Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid at Clayton State University is committed to providing quality financial aid services. We administer federal Title IV programs, State of Georgia programs, federal VA Education Benefits, and provide scholarship assistance to eligible students who seek financial educational funding via these resources.

Types of Financial Aid Offered

The Office of Financial Aid Office provides federal and state student aid. The Office also administers scholarships and Veterans Affairs benefits. Procedures for applying for assistance can be found at the Office of Financial Aid - Apply for Financial Aid webpage. 

Federal Financial Aid consists of grants, work-study, and loans. Students interested in federal financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This form must be completed each academic year in which the student would require financial assistance. The federal funds are:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
  • Federal Work-Study Program
  • Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loan (for parents and graduate students)

More detailed information on these types of federal funds can be found at https://studentaid.gov/.

State Financial Aid consists of scholarships and grants. Students interested in the HOPE Programs must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Georgia Student Financial Aid Application System (GSFAPPS). It is recommended that all students complete the FAFSA form so that the Office of Financial Aid can award students both federal and state aid. If a student does not complete a FAFSA form, but completes the GSFAPPS Application instead, the Office of Financial Aid can only award HOPE funds. The state funds include:

  • HOPE Scholarship
  • Zell Miller Scholarship
  • HOPE Career Grant
  • Zell Miller Grant
  • HOPE GED Grant
  • REACH Scholarship
  • Dual Enrollment Program
  • HOPE GED Voucher
  • Georgia’s HERO Scholarship Program
  • Public Safety Memorial Grant
  • Student Access Loan
  • Georgia National Guard Service Canceleable Loan

Institutional Scholarships funded through the Clayton State University Foundation. These scholarships vary from year to year. Current scholarship information can be found at the Office of Financial Aid - Scholarships webpage.

Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits help Veterans, service members, and their qualified family members with educational expenses.  Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits include the following:
 
  • Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
  • Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®-Reserves/National Guard (MGIB-SR)
  • Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill
  • Chapter 35: Dependents Education Assistance
  • FRY Scholarship
  • Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment (Formerly identified as VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment)
Clayton State University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and provides priority registration for veterans/active duty service members. 
 
Please be mindful that changes to majors, enrollment, charges, financial aid awards, scholarships, waivers, lack of class attendance, exhaustion of benefits and such like can affect VA Educational Benefits. Consider the final charges and the amounts paid on your behalf to determine if overpayments will exist. Sometimes overpayments may result in the student owing the Department of Veterans Affairs and/or Clayton State University additional funds.
 
More details regarding Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits can be found at the following websites: https://www.clayton.edu/financial-aid/veterans/ and https://www.va.gov/education/. 
 

Students Utilizing Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) and Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill):

  1. Veterans using Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits can attend Clayton State University for a term provided the student submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 (a "certificate of eligibility" can also include a "Statement of Benefits" obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) website-eBenefits,or a VAF 28-1905 form for Chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
    1. The date on which payment from VA is made to Clayton State University;
    2. 90 days after the date Clayton State University certifies tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
  2. Clayton State University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, and will not require eligible veteran students to borrow additional funds because of the individual's ability to meet his or her financial obligations to Clayton State University due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under Chapter 31 or 33.
  3. Clayton State University requires the following information in order to process Veterans Benefits under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill:
    1. Submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance no later than the first day of the term for which benefits are being requested;
    2. Submit a written request to Clayton State University School Certifying Official (SCO) to use such entitlement;
    3. Provide additional information necessary for proper certification of enrollment by the Clayton State University School Certifying Official (SCO).
  4. Students are required to pay any balance due for the amount that is the difference between the amount of the student's financial obligation and the amount of the VA educational benefit disbursement by the established payment deadline for the term.