• How to Apply
• Federal Aid Programs
• State Aid Programs
• Withdrawal from College
• Student Loans
• Other Agencies Providing Financial Assistance
• Financial Aid Payment
• Code of Conduct
• Check Financial Aid Status

BC Home > Students > Finacial Aid

Financial Aid

Mission Statement

The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) at Bainbridge College assists students in obtaining resources to finance higher education.

Your Financial Aid will ONLY pay for classes that are in your primary major. Any classes that are taken outside of your primary major will not be paid for by financial aid. You will be responsible for paying for those classes.

The links to the left provide basic information about the financial assistance programs available to students. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for more detailed information, applications, and individual assistance.

If you have authorized a hold on your HOPE Book Allowance and/or your Title IV funds, you will not receive a check.

Bainbridge College Financial Aid Priority Deadlines
Semester	FA Priority Deadline
Spring 2010	November 1
Summer 2010	April 1
Fall 2010	April 1

How to Apply

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for federal financial aid - see instructions below.

Please note to receive a student loan, you must complete a loan application.

You may submit the FAFSA by mail, or over the Internet, our school code is 011074. Once you receive the results back, in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR), you must follow through with completing your financial aid file. Each situation is different, so you need to contact the OFA to find out what additional information is needed.

Upon the completion of your file, the OFA will notify you, if eligible, of the financial aid you are eligible to receive. Awards will be based on full-time enrollment; however, it is possible for you to be eligible for less than full-time enrollment. Financial Aid may be any of the following:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Federal Work-Study Program
• Federal Stafford Loans
• HOPE Scholarship
• HOPE Grant (for certificate seeking students)
• HOPE GED
• Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP)

Student must also meet Bainbridge College Office of Financial Aid (OFA) policy for Standards for Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP).

Links

• Standards For Satisfactory Academic Process
• New HOPE Requirements
• BC Payment of Balance Due Policy
• Loan Process Documents

Forms

• 2009-2010 Verification Worksheet Federal Student Aid Program (Dependent)
• 2009-2010 Verification Worksheet Federal Student Aid Programs (Independent)

 * The FAFSA application for Summer 2010 will be the 2009/2010 FAFSA application. This application requires your 2008 tax return/income information. The FAFSA application for Fall 2010 will be the 2010/2011 FAFSA application. This application can be completed as soon as you complete your 2009 income tax return or have all your income information for 2009 completed.

* PLEASE NOTE: All returning students must complete a new or renewal 2010/2011 FAFSA to receive Financial Aid for Fall 2010.

Federal Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grant Program

This need-based program provides annual non-repayable grants to eligible students enrolled at Bainbridge College. Students apply, by submitting the FAFSA directly to the federal government, who determines eligibility and the amount to be awarded. Increase in tuition cost will not increase a student's Pell Grant award. It will be the same, no matter which institution attended. Students must also complete their financial aid file.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program

This need-based program is a supplement to the Pell Grant and grants non-repayable funds to students to help meet their educational needs. These funds are awarded on an annual basis to students enrolled at least half-time (six hours).

Federal Work-Study Program

This need-based program, in which a student is employed by the college, is designed to offer students an opportunity to earn the funds necessary to help meet their educational expenses. Most jobs are on campus and due to a limited funding, employment is not guaranteed. Funds earned under this program are non-repayable. Students must complete the FAFSA, their financial aid file, a work-study application, and be registered for at least six hours before they will be considered for employment. Payment is made at the minimum wage rate.

Federal Stafford Loans

These loans are backed by the federal government and are to be used for educational expenses. A student selects his/her lender, the institution certifies the loan - provided the student is eligible, and the funds are sent to the institution for disbursement. The student must begin repayment within six months of the last day of school attendance. Students are required to complete the FAFSA, their financial aid file, and complete a loan application to apply for a student loan at Bainbridge College.

Additional information about these programs is available from The Student Guide to Financial Aid from the Department of Education.

State Aid Programs

Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP)

These limited grants are made to full-time students and are supplemental to other grants. Students apply by completing the(FAFSA). Early application is required for this grant.

HOPE Scholarship

HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) provides financial assistance for tuition, mandatory fees, and a book allowance up to $150 per semester to Georgia Residents attending Georgia institutions of higher education. HOPE Scholarships are available to students who meet one of the following criteria:

• Is a 1993 or later Georgia high school graduate enrolled in a degree program of study with a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), ("B" average)/li>
• Is a non-traditional student who is enrolled in a degree program of study and has attempted 30 semester hours towards his/her degree with a 3.0 or better GPA
• Is a non-traditional students who is enrolled a degree program of study and has attempted 60 semester hours towards his/her degree with a 3.0 or better GPA.

