Application Procedures
There are four primary sources of student financial assistance: federal, state, institutional and third-party sources. The financial aid application procedures for undergraduate and graduate students are available on the Financial Aid website at www.piedmont.edu.
Federal Assistance
In order to receive federal student aid, a student’s financial need must be established by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form may be completed online at www.studentaid.gov. Contact the Piedmont College Financial Aid Office at (706) 776-0114 with questions. For technical help when applying online, call the Federal Aid Help Line at 1-800-4-FED-AID. Students must request a copy of the FAFSA report be sent to Piedmont College. The Piedmont College federal aid school code is 001588.
The federal processor responds to the FAFSA with a Student Aid Report (SAR). This document contains a Need Analysis Form from which need-based aid is calculated. Need-based aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, the Federal Work Study Program, and several institutional programs.
The SAR has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number assigned to it which reports the amount the federal government expects the family to be able to contribute toward the student’s cost of education. Educational costs include tuition, room, board, books, transportation, and personal expenses. The SAR also indicates whether a student is eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and other need-based aid.
After the EFC is established on the FAFSA, eligibility for the various student loan programs offered by the Federal Government can be determined. Piedmont College participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. These loans may be either subsidized or unsubsidized, and are based upon financial need and dependency status. Graduate Students are not eligible to receive subsidized student loans. Amounts vary based upon academic grade level. Loan funds are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education, and funds are credited to the student’s account at Piedmont College. Repayment begins after the student is enrolled less than half time or graduates. Visit www.studentaid.gov for more information. Parents can also apply for a PLUS loan to assist with educational expenses for a dependent child. This is a non-need based program, and therefore, all parents can apply. Normal credit standards are used to determine whether a parent is approved for the loan. Loan amounts cannot exceed the cost of attendance less any financial aid received. Visit www.studentaid.gov for additional parent loan information.