Smart Moves for Spring Semester
Take Five! Stay On Track to Finish and Maximize Your Financial Aid

When you register for spring semester at Gwinnett Tech – take five! Five courses to stay on track to finish your program and to make the most of your financial aid.

Take Five and Reap the Benefits!

• Taking five courses on semesters is the same as taking three courses on quarters.

• On semesters, you should plan to take five classes to stay on track to complete your program. You won't be in class more hours per week, but you will have longer to finish your course work – 15 weeks rather than 10 on quarters.

• Plus, to receive your full Pell award, you must take a full course load of at least 12 hours. A full course load can mean a difference of up to $1,388 in your Pell award, depending upon your expected family contribution (EFC).

• If you don't use the total amount you were awarded for the federal Pell Grant, the money can't be rolled over to another aid year. It's in your best interest to enroll for full course loads for fall and spring semesters this year.

• Your Pell Grant funds can be used to help pay for books, fees and the percentage of tuition no longer covered by the HOPE Program.

Plan now for registration! If you have questions or need assistance, call 678-226-6616.

Financial Aid Deadline: October 3
Application Deadline: October 31
Registration for current students: November 1 – December 7
Registration for new students: November 8 – December 7

Late application deadline: November 19
Late registration: December 22 – January 1
Classes begin: January 7, 2013

Log on to www.gtc-web.org to register.

Learn More!

How many hours is a fulltime course load under semesters?
Twelve hours are required to be considered fulltime.

What's the benefit of taking a full course load?
Taking a full course load keeps you on track to complete your program – one of the best ways to manage college costs. Plus, to receive your full Pell Grant award, you have to be a fulltime student. Remember, these are funds you can use to cover books and the percentage of tuition no longer covered by the HOPE Program.

What's the difference in the fulltime Pell award payout as compared to part-time?
A full course load of 12 hours can mean a difference of up to $1,388 in your Pell award, depending upon your expected family contribution (EFC). For example, based on an EFC* of zero, a full load of 12 hours or more provides a Pell award of $2,775. For 11 hours or less, your expected award would be approximately $1,380.

[*EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) is determined by Federal Processors. GTC is not responsible for determining these amounts. The EFC that you are given will determine the amount of a Pell award, based further on the number of hours you are taking.]

What does the HOPE Program cover?
The HOPE Program does not pay for books or fees. Tuition is paid at $60.75 per credit hour. But, the Pell Grant and other loans can help you pay these costs. The schedule below provides a detailed breakdown.

What does a typical schedule with a fulltime course load look like?

Sample Schedule: Fulltime Daytime Student (Business Management Degree)

Monday: 4 hours; Tuesday: 3.5 hours; Wednesday: 4 hours; Thursday: 3.5 hours. Total Campus Hours: 15 hours per week

Sample Schedule: Fulltime Evening Student (Networking Diploma Degree)

Monday: 1.25 hours; Tuesday: 2.5 hours; Wednesday: 1.25 hours; Thursday: 1.3 hours; Other classes online. Total Campus Hours: 6.3 hours per week