A N EW SLET T ER FO R CH A T T AHOO CH EE T EC H NI C AL CO LL EGE

FACU LT Y AND ST AF F

Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant Offers Incentive for In-Demand Programs

Chattahoochee Technical College students who are planning to

enter some of the most in-demand career fields may be eligible

for some extra funds starting this fall. Already available for stu-

dents in Commercial Truck Driving, Early Childhood Care and

Education and Practical Nursing, the Strategic Industries

Workforce Development Grant (SIWDG) has now been

expanded to include students in the diploma-level programs of

Computer Programming, Diesel Equipment Technology, Infor-

mation Security Specialist, Internet Specialist-Web Application

Development, Networking Specialist, Surgical Technology and

Welding and Joining Technology.

"Students don't have to do anything extra to apply for this grant

as long as they are enrolled in an eligible program and receiving

HOPE Grant, they'll receive this grant,” explained Student Fi-

nancial Services Executive Director Jody Darby. “We hope this

will help students defray some of the costs of these programs

and make a college education more accessible to the future

workforce.”

Beginning this fall, when they are qualifying for the HOPE

Grant, students can simultaneously qualify for the SIWDG by

completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Newly streamlined for easier completion, students should

submit this application as soon as possible for the HOPE Grant

and other financial aid. Students may also apply for HOPE and

other state aid, including SIWDG, through www.gacollege411.org.

Georgia's HOPE

Grant is

available to

Georgia

residents who

are working

toward a

certificate or

diploma at an

eligible college

or university in

Georgia.

Different than

the HOPE

Scholarship, the

program focuses on technical college programs that can be

completed in just a few semesters. Full-time enrollment is not

required and students are not required to graduate from high

school with a specific GPA, however, they are required to have

a postsecondary cumulative 2.0 GPA, at certain checkpoints, in

order to maintain eligibility.

For those programs eligible for the enhanced SIWDG, students

can receive the traditional HOPE Grant as well as an additional

$125-$500 in funding each semester.

Students in the Commercial Truck Driving program at the

college’s North Metro Campus could qualify for a one-time

grant of $1,000. The typical cost for the 8-week program is

www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu

A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia Equal Opportunity Institution

currently $1,576 for in-state students, plus

the cost of books. With both HOPE Grant

and the SIWDG funds, a student would

only be required to a fraction of that

amount.

Also available at the college’s North Metro

Campus, students in the diploma-level

Diesel Equipment Technology program could be eligible for between $125 and $500 in addi-

tional funding. The Diesel Equipment Technology Program emphasizes truck repair theory as

well as practical workplace application.

Several diploma-level programs within Computer Technology also fall under the SIWDG.

Students studying Computer Programming, Information Security Specialist, Internet

Specialist-Web Application Development and Networking Specialist could receive between

$125 and $500 each semester. Job opportunities range from programmer or website designer to

information security specialist or network administrator. Classes for these programs are offered

at the Marietta and North Metro campuses.

Students enrolled in the diploma Early Childhood Care and Education program could be eligi-

ble to receive between $125 and $500 each term. The program, taught online and at multiple

campuses, prepares students to work in Georgia’s child care centers or Pre-K programs.

Students pursuing a diploma in the Practical Nursing Program could also be eligible to receive

between $125 and $500 each term. In just one year, practical nursing students complete 685

hours in the classroom and 485 hours of clinical experience. They learn nursing fundamentals,

leadership basics and are exposed to medical/surgical, obstetrics, labor and delivery, pediatric

and mental health specialties. The program classes are offered at the North Metro Campus.

Housed in a state-of-the-art lab at the college’s North Metro Campus, the Surgical Technology

program has recently been added to the list of eligible programs for the SIWDG. Like the other

diploma-level programs, Surgical Technology students can receive between $125 and $500 per

semester if eligible. The surgical technology diploma program prepares students for

employment in a variety of positions in the surgical field, ensuring that each surgery runs

safely, effectively and hygienically.

Also new to the list of programs eligible for the SIWDG this year is the Welding and Joining Technology Program. Available at

the Appalachian Campus, students may receive between $125 and $500 per semester, if eligible. The Welding and Joining Tech-

nology program includes training in shielding metal arc, oxyacetylene, tungsten inert gas, metallic inert gas, oxyfuel gas cutting,

plasma arc cutting, and gouging. In this hands-on program, students learn about metals, electrodes and filler materials.

