The Student Access Loan Program

Effective 2015-2016 (FY 2016), Georgia Student Finance Authority offers the Student Access Loan (SAL) Program for eligible students attending an eligible USG (University System of Georgia), Private or TCSG (Technical College System of Georgia) postsecondary institution in Georgia.  The SAL is a 1% fixed rate loan, designed to assist undergraduate and technical college students who have a gap in meeting their educational costs.

Student Access Loan (SAL) Program Information

At an eligible USG (University System of Georgia) or Private postsecondary institutions in Georgia

• Applicants must have first applied for and exhausted all other student financial aid options including federal and state student loans, scholarship, and grant programs and Veterans Educational Benefits.
• Interest rate structure for loans received on or after July 1, 2014:
  • Fixed rate of 1% while in school and out of school as long as the loan remains in good standing.
  • A monthly Keep In Touch (KIT) Payment of $10.00 is required approximately 60 days after the first disbursement is received. The monthly KIT Payment is required while in school and while in grace period.
• Repayment is a maximum of fifteen (15) years with a minimum payment of $50.00 for loans received on or after July 1, 2015.
• The minimum annual loan amount is $500.
• The maximum term loan amount is $4,000.
• The maximum loan limit is $8,000 per year and up to a maximum of $36,000 over a college lifetime.
• The annual amount that an Applicant may be awarded under the SAL program is the cost of attendance less the student's expected family contribution and less the expected financial aid in accordance to the program regulations.
• Origination Fee - A non-refundable fee of 5% of the loan amount, but not more than $50.00, is deducted from the first disbursement of the loan.
• The program is also designed to provide service cancellation opportunities to USG or private postsecondary institutions students who work in select public service sectors or STEM fields.

At an eligible TCSG (Technical College System of Georgia) postsecondary institution

• Applicants must have first applied for and exhausted other student financial aid options including federal, state and private scholarship and grant programs and Veterans Education Benefits.
• Interest rate structure for loans received on or after July 1, 2014:
  • Fixed rate of 1% while in school and out of school as long as the loan remains in good standing.
  • A monthly Keep In Touch (KIT) Payment of $10.00 is required approximately 60 days after the first disbursement is received.  The monthly KIT Payment is required while in school and while in grace period.
• Repayment is a maximum of fifteen (15) years with a minimum payment of $50.00 for loans received on or after July 1, 2015.
• The minimum loan amount is $300.
• The maximum term loan amount is $1,500.
• The maximum loan limit is $3,000 per year and up to a maximum of $12,000 over a college lifetime.
• Origination Fee - A non-refundable fee of 5% of the loan amount, but not more than $50.00, is deducted from the first disbursement of the loan.
• The program is also designed to provide loan discharge to those TCSG students who graduate with a minimum 3.5 cumulative Grade Point Average in program of study for which the loan was received.

Student Eligibility

In order to receive the Student Access Loan, students must:

• Be considered a Georgia resident and United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Complete a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to apply for this program.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with the SAP policy at their college or university.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible Georgia postsecondary institution.
• Meet all eligibility requirements.

Important Things to Know

• The first selection of applications will be Current HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship recipients in a random selection based on funds available. Any following selections of applications will be a random selection of the remaining applications based on funds available.
• Selection does not guarantee approval and applicants may or may not be selected each application year.
• SAL is an annual process which includes application, selection, certification, approval, and disbursement.
• Applications are only collected in pre-designated application cycle periods.  See the application link below for dates and information.
• If you apply for this loan, you understand that this is a private education loan that must be repaid and cannot be combined or consolidated with federal loans.
• Borrow smart! When applying for a loan, request only the amount of funds needed for your educational costs and that you can repay.
• Your eligible postsecondary institution may decline the loan or certify for a reduced amount based on financial aid status.
• Loan disbursements are sent directly to the student's chosen eligible postsecondary institution and are not transferable.

source: secure.gacollege411.org