Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

1) Complete the YHC Admission Application. Scholarship and financial aid awards are made only after the student has been officially accepted to Young Harris College.  All freshman applicants who have been admitted to Young Harris College are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.

2)  The first step in filing for financial aid is completing the FAFSA.   Our school code is 001604.   We suggest that you complete your taxes as soon as possible and complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.   FILING THE FAFSA IS AN ANNUAL PROCESS. 

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for need based grants, work-study and need-based (subsidized) loans.  We recommend you file early since most need-based money is limited. 

The student automatically qualifies for a Stafford Loan just for filing the FAFSA.  Freshmen qualify for $3,500, sophomores qualify for $4,500 and upperclassmen are eligible for $5,500.

Parents can take a Parent PLUS Loan for the annual cost of attendance less any financial aid  the student receives if they do not have any adverse credit history.  If a parent is turned down for a loan, the student can get an additional $4,000 unsubsidized Stafford Loan for the year.

The student and at least one parent will need a PIN (Personal Identification Number) in order to complete the FAFSA online.  You can go ahead and do this ahead of time so you will have them when you file your FAFSA.  Maintain you PIN number in a safe place as it will be used each year when you apply.

The FAFSA for the upcoming academic year will be available after January 1st of each year. 

All forms and supporting documentation (if requested) should be completed by May 1st in order to receive priority consideration for federal, state and institutional funds.

3) Georgia residents must complete the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant  and HOPE Application online at GACollege411.org.  HOPE pays $3,000 per academic year ($1,500 per semester)  and GTEG pays $1,100 ($550 per semester) per academic year.  You can get part-time HOPE if attending at least 6 hours in amount of $750 per semester.  

4) Complete and submit the Young Harris College Financial Aid Application if you plan to apply for institutional scholarships, grants, work-study, and/or loans.

If you are interested in work-study you need to complete the above form.  Some on-campus jobs require additional certification or skills, such as lifeguarding.

5)  We recommend that you apply for as many outside scholarships as possible.  You can apply through your high school counselor's office or some websites which offer free scholarship searches, such as www.fastweb.com, www.gacollege411.org and www.scholarships.com.  (Note:  A reputable scholarship search DOES NOT charge for a scholarship search or application.) 

Methodist students can visit the Methodist websites to apply for scholarships and/or low interest loans at www.gbhem.org or www.umhef.org.

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The cost of attendance can be found on our Cost of Attendance webpage.  This cost of attendance is based upon fulltime attendance of 12 or more hours.