A transient student is a student who seeks temporary admission to a college to enroll in a limited number of credit hours. The college that temporarily admits the student is considered the host college.  The academic credit that is earned at the host college is transferred back to a student’s home college.

For financial aid purposes, the host college cannot determine a student’s financial aid eligibility.  Middle Georgia State University’s Office of Financial Aid only processes consortium agreements with other University System of Georgia schools in an effort to assist a student with receiving a federal financial aid award. Please click the following link for a list of all USG Institutions: https://www.usg.edu/institutions/. You may send your Consortium Agreement from your home college to: .

MGA Hope/Zell Miller Scholarship eligible students enrolling as a Transient at another institution:
If the MGA student is a Hope/Zell Miller Scholarship recipient and plans to enroll as a transient at another eligible Georgia institution, they will need to print and submit the MGA Hope/Zell Miller Transient Request Form that is available in the “Forms” menu of https://www.mga.edu/financial-aid/index.php for the applicable financial aid award year. An approved “Transient Permission Form” from the Office of the Registrar is also required for each course in which they are planning to enroll. After a student’s eligibility has been determined, our financial aid office will send a Hope/Zell Miller Scholarship Eligibility Certificate to the host school indicated on your form. Please note that your host school must be recognized as a Hope eligible institution. For a list of eligible Hope/Zell Miller institutions, click here: Eligible Georgia Colleges & Universities. It is important to begin this process well in advance of your host school’s published payment deadline to prevent delays in your enrollment.

Hope/Zell Miller Scholarship eligible student attending MGA as a Transient from another institution:
If the transient student is an eligible Hope/Zell Miller Scholarship recipient, they should follow their home college’s guidelines for applying for financial aid as a transient student. MGA will be notified electronically from your home college after they have determined your eligibility.  It is important to check your SWORDS account and pay your remaining balance by the dates published on the Academic Calendar to prevent your class schedule from being cancelled for non-payment.

Payment Information for Transient Students:
It is the responsibility of the visiting student to pay all tuition and fees by the published deadline for their period of enrollment. If the student is only eligible for federal student aid (Pell Grant and Direct Loans), their aid will be disbursed at their home school. This disbursement will occur after the Consortium Agreement has been completed by MGA’s Office of Financial Aid and sent back to the home school. This process occurs after the enrollment verification period has ended. Please note that even if MGA is added to a student’s FAFSA, we are not able to disburse federal student aid based on the transient status. Plan early for the payment of tuition and fees and be sure to explore payment options at www.mga.edu/bursar.

Types of Aid Available

Federal Student Aid (Grants, work-study and Loans)
Some non-U.S. citizens qualify for federal student aid. To find out if you qualify as an "eligible noncitizen" visit the Federal Student Aid site. If you are not an eligible noncitizen then you cannot receive federal student aid. Students who have only a “Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence” (I-171 or I-464), are in the U.S. on an F-1 or F-2 student visa, or on a J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitor Visa, or who hold a G series visa (pertaining to international organizations) do not qualify for federal student aid.

Scholarships
Non-U.S. citizens may qualify for a wide range of scholarships.

Loans
Eligible noncitizens may request federal Direct Loans. Non-U.S. citizens may apply for Alternative Loans. Alternative education loans are created and offered by private lenders, such as banks and credit unions. They are credit-based loans and the lender sets the terms and conditions of the loan.

You have an important role in your loved one's education and college career. We've put together some resources to help you be the best possible support system for your student.

Your Role

As a parent and/or family member, it can be difficult to see your student go off to college. To help alleviate some of the stress, the Office of Financial Aid is here to assist you and support your student during this transition.

It is important for you to remain a positive force in your student's life. Students always need emotional support from their families to help them get through the challenges that may arise during their college experience. Be sure to treat your student like a responsible adult, but also know when to step in to help out. This can be difficult, but listening frequently without overwhelming your student with advice can help you gauge when they truly need you.

During this transition, it is also important for you to take care of you! We have all heard the "Empty Nest Syndrome" terminology, but it is no joke. You may have stresses and concerns about your student going to off to college. The Office of Financial Aid is here if you have questions concerning funding your student's college experience. This is one way we may be able to give you one less thing to worry about.

Note: According to FERPA Law, the Office of Financial Aid cannot discuss certain information with the parent, such as enrollment information or specific amounts. Also, in order for the Office of Financial Aid to discuss any information with the parent, your student must be a dependent student as determined by the FAFSA.

Tips for Success

Your primary resource for Financial Aid for your MGA student is the Office of Financial Aid. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to Contact Us. For your convenience, below are a few additional tips and tricks that may be useful in acquiring the information you need.

• Office of Financial Aid Website: There are many resources available to students, parents, and families concerning Financial Aid. The first place to always look for help is the Financial Aid website. The information you need for your student to receive financial aid at MGA is here. This is also where you can access CampusLogic if verification or an appeal is needed. 
• SWORDS: SWORDS is the secure website where the MGA community can view academic resources, administrative services, and all things about your student including their Financial Aid information. Your student will be able to view their award, outstanding requirements, balances, and Admissions and Registration information. Please remind your student to frequently check his/her SWORDS and student MGA email account frequently for updated information and announcements.