• Available Financial Aid
• To Apply for Financial Aid
• Deadlines
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work Study Program (FWS)
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
• Hope Scholarship

• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Appeal Process
• Academic Advisement Progress Assessment Plan
• Return of Title IV Funds
• Withdrawing or Dropping a Course
• Student Classifications
• Graduate Students
• Scholarships, Awards and Prizes
• Other Financial Resources

Sonja Walker, Interim Director
C. V. Troup Administration Building
478-825-6363

The primary purpose of the federal student financial aid programs at Fort Valley State University is to provide monetary assistance to eligible admitted students who will benefit from post-secondary education but would be unable to without financial assistance. Student aid programs are administered in conjunction with nationally and locally established practices and philosophies of Title IV and state funds for education.  The basis of this philosophy is the belief that, “the family is the primary source to help students pay for their education.”  Consistent with an equitable approach to awarding student financial aid, a systematic method of deterring a student’s need is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the Cost of Attendance (COA). 

By accepting financial aid awards, students are agreeing to be liable for all tuition, fees, and/or other monies paid on their behalf or directly to them should the financial aid source fail to provide adequate funds or should the student prove to be ineligible for financial aid.  To decline awards or if the student does not agree to the previous statement, he/she must come to the Office of Financial Aid and decline the awards in writing or thru their MyFVSU account.

Available Financial Aid

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work Study
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans
• Federal Parent Plus Loan
• Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
• Federal TEACH Grant
• HOPE Scholarship
• HOPE Zell Miller Scholarship
• Student Access Loan
• Dual Enrollment
• Other Financial Resources

To Apply For Financial Aid

• For financial aid, including HOPE, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid at least six weeks prior to the registration date.
• A Student Aid Report (SAR) is emailed directly to the student from the Federal Processing Center (FAFSA). An electronic version of the Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to the financial aid office at FVSU by the federal processors if the students enters Fort Valley State University’s school code (001566) on their FAFSA.
• For the HOPE Scholarship, submit a completed HOPE Scholarship Evaluation Form to the Office of Financial Aid (OFA). The form may be obtained from the OFA or on the financial aid webpage at www.fvsu.edu/financialaid.
• Please refer to https://www.gafutures.org for more information on state funded programs.
• Report to the Office of Financial Aid all types and sources of assistance received.

All students are required to complete the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid

If selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education, the student must submit an IRS transcript of federal tax return or other documentation to receive Federal funds.

Deadlines

Spring        October 1st, Priority Processing

                 November 15th, FAFSA Processing

                 December 15th, Verification Documents

           Summer     May 1st, FAFSA, Verification & Documents

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students who do not have a four-year degree and are enrolled in an eligible degree program of study. The amount a student receives is determined by the federal processors. Full-time enrollment for purposes of Pell is based on 12 semester hours. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. It takes approximately six to eight weeks to receive the results of this application. Students should be prepared to pay their first semester fees if sufficient time is not allowed for the necessary processing. All Pell awards will expire during each summer semester. Students must reapply for Pell prior to end of summer semester for uninterrupted Pell aid for the following award year.

• Learning support and special admit students are not eligible for federal financial aid benefits.
• Students who withdraw from the college prior to completing 60% of the semester will have their federal aid award reduced.

Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU)

Public Law 112-74 amended HEA section 401(c) (5) to reduce the duration of a student’s eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant from 18 semesters (or its equivalent) to 12 semesters (or its equivalent).  This provision applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students effective with the 2013-14 award year.  The calculation of the duration of students’ Federal Pell Grant eligibility is not limited only to students who received their first Federal Pell Grant on or after the 2008-2009 award year, as the HEA previously provided when the duration of eligibility was 18 semesters.

• LEU greater than 450% but less than or equal to 500% - These students likely will have full eligibility for 100% of their Pell Grant scheduled award, unless a later disbursement moves their LEU to greater than 500%.
• LEU greater than 500% but less than 600% - These students will not have full eligibility for a Pell Grant, but likely will have eligibility for a portion of that scheduled award.
• LEU 600% or higher – These students will have no Pell Grant eligibility for the award year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for a FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid. Not all students will be awarded this fund as FSEOG funds are limited.

