Overview

Financial aid is compromised of multiple funding sources including federal, state, institutional and private resources. The following information provides an overview of the various funding sources. Students can be awarded financial aid based on their academic merit and financial need. Every student receiving financial assistance is assigned a cost of attendance based on a student's residency and housing arrangements. 

Cost of Attendance

Commonly referred to as the budget, the cost of attendance determines how much a student can receive in financial aid resouces for an academic year, including grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. Students cannot exceed the annual cost of attendance. Students who exceed the cost of attendance may have their financial aid adjusted.

The cost of attendance is determined using average indirect and direct costs for a student. Below is a list of direct versus indirect costs that make up most students' cost of attendance. Student enrolled less than half time do not receive an allowance for personal/miscellaneous expenses. 

Direct Costs
  • Tuition
  • Mandatory fees
  • On-campus housing
  • On-campus food
Indirect Costs
  • Books & supplies
  • Transportation 
  • Personal/miscellaneous fees
  • Off-campus housing
  • Off-campus food

Current Cost of Attendance: 2024-2025 Cost of Attendances

Federal Grants

Federal Grants are funds provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Unless otherwise noted, these funds do not need to be paid back and are based on a student's financial need. The first step in applying for these funds is to complete the appropriate year FAFSA® application. After completing the FAFSA®, your information is sent to FVSU's Office of Financial Aid to determine your eligibility for the grants based on financial need. Students with the highest financial need, typically those with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) recieve the funds first. 

Federal Pell Grant

The most common of all the federal programs is the Federal Pell Grant. These funds are based solely on completion of the FAFSA application and a student's Student Aid Index (SAI). The amounts of the grant can change annually and will range from $740 to $7,395 for the 2024-2025 academic year. These funds are are adjusted based on a student's enrollment intensity, or the number of credits a students is taking each semester. Students should enroll for all classes, including mini-sessions, at the same time, as the Pell Grant is not increased after the census date has passed.

In most cases, students who have received a bachelor's degree are not eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant. 

Students can receive the Federal Pell Grant over the summer, if the student was enrolled full-time (12 or more credits) for both the Fall and Spring semesters, and enrolls in at least 6 credits during the summer. If the student enrolls less than full-time for Fall and/or Spring the student may have remaining Pell Grant eligibility to use for the summer.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, as determined by the FAFSA®. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAIs) will be the first to get FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, FSEOG does not have to be paid back.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program

The TEACH Grant Program is for education majors who plan to work full-time in high need fields, or schools serving low-income students, as determined by the U.S.. Undergraduate and Graduate Education majors may be eligible for the TEACH Grant depending on their concentration. Students can recieve up to $2,000 per semester, however this grant is subject to federal reductions. In this case, 2024-2025 students who are eligible for $2,000 will see a 5.7% decrease to the amount disbursed. This amount can change each year. 

  • For each TEACH Grant-eligible program for which you received TEACH Grant funds, you must serve as a full-time teacher for a total of at least four academic years within eight calendar years after you completed or withdrew from the academic program for which you received the TEACH Grant.
  • You must perform the teaching service as a highly-qualified teacher at a low-income school. The term highly-qualified teacher is defined in section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or in section 602(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  • You must comply with any other requirements that the Department of Education determines to be necessary.
  • If you do not complete the required teaching service obligation, TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that you must repay, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

To complete TEACH Grant process, students must complete the following:

State Grants

The state of Georgia offers several grant and scholarship programs to Georgia residents enrolled as undergraduate students working on a degree at a public or private college or university. Consideration for many of the programs requires students to complete the FAFSA® application, or the GSFApp. In addition, all males between the ages of 18 and  25 are required to register for the selective service. 

Federal Work Study

The Federal Work Study (FWS) is a need based, federally subsidized employment program awarded by the Office of Financial Aid. Students are required to complete the FAFSA® application and must submit any additional documentation to be considered for the FWS program. Funds are limited and not all students eligible will receive a FWS position.

Students will work up to 20  hours per week on campus, or at an approved community-service location off campus, and earn an $11.00 per hour wage. Students will receive a bi-weekly paycheck to use for incidental expenses. FVSU does not encourage students to use the FWS to assist in paying tuition, as it can cause undue stress on the student if work needs to be missed due to illness or an academic requirement. 

Students interested in Federal Work Study, must first complete the FWS Interest Form. Eligible students will then be contacted to participate in a mandatory orientation provided by Career Services. 

Loans

Low interest student and parent loans are borrowed money that must be repaid. Loans are a large part of many students’ aid package. Borrow only what you need. Always remember that you will pay back what you borrow. Fort Valley State University participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program to offer subsidized, unsubsidized loans and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). 

Eligibility

Eligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors. The Office of Financial Aid will determine your eligibility. View eligibility requirements here.