How to Apply for Financial Aid

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Step 1 - Visit https://studentaid.gov to complete your FAFSA

Use the renewal FAFSA, if you completed an application last aid year, because this will pre-populate much of your information.

SRTC’s school code is 005615 for all campuses.

Create a FAFSA User ID and Password

1. All students will create a FAFSA user ID and password on your first visit to the FAFSA website, https://studentaid.gov. Please make a note of your user ID and password, as you will need this information each time you login.
2. For dependent students, both the student and a parent need a FAFSA user ID and password to electronically complete and sign the FAFSA.

Provide Consent

Beginning with the 2024-2025 FAFSA, all contributors to the FAFSA (student, spouse, parent and parent’s spouse (for dependent students)) must provide “consent” on the FAFSA for the IRS to provide tax return information directly to the FAFSA Processing Center. If consent is not given, the student will NOT be eligible for federal financial aid. If the student and spouse or parent and spouse filed taxes for the relevant tax year as married, filing jointly, the spouse should not need to provide consent. Each contributor on the FAFSA must have their own unique FSA user id and password.

Do I Need to Provide Parent Information?

If you can answer ‘Yes’ to one of the questions below, you do NOT need parent information to complete your FAFSA.

• Are you 24 years of age?
• Are you married?
• Do you have legal dependents that you financially supported?
• Are you a Veteran?

If you cannot answer ‘Yes’ to one of the above questions, you MUST provide parental information to complete your FAFSA. If extenuating circumstances exist where parental information is unavailable, the dependent student should contact the Financial Aid Office.

Step 2 - Check Your Status

Allow sufficient time for your FAFSA application to process. Then, login to BannerWeb, Student Services and Financial Aid, Financial Aid, My Eligibility, Student Requirements to see if items are needed to complete your award.

Step 3 –Create Your Verification Account ( if you need to submit items)

Create your Verification Account at https://southernregional.studentforms.com and review your task list to determine what items are needed.

Step 4 – Upload Your Documents

You may scan or snap a picture of your documents with your phone. Ensure each document is legible and complete. Then, you are ready to upload your items through the verification portal. Once all your items are satisfied each task will have a checkmark next to it.

Step 5 – Check Your SRTC Student Email

Financial Aid will communicate with you via your SRTC student email account to let you know when your financial aid is awarded or if other items are needed.

Financial Aid Priority Dates

Note: You should renew your FAFSA once each award year, prior to fall semester. It is not necessary to submit each semester. All required financial aid documents must be submitted by the Priority Dates. Financial Aid applications/documents submitted after priority dates will be processed, but funds may not be available on the first day of classes to apply towards tuition or to purchase books. Students submitting financial aid applications after priority date should be prepared to self-pay fees. Once financial aid is awarded, student may be eligible for reimbursement.

General Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for federal financial aid programs, a student should:

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide the Financial Aid Office with any needed documents to complete award.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have a high school diploma or have successfully completed a state-approved high school equivalency exam.
• Not be in default of a federal student loan nor owe a refund on any Title IV program.
• Be making satisfactory academic progress in accordance with SAP policy.

To qualify for state financial aid programs, a student should:

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a HOPE Program Application (GSFAPPS) and provide the Financial Aid Office with any needed documents to complete award.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Meet Georgia residency requirements in accordance with GSFC regulations.
• Be registered with Selective Service, if male age 18 or older.
• Not be in default of a federal student loan nor owe a refund on any Title IV or state program.
• Be making satisfactory academic progress in accordance with SAP policy.

Requests for Additional Information

Within a few days of successfully completing your financial aid application, you may receive a request from the SRTC Financial Aid Office for additional documentation that is needed to complete your financial aid file. Be sure to submit any requested documents to the Financial Aid Office within ten business days to avoid financial aid delays.

Award Notification

Once your financial aid file is complete, you will receive an award letter outlining the maximum amounts and types of aid you may receive. Be sure to read the award notification thoroughly to gain important details regarding the funds you are awarded.

Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility

To maintain eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs, all students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress by completing 66.66% of their attempted coursework and maintaining a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 2.00 (C).

Some state aid programs have higher GPA requirements. This information can be located under Financial Aid Sources.

Please review the SRTC Procedure: Satisfactory Academic Progress to ensure you are familiar with the requirements.

Withdrawing from Classes

Withdrawing from coursework can have negative implications on financial aid awards and Satisfactory Academic Progress determinations. Students are encouraged to contact the SRTC Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from class to understand the potential affect to their aid eligibility.

In compliance with Federal regulations, students who withdraw completely for the term prior to the 60% point, will have their aid recalculated as specified in the SRTC Procedure: Return to Title IV.

Contact Us

You may email us at finaid@southernregional.edu.

You may also contact our office at:

Bainbridge
229.243.3193 phone
229.248.2623 fax

Moultrie (Veterans Parkway)
229.217.4162 phone
229.891.7010 fax

Thomasville
229.225.5036 phone
229.227.2727 fax

Tifton
229.386.3164 phone
229.386.3164 fax