{ Financial Aid }

You want an affordable college education. You want to go to NCCC. Now how do you pay for it? NCCC can help you navigate the intimidating maze of financial aid.

{ Steps You Can Take }

Step 1. Apply for financial aid by completing the required application(s), such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Aid includes:

• Federal Pell Grant
• ACG Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Program
• Federal Work Study Program
• Federal Perkins Loan Program
• Federal Family Education Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans; Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, or PLUS)

NCCC’s Federal Pell Code is 002874.

If you’re applying for New York State financial aid, then fill out the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (NYS TAP) application if you’re a full-time student or the Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) application if you’re part-time. NCCC’s State TAP Code is 2215.

Step 2. Track down other sources of aid, such as scholarships. Many community clubs, organizations, businesses, and churches offer educational scholarships, and some industries offer paid education as an employee benefit. Most libraries have a section on college planning that includes information on financial aid. NCCC’s library has scholarship materials on reserve for use by students wishing to investigate private funding.

Step 3. Keep on file copies of income documentation (both taxable and non-taxable), applications, and any other information used in completing financial aid forms.

A financial aid package includes:

• the cost of attendance (see Tuition and Fees)
• the estimated family contribution (EFC)
• TAP/Pell award estimates
• campus-based aid, if eligible
• campus employment, if awarded
• the loan amount (as of the date of application)
• outside private scholarships, if received by the College Association Office or reported by the student
• other resources applicable to student’s circumstances (e.g., veterans, VESID)

Click here for a list of types of aid.

Estimated annual cost for a student living at home with parents:

Estimated annual cost for a student living on campus:

In determining a student's "package", the Financial Aid Officer reviews:

{ Timely Follow-Up }

When asked, you should provide all information requested by the financial aid office as soon as possible. At least 30 percent of applicants are randomly selected by the United States Department of Education each year for a process called verification—that is, providing documentation and information used to complete the financial aid application. Being selected does not mean the application was completed incorrectly; it is a validity measure to ensure program integrity when awarding federal funds. A delay in providing information will result in a delay in receiving awards.

{ College Association Services }

If the financial aid application is completed in a timely manner and the student has remaining eligibility after tuition and fees, he/she can charge books and supplies in the Colleg e Bookstore by showing them a copy of his/her schedule and the College ID (identification card) provided at Advisement/ Registration.

Charges against aid in the College Association Bookstore are a privilege allowed to students who take care of their financial aid applications in a timely fashion. Generally speaking, applications filed after June 1 are considered late and may jeopardize a student's charging privilege.

{ NCCC Maximum Credit Hour Policy }

Federal Financial aid regulations (also known as the 150% rule) dictate that a student can only attempt a maximum of 150% of required credits; typically 95 credit hours for an Associate's Degree or 45 credits for a certificate in order to maintain eligibility for Federal financial aid programs (PELL grants, ACG grants, student loans, Federal SEOG grant, and Federal college work study). This regulation also includes students who are pursuing a second degree or certificate at NCCC as this policy is institutionally based. This policy also includes all of a students previous attempted hours at NCCC whether the student has received financial aid or not.

The financial aid department during each semester (fall and spring) will issue a warning letter to all those students that have reached the 100% threshold in their program of study. This practice will help a student seek out guidance from their academic advisor in an effor to prevent the student from exceeding the maximum credit hour policy.

At the end of each semester the financial aid department will notify students affected by this policy via a letter. A student affected by this policy may attempt to temporarily regain financial aid eligibility by following the directions on the letter once the student is notified of the suspension of their Federal aid.

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