State’s newest college gets OK for federal aid

Georgia Gwinnett College officials announced Thursday that they have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education to award Pell grants, federal student loans and work-study opportunities to students. Students at the state’s first public four-year college in more than a century can now get federal financial aid.

Federal regulations require that a college at least be pursuing accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools before students can receive federal aid.

Georgia Gwinnett became a candidate for accreditation in June and expects to hear final word from the Atlanta-based SACS next year.

The college opened two years ago in Atlanta’s northern suburbs. Enrollment has grown from about 100 in 2006 to 1,700 this fall.

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On the Net:

Georgia Gwinnett College: http://www.ggc.usg.edu/