Financial Awards

Amount of GCSP Funding
In general the amount of GCSP funding will be the difference between the combined federal, state, and certain other forms of aid for which the student qualifies and the full cost of tuition and the combined fee at Garrett College unless determined otherwise by the Commissioners and Garrett College as stated in #12 of the rules section.

EXAMPLE:
Cost of Student's Tuition and Combined Fees	$1,500
Other Forms of Aid such as but not limited to Pell Grant	$1,000
Maryland scholarships, private scholarships
GCSP Award	$500

Other costs of education include but are not limited to transportation to and from the college, food while on campus, books, special course fees, and supplies. In general the student is responsible for all these supplemental costs although in instances the combination of aid from different sources might be sufficient to cover some of these costs as well. Special course fees cover exceptional costs associated with a particular course. For example, an art course might require special art supplies which the college provides from the collection of the special course fee. These special course fees are published in Garrett College's course schedule each semester. Textbooks can be expensive. Students should expect to pay about $50 per course on average, or $600 per year if taking a full 30 credit annual course load.

Gear Up Scholarships
Some NHS and SHS students are eligible for Gear Up scholarships. These scholarships might fund more than just tuition and the combined fee at GC. In addition, Gear Up is intended to provide scholarship funding for four years of higher education subject to rules which the Maryland Higher Education Commission shall publish. Students who receive Gear Up funding are ineligible for GCSP funding. So they must choose between the two programs. GC will provide financial aid counseling to explain to students and their families the financial advantages and disadvantages associated with choosing one program rather than the other. The differences between the two programs could make an important difference in paying
for a student's higher education, so students and their families are encouraged to seek the advice of a college financial aid advisor and to arrive at well thought out decisions. GC will offer financial aid workshops for parents and students in order to help them make the best decisions based on their individual circumstances.

Order of GCSP Funding
GCSP funding is awarded as follows:

Types of GCSP Funding

• Students who elect Gear Up funding are ineligible for GCSP.

• Any student who receives grant or scholarship aid from federal, state, or other sources equal to or in excess of the cost of Garrett College's tuition and combined fee is ineligible for GCSP.

• Any student who has no grant or scholarship aid from federal, state, or other sources is eligible for a full GCSP grant equal to the amount of Garrett College's tuition and the combined fee (except as noted in #12 of the rules section).

• If a student's combined grant and scholarship aid from federal, state, and other sources other than Gear Up covers part but not all of the cost of Garrett College's tuition and combined fee, then the student shall be eligible for GCSP funding in the amount of the difference (except as noted in #12 of the rules section).

Refunds
Garrett College's published refund policy shall prevail concerning the GCSP funds. In the event that students drop or withdraw within the published refund period, the percent of refund shall be applied to the GCSP funds so that the Economic Development Department of Garrett County will not be invoiced for that amount of the refund.

College Funding
The funding of the GCSP shall be outside and independent of the funding of the college's operating budget just like any other scholarship program whether federal, state, or privately funded. It is a subsidization that the Commissioners make directly to the eligible citizens of Garrett County in order to encourage their earning post-secondary credentials. The college reserves the right to reduce benefits under the program pursuant to Section (12) above if insufficient funds are appropriated to fully fund the program for all eligible participants.

Allocation and Transfer of Funds
Funding to support the GCSP will be included in the Department of Economic
Development's budget on an annual basis. GC will invoice the Department at the
end of each semester with payment to occur within thirty days. After completion of
the annual audit, adjustments will take place as appropriate with money either
owed to or from the Department remitted accordingly.

Restrictions of Funds
Funds which the Commissioners appropriate to GCSP but are unexpended for the
intended purpose shall be restored in full to the Commissioners after the college's
audit of its financial records has been completed after the close of each fiscal year.

Beneficiaries
GCSP is a direct benefit to the citizens of Garrett County in the form of enhanced career opportunities, reduced cost of higher education, and increased earning power. Garrett County gains the educated, skilled, and well trained workforce necessary for its continued growth and for the sustainment of its economy.