Frequently Asked Questions

There are a number of scholarships for which I wish to be considered. Do I apply for each one separately?
Scholarships awarded by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) do not require separate applications. If you complete the steps in "Application Process," our office will consider you for all programs and award a financial aid package based on your qualifications and fund availability.

How is my financial aid award determined?
Awards are made from a variety of funds to produce what is referred to as a financial aid “package.” This package typically includes a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and work.

The OSFA first awards aid to those students most in need of financial assistance who have completed the application process on time. We attempt to meet a percentage of financial need with scholarship/grant funds, a percentage with loan funds, and a percentage with work opportunities. These percentages vary from year to year depending on factors such as the financial need of the applicant pool and the financial resources available.

Since students with the highest academic credentials are more likely to qualify for scholarship funds, the percentage of need met with gift aid (grants/scholarships) for these students will likely be higher than for students with lesser academic credentials.

How is my financial need determined?
Applicants applying for need-based aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When the FAFSA is processed, a formula is applied to the information you provide. The U.S. Congress establishes this formula. The result is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is an indication of a family's financial strength and is a figure that a family is expected to contribute toward the cost of attendance at Georgia Tech for the academic year. It is not an amount that must be paid to Georgia Tech. This contribution is deducted from the estimated cost of attendance, resulting in the estimate of your financial need.

When I apply for financial assistance through the OSFA, am I also being considered for Georgia Tech scholarships based solely on merit?
Our office does reward academic excellence, but almost all merit scholarships awarded by the OSFA are made in conjunction with other selection criteria, i.e., financial need, geographic restrictions, specific majors, specific characteristics that are designated by the donor, etc. The President's Scholarship is an exclusively merit-based award that is administered by the President's Scholarship Program Office. If you submitted all the elements of the Application for Freshman Admission by PS Deadline, you are being considered for that merit-based award. For more information regarding the President's Scholarship, visit www.psp.gatech.edu. In addition, certain Georgia Tech Alumni Association clubs and academic colleges offer merit-based scholarships. Georgia Tech also funds National Merit and National Achievement Scholarships.

What options are available if I don't qualify for need-based aid?
Students whose applications result in low need or no need have several options to assist in paying for their Georgia Tech education.

• Students may wish to consider the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan or private educational loans (details available at www.finaid.gatech.edu/loans).
• Parents may consider the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) program (details available at www.finaid.gatech.edu/loans).
• Many Georgia Tech students participate in the Cooperative Plan or Internship Program beginning in their sophomore year in order to receive great work experience and earn money to offset some of their college costs. The cooperative program alternates academic terms at school with terms at work. Internships are more flexible, while still offering vital work experience. Visit www.profpractice.gatech.edu for more information.

What if I am applying as a transfer student?
If you are planning to transfer to Georgia Tech, visit www.finaid.gatech.edu/transfer for more information.