Federal Work Study Program (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study Program, FWS, provides a method for post-secondary education students to earn funds that are used towards their education. The FWS program helps students earn monetary awards towards their post-secondary education.  The program is based on financial need and students must be accepted into the program to qualify.  The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient’s course of study. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be Pell eligible
• Must participate in a Pell eligible program
• Receive Pell award during the aid year you are applying
• Enrolled in at least 9 semester hours

Federal Perkins Loan

The Federal Perkins Loan Program are low interest federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need.  Funds for the Perkins loan are limited, please check with the OFA for availability.

Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

The Federal Direct Loan Program allows students to borrow money at a low interest rate for educational expenses. Please be aware that these funds have to be REPAID. In order to apply for a student loan you must a have a completed FAFSA on file. All students are required to complete Online Entrance Counseling, and a Master Promissory Note that includes Fort Valley State University at:  https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans.

Loan Types

• A subsidized Federal Direct loan is a need-based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to receive is based on your financial need. The federal government pays the interest that accrues on a loan while you are in school, during your grace period after you leave school or graduate, and during eligible deferment periods.
• An unsubsidized Federal Direct loan is a non-need based loan, which means the amount you may be eligible to borrow is not based on your financial need. If you receive an unsubsidized Direct Loan, you will be responsible for all interest that accrues on the loan from the date of disbursement forward.

Loan Eligibility Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
• You must be accepted for enrollment or enrolled at least half-time at a participating school in an eligible program leading to a degree;
• You must maintain satisfactory academic progress in your course of study according to your school’s standards and statutory requirements;
• You must not be in default on an educational loan or owe a refund on an educational grant;
• You must have a high school or G.E.D. diploma or pass an independently administered test, determined by your school, that demonstrates your ability to benefit from the program of study;
• You must meet all of the other Federal Direct Loan program eligibility requirements prescribed by law at the time your loan application is processed;
• You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Direct Loan Limits

• Aggregate Amount for Undergraduates:
• $31,000 for dependent students (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
• $57,500 for dependent students whose parent is ineligible for PLUS (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
• $57,500 for independent students (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
• Eligibility for the Federal Direct Loan Program is determined by the OFA. The loan amount is based upon the students remaining eligibility determined by the colleges cost of attendance.

Entrance Counseling

The Department of Education requires all first-time/first-year borrowers to have student loan entrance counseling. FVSU strives on providing substantial financial support for our students. It is not our intent to have students in a financial bind when leaving our college. If you are required to complete entrance loan counseling in order to receive a loan, you can do so online at  https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans. Once you have successfully completed the entrance loan counseling session, the Department of Education will send FVSU an email with your results within 24 hours of your completion.

Master Promissory Note

All students will be required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a legal binding document between the student and the US Department of Education, promising to pay all students loans, plus interest that has accrued, back upon completion, withdrawal or dropping below half-time. Please visit  https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans to complete your MPN.

Exit Counseling

The federal government requires us to counsel students regarding their rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower before they graduate or leave school. FVSU will notify you if you are required to complete the exit counseling process. If you are a recent FVSU graduate, or if you have ceased attending 6 or more hours, you are required to complete exit counseling. You can complete the Exit Counseling requirement online by accessing www.nslds.ed.gov and click on “Exit Counseling” on the top bar.

Federal Parent PLUS Loan

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

A Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan is a low-interest loan for graduate and professional students. Graduate PLUS loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. A credit check is conducted by the U.S. Department of Education to establish eligibility and will remain valid for 180 days. Please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans to complete your Graduate PLUS application, Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note.

Federal TEACH Grant

A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach

• In a high-need field;
• At an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families; and
• For at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

HOPE Scholarship

The HOPE Scholarship is the Georgia state tuition assistance program funded by the Lottery for Education to assist any eligible student accepted into a degree program. Full-time enrollment is not required. The student must be a Georgia resident.  The citizenship requirements for the HOPE Scholarship will continue to be set at 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the school term for which HOPE Scholarship payment is sought if they graduated from a Georgia high school – twenty-four (24) consecutive months if they did not graduate from a Georgia high school.

