The Perimeter College Office of Development is pleased you are interested in applying for scholarships. Our donors give generously to the Georgia State University Foundation to help Perimeter College students cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and educational expenses. Perimeter College offers merit-based, need-based and service-based scholarships. All scholarship awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and are subject to revision. Our next scholarship deadline will be Monday, March 2, 2020. A list of available scholarships will be on our website by February 3, 2020. ***Scholarships awarded as a result of the March 2, 2020 deadline must be used for the Summer or Fall 2020 semesters. Recipients must be currently enrolled at Perimeter College in order to apply for and utilize scholarship funds.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions to help you to fully understand the process.
Download Frequently Asked Questions document
How are Perimeter College Scholarships different from State or Federal Financial Aid?
Perimeter College scholarships come from private donors who generously provide funding in order to assist Perimeter College students through their educational journey. Scholarships do not have to be repaid as long as recipients meet the stipulations outlined by their scholarship agreement. State and/or Federal Financial Aid funds come from state or federal tax sources and include the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship as well as Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loans. Our office is not responsible for any kind of grants, HOPE or scholarship opportunities with outside organizations/agencies.
Can I receive a scholarship if I am already receiving State or Federal Financial Aid?
Yes! Perimeter College scholarships are awarded based on need, merit, service, and/or major. You can absolutely receive Perimeter College scholarship(s) in addition to the Pell grant/HOPE scholarship (up to the cost of attendance). Perimeter College scholarships can typically be used for tuition, fees, books or other educational expenses (transportation, living expenses, child care, etc.).
Will scholarships affect my financial aid?
It is possible, particularly if you have student loans. Scholarships will not affect Pell grant and should not affect HOPE; however, you will need to speak with your Financial Aid Counselor if you receive a scholarship to discuss any potential impact to your financial aid.
Do you have information about the HOPE Scholarship?
No. HOPE is administered through the Office of Financial Aid.
Can I use Perimeter College scholarships at my transfer institution or on the downtown campus of GSU?
No. Perimeter College scholarships can only be used at Perimeter College (you must be enrolled on one or more of the Perimeter College campuses exclusively for funds to disburse). If you are planning to transfer to another institution or to another college within GSU, you will need to check with those institutions/colleges about their scholarship opportunities.
Are international students eligible for scholarships?
Yes! Unless a scholarship states specifically that you must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident, you are welcome to apply as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements listed in the scholarship description. Students who are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid should not apply for scholarships that require a Student Aid Report.
What is a Statement of Financial Need?
A Statement of Financial need is a brief explanation that you write yourself explaining how you would benefit from scholarship support; how you are currently financing your education; any difficulties you have faced financing your education and any personal challenges making it harder for you to pay for college (children, transportation issues, etc.). We will only accept Statements of Financial Need that are written by the applicant. Statements prepared by family members will not be accepted, we want to hear from you as the student.
TIP: We find that scholarship selection committees prefer a written narrative rather than a numerical budget of your expenses. Feel free to include a budget of your expenses, but also be sure to explain your financial situation. Simply including a spreadsheet of numbers is typically not sufficient for serious consideration.
How do I turn in scholarship applications?
Completed scholarship applications can be turned in via US Postal mail, Intercampus mail or hand delivery.
US Postal Mail
Perimeter College Development
Attn: Scholarships
3251 Panthersville Road (Box 5), Decatur, Georgia 30034
Via Intercampus Mail
Please carefully review the intercampus mail guide on our website and follow all instructions. Remember if sending applications to us via intercampus mail, your documents must be received in our office by the advertised deadline day. You will need to send your documents in via intercampus mail at least three business days prior to the deadline day in order for them to reach us in time.
In Person
Decatur Campus, SA Building, Room 2810
Via Email or Fax
Scholarship applications are NOT accepted via email or fax. Letters of recommendation are also not accepted via email or fax.
How will I know if my scholarship application was received?
We confirm all applications received. Please allow up to 30 business days after the advertised deadline date for confirmation. Confirmation will be sent to your GSU email address only, not your personal email address. Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm the receipt of applications on deadline days due to the overwhelming volume of mail and walk-ins we receive on those days.
How can I be a competitive scholarship applicant?
Make sure that any documentation you submit for the scholarship committee to review is an accurate depiction of you as a student i.e. take the time to review your essays and/or statements of financial need for grammar and spelling. Please utilize the writing center for assistance. Remember our committee is composed of faculty and staff members and your application(s) should impress them. Put the same level of effort into your scholarship application as you would an assignment for class that is vital to your overall grade.
Are DACA students eligible for scholarships?
Yes! Unless a scholarship states specifically that you must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident, you are welcome to apply as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements listed in the scholarship description. Students who are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid should not apply for scholarships that require a Student Aid Report.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Yes! You are welcome to apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for, but you will need to submit a separate application packet for each scholarship in which you apply.
I'm interested in applying for a scholarship, but I don't meet all of the qualifications listed in the scholarship description, can I still apply?
No. Be certain that you meet each and every criteria listed for the scholarship(s) in which you are applying. Applicants who do not meet ALL of the criteria will not be considered. Do not spend valuable time and resources applying for scholarships in which you do not meet the criteria as you will not receive consideration.
How are scholarship selections made?
Scholarship selections are made by committees comprised of Perimeter College faculty and staff members.
Perimeter College development officials, including the Assistant Director of Scholarship and Stewardship do not make scholarship decisions.
I have applied for scholarships, is it a guarantee that I will be awarded?
