The Parents' Path
-
The Parents' Path
step-by-step guide for the parents of georgia state students
We know you are committed to your student’s success inside and outside the classroom. Here are steps and tips to support your student.
START YOUR PATH -
1
learn
Knowing where to start is the first step on your journey. Below are some videos and tools to help guide your way.
Financial Aid
"What Does a Parent Need To Know?" (2:27)
Cost
Review your questions about cost with our Cost Calculator
FERPA
Your student can grant you access to his or her records to make it easier for you to help. The Registrar's Office has the forms for your student to complete. See below for more information pertaining to FERPA.
"Student Privacy 101: FERPA for Parents and Students" (4:03)
University FERPA Records Access Policy
swipe to go
forward
or backswipe -
2
APPLY
Apply for Financial Aid at FAFSA.GOV
Now that you know a little more about financial aid, help your student get started. Apply today.
"Getting Started" (3:52)
Help Your Student Apply for FAFSA
Help Your Student Apply for the HOPE Scholarship
Help Your Student Apply for Scholarships
swipe to go
forward
or backswipe -
3
AFTER ACCEPTANCE
Once your student has formally been accepted to the university:
Check for Verification or Additional Requirements Document
More than a third of Georgia State students are selected for verification. You can support them by helping to compile the documents they will need to submit.
"What is Verification?" (1:26)
Additional documents that are needed will be posted to your student’s PAWS account. Check within 3-5 days of notification of acceptance to Georgia State and completion of FAFSA.
Check for Award Letter
Once FAFSA is in and required documents have been reviewed your student should be awarded. Review charges and funding your student.
swipe to go
forward
or backswipe -
4
REVIEW BALANCE
Does your student need additional funding?
Once your student has accepted the funding review go to PAWS to verify if you have a balance that is not fully covered by financial aid. Then review additional funding options and/or payment plans.
Additional Funding
Learn more about the Parent PLUS Loan
First time Parent PLUS Borrowers
"What happens if I am denied the PLUS loan?" (0:42)
Georgia State Payment Plan
swipe to go
forward
or backswipe -
5
REFUNDS
Students and parents may be eligible for refunds depending on the type of aid a student is receiving. Make sure your student has selected a refund preference.
"How to receive your refund" (1:44)
What Parents need to know about refunds from Parent PLUS Loans
When completing the application online, the parent indicates how the refund is to be disbursed. There are two options:
Option 1: Refund to Parent. (Check to be mailed to the address on the application. Address should be of United States Postal Service record.)
Option 2: Refund to Student. (Disbursed how the refund preference is set up in Bank Mobile: see above.)
swipeswipe to go
forward
or back -
6
PARENTAL SUPPORT
Your student will need your support every semester, every year. Click below to find out how you can commit to supporting your student and prepare for the future.
Commitments
Steps for Future Success
swipe to go
forward
or backswipe -
you're done.
great job.RESTART THE PATHRESTART THE PATH
THE PARENTS' PATH
HOPE / Zell Miller (U.A. & U.S. Only)
Graduating high school students have two options when applying:- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or
- Complete the online Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) or printable paper GSFAPPS.
The FAFSA must be completed each year.
Transfer Students
Submit a Panther Answer Ticket requesting to have your eligibility reviewed after you have submitted all prior transcripts during the admission process.
SUBMIT TICKET
Scholarships
Georgia State offers a variety of scholarships for new and enrolled students.
LEARN MORESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS
Click To Explore Each Scholarships
State Scholarships
Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Institutional Scholarships and Grants
- Goizueta Foundation Scholarship
- Panther Retention Grant
- Panther Acceleration Grant
- Keep HOPE Alive
LOANS
Federal Loans
Steps To View Your Award
- Log in to PAWS LOG IN TO PAWS
- Click the Finances tab
- Go to the Financial Aid Information menu (bottom right)
- Click the Access My Financial Aid Information link
- Select Award Information and then Award by Term
COMPLETE LOAN COUNSELING
COMPLETE MASTER PROMISSORY NOTE
Georgia State Payment Plan
The Georgia State Payment Plan allows a student to defer payment for up to 50% of the current term’s tuition and mandatory fees OR 50% of their account balance, whichever is less. Housing, meal plans and parking charges are not eligible to be deferred as part of the payment plan. The deferred balance is calculated after 50% of your remaining balance and all estimated financial aid is applied to the student account. Students can review their options for a plan in PantherPay if they are eligible to enroll.
GEORGIA STATE PAYMENT PLANPantherPay Authorization
When a student designates an authorized user, this serves as Georgia State's FERPA release to provide protected student account information to the person authorized. Students can add or delete authorized users as desired.
PANTHERPAYNeed Additional Funding?
Additional Federal Funding
State Loan
Private Loans
Institutional Loans
Student Employment
Maintaining Your Aid Requirements
Federal Aid Requirements:
- 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- 66.67% completion rate (passed versus attempted credit hours)
- No more than exceed 180 attempted credit hours
HOPE & Zell Miller Scholarship Requirements:
- Georgia resident
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for HOPE Scholarship
- Minimum 3.3 GPA for Zell Miller Scholarship
- No more than 127 attempted credit hours
Monitor Your Account
Check the following sites frequently for updates and changes:
- PAWS (GEORGIA STATE INFO.): LOG IN TO PAWS
- Your Georgia State email account
- NSLDS (Federal Grants and Loan Info.): LOG IN TO NSLDS
- Go to the Financial Aid Information menu (bottom right)
Apply for FAFSA every year as early as possible:
- Apply as early as Oct. 1 every year
- Apply at: FAFSA
- Use Georgia State's school code: 001574
First-Time Borrowers
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete the Parent PLUS Loan Application process at studentloans.gov.
- Complete the Plus Credit Counseling form, when approved through appeal process or endorser at studentloans.gov.
- Complete the Parent PLUS Loan Borrower Agreement for a PLUS Loan (MPN) *Must be done by the approved Parent PLUS Loan borrower.
Be sure to use your correct address per the U.S. Postal Service in the event you are eligible for a refund we need to mail.
Be sure to indicate the loan term. The dates should match the semester dates or the award year’s (fall and spring) term dates.
Learn More About the Parent PLUS Loan
A Federal PLUS is a loan in the parent’s name for a dependent student enrolled at least half time in a degree-seeking program. It is a non-need based loan with the benefit of having a fixed interest rate. Parents can apply up to 90 days before the start of a semester, and you can apply for the entire award year (fall and spring).
Parents can assist their students by committing to help them:
Complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.
Review their balance with them every semester. Many parents have the opportunity to apply for Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans to assist their students with the cost of college.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR THE PARENTS
OF GEORGIA STATE STUDENTS
Need More Help?
Enter
Fullscreen
Exit
Fullscreen
Restart
the Path
How to Apply for Federal Aid:
The application is no more difficult than completing a job application or signing up for social media.
Georgia State's federal school code is:
001574
You and your student will need an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA. You might also each need the FSA ID to apply for Parent PLUS loans.
Tuition
Payment
Check out our easy and flexible payment arrangements.
Refunds
If your account shows a credit balance, you may be entitled to receive a refund.
Tuition
How to Pay
Check out our easy and flexible payment arrangements.
Refunds
If your account shows a credit balance, you may be entitled to receive a refund.
Contact Us
Got Questions?
The Student Financial Management Center and the Offices of Student Accounts and Financial Aid are available to assist you despite the office physical closure. View Panther Answer to contact us.
Speak with Us
Student Financial Management Center is using Virtual Advising Appointments to assist students with questions regarding financial aid and student accounts. Please click below to schedule an appointment.