Degree students will be evaluated by the Financial Aid Office at 30 semester hour intervals and must have a 3.0 at that time in order to continue receiving the HOPE Scholarship. Students may apply by completing the FAFSA and their financial aid file. Students must also meet Bainbridge College's Office of Financial Aid policy for satisfactory academic progress.

HOPE Grant

Provides an opportunity for eligible certificate seeking students to receive HOPE, regardless of high school graduation date or GPA requirements mentioned above. Students must be a Georgia resident and may apply by completing the FAFSA or the Hope Application and their financial aid file. Students must meet the Bainbridge College's Office of Financial Aid policy for satisfactory academic progress.

HOPE GED

A student who completes his/her GED in June 1993 or later will receive a one-time $500 voucher from the Georgia Student Finance Commission to use for educational expenses at Bainbridge College. It is important that the student be aware of the deadline stated on his/her GED voucher. A student must present the voucher to the Office of Financial Aid, complete the FAFSA or the Hope Application and complete his/her file.

Learn more about HOPE and other state financial aid programs at www.gacollege411.org.

Withdrawal from College

A "Withdrawal from College" is defined as dropping ALL classes for all parts of a semester. There are two types of official withdrawal from college:

1) Student Initiated

There are two different scenarios for student initiated withdrawal.

A) Withdrawal Before Mid-Term

The student must notify the Office of Admissions and Records in order to officially withdraw. If you withdraw from school before completing 60% of the semester you will owe back a portion of your federal and state financial aid. This amount is determined based on how much of the financial aid you actually earned through attendance. If you stop attending all of your classes and are withdrawn you may owe a repayment of the un-earned portion of your financial aid. Any repayment not made in a timely order will be turned over to a collection agency and will be subject to up to a 40% collection fee in addition to the repayment amount.

B) Withdrawal After Mid-Term

The student must notify the Office of Admissions and Records in order to officially withdraw. A student who withdraws from school after mid-term will receive a grade of "WF" in each course unless the student or advisor seeks permission from the Vice-President of Academic Affairs to assign a grade of "W." Upon the recommendation of the student's instructor(s), the Vice President of Academic Affairs may approve, in writing, a "W" grade after mid-term.

2) Administrative

The Vice President of Student Affairs and/or Counselor, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Director of Admissions and Records, or the Vice President of Business Affairs may withdraw a student from school under limited circumstances associated with health, disciplinary, or payment situations. For more information, check with the Vice President of Student Affairs’ Office. The administration may withdraw a student for one or more reasons:1) non-payment of fees or non-completion of the student’s financial aid file, 2) advisor error, 3) medical emergencies, 4) discipline, or 5) failure to attend school. The President of the college or a member of the President’s senior staff may withdraw students for any of the above stated reasons and may withdraw the student from all courses or assign a “W” or “WF” grade as appropriate based on individual circumstances. Depending on the circumstances, the student may need to provide documentation.

Unofficial Withdrawal

Students who do not notify the Office of Admission and Records to official withdraw and stop attending classes are considered an “Unofficial Withdrawal.” The student will receive a grade of “FN” in each course, and you may owe back a portion of your federal and state financial aid.

Student Loans

Links

• Loan Process Documents

Other Agencies Providing Financial Assistance

Private Corporations and Individual Donors

A number of families and organizations have endowed scholarships at Bainbridge College. Information on these scholarships may be obtained in the Office of Admissions or in the Office of Financial Aid. Students should pay close attention to deadlines.

Veterans' Administration

Students who plan to use their educational benefits should turn in a copy of their completed form to the Office Admission Office and Records for enrollment certification. Please call 229-248-2504 for information.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 provides the opportunity to tailor workforce services to fit the diverse needs of employers and job seekers. Georgia's Workforce Investment Act provides educational assistance to qualified individuals. A student who qualifies will receive aid in the form of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Interested individuals should contact the Workforce Center, which is located in the Technical Studies Division of Bainbridge College, Room 664, at (229) 248-2552.

Division of Rehabilitation Services

The Division of Rehabilitation Services provides educational assistance to persons with disabilities who qualify based on economic needs. Interested individuals should contact the local Division of Rehabilitation Services office at (229)248-2480.