No, most scholarships have multiple applicants and the process can be very competitive. You are not guaranteed scholarships unless you are selected by the scholarship selection committee.
Who writes my Letter of Recommendation?
Perimeter College faculty and/or staff members, mentors, employers, organizations. Do not ask friends, relatives or neighbors to write letters of recommendation for you. The scholarship description(s) indicate from whom your recommendation must come from (pay attention to this and follow the listed instructions). Be certain that you give your recommender plenty of time to write you an outstanding letter and be certain that the recommender knows enough about you as a student to write a proper letter for you. Your recommendation letter matters just as much as your essay and other information.
Does my letter of recommendation need to be sealed and sent separately?
No, this is up to your recommender, but it is not a requirement by our office. However, the letter MUST BE SIGNED by the recommender. A digital signature is fine, but it must be signed in some capacity.
How do I obtain my Student Aid Report (SAR)?
Go to FAFSA.ed.gov
- Log-in
- Year
- Print Copy of SAR
What is a Statement of Financial Need?
A Statement of Financial need is a brief explanation that you write yourself explaining how you would benefit from scholarship support; how you are currently financing your education; any difficulties you have faced financing your education and any personal challenges making it harder for you to pay for college (children, transportation issues, etc.). We will only accept Statements of Financial Need that are written by the applicant. Statements prepared by family members will not be accepted, we want to hear from you as the student.
TIP: We find that scholarship selection committees prefer a written narrative rather than a numerical budget of your expenses. Feel free to include a budget of your expenses, but also be sure to explain your financial situation. Simply including a spreadsheet of numbers is typically not sufficient for serious consideration.
How do I turn in scholarship applications?
Completed scholarship applications can be turned in via US Postal mail, Intercampus mail or hand delivery.
US Postal Mail
Perimeter College Development
Attn: Scholarships
3251 Panthersville Road (Box 5), Decatur, Georgia 30034
Via Intercampus Mail
Please carefully review the intercampus mail guide on our website and follow all instructions. Remember if sending applications to us via intercampus mail, your documents must be received in our office by the advertised deadline day. You will need to send your documents in via intercampus mail at least three business days prior to the deadline day in order for them to reach us in time.
In Person
Decatur Campus, SA Building, Room 2810
Via Email or Fax
Scholarship applications are NOT accepted via email or fax. Letters of recommendation are also not accepted via email or fax.
How will I know if my scholarship application was received?
We confirm all applications received. Please allow up to 30 business days after the advertised deadline date for confirmation. Confirmation will be sent to your GSU email address only, not your personal email address. Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm the receipt of applications on deadline days due to the overwhelming volume of mail and walk-ins we receive on those days.
How will I know if my scholarship application was received?
We confirm all applications received. Please allow up to 30 business days after the advertised deadline date for confirmation. Confirmation will be sent to your GSU email address only, not your personal email address. Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm the receipt of applications on deadline days due to the overwhelming volume of mail and walk-ins we receive on those days.
If I am awarded a scholarship, how will I receive the funds?
Scholarship funds will be applied directly to your student account. All instructions will be sent to recipients via a scholarship award letter, which will be emailed to you if you are selected as a recipient.
Will I be notified whether or not I receive a scholarship? If so when will I know?
Yes. All applicants are notified via their GSU email address whether or not they have been awarded a scholarship. We do not tell applicants their scholarship status via phone, so please check your GSU email. An estimated day in which we will notify all applicants regarding their scholarship award status will be disclosed in the application confirmation email (see the explanation above).
What are the deadline dates for Perimeter College Scholarships?
Deadline Date: September 28, 2018
Funds will be posted to the recipient accounts for: Upcoming Spring Semester
Lists of available scholarships will be on the website: August 20
Deadline Date: March 1
Funds will be posted to the recipient accounts for: Upcoming Summer of Fall Semester (recipient selects)
Lists of available scholarships will be on the website: February 1
Deadline Date: June 29, 2018
Funds will be posted to the recipient accounts for: Upcoming Fall Semester
Lists of available scholarships will be on the website: May 1
I am looking for outside scholarship opportunities, can you help?
Please reach out to the Scholarship Resource Center http://sfs.gsu.edu/scholarships-grants/src/.
It's after the deadline date, can I still apply for scholarships?
No. Our deadline dates are firm so that we can ensure a scholarship program that is fair to all applicants.
I am a company/organization wanting to advertise my scholarship on your website, how do I do that?
We do not advertise any outside scholarships on our website, but the Scholarship Resource Center can assist you in getting the word out about your program, please reach out to them at http://sfs.gsu.edu/scholarships-grants/src/.
Submit your completed applications via U.S. Postal Service mail, intercampus mail or in-person in our office.
Perimeter College Development
Attn: Scholarships
3251 Panthersville Road (Box 5)
Decatur, Georgia 30034
We are located on the Decatur Campus, SA Building, Room 2810. Our staff is limited and we travel daily to meet with scholarship recipients and donors. We have a drop box located outside of our office if you wish to turn in scholarship documents and we are unavailable to receive them. Please review our Campus Mail Guide prior to sending applications through intercampus mail. For questions please email us at pcscholarships@gsu.edu.
The confirmation email will outline our selections timeline i.e. when we believe we will be able to notify recipients. We will give you a date as to when we believe the process will conclude and when everyone will be notified. We will email you either way (if you have or have not received a scholarship). If you are a recipient you will need to respond to our office, there are things you will need to complete in order to have your scholarship processed and you will need to respond quickly. You will be given a deadline in which to respond and if we have not heard from you, we will move on to the runner up of the scholarship. It is critical that you check your email throughout the process.