Available Financial Aid FAQ

Financial aid programs are composed of grants, scholarships, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Work-Study.  Grants and scholarships are referred to as “gift aid” because they are financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid.  Grants are usually awarded based on financial need, whereas, scholarships are awarded based on merit such as GPA, residency, academic program, etc. Loans are the only type of financial aid that must be repaid with interest.  Students are encouraged to exhaust all grants and scholarships before considering student loans.  Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs to students demonstrating financial need to earn money to help pay for educational expenses.

All approved diploma and degree programs are eligible for all available federal and state financial aid.  Most certificate programs are only eligible for State aid.  Information on financial aid availability for your program of study can be found at https://www.westgatech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WGTC-Available-Aid-By-Program-11-17-2023.pdf.

Participants in FWS must meet all eligibility requirements to receive Federal financial aid, complete a FAFSA, demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in a federal aid eligible program of study, and be determined eligible for a position by the Financial Aid Office. Students can apply for available FWS jobs at https://www.westgatech.edu/financial-aid/work-study-programs/.

Various positions both on-campus and off-campus (community service) are available, including clerical, library aide, bookstore clerks, lab assistants, IT assistants, etc.

Community service gives students an opportunity to work with local non-profit organizations to provide services to enhance the lives of residents in their communities.  These services may include literacy, tutoring, support services for the disabled, after-school programs, etc.

FWS students working on-campus earn $10 per hour. FWS students working off-campus in a community service position earn $12 per hour.

FWS students can work up to 29 hours a week during WGTC’s normal operating hours during the academic year.  This includes spring break and the summer semester if budgetary funding is available.