation of financial aid to which other sources of aid may be added. The amount of a Pell Grant is based on a family’s financial circumstances as determined by the Department of Education through FAFSA. The maximum award for the 2024-2025 year is $7,395. Awards are based on financial need, enrollment status, programs of study and attendance. A student who is eligible for Year Round Pell could receive an additional amount up to half of his or her yearly award. NOTE: To be eligible for Year Round Pell, a student must enroll/attend at least half time and meet all other eligibility requirements.
|
Credit Hours |
Enrollment Intensity Formula |
Enrollment Intensity |
Enrollment Status Equivalent |
|
12 (or more) |
12 ÷ 12 = 1.0 |
100% |
Full-Time |
|
11 |
11 ÷ 12 = 0.917 |
92% |
Three-Quarter Time |
|
10 |
10 ÷ 12 = 0.833 |
83% |
Three-Quarter Time |
|
9 |
9 ÷ 12 = 0.75 |
75% |
Three-Quarter Time |
|
8 |
8 ÷ 12 = 0.667 |
67% |
Half-Time |
|
7 |
7 ÷ 12 = 0.583 |
58% |
Half-Time |
|
6 |
6 ÷ 12 = 0.50 |
50% |
Half-Time |
|
5 |
5 ÷ 12 = 0.417 |
42% |
Less-than-Half-Time |
|
4 |
4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 |
33% |
Less-than-Half-Time |
|
3 |
3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 |
25% |
Less-than-Half-Time |
|
2 |
2 ÷ 12 = .0167 |
17% |
Less-than-Half-Time |
|
1 |
1 ÷ 12 = 0.083 |
8% |
Less-than-Half-Time |
Students are encouraged to apply early. Make a request for an FSA ID on StudentAid.gov. If you are a dependent student (under 24 years old and not married), at least one of your parents must request the FSA ID. The student and parent must have a valid email address to request an FSA ID.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is designed to assist students with exceptional unmet need as determined by FAFSA information and cost of attendance at Gadsden State. Students must complete the FAFSA to apply for the FSEOG. This fund is limited and varies from year to year. The amount of money Gadsden State receives determines the number of awards that are offered. Students must be eligible for the Pell Grant and have remaining unmet need. Priority is given to students in converted credit hour programs. To be awarded FSEOG funds, a student must be in good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress.
No application is required given awards are automatically posted. Students who have unusual circumstances may email the Financial Aid Director at ifreyberg@smcun.com for consideration.
Students who are selected for the Federal Work-Study program must be eligible for federal aid, have remaining need and enrolled at least part-time (six hours). The number of hours a student may work per week is determined by the available funding. The pay scale is based on the prevailing federal minimum hourly wage with consideration and adjustments made based on local market wages. To apply, students must complete the FAFSA and a Gadsden State College Application for Federal Work-Study to determine eligibility. Priority is given to those who apply early. To be eligible for these funds, the student must be in good standing with SAP. All work-study students must also follow a list of regulations and sign a document committing to following those regulations.
Be sure to complete the Federal Work-Study application.
The Alabama Student Assistance Grant Program is a state student assistance program established Aug. 4, 1978 by the state legislature and designed to provide financial assistance to Alabama residents attending non-profit, postsecondary institutions of higher learning within the state. Any recipient must be an Alabama resident and demonstrate exceptional financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. Priority is given to students in converted credit hour programs To be awarded ASAP funds, the student must be in good standing with SAP and must be enrolled at least half time.
No application is required given awards are automatically posted. Students who have unusual circumstances may email the Financial Aid Director at ifreyberg@smcun.com for consideration.