“This is a great policy initiative from the Governor and General Assembly,” said Chattahoochee Technical College President Dr.

Ron Newcomb. “This will incentivize enrollment into needed areas and better develop this community and Georgia’s workforce

for the future.”

See the attached flyer for more information about this financial aid program.

The Free Application for

Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA) is the only

application needed. Apply

at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Students who wish to

apply ONLY for state aid,

including the SIWDG,

may complete the applica-

tion at: gacollege411.org.

It’s strongly recommended

to submit the FAFSA, so

that a student’s full

eligibility for all programs

(Pell, SEOG, etc.) can be

determined. CTC school

code is 005620.

APPLYING FOR

FINANCIAL AID

www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu

A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia Equal Opportunity Institution

What is the Georgia Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant (SIWDG)?

The SIWDG is a financial award for Technical College System of Georgia students and was first presented by the Governor’s

Office in Fall 2013. It awards funds to students meeting certain criteria who are enrolled in certain programs. Beginning Fall 2014,

the state will expand the programs eligible under SIWDG.

Who qualifies for SIWDG?

For more information about SIWDG, go to

www.chattahoocheetech.edu, and click here:

770-528-4545

Students in approved majors (see the opposite side of this flyer for the list) who are also eligible for the HOPE Grant

qualify for the SIWDG.

Who is eligible for the HOPE Grant?

Georgia residents who are in diploma or certificate programs who also meet other program-

specific criteria (i.e., GPA, number of hours paid in the HOPE program(s), and other basic

eligibility criteria) are eligible for the HOPE Grant.

Why are only certain programs available under SIWDG?

The Governor’s Office, along with input from legislators and Georgia Student Finance

Commission, determined what programs were strategically important for Georgia’s

economic growth.

How can the money be used?

SIWDG can be used for anything related to a student’s costs: tuition, fees, or other education-related expenses.

Does the money have to be repaid?

Since SIWDG is a grant, it does NOT have to be repaid.

How can a student apply for this grant?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application needed. Apply at:

www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students who wish to apply ONLY for state aid, including the SIWDG, may

complete the application at: www.gacollege411.org. We strongly recommend submitting the FAFSA,

so that a student’s full eligibility for all programs (Pell, SEOG, etc.) can be determined. CTC school

code is 005620.

What information does a student need to complete the FAFSA?

To complete the FAFSA, a student will need to input his/her income for the most recently completed

calendar year. Students that are still dependent on their parents, per the FAFSA, are required to enter

parental support as well. However, financial need is NOT a factor for SIWDG eligibility.

How long does it usually take to be notified of acceptance from the date a student submits the

FAFSA application?

FAFSAs are processed by the Central Processing System of the Department of Education within 24-48 hours of receipt. Then, the

application is available to the financial aid department of the colleges the student listed on their FAFSA. The college may then

require additional documents. For most students, an application is completely processed within 2-4 weeks, if not sooner.

If I fill out the FAFSA, do I still need to fill out an application for Chattahoochee Tech?

Yes. Filling out the FAFSA is for financial aid purposes only. Students must fill out an application if they are not already enrolled

at CTC.

Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant (SIWDG)*

Programs of Study - Effective Fall 2014

SIWDG Award Amount Only

$500.00

$250.00

$125.00

For more information about SIWDG, go to

www.chattahoocheetech.edu, and click here:

770-528-4545

Credit Hours Enrolled

9+ hours

3 – 8 hours

1 – 2 hours

Major

Practical Nursing (Diploma)

Commercial Truck Driving** (Certificate)

Early Childhood Care & Education (Diploma)

Computer Programming (Diploma)

Information Security Specialist (Diploma)

Internet Specialist-Web Application Development (Diploma)

Networking Specialist (Diploma)

Diesel Equipment Technology (Diploma)

Surgical Technology (Diploma)

Welding and Joining Technology (Diploma)

NOTES: *Students must be eligible for the HOPE Grant to receive SIWDG funding.

**There is a one-time award for $1,000 for Commercial Truck Driving.

High school students participating in dual enrollment are NOT eligible for the SIWDG.

Student MUST apply for the FAFSA to determine their total grant eligibility.

Class registration is based on availability.

Students may qualify for additional grants.