Financial Aid

Click on a question to go to the response.

1. How do I apply for aid at Bergen Community College?
2. When Should I apply for Financial Aid?
3. Must I file a Financial Aid Application every year?
4. What is Bergen Community College's Federal Code?
5. How can I apply for a Stafford Loan?
6. What is Work-Study and how can I apply?
7. Am I required to submit tax returns?
8. How can I be considered an independent student?
9. What if I need help filling out my FAFSA?
10. How will my Academic Progress affect my Financial Aid?
11. How will withdrawals affect my financial aid?
12. What is Verification?
13. Who gets a Pin Number and what is it for?

1.How do I apply for aid at Bergen Community College?
If you wish to receive financial aid, you must be accepted in a degree or certificate program and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications for 2003-2004 academic year are available in the Financial Aid Office, Room A-123 or you can apply on-line at the federal website (www.fafsa.ed.gov)

2.When Should I apply for Financial Aid?
Students are encouraged to apply early as possible and to follow the application deadline dates to be considered for all aid programs. The state deadlines are as follows, June 1, for continuing students, and October 1, for new applicants. There is no Federal deadline other than to file as soon as your/your parents taxes are filed so that you can receive maximum consideration. Bergen Community College participates in most Federal and State Programs, including the Pell Grant, Tuition Aid Grant, EOF, Federal Workstudy, Federal Supplement Opportunity Grant, and Federal Family Education Loan Program (Stafford Loan).

3.How do I choose a scholarship that meets by educational and career goals?

Apply for all the scholarships for which you meet the criteria. Answer all questions on the application form to the best of your ability and then ask for help in completing the rest. As part of the application process, you will be required to attach a typewritten essay that includes what your career and educational goals are and how you plan to reach them. Please list any honors or awards you have received as well as any community and/or school activities in which you have been involved. Include information about yourself and your family (if applicable). If you are a parent include the ages of your children. A faculty recommendation must accompany your application.

4.What is Bergen Community College's Federal Code?
004736

5.How can I apply for a Stafford Loan?
Upon receipt of your award letter from the Financial Aid Office, if you wish to take out a loan, or if you are only eligible for a loan, you will be given an opportunity to set up a loan appointment to do so. All students must file a FAFSA and set up a loan appointment, new or continuing students. Also you must be registered for a minimum of 6 credits and in a degree program to be eligible for the Stafford Loan.

6. What is Work-Study and how can I apply?
The Federal Work-study program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study. Work-study students receive $6.25 per hour and work approximately 20 hours per week. If you are eligible, your award letter will include Work-Study as part of your Financial Aid package.

7.Am I required to submit tax returns?
If you have been selected by the Federal Government for verification, then you will be requested by the Financial Aid Office to provide your/your parent’s tax returns as well as other documentation we may need.(for additional information on Verification see question 12)

8.How can I be considered an independent student?
Federal and State Regulations are:

• If you are 24 years of age, or
• If you are a ward of the court or both parents are deceased, or
• If you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, or
• If you have legal dependents (other than a spouse) for which you provide ½ of their support (this must be documented), or
• If you are married at the time of filing, or
• If you are a graduate or professional student, or
• If you have children who receive more than half their support from you

9.What if I need help filling out my FAFSA?
The Financial Aid Office offers workshops to assist students with the completion of the FAFSA. An appointment is required to attend. You must do this by calling our office (201) 447-7148/9208, or stopping by the Office, Room A-123 to inquire as to the availability of space.

10.How will my Academic Progress affect my Financial Aid?
Students must maintain satisfactory progress in order to receive financial aid. Withdrawals, failures and course repeats will affect your financial aid. Please read and understand the Standards of Academic Progress (copies are available in the Financial Aid Office). If you must drop a course or withdraw from college, you must complete an official withdrawal form at the Financial Aid Office. If it is past the deadline for official withdrawal, you must notify our office of your last date of attendance. Unofficial withdrawals could result in an overpayment of financial funds and in some cases you would owe money to the federal government, state or college.

11.How will withdrawals affect my financial aid?
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must officially withdraw by completing a drop form with the Registration Office or via Web Advisor. All withdrawals affect a student’s academic progress and future eligibility for financial aid. Federal regulations require that the college determine whether a portion of a students federal aid be returned when a student withdraws from all classes before the end of the semester. Student’s who withdraw from all classes before 60% of the semester is completed, may be required to repay a portion of the financial aid awarded. The amount of aid that a student may keep is in direct proportion to the length of time the student attends classes during the semester. Students are urged to go to the Financial Aid Office when they withdraw from school to see the impact of the withdrawal on their financial aid.

12.What is Verification?
Verification is a process in which the College is required to compare information submitted on a student financial aid application with signed copies of 2002 federal tax returns or other financial documents. If selected for this process, students must submit the financial documents and a completed verification worksheet (available in the Financial Aid Office) to the Financial Aid Office. If there are differences between the student application data and the information contained on the financial documents, the Financial Aid Office will make the necessary corrections and electronically submit the information for reprocessing.

13.Who gets a Pin Number and what is it for?
The Department of Education mailed a pin number to students who applied for aid for the 2002-2003 award year. The Pin number serves as your identification to let you access your personal information in the various U.S. Department of Education Systems. If you are a new applicant and you or your parents do not have a pin number you can request one at www.pin.ed.gov