Students are eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship until seven years from the date of the student’s high school graduation, home study completion, or successful GED test, if the student meets all other requirements.  The expiration of eligibility date will be June 30^th of the seventh academic year following the student’s date of high school graduation, home study completion, or successful GED test.

The FAFSA must be completed and processed in order to apply for the HOPE Scholarship.  Once a student has completed 30 degree-level hours, he or she can request a HOPE Scholarship evaluation be completed by the OFA.  At that time, to qualify, he or she must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. 

Students may renew the HOPE Scholarship for the sophomore, junior, and senior years by maintaining a 3.0 GPA, reapplying, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

HOPE Zell Miller Scholarship

The Zell Miller Scholarship program is for students who have demonstrated academic achievement and that are seeking a college degree. Generally, to become eligible, a student must graduate from an eligible high school with a 3.70 GPA and a minimum score on the SAT/ACT. For more information, review the Zell Miller Scholarship Regulations online at https://gafutures.org.

Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment Program provides for participation in Dual Credit Enrollment for eligible high school and home study students. These students earn postsecondary credit hours while simultaneously meeting their high school graduation or Home Study completion requirements. State revenues provide funding for this program. The amount of funds appropriated for the program is established each year by the Georgia General Assembly during the prior legislative session and it subject to change during the Award Year.

Student Access Loan (SAL)

The Student Access Loan (SAL) is offered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA) for eligible students attending an eligible institution. The SAL is a one (1) percent fixed rate loan, designed to assist undergraduate and technical college students who have a gap in meeting their educational costs. Learn more about this program at: https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/loans/sal/.

In addition to the eligibility requirements from Georgia Student Finance Authority, Fort Valley State University has developed additional eligibility requirements. The following requirements are effective July 1, 2019.

SAL Eligibility

A student must:

• Have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA (undergraduate or graduate); and
• Be in satisfactory status for Satisfactory Academic Progress (cannot be on warning, probation or suspension status); and 
• Not be in default on a federal student loan; and
• Not have reached the Pell Lifetime Eligibility of 600%; and
• Not have borrowed the aggregate Federal Loan Limits of $31,000 (dependent undergraduate), $57,500 (independent undergraduate) or $138,500 (graduate); and 
• Not have been flagged by the Department of Education on the FAFSA with an Usual Enrollment History Flag, even if the flags were resolved to receive federal student aid; and 
• Must be taking coursework required toward the completion of the official degree of record; and
• Student must complete FVSU Get Counseling Session titled Loan Entrance Counseling at http://fvsu.get-counseling.com/flag-session/18288 and submit certificate; and
• Student must have completed the FVSU Get Counseling Sessions titled Money Management Counseling at http://fvsu.get-counseling.com/flag-session/743 and submit Certificate; and

If a student is not meeting all of the above listed requirements, Fort Valley State University will not process a SAL for a student enrolled at the institution, unless the student has previously received a SAL loan at FVSU and has kept current with all Keep In Touch (KIT) payments required by GSFA since using the SAL loan (either at FVSU or other institutions).

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements are contained in three sections of the regulations:  Section 668.16(e), 668.32, and 668.34.  Section 668.16(e) specifies that in order to be considered administratively capable, a school must establish publish, and apply reasonable standards for measuring whether a student is maintaining SAP.  Reasonable standards are the same as or stricter than the schools’ standards for students enrolled in the same program who are not Title IV recipients, and contain both qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (pace) standards.  In order to comply with the federal regulations governing SAP, Fort Valley State University has established, published, and will apply the following standards to ensure students are satisfactorily progressing toward degree completion.  Fort Valley State University’s (FVSU) Summer semester is considered a trailer term with Fall and Spring being the primary academic year.

