Consumer Information Request Contacts
Financial Assistance
Heidi Pinney, Regional Executive Director, Financial Aid
Fort Valley State University & Gordon State College
(678) 359-5990
Mrs. Candice Brown, Bursar
(678) 359-5010
Institutional Information
Sherlana Fryer, Institutional Research & Effectiveness Coordinator
(678) 359-5108
Graduation and Completion Rates
Mrs. Kristi Hayes, Registrar
(678) 359- 5022
Security Policies and Crime Statistics
Chief Jarvis Flowers, Director of Public Safety678-359-5101
Methods of Disseminating Consumer Information
The administrative offices and academic departments at Gordon State College disseminate information through various channels. There is an official College website that contains various links and online forms. General College information is also included in various Gordon State publications such as the Academic Catalog. The official and primary means of communication with the faculty, staff, and students is through the Gordon State College email system. Certain correspondence may be mailed on an "as needed" basis. Targeted and general announcements are sometimes posted on the students’ Banner Web account.
Accreditation
Gordon State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Information on accreditation is available at About|Accreditation and in the Gordon State College Academic Catalog.
Academic Programs Offered
Student Retention and Completion Data
Student retention and completion data is determined and housed in the Gordon State College Institutional Research Office. Student files are maintained for at least 5 years after the last date of attendance per the Georgia Board of Regent’s (BOR) policy.
Information for Students with Disabilities
Information for students with disabilities is available on the Gordon State College website and is the responsibility of the Counseling Center. More information.
Campus Safety
The Public Safety Department keeps information on Gordon's public crime and fire incident logs.
Clery Crime Logs - http://www.gordonstate.edu/publicsafety/clery-logs.html
Clery Fire Logs - http://www.gordonstate.edu/publicsafety/clery-fire-logs.html
Emergency Response Plan - https://www.gordonstate.edu/departments/publicsafety/emergencies/index.htmlwww.gordonstate.edu/flipchart/
Public Safety Contact Information (678) 359-5101
Public Safety/Non Emergency (770) 358-5111
Public Safety/Emergency Line (770) 477-2177
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (770) 477-2177
Financial Aid Application
All students wishing to receive federal or state funds must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov. Students who wish to only receive a Georgia HOPE scholarship and are not interested in federal aid may complete the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) online at gafutures.org. Students may be asked to submit documentation such as tax transcripts, birth certificates, Social Security cards and other items needed to verify financial data or dependency status. Students who do not wish to submit requested documentation will not receive a financial aid award.
Students are notified early in the year that it is time to reapply for financial aid through electronic notification as well as the use of signage on campus.
Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements
The Student Eligibility Requirements for financial aid are as follows:
- Must be enrolled in or admitted to the College and be a high school graduate, or have a GED
- Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to receive student loans
- Must not be in default or owe a refund on any Title IV aid program from any source
- Cannot receive aid for audit courses
- Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National or an eligible non-citizen (documentation of status may be required)
- Must have a completed financial aid file
- Must be in an eligible program of study leading to a degree
Determining Award Amounts
Students who have completed all document requirements in the Financial Aid Office are considered for financial aid eligibility. Award amounts for Federal Direct Loans are determined by the student's grade level and remaining eligibility from need and budget limits. The student’s estimated family contribution (EFC) as determined by the information provided on the FAFSA determines Federal Pell Grant eligibility. Other funds such as FSEOG and FWSP are need based and amounts are set at a specific number each year. However, these funds are extremely limited.
Rights and Responsibilities of Students on Financial Aid
Student responsibilities are as follows:
- Must complete all requested forms accurately and completely.
- Must use all financial aid received solely for expense related to attending Gordon State College.
- Must submit in a timely manner all additional documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office.
Student Rights are as follows:
- Have the right to know how financial need was determined
- Have the right to know how financial aid will be disbursed
- Have the right to request an explanation of awards in the financial aid package
- Have the right to refuse any aid offered
- Have the right to request an explanation of Gordon State College’s refund policy
- Have the right to know what portion of financial aid must be repaid and what portion is a grant
- If a loan has been received, have the right to know the interest rate and loan repayment options and procedures
- Have the right to examine the contents of aid records provided a written request is made to the Financial Aid Office (students may not review confidential records submitted by parents without the written consent of the parent whose information has been submitted)
Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order for students to continue to receive federal (and state) financial aid, they must meet the requirements of Gordon State College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Review these requirements.
This link will also provide the information regarding the Satisfactory Progress standards that the student must meet to receive financial assistance and criteria by which the student who has failed to maintain satisfactory progress may re-establish his or her eligibility for financial assistance.
Method of Disbursing Financial Aid
Financial Aid will be ready to disburse to student accounts through the Banner student information system upon satisfactory completion of a student’s financial aid file and final determination of eligibility. However, the initial disbursement date is not until after the drop/add period each semester and will not occur until student attendance has been verified. Per federal regulations, student loan disbursements for first time borrowers are delayed until 30 days after the start of the first semester of attendance. Also, multiple loan disbursements are required for loan periods of only one term.
Using Financial Aid for Books
The Gordon State College Business Office and Campus Bookstore establish dates each semester in which students can obtain books and supplies utilizing their financial aid. The aid is authorized to the student’s account once the student’s financial aid file is completed and eligibility is determined. The student can then utilize the available aid to purchase the necessary books and supplies at the on-campus Bookstore beginning the week prior to each semester.
