FAQ Categories: Academic Scholarships - College

Could my support stipend be taxable?

Yes, your support stipend could be considered taxable income. If you receive an IRS Form 1099, you must report the amount as income on your tax return.

Please contact a tax professional with any questions you have about how to report this on your taxes.

Do I need to apply for financial aid? What if I’m ineligible to receive any more financial aid?

To qualify for funding through the Academic Scholarships – College program, you must first apply for financial aid or provide proof of ineligibility.

How do I know if I’m ineligible for financial aid?
If you have already earned a Bachelor’s degree, you are no longer eligible for financial aid. In this case, simply upload a copy of your diploma or unofficial transcript with your Academic Scholarships application. Alternatively, if you have other documentation confirming your ineligibility for financial aid, you can submit that instead. Upload this document as an “additional document” during the “Documents” step of your application.

If approved for Academic Scholarships, you will receive a support stipend each semester you are enrolled, regardless of whether your tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered by financial aid.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement for Scholarships?

Yes, our Academic Scholarships program has a minimum GPA requirement for renewal each semester.

  • Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC), Technical College Diploma (TCD), and Associate Degree programs: Minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Bachelor’s Degree programs: Minimum 2.5 GPA

To renew your scholarship, you must submit your grades from the previous semester to DECAL Scholars as soon as they are available. Your application for the next semester will not proceed without this submission.

My student loans are in default. Can I still receive Scholarships?

If you are not eligible for Pell or other financial aid because your student loans are in default, then you cannot receive Academic Scholarships. You must submit proof that your loans are no longer in default before you can receive Academic Scholarships. To find out more information about managing loans in default, click here.

What is the Professional Development System (GaPDS)?

The Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS), offered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, supports the early care and education workforce. It enables you to build a comprehensive profile of your career, including your employment history, training hours, and earned credentials or degrees. You must create a profile on the GaPDS website to apply for DECAL Scholars programs.

Getting started is simple! You can register even if you haven’t earned a credential or degree yet. Download your free guide to creating a GaPDS account by clicking here. To learn more or to create your account, visit gapds.decal.ga.gov.

For questions or technical assistance, contact the GaPDS team at 404-334-6461 (or toll-free at 866-258-7737 outside metro Atlanta) or email them at gapds@decal.ga.gov.

Do I need to wait until I receive my notice of award or denial from financial aid before I apply to Academic Scholarships?

We understand that it may take some time to receive notice of award or denial from financial aid. Please complete your Academic Scholarships application and attach your FAFSA Submission Summary with your application. Once your official financial aid offer is reflected in your student account for the term (whether you have received approval or denial for financial aid), please upload that information to your DECAL Scholars account, or email it to support@decalscholars.com.

How do I renew my Scholarship each semester?

You can renew your Academic Scholarship if you maintain an eligible employment status and minimum GPA requirement. The requirement is a 2.0 GPA for TCC, TCD, and Associate Degree programs. The requirement is a 2.5 GPA for Bachelor’s Degree programs.

No earlier than 60 days prior to the start of your next semester, submit a renewal application. Please include the following documents (if there isn’t a designated upload category for any of these documents, you can upload them as “Additional Documents” under the “Documents” section of your application):

  • Copy of schedule of classes for the next term.
  • Copies of two recent paystubs reflecting the name of your employer, your name, and gross and net year-to-date wages. If you are a Family Child Care Learning Home or a Director/Owner and do not pay yourself W-2 wages, you should submit a copy of last year’s Schedule C, Schedule K, or other federal tax form documenting net business income. If your paystubs do not meet these requirements, we may ask for additional information.
  • Copy of updated financial aid documentation (if eligible for FAFSA (HOPE and Pell)) (documentation is only needed once per year).

You also must submit a copy of your grades upon completion of the prior term once they are posted (or Good Standing Letter from Montessori Credential Program) for your application to finish processing.