Satisfactory Academic Progress must be maintained to remain eligible to receive Title IV aid.  Title IV aid includes but is not limited to Federal Pell Grants (PELL), Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), TEACH Grants, Federal Work Study (FWS), Federal Direct Loans and Federal Perkins Loans.  SAP is determined by measuring the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) and the student’s rate of progression (PACE) toward degree completion.

In accordance with federal regulations, the guidelines used to determine SAP are as follows: 

• SAP will be calculated at the end of every semester.
• A student failing to meet the SAP standards for the first time at the end of a semester will be placed in an SAP “Warning” status.
• A student may continue to receive financial aid for one payment period while in a “Warning” status.
• A student failing to meet the SAP standards after an initial “Warning” will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid.  The student will be placed in a “Suspended” status.  
• A student in a “Probation” status must successfully maintain the terms of his/her Academic Advisement Progress Assessment Plan.  Failure to comply with the plan will result in a student being placed in a “Suspended” status.  The student will be responsible for paying all educational costs until evidence of academic success is shown or SAP standards are reached.
• Students who have reached the Maximum Allowable Time Frame (MATF) or Learning Support maximum hours will be automatically placed in a “Suspended” status.
• A student in a “Suspended” status may submit a SAP Appeal Form.  If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed in a “Probationary” status.
• Effective Fall 2015, a student may receive only 3 approved appeals.
• SAP requires monitoring of both GPA (qualitative) and Pace (quantitative).

Qualitative Component (GPA)

All financial aid recipients of Title IV aid will be reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid at the end of every term (fall, spring, and summer).  Students not meeting the below standards will be placed on financial aid suspension.  Students may submit a formal appeal for reinstatement of aid.

Graduate students must maintain a 3.00 GPA throughout their enrollment at FVSU.

Quantitative Component (Pace)

All financial aid recipients are expected to earn a minimum percentage of their total hours attempted (including learning support attempted hours and all attempts for courses repeated), and must complete degree requirements within the maximum allowable time frame (MATF). This quantitative measure is called Pace.

A.  Students must successfully complete courses attempted.  The minimum acceptable course completion rate is 67% of the total hours attempted.  Successful completion is limited to the grades of A, B, C, D and S. The grades of F, WF, W, WP, U, I, and IP are considered unsuccessful attempts. Pace is calculated by dividing earned hours by attempted hours.

B.  Students must complete the program of study within a reasonable time frame.  The MATF is 150% of the total hours required for degree completion.  This applies to all undergraduate and graduate programs of study.   For example, degree programs requiring 120 hours for degree completion will be allowed up to 180 attempted hours (120 x 1.5 = 180).

C.  If a student is granted Academic Amnesty/Renewal, all hours are still subject to the overall standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress.

 Appeal Process

Appeals that are incomplete and/or lack sufficient documentation will automatically be denied.

In cases of extreme and/or unusual circumstances, students may submit an SAP Appeal Form to the Office of Financial Aid (OFA). The appeal must be specific, in writing, and must address the student’s entire previous academic performance as well as steps the student is taking or will take to improve academic success.  The student should also submit any supporting documentation at this time.  Only 3 appeals may be submitted during a student’s enrollment at Fort Valley State University.

As appeals are submitted to the Office of Financial Aid, current enrollment status is verified.  If students are not enrolled, a decision will not be made until which time the student enrolls at FVSU.  The student may be asked to submit a new appeal.

Students must pay for tuition, fees and other educational expenses out-of-pocket until a decision has been made regarding their SAP Appeal.  A pending SAP Appeal does not supersede other enrollment requirements.

Appeal decisions are based on criteria stated on the appeal form.  These criteria state that appeals should be for non-academic reasons including but limited to:

• serious injury, illness, medical or mental health condition involving student or immediate family member
• death of an immediate family member

other non-academic circumstances beyond the student’s control

The following are examples of acceptable documentation to support an appeal:

• statement from physician or health professional
• copy of death certificate or obituary

Students appealing Maximum Allowable Time Frame must complete and submit both the SAP Appeal Form and Academic Advisement Progress Assessment Plan. 

Appeal decisions are communicated via institutional email.

