UGA Departmental Scholarships
Once you are a student at UGA, you may qualify for scholarships offered by academic departments. These awards are typically offered to students beyond the freshman level. After being established in your major, you can begin to make inquiries with your academic department. The number and amount of awards vary by department, as do eligibility criteria. Contact your academic department or visit their web page for more information about scholarship opportunities.
All departmental scholarship awards will appear on the student’s Award Notice in Athena once the department has submitted the scholarship request to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
UGA Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) Merit and Need-Based Scholarships
UGA OSFA has very limited scholarship funds which are awarded to students of merit with unmet need who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process by the Important Dates for Limited Need-Based Funds Consideration. These funds have been made available for UGA students through private funds. UGA OSFA automatically screens students for these scholarships and will notify the student if additional information is needed to determine eligibility. Please note that there are many students who may be equally qualified for a scholarship, however preference is given to students who show financial need and meet the established important dates.
Student Responsibility to Inform OSFA When Awarded an External Scholarship(s)
Students who have been awarded Outside Scholarships and Other Resources by someone other than OSFA or Undergraduate Admissions must immediately notify OSFA by logging in to Athena and clicking on the Add/View Resources button at the bottom of the Award Offer tab.
Where to Send External Scholarship Checks
All money from a private donor needs to be processed through the University of Georgia. This is for your benefit as well as for your donor’s benefit.
If the check is made payable to the student only, we still recommend that it be processed through UGA. Instead of the student depositing/ cashing the check, the student should send the check to our office and be sure to sign the back of the check before submitting it to our office.
All external scholarship checks awarded to students to attend UGA should be mailed to:
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA)
University of Georgia
Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, Room 312
101 Herty Drive
Athens, GA 30602
Make all scholarship checks payable to the University of Georgia. If a check is made co-payable to UGA and the student, the student will be required to sign the check which may delay the application of the funds to the student’s account.
What to Include with an External Scholarship Check
The external scholarship check(s) and/or documentation sent to OSFA must reflect:
- Student’s name
- UGA student ID number
- Directions on how the funds are to be disbursed, i.e. fall only, spring only, or for the full academic year
- Any restrictions of the fund, i.e. tuition only, tuition and fees only, or toward the total cost of attendance, if applicable
Where to Send Checks from Educational Savings Accounts or Plans (Ex. 529 Plans)
All Educational Savings Accounts or Plans (529 Plans) should be mailed to:
Bursar and Treasury Services
University of Georgia
424 E. Broad Street
Business Services Bldg.
Athens, GA 30602-4227
Scholarship Disbursement
All scholarships $1,000 or greater will be divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters unless the donor directs OSFA to do otherwise.
Scholarship funds first pay a student’s outstanding UGA charges. After a student’s current charges are paid, any resulting credit balance is refunded to the student by the Bursar & Treasury Services.
When to Send Scholarship Checks
In order for a scholarship to credit a student’s account before their charges are due, we recommend that checks be submitted to UGA by the dates below:
- July 15 for fall semester
- December 1 for spring semester
- May 1 for summer sessions
Timely processing requires the assistance of students. Students must let their donor know of University of Georgia’s tuition and fee payment deadlines (see the Bursar & Treasury Services webpage). All checks received after the dates above will still be processed, but we cannot guarantee that it will be on the award for the payment deadline. The student is responsible for their account balance on the payment deadline.
The typical processing time for private scholarship checks ready for deposit is 5-7 business days. At peak times (middle of July through the end of September, and middle of December through the end of February), students should allow up to 10-14 business days for the processing of private scholarship checks.
Out of date or expired checks will not be accepted and will be returned to the awarding organization for reissue.
Effects of Scholarship on Other Aid
The receipt of a private scholarship may result in the reduction or repayment of need-based financial assistance previously awarded to the student by the University of Georgia.
In accordance with federal regulations, our office is required to monitor whether a student’s total financial assistance remains within their financial need-based eligibility. Similar practices are followed with some institutional need-based grants. Whenever possible, self-help awards (loans and Federal Work Study) are reduced before federal or institution gift assistance.
Disclosure of a Student’s Cost of Attendance and Other Financial Aid
**Important change in what information the Office of Student Financial Aid can release to a scholarship provider.
In order for OSFA to release student’s financial awards, estimated cost of attendance or financial need, the student must complete the OSFA Scholarship Consent to Release Form. Disclosure of financial assistance for educational costs at the institution can only be released to a scholarship granting organization or tribal organization, with the student’s explicit written consent.
Anyone else needing information regarding the student’s awards, estimated cost of attendance or financial need, should ask the student to provide them with a copy of their Award Notice from Athena. The only permissible method for non-scholarship granting organizations or non-tribal organizations to receive the FAFSA information under the Higher Education Act (HEA) is through the student.
External Scholarship Applications
If a scholarship organization has paperwork that is required to be completed by the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), the student must:
- Mail, fax, deliver, or email documents (via Sendfiles) to the Office of Student Financial Aid
- Include the student’s full name and UGA ID Number (81#)
- Ensure that the student portion is complete and signed (incomplete forms will be returned to the student)
- Submit the OSFA Scholarship Consent to Release Form
- Unless noted on the form, all scholarship applications will be returned to the donor
Billing or Invoicing for Scholarship Payment
The Financial Aid Office does not bill donors for scholarship payments. If an invoice or bill is required for payment, the student may obtain an account statement from the Bursar & Treasury Services.
Verification of Enrollment
If a donor requires verification of enrollment, the student must complete the request through the Office of Registrar.
Student Athletes
If a student athlete is awarded any type of scholarship, approval from the Athletic Department is needed before the scholarship can credit the student’s account. The Office of Student Financial Aid’s Assistant Director of Compliance and Athletic Aid will reach out to the Athletic Department for this information.
