Zell Miller and CSS - GT, GA

Paying for College
1

Hello everyone

Thank you so much for helping out with your valuable inputs thus far with my decisions. I had another process related query.
Before i state my confusion, i want to let everyone know that i did spend some time searching through these forums and got even more conflicting responses. Hence, this query.

I am accepted to GT EA 2024
I have already gone through ga futures and updated all the info for zell miller scholarship last year itself. I do qualify for ZM
I have NOT done CSS profile as my dad was inquiring why is it needed

When i logged into my portal on GT, it stated, if i wish to have financial aid, i need to complete CSS profile.

Searching through the forums, i got even more confused.

My understanding is this

Zell Miller - Grants tuition alone, if qualified
CSS - Grants need based financial aid

I thought CSS is above and beyond Zell miller. Since i am In-state, i dont really need anything above ZM.

My question is, do i still need to go through CSS profile creation to get Zell Miller. As has been expressed in these forums and my dad stating the same, CSS is a lot of work and personal info that neeeds to be gathered. If i have no need for that and ZM will come through on its own, i could skip CSS.

Can someone please chime in and confirm?

Also, does ZM automatically get accounted for, by the school that accepted me in GA? Or, is there any special process i need to follow after acceptance to ensure ZM is hooked into my application.

PS: I have not yet received financials from GT.

TIA

2

Here are the words directly from GT financial aid website along with the link…

The CSS Profile is currently only required for incoming first-year applicants who are also seeking need-based assistance from Georgia Tech funds. Undergraduates who are Georgia residents and seeking only the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship programs are annually required to complete the Georgia Tech Application for Scholarships and Financial Aid (GT App), but are not required to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, and may instead choose to submit the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) form to the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) in lieu of completing the FAFSA

https://finaid.gatech.edu/incoming-freshman

3

@ChangeTheGame

Thank you
Another member PM’d me that link after my post. Appreciate the same.
That answers one q.

Do you know how does zell miller feed into any university i get accepted into within GA. Is that automatic

TIA

4

I don’t think anything is automatic, you have to have a GAFutures account.

Here is the process, and requirements for GT Zell/Hope:
https://finaid.gatech.edu/hope-scholarship-zell-miller-scholarship-overview

And UGA:
https://osfa.uga.edu/types-of-aid/undergraduate/scholarships/hope-and-zell-miller-scholarships/

The question is would your family be eligible for more aid (after Zell) if your dad completed CSS Profile?

5

@Aspiring007 From what I saw with my oldest child, the Zell Miller was projected into the financial aid packages at UGA and GT that she received and I assume they confirm with the Georgia Futures transcript that the Zell Miller requirements were completed (my oldest ended up going out of state so I didn’t see the conclusion).

6

@Mwfan1921 , Thanks. Yes, I have done it all. I just dont know how this gets tied into. I have completed all formalities mentioned in the GT zell/hope link as well. GTApp is not accessible and it keeps saying limited access outside GT. https://webapps.gatech.edu/cfeis/gtapp/, so not sure

@ChangeTheGame , Thanks for sharing this info. Did you get the fin aid details including the net price from UGA/GT that included zell miller? It appears that way. If yes, did you do anything beyond GAfutures and Gt/Uga application?

TIA

7

Why don’t you call GT fin aid office and ask?

8

@Aspiring007 I recall that the financial aid packages included the net costs with the Zell Miller in the packages. I am having a hard time remembering if there was more to it than GA Futures and the GT/UGA application, but I don’t believe so.

Sorry I am not more helpful, but once my daughter chose to go out of state, I did not get to see the entire process through. I wanted to say congratulations on such great college admissions results.

9

My DD graduated from GT last year and we found the financial aid office and bursaries always helpful in answering our questions on the phone or I person. I suggest you call them since they would be the best source of answers to your questions.

GT sometimes gives out small merit scholarships so check to see if you have to fill out the CSS or Fasfa to be in the running for those type of scholarships. Although you have tuition covered, it is always nice to pick up extra scholarships to cover room and board. Check to see if there is a local GT Alumni in your area that awards merit scholarships. My DD received one and it helped a lot. Also be sure to periodically check with the department for your manor since industry gives many GT departments additional monies to award small scholarships throughout your 4 years at GT. My DD was ME and the ME department had a newsletter where they would announce such a scholarships
My DD got about 5 of them which really helped us save money.

Congratulations on your admission to GT. My DD loved her time at GT and is doing very well at her job. Also think about applying to the Grand Challenges program at GT. My dd did it, and said it was the best part of her freshman year at GT.

10

Thanks everyone for all the help/guidance.

We reached out to colleges within GA and learned that Zell/Hope award is updated on the EFC around mid-april. This is still well before the deadline for intent to accept.

Just wanted to share, for others who might be in the same boat, today/in future

Thanks