At the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid, a student may submit a request for review of the appeal decision made by a Financial Aid Advisor and/or the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

Academic Advisement Progress Assessment Plan

The Academic Advisement Progress Assessment Plan is available on the OFA website and must be completed with the student’s academic advisor.  The Progress Assessment Plan serves as a guideline to assist students in planning out a schedule of coursework that will enable the student to have success in improving his/her SAP status.  It should reflect all of the coursework required for the current semester and subsequent semesters for the academic year.  If the student’s appeal has been approved, the student will be placed in a “Probation” status.  During the probationary period, students must satisfactorily complete all hours attempted and maintain a minimum 2.50 term GPA. 

Academic performance of students on Probation is monitored at the end of every term.  Students who receive grades of F, I, W, WF, U or IP are in violation of their probation status.  If they remain below the standards, they will be placed back in Suspension, and their subsequent aid will be canceled. 

Regaining Eligibility

Students not making SAP may reestablish eligibility on their own by taking action that brings them into compliance with the standards.  In most cases, this means they are paying out of pocket and performing well academically.

Notifications and Appeals

Students not making SAP will be notified via their FVSU email.  SAP status is also viewable on the students’ Banner Web account.  Students who wish to appeal a determination of SAP must do so no later than the deadlines published on the FVSU Office of Financial Aid website.  Appeals received after the published deadline dates will not be reviewed but will be considered for the subsequent term.

All appeal decisions are final and cannot be appealed beyond the Director of Financial Aid.

Remedial Coursework

No student may receive financial aid for more than 30 semester hours of remedial coursework, which includes all College Preparatory Curriculum and Learning Support courses; however, students who are required to take remedial coursework will be eligible to have their maximum time frame extended by the number of remedial hour taken, up to a maximum of 30 hours.

Retaking Coursework

A student may receive Title IV aid for any repetition of a course as long as the student has never passed the course.  However, once a student has passed a course, the student may receive Title IV aid for only one retaking of that course.  A passing grade for financial aid purposes is a “D”. A student may not receive Title IV aid for any second or subsequent repetition of a passed course, and a second or subsequent repetition of a passed course may not be counted toward the student’s enrollment stats for Title IV purposes.  If a student withdraws before completing the course that they are being paid Title IV funds for retaking then that is not counted as their one allowed retake for the course.  However, if a student passed a class once and then is repaid for retaking it and fails the second time, that failure counts as third paid retake and the student may not be paid for retaking the class a third time.

Return of Title IV Funds

Important Notice to All Federal Financial Aid Recipients: The federal Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 was amended in 1998 and new regulations were established with regard to the Title IV student financial aid programs.  Students earn their Title IV federal financial aid by attending class and if they are not enrolled long enough to earn all of their aid, the ‘unearned’ portion must be returned to the appropriate Title IV program.

Title IV financial aid programs include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Direct Loans.  Federal work-study earnings are not affected by the Title IV regulations concerning the return of unearned federal financial aid.  Only Federal grants and loans are affected by this policy.

When a student completely withdraws from all classes in a semester before completing 60% of the semester, the financial aid office is required to adjust the amount of Pell Grant, FSEOG, and/or federal loans awarded to a student to return the unearned Title IV funds.  If funds have already been paid to the student, the student will receive a statement from the Business Office with the amount to be paid back, which the student will be responsible for. Any balance due will cause a HOLD to be placed on the student’s account until all outstanding funds have been returned. Withdrawn students with a HOLD for outstanding funds, will not be allowed to register or access their records until the balance due has been satisfied.

Withdrawing From a Class Always Affects Your Financial Aid

Per the new Enrollment Processing Implementation Committee (EPIC) policy, students that withdraw from a course by the end of the third (3^rd) instructional day of the semester will receive no grade for the course and will receive a 100% refund of applicable tuition and fees.  Students who withdraw/drop a class as of the fourth (4^th) instructional day of the semester will receive a “W” grade, which counts toward their financial aid SAP completion ratio.

