FAQs

See Apply for Aid.

We have provided specific information regarding this topic under Your Application Status on Athena.

No, that does not make you an independent student.  See the information regarding dependent vs independent students on StudentAid.gov.

However, if you are unable to provide parent information on your FAFSA due to special circumstances, contact the UGA Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA).

Yes. See the information we have provided under Costs.

Yes. Click here (PDF) to see the budgeting worksheet you can print.

The HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships allow for a maximum of 127 attempted or paid hours, whichever is reached first, for students who have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree. Please click here to see the maximum amount the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships will pay. The student is responsible for the amount of tuition not covered by HOPE or the Zell Miller Scholarship.

Once a student meets the requirements for graduation from the undergraduate program, they are no longer eligible for the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarships.

Undergraduate level federal student financial aid can typically be used for the first four years of the Double Dawgs Program, as long as the student’s primary degree program is still the undergraduate program and the graduate level hours taken by the student fulfill undergraduate degree program requirements. Once the student’s primary degree program is the graduate level degree, the student no longer qualifies for undergraduate federal financial aid.

Once a student meets the requirements for graduation from the undergraduate program, the student is no longer eligible for federal financial aid at the undergraduate level.

While in the undergraduate portion of the Double Dawgs Program, students should indicate on the FAFSA they are in an undergraduate program by answering specific questions. The following questions that ask “What degree or certificate will you be working on when you begin the 2022-2023 school year?” the student must state their current undergraduate grade level and the question asking “At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.)”  the student will answer “no” since they are currently enrolled as an undergraduate student. After answering these questions the student will be required to provide their parent(s) information.

Once a student is admitted to the graduate portion of the Double Dawgs Program, students should indicate on the FAFSA they are now in a graduate program. To do this, students must make corrections to their FAFSA in order to ensure they are awarded correctly. The question that asks “What degree or certificate will you be working on when you begin the 2022-2023 school year?” should be corrected indicating you will be a graduate / professional student and question “At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.)” should be corrected to “yes” indicating you will be enrolled in a graduate program.

Yes. The Undergraduate SAP Policy applies while students are in the undergraduate portion of the program.

The Graduate SAP Policy applies while students are in the graduate portion of the program.

Additional information on the Double Dawgs Program can be found here.

See our Important Dates information.

Yes. See Limited Need-Based Fund Consideration and Non-Limited Need-Based Fund Consideration under our Important Dates information.

Click here for information regarding the FWS program.

See the information provided under Awards on Athena.

See our information regarding Selective Service Registration.

No. International students are not eligible for FSA or State of Georgia financial aid. See Ineligible Non-Citizens for more information.

Yes, you are eligible to apply for financial aid.  See the information under U.S. Citizen and Eligible Non-Citizen.

Grants are a form of gift aid. See “Grants” under Types of Aid on our website.

The Zell Miller Scholarship pays 100% of this year’s standard undergraduate tuition rate. It does not cover tuition rates higher than the standard rate.

Neither scholarship program pays anything toward fees, books, supplies or other charges.

See HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships under Types of Aid.

Generally, no. However, students enrolled in a graduate degree or professional degree program who have never received a baccalaureate degree may qualify if they also meet all other HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility criteria. See HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships on our website.

No. Neither scholarship has a minimum enrollment requirement.

Students who complete the Georgia Scholarship / Grant Application (GSFAPPS) process generally only need to apply one time. Students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must complete a new FAFSA for each Award Year.

Click here to go to Types of Aid on our website. Once there, click on Undergraduate Aid or Graduate / Professional Aid to learn about the types of loans for which you can apply.

View instructions on completing a Change in Aid Request.

Yes. If you received an FDL disbursement you can return them to UGA Student Accounts within 120 days of the disbursement date without any penalty. We do recommend you return these funds within 30 days of the disbursement date so the repayment can be processed by both the University and the Direct Loan Servicer in a timely manner. Contact the UGA Student Accounts Office at (706) 542-2965 for further instructions.

View instructions on completing a Change in Aid Request to cancel the loan.

If you have questions regarding your financial aid or how to apply for aid, please call our Athens office at (706) 542-6147. If you prefer, you can e-mail us at [email protected]. We also encourage you to review our website.

In addition to the possible impact on your enrollment status at the university, withdrawing from some or all of your classes can affect your financial aid eligibility primarily because of the impact on the 67% Pace of Completion and Maximum Total Attempted Hours standards of the financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Also see the information provided under Withdrawing or being Withdrawn from a Course(s).

Yes it can. See the information we provided under Dropping a Course(s).

View frequently asked questions and answers about accessing and working in the OSFA Secure Portal here.

In order to receive the FSA and State of Georgia Financial Aid for which they are otherwise eligible, students must me making SAP. Click here to read the Undergraduate or Graduate / Professional Student SAP policies and procedures.

Yes, in most cases you can. Go to our Study Abroad & Financial Aid webpage and read the information provided regarding Federal Student Aid and HOPE / Zell Miller Scholarships and the various types of study abroad programs.

UGA EITS manages Athena technology. Click here to access their information for those with trouble logging into Athena.

You must complete the Request MyID (only available on the UGA campus network).

See the information provided under Types of Aid.

See the information we have provided under Verification of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Information.