Financial Aid

General Information

The purpose of the Financial Aid program at Manchester Community College is to provide financial access to the college for as many eligible students as current funding will allow.

The prime objective of the Financial Aid Office is to meet the basic expenses of tuition and fees. In addition, most recipients qualify for stipend checks that repay their initial expenses for books, supplies and transportation costs.

Finally, many students supplement their grant aid from MCC with employment earning and student federal loans that more fully meet their expenses for room, board, transportation, personal health and child care costs. SFA Funds are also available for study-abroad programs.

Financial aid awards are calculated for one year only. Each academic year, students must reapply for financial aid. The aid award will be recalculated each year based on current income, assets, family circumstances and the current need analysis methodologies and regulations. Additionally, students must continue to make satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for financial aid.

The cost of education includes the expenses for tuition, fees, books and supplies. Indirect costs also figured into the cost of education are housing, meals, transportation and personal expenses.

Students must complete the process for admission to MCC including evidence of high school graduation or a GED certificate and proof of MMR shots. Students must also be matriculated in a degree or certificate program.

To be eligible, students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress, which is a progression toward successful academic completion of course requirements for a degree or certificate by maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) as stated in the Course Catalog. Students must also complete at least 66% of attempted credits on a cumulative basis.

Lastly, students must make sure they report all outside awards received to the Financial Aid Office. Outside awards may change the amount of need-based aid awarded to them.

Important Information for Students

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is money in the form of grants, employment and loans that is available to students to help pay the cost of attending a college, university, or Vocational/Technical school. Financial aid comes from the federal government, which is the largest provider of aid, as well as state governments, schools, and a variety of the public and private sources.

There are two main types of aid:
Merit-Based Aid is given to students who have a special characteristic, skill, talent, or ability. A scholarship is an example or merit-based aid. Merit-based aid is usually a gift that does not have to be paid back, although students who get merit aid sometimes have to promise to teach or perform some other service when they finish school.

Need-Based Aid is given to students who can show they need financial assistance to pursue an education beyond high school. Most financial aid is awarded on the basis of need. There are three kinds of need-based aid:

• Grants are gifts that do not have to be paid back. Federal grant programs include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
• Work-study is money that students must earn by working at a part-time job. Funds used to pay the major portion of a students work-study earnings come from the Federal or State Work-Study Program.
• Loans are borrowed money that has to be paid back over a period of time, usually after the student leaves school. Federal loan programs include the Federal Perkins Loan and the Federal Direct Loan.

One of the principles behind need-based aid is that students and their families should pay for educational expenses to the extent they are able. If you think your educational expenses are more than you and your family can afford, you should apply for need based financial aid.

Helpful Hints for Applicants

Students should be sure to:

• Apply early to meet deadline dates.
• Have "start-up" money when they begin classes. The financial aid reimbursement takes between four to six weeks to process and the process cannot begin until the registration and add/drop period is over for the semester.
• Keep mailing and email addresses current with the Financial Aid Office and other departments such as Admissions and Registrar's.
• Keep the Financial Aid Office informed of any changes in enrollment status. Audited courses cannot be covered by federal aid programs.
• Apply for a pin number at www.pin.ed.gov to be able to sign the FAFSA electronically.
• Begin completing the FAFSA electronically as soon as possible after January 1. It is also helpful to have completed the previous year's tax returns before starting.
• Be sure to have their high school diploma or GED on file in the Admissions Office.
• Choose a degree or certificate program when completing the admission application.
  

Basic Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for financial aid a student must be:

• A citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the U.S.
• Enrolled in a degree or certificate program (for many aid programs at least half-time)
• Registered with the Selective Service (if male)
• In academic good standing as described in the MCC Course Catalog, and maintaining satisfactory progress.

Financial Aid Programs at MCC

MCC Grant Program

This is an institutional program that provides funds to eligible students to help pay for tuition, fees, books and supplies for needy students.

Connecticut Aid to Public Colleges (CAP)

These are state funds awarded in the form of grants or work-study awards to student who demonstrate need.

Federal Pell Grant Program

This federal assistance program is designed to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students with exceptional need who have not earned a professional or bachelor's degree.

FSEOG Program

These federal grants are made reasonably available to undergraduates with exceptional financial need (with priority given to Pell Grant recipients). Awards range from $400 to $800 per year.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

On-campus and off-campus jobs are available for students who have financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office and the federal government. Work may be performed at a maximum of 15 hours per week when school is in session or 35 hours per week during periods of non-enrollment. Positions pay from $8.25 to $10 per hour depending on required skills and experience.

Federal Direct Loan Program

MCC participates in the federal student loan programs: Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Perkins Loans, and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Student (PLUS). These programs make low-interest, long-term loans limits, interests rates, and repayment and deferment conditions.
Student are advised to wait for a complete review of their eligibility for other forms of financial aid before submitting loan applications.

Disclaimer
Descriptions of financial aid programs are subject to change, due to possible changes in federal, state, and College policies, and/or due to changes in funding levels. The Financial Aid Office will make every reasonable effort to keep applicants and students aware of any such changes.

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