Financial aid
Financial Aid is money provided by various agencies (federal, state and local governments, community organizations, and private corporations or individuals) to assist students in meeting the cost of attending college. It includes gift aid (grants and scholarships) and self-help aid (loans and student employment).
                                                         
Federal Pell Grant (PELL) – PELL grant amounts vary from $400 to $4,050 per year based on financial need, enrollment and cost of education.  Apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Institutional Form (IF).

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – Allocation of these limited funds occurs at Brown College’s discretion, and awarding of funds is based on need.  Award amounts vary.  According to federal regulations, students must be Pell-eligible to receive FSEOG funds.

Federal Stafford Loan
These funds are available through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFELP) Program.  This is a federal program that allows students to borrow money for educational expenses directly from the lending institutions (sometimes the colleges themselves). The federal government pays the interest (subsidized funds) while the student is in college. Repayment terms are favorable, and repayment need not begin until completion of the student’s education. Loans under the FFELP awarded on the basis of financial need. The Federal Stafford Loan can be either subsidized or unsubsidized or a combination of both. These loans can be made from a bank, credit union or other eligible lender.

Federal PLUS Loan
The Federal PLUS is for parents of dependent students. It is a loan in which family income is not taken into consideration; therefore, the program is open to almost any family that has good credit.  The family can borrow up to the cost of the college education, less aid, at a fixed rate of interest.  Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement of the funds, according to the terms negotiated by the bank.  Regulations require students to first utilize all eligibility for grants and the Federal Stafford Loan before receiving a Federal plus loan. THIS MONEY MUST BE REPAID.  To determine eligibility, you must apply for federal aid. 

Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) – Allows students to be employed at the college to earn money for educational expenses. Apply through the Financial Aid Office.  When positions are available, they will be posted.  Awards are based on financial need and student request. Students are paid with a bi-weekly paycheck for hours actually worked.

VA benefits are available for those who qualify.  Contact your local VA office for assistance.  The Financial Aid Office certifies enrollment.

Montgomery GI Bill

If you serve in the Military, Army Reserve or the National Guard, you may be eligible to receive educational benefits while attending classes. You can receive up to $251 per month while you are a fulltime student. In addition, you may qualify for Stafford loan repayment. Contact the local Army Reserve or National Guard Office for more information. The Financial Aid Office certifies enrollment for this program.

HERO Scholarship

The Georgia HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) scholarship program was created to provide educational grant assistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists. 

Workforce Initiative Association – Assistance for individuals who recently lost jobs or are entering the workforce after an extended period of unemployment. For information about this program, contact the Department of Labor. 

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) – Educational assistance may be available for students with special needs. Contact the Department of Labor. 

Please contact our Admissions Office for additional information. 

Our admissions office will assist with scheduling your financial aid appointment.  The following steps will help you prepare:

1) Obtain PIN (Personal Identification Number)

A PIN is used as an electronic signature for documents that you complete online.   You can acquire a (4 digit) PIN for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A PIN is not required to fill out and submit a FAFSA, but using a PIN is the fastest way to sign your application.  And, it’s easy to obtain: students and parents of dependent students desiring a PIN should apply at   www.pin.ed.gov. If you provide an e-mail address, the PIN should be e-mailed to you within 24-48 hours of submitting your online form.

Once you have completed the FAFSA on the Web, you will receive a confirmation of submission page indicating your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an amount calculated by the Department of Education to represent what you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education (although this number may not match the amount you and your family actually contribute).

2) Completing a FAFSA

To apply for any type of financial aid, including gift aid or loans, you must have a current FAFSA on file.  Completing a FAFSA is a free process and can be done at the following website: www.fafsa.ed.gov. After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation number which you should keep for your records. 

3) Follow up on your FAFSA
 
Your application will be processed and you will receive an e-mail with a link to your STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR).  If you do not provide an e-mail address, your SAR will be mailed.  You should review your SAR for any necessary correction or updates. 
Once you have completed these steps you will be better prepared for your appointment with our financial aid department. Our staff can then help you decide which type of aid will be best meet your needs.

The following information applies to the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding financial aid.

Q: How will I know if I am eligible for financial aid?
A: Students who file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) are automatically considered for all federal, state and institutional aid administered by the Financial Aid Office.

Q: Do I need to be a fulltime student to receive financial aid?
A: No. The amount of financial aid awarded is determined by the number of credit hours for which the student is enrolled; you do not have to be a fulltime (12 credit hours) student to receive financial aid.

Q: What is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?
A: Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount of money that the family is expected to contribute toward educational expenses from resources other than financial aid. Factors used to determine a family's ability to contribute include: the previous year's adjusted gross income, assets, size of family, and the number of individuals in the family attending college. The EFC is calculated using the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Q: How is financial need determined?
A: Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Education (COE) and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. COE - EFC= Financial Need