Financial Aid Payment

Financial aid funds will be in the form of a credit posted to a student's account. Allowable charges, including tuition and fees, will be deducted from the student's financial aid award. A check for the remaining balance will be mailed by the Business Office within fourteen days of the date a credit balance occurs. If the credit balance occurs prior to the first day of class, your check will be mailed within fourteen days of the first day of class. Reduction in class-load before the first day of class or withdrawal from school will reduce the amount of the grant. A student who adds/drops courses after the add/drop period (the first day of class) will not have their financial aid award increased/decreased. Adjustments will be made for complete withdrawals.

Payment of Balance Due Policy

If you owe a balance of un-earned financial aid or tuition or fees to Bainbridge College, any balance not paid within 150 days of the original balance date will be turned over to a collection agency and you will be subject to a collection fee of up to 40% of the balance, in addition to the balance.  This does not include Federal Pell repayments.

Refund Policy

The refund amount for students withdrawing from the institution is based on a pro-rata percentage determined by dividing the number of calendar days in the semester that the student completed by the total calendar days in the semester. The total calendar days in a semester includes weekends, but excludes scheduled breaks of five or more days and days that a student was on an approved leave of absence. The unearned portion shall be refunded up to the point in time that the amount equals 60%.

Students who withdraw from the institution when the calculated percentage of completion is greater than 60% are not entitled to a refund of any portion of institutional charges.

A refund of all non-resident fees, matriculation fees, and other mandatory fees shall be made in the event of the death of a student at any time during the academic session.

Return of Financial Aid Funds Policy

The law specifies how colleges must determine the amount of Student Financial Aid (SFA) program assistance that a student earns if the student withdraws. The law requires that the amount of SFA program assistance that is earned up to the point of a student's withdrawal during a payment period or period of enrollment be determined by a specific formula. If a student received (or the college received on the student's behalf) less assistance than the amount earned, the student will be able to receive the additional funds. If the student received more assistance than he or she earned, the excess funds must be returned.

The amount of assistance earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. For example, if a student completes 30 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment, the student will earn 30 percent of the assistance he or she was originally scheduled to receive. Once the student completes more than 60 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment, the student earns all of the assistance.

If the student received excess funds that must be returned, the college must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

- the student's institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of his or her funds, or
- the entire amount of the excess funds.

If the college is not required to return all of the excess funds, the student must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that the student must return will be repaid in accordance with the terms of the promissory note signed by the student (or student's parent for a PLUS Loan). That is, the student will make scheduled payments to the holder of the loan over a period of time.

If the student is responsible for returning Federal Pell Grant funds, the student does not have to return the full amount. The law provides that the student is not required to return 50 percent of the grant assistance that was received. Any amount that must be returned is a grant overpayment, and the student must make arrangements with the college or the Department of Education to return the funds.

Financial aid recipients MUST maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in order to continue receiving financial assistance. Financial aid will be paid to only to those students who are meeting SAP, and who are accepted and enrolled at Bainbridge College. Specific requirements are available at the Office of Financial Aid. It is the responsibility of each student who receives financial aid to familiarize himself/herself with the SAP policy.

For more detailed information and applications for financial aid, please contact Bainbridge College's Office of Financial Aid at (229) 248-2852.

Code of Conduct

In order to comply with the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the Bainbridge College Office of Financial Aid promises to abide by the following Code of Conduct.

As employees of the Bainbridge College Office of Financial Aid and the State of Georgia, we promise that:

1. We will carry out our duties with the utmost level of professionalism.
2. We will be honest and professional in all of our duties regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, and/or disability.
3. We will not accept any personal gifts from a student, parent, or vendor of more than a minimal value.
4. We will not accept any travel expenses paid by a student, parent, or vendor unless those expenses are paid for while serving in our official capacity as employees of Bainbridge College.  These payments must be provided directly from the organization and be related to the duties we perform.
5. We will not use Bainbridge College equipment for personal or unethical use.  This equipment includes but is not limited to computer equipment, telephones, office supplies, vehicles, internet service, etc.
6. We will not engage in any unethical or immoral behavior while performing out duties.  This includes but is not limited to sexual harassment, theft, inappropriate language, and inappropriate internet access.
7. We will not employ, promote, or transfer any family member to an office within the Office of Financial Aid.
8. We will not accept any gift, monies, or other form of payment that would alter any aid awarded to any student and/or parent.
9. We will not lobby any local, state, or federal government official in an attempt to influence any type of legislation without the express permission of the Bainbridge College President and/or the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
10. We will follow all laws and regulations governing the awarding, disbursing, and processing of any and all types of financial aid both federal and state.