Merit-Based Assistance
 
Merit-Based Assistance is awarded in recognition of special skills, talent, and/or academic ability. It includes academic, fine arts, athletic, math/science and sophomore scholarships.

Academic Scholarships of $3,500 up to the cost of tuition, room, and board are awarded to full-time entering freshmen who are academically qualified based upon the high school GPA and SAT scores. The application for admission is the application for these scholarships. The scholarships are awarded for the succeeding semesters of the freshman and sophomore years if the conditions for renewal are met.

Art Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in art and demonstrating outstanding ability in art. Competition includes written recommendations, on-campus interviews, and surveys of portfolios. The recipients must maintain a "C" average each semester to retain the scholarships for both the freshman and sophomore years.  The fine arts application must be completed and returned by February 1.

Theatre Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in drama and demonstrating outstanding ability in the area of theatre. Competition includes written recommendations, on-campus interviews, and auditions. The recipients must maintain a "C" average each semester to retain the scholarships for both the freshman and sophomore years.  The fine arts application must be completed and returned by February 1.

Music Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in music and demonstrating outstanding ability in piano, organ, or voice. Choral scholarships are also available to students who are not music majors. Competition includes written recommendations, on-campus interviews, and auditions. Recipients must maintain a "C" average each semester to retain the scholarships for both the freshman and sophomore years.  The fine arts application must be completed and returned by February 1.

Musical Theatre Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in musical theatre. Competition includes audition and on-campus interviews.  The fine arts application must be completed and returned by Feburary 1.

Athletic Scholarships are awarded in the sports of women's tennis, women's soccer, women's softball, women's golf, women's cross country, men's soccer, men's golf, men's cross country and men's baseball. The coaches will interview and evaluate athletic skills of applicants.

Goizueta Foundation Scholarships are awarded to students who are of Hispanic or Latino descent and meet the criteria of being both academically worthy and financially needy.

Sophomore Scholarships For business majors and religion majors, scholarships are awarded to deserving sophomores on the basis of their GPA and other criteria established by the respective departments.

The Paul Coverdell Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving sophomore majoring in political science.  This scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic performance and character. 

HOPE and Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Full-time students who are legal residents of Georgia are entitled to receive the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG) of $1100 per year (as determined by the state legislature).  An additional $3,000 per year is available to full-time students who are eligible for HOPE Scholarship.  Applications for both HOPE and the GTEG are available in the Financial Aid Office or online at GACollege411.org.

Need Based Assistance 

Need-Based Assistance, which includes grants, work-study, and loans, is funded from federal, state, and institutional sources. A student's eligibility to receive need-based assistance is determined by information submitted each year on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If a student has demonstrated need (the difference between the estimated cost of attendance and the expected family contribution), our Financial Aid Office will offer a financial aid package based on (1) demonstrated need and (2) ability of the student (high school GPA and SAT scores). For renewal of aid, a continuing student must be making satisfactory progress and have demonstrated need. Further details about all federal programs are available in other links (The Student Guide) included in this website.

Federal Pell Grant - Eligibility for this grant is based on federal methodology. Awards range from $400 to $4,731, and will be reduced for less than full-time attendance.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - Eligibility for this grant is based on federal methodology, and priority is given to the neediest Federal Pell Grant recipients.

Appleby Grant - This grant is awarded to local full-time students who demonstrate need and maintain satisfactory progress. File early, as funds are limited.

Young Harris College Grant - This grant is awarded to full-time students who demonstrate need and maintain satisfactory progress.

United Methodist Scholarships - These scholarships are awarded on the basis of active interest and participation in the Methodist church, character, scholarship, promise of useful service, and financial need. Recipients receive $1,000 to 1,500 per year. Students must have a grade average of "B" or better during the year prior to the award, and are awarded for one year only.

Work-study in nearly all areas of campus is awarded to students from federal (FWS) and institutional (YHCWS) funds. Workers earn minimum wage up to $6.00 per hour and usually work no more than ten hours per week. There are five pay periods per semester. Not all work-study assignments are need-based.

The Young Harris College Financial Aid Application, which is available in our office, must be filed for all positions. To be eligible for FWS (need-based), students must also file the FAFSA.

Loans

Loans are sources of funding that allow students to spread the cost of education over time. Loans must be paid back, even if the student does not complete his/her education.

Need-based loans for students include the Young Harris College Loan and the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed to apply for these loans.

Young Harris College Loans are made from this fund to freshmen and sophomores who have demonstrated need and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Further details may be obtained form the the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans are low interest loans made by federal and state governments, banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and other commercial lenders who participate in the program. Recipients must demonstrate need as determined by information provided on the FAFSA. No interest is paid on this loan as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time. Freshmen may borrow up to $3,500, and sophomores may borrow up to $4,500 per academic year. Further details may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or other links (The Student Guide) included in this website.

Non-need-based loans include the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan for students, the United Methodist Student Loan, and the Federal PLUS Loan for parents.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans - Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time and must file the FAFSA, even though this loan is not based on need. The interest on this loan is accumulating while the student is enrolled. Freshmen may borrow up to $3,500, and sophomores may borrow up to $4,500 per academic year. Further details may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or other links (The Student Guide) included in this website.

United Methodist Student Loans - This fund has been established by the United Methodist Church and offers loans to Methodist students. The applicant must be enrolled full-time and maintain at least a "C" average. Students may borrow a maximum of $2,500 per academic year, and applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Federal PLUS Loans are made to credit-worthy parents of eligible dependent students. PLUS Loans are not based on need, and applications are available in the Financial Aid Office. Borrowers must begin repaying principal and interest within 60 days after the final loan disbursement of the student's annual period of enrollment. Further details may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or other links (The Student Guide) included in this website.