When you withdraw, the Federal Aid is reduced according to the number of days in the semester you have completed. If you withdraw from FVSU, there is a possibility you will be billed for tuition and fees depending on your withdrawal date.  Also the Office of Financial Aid considers ‘unofficial’ withdrawals when determining financial aid eligibility.  If you stop attending courses and receive a grade of F due to your stop attending then financial aid will have to recalculate your eligibility to determine what portion of your financial aid you earned.  A portion of those funds may be required to be returned, leaving you with a balance.

Failing to maintain SAP puts your Pell Grant and HOPE aid in jeopardy.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid.

Student Classifications

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS must maintain the required minimum GPA and Pace.

New Transfer Students - New transfer students will be reviewed for SAP at the end of their first semester of enrollment.  All courses accepted by FVSU for transfer credit that count towards a student’s degree will be calculated in SAP. All transfer credit accepted by Fort Valley State University will be included in the maximum timeframe calculation.

Repetition of Courses/Withdrawals, and Incompletes – All attempts at a course are counted in the maximum hours allowed to obtain a degree.  Excessive incompletes can result in the suspension of financial aid.  Refer to the FVSU Catalog for more information relating to the maximum credit hours allowed by the Institution for withdrawals.

Learning Support Students - Financial aid is available for thirty (30) attempted hours of Learning Support coursework (including FVSU attempted hours and transfer attempted hours). Students required to take Learning Support coursework will be monitored each semester after grading. Students who voluntarily take Learning Support coursework are ineligible for Title IV aid.  Any student who registers for Learning Support coursework, knowingly or unknowingly, in excess of the maximum 30 hours must repay all aid received. Learning Support coursework are counted in SAP calculation.

Double Majors – Students with double majors will be allowed an additional 45 attempted hours not to exceed a total of 232 attempted hours. They must also maintain the minimum required overall GPA based on their attempted hours and maintain

Post-Baccalaureate – Post baccalaureate students must to maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA.  Students may be asked to submit a Post-Baccalaureate Certification Form.

Preparatory Coursework - Students not enrolled in a degree program are eligible for loans for one consecutive 12 month period if they are taking coursework required for enrollment in an eligible program.  Students must maintain minimum GPA requirements.

Additional Degree   Attempted hours from a prior degree are not included in the SAP calculation unless those hours are transferred to the new program.

Graduate Students

Graduate Students require a minimum 3.00 GPA.  SAP standards will be monitored every semester after grading. Any graduate student found in violation of these standards will be place in suspension with an opportunity to appeal. 

Additional Scholarships

In addition to federal and state financial aid awards, the University provides students the opportunity to apply for Forth Valley State University Foundation Scholarship Program, Private Scholarship Programs and Other Resources. You may go to FVSU website to access the list of scholarships: https://www.fvsu.edu/scholarships

Other Financial Resources

Graduate Assistantships - Fort Valley State University makes graduate assistantships available to selected full-time graduate students who are pursuing studies leading to a master’s degree. The Assistantship Program is administered by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Extended Education.

Vocational Rehabilitation Educational Benefits - The Georgia Department of Human Resources makes available tuition and fees, books and supplies and sometimes transportation allowances for citizens of Georgia who have been determined disabled in some form. Recipients are usually awarded assistance for a maximum of three years.

Veterans Educational Benefits - The federal government provides monetary assistance to veteran students if they have a record of serving active duty for more than 180 days. Veterans are not limited to a specific field of study; it is unrestricted. The amount of monthly assistance provided depends on the veteran’s marital status (married or single) and enrollment status (full-time or part-time). Certification for benefits is completed by the Financial Aid Office. These benefits are administered by the Veterans Administration.

Emergency Loan Programs - Through the Director of Residential Life, the University administers emergency loans to students. Emergency loans are made to students in short-term financial straits. Loans range from $50 to $250 and must be repaid within a thirty-day period. Organizations which contribute funds to this loan program include: the Student Government Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, International Students and the PERLS organization.

Departmental Awards - Other financial assistance and awards may be available at the departmental level. Students should contact the department(s) of their interest for additional information.