Financial Aid

At Brown College of Court Reporting and Medical Transcription, we strive to make career education highly accessible and affordable. There are many options available for financing your education. Our financial aid representatives are here to help you. First, they’ll guide you through the process of identifying appropriate grants and loans. Then, they’ll walk you through the application process and let you know about important opportunities and deadlines.

Brown College of Court Reporting and Medical Transcription offer federal financial aid programs for those who qualify. Among these programs are:

• The Federal Pell Grant program is a grant from the federal government that does not have to repay back.  The Pell Grant may only be awarded to certificate and degree-seeking students who have not already obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accreditation institution of higher learning.  The award amount is based on a student’s financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.
• The Federal Secondary Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for certificate and degree-seeking students with exceptional financial need.  Federal Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contribution (EFC) will be considered first for a FSEOG.  Just like Federal Pell Grant program, the FSEOG does not have to repay back by the student.
• The Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) was made available for first-time for the 2006-2007 school year for first-year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005.  To be eligible for each year, the student must be a U.S. citizen and must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient who is enrolled full-time in a degree seeking program.   Potential recipients must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of student (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and January 1, 2005, if a second-year student).
• The Federal Stafford Loan program is an affordable, low-interest loan, currently at 6.0% interest rate, made available for students that attend at least half-time enrollment status.  Students who demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA application process may qualify for the subsidized loan.  Eligibility for the unsubsidized is need-based and interest starts accruing after the loan is disbursed. 
• Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student (PLUS) is available for parents for dependent student at an 8.5% interest rate.  Applications and repayment information are available through participating lenders.  Borrower must meet all-eligibility criteria, which includes being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.  Eligible parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance that is not covered by financial aid.
• Federal Work-Study program (FWS) provides part-time jobs for certificate and degree-seeking students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. This program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient’s course of study.

It is recommended that you apply for financial aid as part of the application process. Keep in mind that the availability of some types of aid is limited and is more likely to be available if you apply early.

 

VA benefits are available for those who qualify.  Contact your local VA office for assistance.  The Financial Aid Office certifies enrollment.

Montgomery GI Bill

If you serve in the Military, Army Reserve or the National Guard, you may be eligible to receive educational benefits while attending classes. You can receive up to $251 per month while you are a fulltime student. In addition, you may qualify for Stafford loan repayment. Contact the local Army Reserve or National Guard Office for more information. The Financial Aid Office certifies enrollment for this program.

HERO Scholarship

The Georgia HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) scholarship program was created to provide educational grant assistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists. 

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) – Educational assistance may be available for students with special needs. Contact the Department of Labor. 

Please contact our Admissions Office for additional information. 

Our admissions office will assist with scheduling your financial aid appointment.  The following steps will help you prepare:

1) Obtain PIN (Personal Identification Number)

A PIN is used as an electronic signature for documents that you complete online.   You can acquire a (4 digit) PIN for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A PIN is not required to fill out and submit a FAFSA, but using a PIN is the fastest way to sign your application.  And, it’s easy to obtain: students and parents of dependent students desiring a PIN should apply at   www.pin.ed.gov. If you provide an e-mail address, the PIN should be e-mailed to you within 24-48 hours of submitting your online form.

Once you have completed the FAFSA on the Web, you will receive a confirmation of submission page indicating your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an amount calculated by the Department of Education to represent what you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education (although this number may not match the amount you and your family actually contribute).

2) Completing a FAFSA

To apply for any type of financial aid, including gift aid or loans, you must have a current FAFSA on file.  Completing a FAFSA is a free process and can be done at the following website: www.fafsa.ed.gov. After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation number which you should keep for your records. 

3) Follow up on your FAFSA
 
Your application will be processed and you will receive an e-mail with a link to your STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR).  If you do not provide an e-mail address, your SAR will be mailed.  You should review your SAR for any necessary correction or updates. 
Once you have completed these steps you will be better prepared for your appointment with our financial aid department. Our staff can then help you decide which type of aid will be best meet your needs.

The following information applies to the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding financial aid.

Q: How will I know if I am eligible for financial aid?
A: Students who file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) are automatically considered for all federal, state and institutional aid administered by the Financial Aid Office.

Q: Do I need to be a fulltime student to receive financial aid?
A: No. The amount of financial aid awarded is determined by the number of credit hours for which the student is enrolled; you do not have to be a fulltime (12 credit hours) student to receive financial aid.

Q: What is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?
A: Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount of money that the family is expected to contribute toward educational expenses from resources other than financial aid. Factors used to determine a family's ability to contribute include: the previous year's adjusted gross income, assets, size of family, and the number of individuals in the family attending college. The EFC is calculated using the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Q: How is financial need determined?
A: Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Education (COE) and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. COE - EFC= Financial Need

Helpful Links:

www.college.gov