Primary Sources of Financial Aid for Shorter's Professional Programs Degree Programs

• Sources for Scholarships
• Federal Grants
• Federal Loans
• State Grants
• Local & Private Grants
• Military Financial Aid

Sources of Scholarships

Click on these links to check them out.

• FinAid provides information on the financial aid process, grants, scholarships and loans.
• Mapping Your Future is a great resource for more information on scholarships and grants.
• FastWeb offers a scholarship search tool along with email notifications

Beware of Scams!!!

As you investigate scholarship opportunities, beware of scams. Many sources will charge a fee to deliver scholarship information. Usually this is the same information you can find on your own. So why pay for something you can get for free?

Many outside scholarships can be used at any accredited 2- or 4-year institution. However, some scholarships are limited to local schools.

Federal Grants

Grants are a type of "gift aid" awarded to students who demonstrate a financial need based on formulas established by federal and state governments and/or the school. Unlike a loan, grants do not have to be repaid. Grants are available from the federal government, state governments, schools and private organizations.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a grant that does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. Pell Grant is need-based and the FAFSA is required to determine eligibility. The Financial Aid Office will notify you if you qualify.

Click here for more information>

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional need and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. SEOG does not have to be repaid. Students may be awarded FSEOG based on the availability of funds. The FAFSA is required to determine eligibility.

Click here for more information>

TEACH Grant Program

This grant is for teacher education majors planning to teach in a low income, school; high need field. The award of $4000 will convert to a Stafford unsubsidized loan for recipients who fail to meet award criteria of teaching a high need subject for 4 years in a low-income school. Students must file a FAFSA and at Shorter students must pass transition point 1, be officially accepted into the teach education program in order to be eligible, and score above the 75 th percentile in the SAT, ACT, or GRE; or have a 3.25 GPA.

TEACH Grant Forms

Click here for TEACH Grant forms>

Click here for more information>

State Scholarships & Grants

Hope Scholarship

The Hope Scholarship is for degree-seeking students attending private colleges and universities. Private institutions became eligible for this scholarship in the fall term of 1996. To be eligible to receive the Hope Scholarship of $3,500 per academic year, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements.

• Must be a legal resident of Georgia. If you were a GA resident at the time of your high school graduation then you  must be a GA resident for 12 months prior to receiving the HOPE scholarship.  If you were not a GA resident at the time of your high school graduation then you must be a GA resident for 24 months prior to receiving the HOPE scholarship.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien who meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under federal Title IV requirements.
• Must be admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status.
• Must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average at the end of each spring semester and at the 30th, 60th and 90th attempted hours at the post-secondary level.
• You can only receive HOPE for up to 127 attempted credit hours. This includes all credits taken at any college.

You must be enrolled at least half-time (six semester hours) to receive HOPE Scholarship at Georgia private colleges. The full-time 2009-2010 award is currently $1,750 per semester ($875 for part-time). Click here to apply for the HOPE Scholarship program.

Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant

The Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG) is a state aid program administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFC) for Georgia residents who are attending approved private (independent) colleges in Georgia.

• A student must meet the five eligibility requirements for state grant programs.
• In addition, the student must be enrolled in or accepted for admission by an eligible independent college/university in Georgia (such as Shorter University).
• The GTEG is $950 per academic year for 2009-2010. You must be a GA resident for 12 months prior to receiving the GTEG.
• For the Shorter University College of Adult & Professional Studies Program only, the student becomes eligible after he or she has completed 12 consecutive hours. If you withdraw or drop a course, your 12 consecutive hours begins again. The student must complete the Georgia Student Grant Application online.
• You can only receive GTEG for up to 127 attempted credit hours. This includes all credits taken at any college.

Click here for regulations regarding the GTEG>

The PROMISE Teacher Scholarship is available to undergraduates in the field of teacher education in their junior and senior year. Recipients of this scholarship agree to obtain a degree in the field awarded within five years and to teach in an eligible Georgia public school after graduation. If a recipient fails to meet this obligation within 12 months after graduation, the scholarship becomes a loan, which must be repaid in cash, with interest. To qualify, students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, be academically classified as a junior, and meet program eligibility criteria.

For more information, call the PROMISE Teacher Scholarship Loan Program in Metro Atlanta at (770) 724-9000 or toll-free at 1-800-505-4732.

For more detailed information on these and other available state grant/scholarship programs, please visit the Georgia Student Finance Commission website.

Local & Private Grants

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

If your company offers employer tuition reimbursement, your company policy must be on file with Shorter University. In addition, registration fees are due prior to the start of the first course. This will be covered during each orientation course at the beginning of each program.

American Association of University Women, Atlanta Branch

Preference is given to women who are at least 30 years old, US citizens, legal residents of Georgia, juniors or seniors at an Atlanta area college/university in Fall 2008, and in good academic standing. The AAUW award is for supplemental expenses such as child care, transportation, or books. Awards cannot be used for tuition.

Click here to download the AAUW Scholarship guidelines and application>