Atlanta Campus Catalog 2009-2010 - Mercer University

Students are encouraged to seek academic counseling or to see a Student Financial
Planning Officer at the first sign of academic difficulty.
Types of Financial Assistance
The following financial assistance programs are available to students who enroll at the
Mercer University Cecil B. Day Campus in Atlanta. Eligibility criteria, application procedures,
and other information are published in the Student Guide, which is available on request from
the Office of Student Financial Planning.
Grants
Federal Pell Grant: A federal aid program available to eligible undergraduate students.
The amount of a Federal Pell Grant is determined on the basis of a student’s financial
resources and the resources of his/her family, along with the cost of education at the
institution the student attends. The maximum Federal Pell Grant is currently $5,350.00 per
academic year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: A federal program for
undergraduate students, enrolled at least half-time, with a demonstrated exceptional
financial need. Awards range from $200 to $2,000 per year and are contingent upon the
availability of funds. A student must receive the Pell Grant to be eligible for FSEOG.
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grants: The State of Georgia has made available, to
qualified Georgia residents, an annual tuition grant for attendance at approved private colleges
in the state. To be eligible for this grant, a student must be a United States citizen
or permanent resident who has resided in Georgia for at least one full year prior to the
date of registration for a particular semester. The student must enroll for at least 12 undergraduate
hours per semester.
The HOPE Scholarship Program: Funds are provided by the State of Georgia to
qualified undergraduates. Qualifications include a cumulative grade point average of at
least 3.00 from all prior course work, and residency in Georgia for at least one full year
prior to the registration date for a particular semester. Please note that the HOPE GPA of
3.0 or higher cannot include “plus” grades (e.g., B+,C+). Eligible student must be citizens
or permanent residents. The HOPE Scholarship at Mercer Atlanta is $3,500 per year.
Additional regulations may apply; please see the Office of Student Financial Planning for
details.
To be considered for these grants, the student must complete the application online
at www.gacollege411.org. No applications can be accepted after the last day of registration
for the semester.
Loan Programs
Federal Perkins Loan: Funded by the federal government and administered by the
University, this loan program provides funds to students with proven financial need. All
awards under this program are made by the Student Financial Planning Officers. The repayment
period does not start and the interest does not begin to accrue until nine months after
the student ceases to be at least a halftime student. As of October 1, 1981, the interest rate
for new loans is 5 percent simple. Complete information regarding a borrower’s rights and
responsibilities including a sample repayment schedule, may be obtained from the Student
Loan Office.
Federal Direct Stafford Student Loan Program: This program allows students to
borrow funds directly from the federal government. Laws which govern the student loan
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