Loan Requirements
As part of the financial aid awarding process, students who have completed a FAFSA and submitted all requested documents to the Financial Aid Office are offered Federal Direct Loans to help pay for educational expenses. In order for these loans to be processed, students must first accept the offered loans in their Banner Web accounts. They must also complete entrance loan counseling (if a first time borrower) and sign a Master Promissory Note (if required to do so). The loan counseling and the Master Promissory Note are found online.
Right to Cancel a Loan
Once the Federal Direct Loan(s) are disbursed to the student’s account, the student has the right to cancel all or part of the loan or disbursement by notifying the Financial Aid Office in writing of their desire to do so. Requests to cancel all or part of a student loan must be received by the Financial Aid Office within 14 days of the date that the student was notified of a loan disbursement. Also, if a loan is canceled, in part or in whole, after funds have been disbursed and refunds issued to the student account, the student will (in most cases) owe funds to Gordon State College due to the cancellation of the loan.
Loan Repayment
The loan must be repaid by the student once the student has graduated by completing his or her course of study, or ceased to attend Gordon State for six consecutive months. There is a six month grace period after the date of graduation or withdrawal before any payments are due. Failure to repay the loan will result in the student defaulting on the loan, which creates negative consequences for student borrower. More information on loan repayment will be presented to the student when he or she completes the required exit counseling. Please visit www.studentloans.gov for important information regarding loan repayment.
Student Employment
Gordon State College participates in the Federal Work Study Program (FWSP). Eligible students apply for open positions through the Gordon State College Human Resources Office, and once employed, are subject to the following conditions (other conditions may apply as well).
- Reporting to work on time
- Properly reporting hours worked using the ADP system
- Properly interacting with co-workers and supervisory personnel
- Properly using assigned equipment, including computer access granted to student workers
A student can be terminated for not properly adhering to the conditions of employment established by Gordon State College and/or his or her supervisor.
Student workers are paid the current minimum wage as established by the US Government. Some positions, such as lifeguards, are paid at a higher rate due to additional requirements the student needs in order to perform the duties of the position.
Repayment Schedule
Information regarding sample loan repayment schedules and the necessity of repaying loans is located within the Entrance Counseling session.
Net Price Calculator
Affordability is a key factor in the college selection process. Our student aid calculator helps you determine the cost of an education at Gordon State. This tool estimates financial aid and out-of-pocket expenses and helps you plan for the future.
The estimate provided using this calculator is exactly that; it does not represent a final determination of financial assistance. The Financial Aid Office works closely with students and families to customize awards to their circumstances.
Exit Counseling
Students receiving Federal Direct Loans while attending Gordon State are required to complete exit counseling when one (or more) of the following conditions apply in regards to their enrollment status:
- The student graduates
- The student transfers to another institution (this would also include students who do not attend Gordon State College in a subsequent semester after receiving a direct loan disbursement)
- Students who totally withdraw during a semester in which they received a direct loan disbursement from Gordon State College (this would also include students who unofficially withdraw)
- Students who are enrolled in a less-than-half time status in a subsequent semester at Gordon State College after receiving a direct loan disbursement
Students who fall into any of these categories are sent a notification (either by email or regular mail) of the exit counseling requirement. Students are instructed to complete exit counseling at www.studentloans.gov.
Cost of Attendance
You can view our current tuition and fee schedules online.
Once registered, cost of attendance (COA) information is provided to students through their assigned Banner Web account. Students’ eligibility for financial aid is limited to the COA budgets. Adjustments may be made if extenuating circumstances exist.
Tuition Refund Policy
Federal Refund Policy
View the federal refund policy.
Institutional Policies on Copyright Infringement
All members of the Gordon community (Faculty, Staff, Students, and Visitors) who use campus technology resources are required to abide by the Computer and Network Usage Policy . This policy prohibits users from unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material (§4.9). In particular, using peer-to-peer file sharing software (BitTorrent, LimeWire, KaZaA, etc.) that downloads or distributes copyrighted digital media such as music, movies, and software without permission is a violation of campus policy. Persons in violation of copyright are subject to the full range of sanctions from the college, including the loss of computer or network access privileges at Gordon and sanctions imposed due to violation of the Student Conduct Code.
Copyright violations can also constitute breach of local, state, and federal laws. Recently, copyright holders, such as the recording and movie industries, have aggressively pursued offenders and have increasingly focused their efforts on college students. Below is a summary of civil and criminal penalties for violation of federal copyright laws according to the Department of Education:
Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.
Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or "statutory" damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For "willful" infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys' fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.
Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.
For more information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ's at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.
In order to avoid these penalties, there are many alternatives to illegal downloading online. A list of legal sites may be found at www.educause.edu/legalcontent.
Financial Aid Information
Email: finaid@gordonstate.edu
Phone: 678. 359. 5990
Or on the web.
General Information about the College
Phone: 678. 359. 5555
Or on the Web.
Completion, Graduation, & Transfer Rates
View information on completion/graduation rates for general student body.
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
Information can be found on the web or you can contact the Counseling Center at 678. 359. 5585 for additional resources.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
View the Notification of Student Rights under FERPA.
Office Hours & Availability
All campus offices are open year round except during college holidays.
Hours are generally Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Textbook Information
Students may transfer book information from BannerWeb directly to the Gordon State College Bookstore web site. This feature passes class schedule information to the Gordon State College Bookstore to create a booklist for courses. This booklist can be used to purchase new and used textbooks for classes. For additional information contact the Bookstore in the Student Center 128 at (678) 359-5053; or on the web.
For more information you can contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@gordonstate.edu or by phone at (678) 359-5990.