Financial aid is crucial for many students to attend college, but sometimes there is a gap between the money that is offered and tuition that needs to be paid.

Atlanta Technical College will bridge that gap for fall semester, effectively eliminating tuition for those needing financial assistance.

“Through the generosity of our philanthropic family, we are able to support our students with gap funding to literally ‘bridge the gap’ between finances and opportunity,” ATC president Victoria Seals said in a press release. “Along with eligible financial aid and that gap funding, we have resources to allow students to re-engage for the fall semester, essentially eliminating cost as a barrier.”

Students must apply and be accepted to ATC, complete the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid and provide any additional required information, submit an ATC Authorization Form, and register for classes by Aug. 6.

The FAFSA is the gateway to financial aid, Federal Pell Grants, scholarships, and federal and state student loans. Some colleges even require it for merit-based scholarships, and in Georgia, it will help you apply for the HOPE scholarship.

Atlanta Technical College isn’t the only school giving students a financial break.

Two of Atlanta’s HBCUs are clearing students’ account balances from the previous school year in recognition of the difficulties students and their families have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Eric Stirgus reported.

Clark Atlanta University announced Friday it is wiping out balances for the 2020 semesters and the spring and summer 2021 semesters. Spelman College did the same for its students with balances covering the 2020-2021 academic year.

To apply to Atlanta Technical College, please visit: https://atlantatech.edu/admissions/apply-now/.

For information on how to complete the FAFSA, please visit: https://atlantatech.edu/wp-content/uploads/71050-SIS-FAFSA-Flyer-2021-2022-Atlanta-Tech_v2.png

To complete the FAFSA, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

About the Author

Featured

Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC