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Do I Qualify?

Financial Aid

Eligibility Requirements

Citizenship

- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen

- Must have a valid SSN

Enroll

- Have a HS Diploma or GED

- Enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program

FAFSA

- Complete a FAFSA

- Fulfill all requirements that may follow

Satisfactory Academic Progress

- Pass your classes and progress towards completion

Good Standing

- Not be in default on federal student loans

– Not owe money on a federal grant.

Financial Need

- Demonstrate need through the FAFSA to qualify for certain funds

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Step 1: The FSA ID

Account Username & Password

Used for FAFSA completion and allows access to certain U.S. Department of Education websites
One required for student and a different one for parent (if Dependent)
Parents without SSNs are also required to create an FSA ID (new!)
May be used by students (and parents) throughout the financial aid process, including subsequent school years
Each must use their own individual email address
Set it up at: www.StudentAid.gov/fsa-id

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CT State Community College’s Federal School Code is:

007635

Step 2: Complete Your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Complete the FAFSA form to apply for financial aid for college. Go to: www.studentaid.gov/fafsa

May be filed at any time during an academic year after it becomes available (December 1 of the prior academic year)

CT State’s priority FAFSA deadline is July 15 for fall semester and November 15 for those attending spring semester only.

FAFSA collects demographic and financial information to calculate a student’s financial need

College uses the FAFSA to determine financial aid to students.

**NOTE: Consent and approval to retrieve and disclose Federal Tax Information (FTI) is required by the student and contributors in order to qualify for any financial aid.**

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Step 3: Follow Up!

Follow up with the financial aid office regarding any missing requirements!

**This is very important in order to qualify for Free Tuition at CT State**

Check your student email for updates from the financial aid office
Check the college website for updates
Ensure that you are registering for courses that are required for your program

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Application for CT Undocumented Students (AACTUS)

AACTUS is exclusively for undocumented students who are not eligible to apply for federal student aid. Students must meet the following criteria to qualify:

CT resident
16 years of age or younger when they arrived to the U.S.
DOB 6/15/1982 or later
Completed at least 2 years in a CT High School and have graduated
Not convicted of a felony in any state
Currently without legal immigration status but have either filed an application to legalize status or has the intent of filing as soon as they are eligible

Application is similar to the FAFSA, however is available only on paper

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Funding Options

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Financial Aid Awards

What type of funding is there?

Grants (or Scholarships)

Money that doesn’t need to be repaid (“gift aid”).

Usually awarded based on financial need.

Merit-based funds are based on various criteria (i.e. academic).

Loans

Money that must be repaid with interest.

May be borrowed by student, parent, or both.

Repayment usually begins after education is finished.

Talk to the Financial Aid Office to see how to keep your debt load as low as possible!

Federal

Work-Study

Money that a student has the potential to earn through part-time employment.

Funds are typically paid through a paycheck.

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Funding Sources

Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Community College Grant (CCG)
Mary Ann Handley Award (Tuition-Free Award – Previously Known As “PACT”)
AACTUS (Aid Application for CT Undocumented Students)
MCC Foundation Scholarships: https://www.mccgiving.org/scholarships
Federal Work-Study
Federal Student Loans

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What is Free Tuition?

The Free Tuition Program allows students to attend CT State for free!

Funding covers the gap between federal and state grants you receive, and community college tuition and mandatory fees.

Entry into the program will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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How to Qualify for Free Tuition

Be A Connecticut Resident
High School Graduate

GED and home-schooled students qualify

First Time College Student Beginning In Fall 2020 or later
Completed FAFSA & ALL Financial Aid Requirements Satisfied

All FAFSA and Financial Aid requirements must be fulfilled

Attend Part-Time or Full-Time

Attend community college at least 6+ credits per semester
ALL registered courses must fall under your declared major

Degree or Certificate Program

Enroll in an eligible degree or credit-bearing certificate program

Maintain Good Academic Standing

Once enrolled, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

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MCC Foundation Scholarships��https://www.mccgiving.org/scholarships

Financial support awarded to a student, based on academic achievement or financial need; to support a student’s education, such as help with outstanding tuition, fees, textbooks, and educational supplies.

Tuition Assistance: For new and continuing students who do not receive full financial aid and need help paying an outstanding tuition balance or for textbooks.
Merit: For continuing students who demonstrate academic achievement. (3.0 or higher GPA)

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Academic Engagement

Yes, the student must engage in their classes!

Avoidable Debt-Load Increases

Avoid withdrawing and repeating classes;

Avoid borrowing loans

Potential Roadblocks

Help Yourself to Avoid these Roadblocks!

Maintain Communication with:

Academic Advisor
Financial Aid Office
Professors

Check your myCTState portal and school email on a regular basis
Ask Questions

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)

Withdrawing from all classes may mean financial aid has to be returned to the Department of Education

Verification

Includes: Verification, Unusual Enrollment, Pell LEU, Citizenship, Default

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Avoid failing, withdrawing, or repeating classes and only take the classes you need

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Common Misconceptions: Students

Assumption

“I completed the FAFSA so I am all set for financial aid, right?”

“My friend received $8,000 in financial aid so I will get the same, right?”

“I am in the Free Tuition program so I do not need to do anything with financial aid, right?”

“My parents aren’t financially supporting me so they don’t need to go on my FAFSA, right?”

Reality

No; you need to follow up with your financial aid office 3-5 business days after submitting your FAFSA to see if you need to complete any additional paperwork

No; every single student’s financial aid eligibility/award is different

No; you need to fill out your FAFSA every school year, and continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the free tuition program

No; if you are under 24 years old and do not meet any other independent student requirements, then your parent must go on your FAFSA, even if you do not live with them and they do not financially support you

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Common Misconceptions: Parents

Assumption

“I do not want to add my information to the FAFSA because I do not want to borrow a loan for my child.”

“I do not want to add my information to the FAFSA because I am not paying the bill.”

“I do not want to put my information on the FAFSA because my child is 18.”

“I do not have a social security number so I don’t think my child will qualify.”

“I make too much money; my child won’t be eligible for financial aid anyway.”

Reality

By providing parent information on the FAFSA, the parent is not responsible for any student loans that the student may borrow.

By providing parent information on the FAFSA, the parent is not responsible for any payments towards the bill.

The Department of Education regulations state a parents’ information must go on the FAFSA if the student is under 24 years old and does not meet any other independent criteria.

Parents do not need a social security number to create an FSA ID or complete the FAFSA as a parent anymore. Reach out to your financial aid office for assistance.

The Free Tuition program does not have any income limits as it is not need based. Always apply for FAFSA – it’s free to apply anyway!

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Asnuntuck Campus 170 Elm Street�Enfield, CT 06082�Phone: 860-253-3030�Fax: 860-253-3029�Email: AS-FinAid@asnuntuck.edu
Capital Campus 950 Main Street�Hartford, CT 06103�Phone: 860-906-5090�Fax: 860-906-5092�Email: CA-FinAidHelp@capitalcc.edu
Gateway Campus 20 Church Street�New Haven, CT 06510�Phone: 203-285-2030�Fax: 203-285-2036�Email: GW-FinAidHelp@gatewayct.edu
Housatonic Campus 900 Lafayette Boulevard�Bridgeport, CT 06604�Phone: 203-332-5047�Fax: 203-332-5253�Email: HC-FinAid@hcc.commnet.edu

Manchester Campus Great Path, MS#11�PO Box 1046�Manchester, CT 06045�Phone: 860-512-3380�Fax: 860-512-3381�Email: MA-FinAid@manchestercc.edu
Middlesex Campus 100 Training Hill Road�Middletown, CT 06457�Phone: 860-343-5741�Fax: 860-344-3014�Email: MX-financialaid@mxcc.edu
Naugatuck Valley Campus 750 Chase Parkway�Waterbury, CT 06708�Phone: 203-575-8274�Fax: 203-575-8157�Email: NV-financialaid@nv.edu
Northwestern CT Campus Park Place East�Winsted, CT 06098�Phone: 860-738-6326�Fax: 860-738-6459�Email: NW-FinAid@nwcc.edu

Norwalk Campus 188 Richards Avenue�Norwalk, CT 06854�Phone: 203-857-7023�Fax: 203-857-7310�Email: NK-FinAid@norwalk.edu
Quinebaug Valley Campus 742 Upper Maple Street�Danielson, CT 06239�Phone: 860-932-4003�Fax: 860-774-3952�Email: QV-FinAid@qvcc.commnet.edu
Three Rivers Campus 574 New London Turnpike�Norwich, CT 06360�Phone: 860-215-9040�Fax: 860-215-9902�Email: financialaidhelp@threerivers.edu
Tunxis Campus 271 Scott Swamp Road�Farmington, CT 06032�Phone: 860-773-1422�Fax: 860-676-8906�Email: TX-FinAid@tunxis.edu

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