Financial Aid

Download as PDF

Financial Aid Information

Most financial aid programs are based on an applicant's individual financial need. To determine eligibility, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at https://fafsa.gov. Gadsden State’s Title IV School Code is 001017.

The FAFSA collects information about a student’s income, assets, academic year, and more. Dependent students, as defined by Federal Student Aid guidelines, must also provide parental financial information.

FAFSA Processing & Verification

Once the FAFSA is submitted, the federal processor will:

  • Send the applicant a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS).
  • Forward the FAFSA data to the listed college(s) within five to seven business days.

The FSS helps determine eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant and other aid programs based on the Student Aid Index (SAI).

Important Reminders

  • Accuracy Matters: Providing false information may result in fines, imprisonment, or both under the United States Criminal Code.
  • Verification: Approximately 30% of applicants are selected for verification. Selected students must provide documentation, such as IRS Tax Return Transcripts, before aid is awarded.
  • Notifications: Required documents will be listed in OneACCS and sent to the student’s Gadsden State email. Students should check these regularly.
  • Annual Application Required: Financial aid is not automatically renewed each year. Students must reapply.

Priority Deadline

Although applications are accepted throughout the academic year, April 15 is the priority deadline for certain types of aid.

Available Financial Aid Programs

  • Federal Pell Grant – Awarded based on cost of attendance, SAI, and enrollment status.
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – Given to Pell Grant recipients with the lowest SAI and highest need. Priority is given to students in converted credit-hour programs.
  • Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) – For eligible Alabama residents with financial need, enrolled at least half-time. Priority is given to students in converted credit-hour programs.
  • Federal Work-Study (FWS) – Provides part-time job opportunities for eligible students who demonstrate financial need. Positions are limited.
  • Private Educational Loans – Based on creditworthiness and Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Financial Aid Office Locations

The Gadsden State Financial Aid Office is available at:

  • One Stop Center, East Broad Campus – (256) 549-8284
  • Administration Building, Ayers Campus – (256) 835-5423
  • Administration Building, Gadsden State Cherokee

Special Enrollment Programs

Students without a high school diploma or GED may enroll in:

  • Auto Collision Repair
  • Auto Service
  • Construction Technology
  • Diesel Technology
  • Welding

Additionally, they may be eligible for federal financial aid if they:

  1. Demonstrate Ability to Benefit (ATB).
  2. Are concurrently enrolled in a career pathway program, which includes adult education classes.

(Note: Students who enrolled in postsecondary education before July 1, 2012, may qualify without concurrent adult education enrollment.)

Disbursement of Aid

Once financial aid is awarded, students will receive an award letter via Gadsden State email and OneACCS.

Funds are applied directly to the student’s account to cover tuition and fees. If a refundable credit remains after institutional charges are paid, a refund will be issued via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) if the student has set up an account or by mailed check, approximately two weeks after the full semester registration period ends.

Note:  Federal, state, and institutional guidelines are subject to change without notice.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress will be measured at the end of each semester at GSCC. Students are required under federal regulations to maintain certain standards of progress based on the number of hours attempted in college. It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand all policies associated with financial aid funding. Satisfactory Academic Progress includes qualitative, quantitative, and rate of progression criteria.  

Treatment of Financial Aid for Complete Withdrawal

A Return of Title IV Funds calculation is processed for a student who meets the following conditions: receives grant funds (or who meets the conditions that may entitle the student to a late disbursement), begins attending classes, and completely withdraws from or does not successfully complete his/her full period of enrollment. The Return of Title IV Funds calculation is a policy of the United States Department of Education that determines the amount of grant funds GSCC and/or the student are to return to a grant program. The term “Title IV Funds” refers to the Federal Financial Aid Programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) that at GSCC include the following programs: Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).

The student’s recalculated grant award amount is used in the Return of Title IV Funds calculation.  If the amount earned is less than the amount of aid disbursed, the difference must be returned. If the student earned more than what was disbursed, a late disbursement may be due. If the amount earned equals the amount disbursed, no return and no disbursement are to be made.

GSCC returns the lesser of (a) the total amount of unearned aid or (b) an amount equal to the student’s institutional charges multiplied by the percentage of aid unearned. The student is billed for any balance resulting from funds returned by GSCC.

Gadsden State determines the initial amount of unearned Title IV aid the student must return by subtracting the aid Gadsden State is responsible for returning from the total amount of Title IV aid to be returned.  To calculate the protected portion of the Title IV grant, the total amount of grant funds disbursed or eligible for disbursement during the payment period is multiplied by 50%. This protected amount is then deducted from the initial unearned Title IV aid to determine the portion of Title IV grant funds the student must return. 

If an overpayment occurs, Gadsden State notifies the student, who may have 45 days to pay the full amount to the Gadsden State Business Office. If payment is not made within this period, the balance must be paid directly to the U.S. Department of Education. During the 45-day window, the student generally remains eligible for financial aid. 

The amounts returned by either GSCC or the student are then distributed based upon the following priority schedule: (1) Federal Pell Grants and (2) FSEOG.

The Financial Aid Office processes the Return of Title IV Funds calculation. A student who has questions regarding the calculation should contact Ian Freyberg at 256.549.8266. Forms, worksheets, and examples of calculations are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Treatment of Financial Aid if a Student Stops Attending Classes or Earns No Passing Grades in a Term

A Return of Title IV Funds calculation is processed for a student who meets the following conditions:

  • receives grant funds (or who meets the conditions that may entitle the student to a late disbursement),
  • begins attending classes, and stops attending classes or
  • earns no passing grades for his/her entire period of enrollment. 

Incomplete grades are not considered passing.  The Return of Title IV Funds calculation is described in the previous section “Treatment of Financial Aid for Complete Withdrawal.”