Financial Aid Programs
Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
Financial need is determined by using a formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine the family’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The fundamental elements in this standard formula are the student's income and assets, the parents' income and assets (if the student is dependent), the family's household size, and the number of family members attending college.
Pell Grants are direct grants awarded to students who have not received their first bachelor's degree, are U.S. Citizens (or eligible non-citizens), not defaulted on a Federal Student Loan, completed a FAFSA, and are enrolled in degree-granting program. For the 2010-2011 Academic Year, Pell Grants range from $555 to $5,550 (depending on EFC & enrollment).
Year Round Pell Policy
ATTENTION ALL PELL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS!
Effective Summer 2011 Bergen Community College will consider Year-Round Pell.
What is Year-Round Pell?
Year-Round Pell is a provision authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to allow students to receive TWO Pell Grant Awards within ONE Award Year when certain criteria are met. "Year-Round Pell" was designed to help students accelerate their academic progress.
The following requirements MUST be met to qualify for Additional Summer Pell:
* Students must have completed a 2010-2011 FAFSA with a valid EFC (Expected Family Contribution).
* Students must meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress(SAP).
* Students must be admitted in a degree seeking program.
* Students must demonstrate academic progression. **SEE BELOW
* Students must be enrolled in the 2011 Summer session for at least 6 credits (on a single or combined session).
* Students enrolled in Remedial Credits are entitled to additional Pell (ONLY up to 30 remedial credits). It is the students responsibility to make payment arrangements for any remedial credits beyond the 30 credit limit.
**ACADEMIC PROGRESSION requires that students EARN at least 24 credits at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. However, students who have not earned 24 credits at the end of the Spring 2011 term can still receive "Year-Round Pell." For example: A student earns 9 credits in the Fall and 9 credits in the Spring, in order to receive Year-Round Pell, THIS student MUST register for at least seven (7)credits. Six (6) credits will be to complete the 24 required credits for the current academic year and the remaining credit will be towards the next academic year.
*AS A REMINDER: Changes in enrollment status may result in a change in your financial aid Year-Round Pell eligibility.
*Please be advised that book vouchers ARE NOT available for Summer.
*Once your Spring 2011 grades AND summer registration are reviewed by the Financial Aid Office, we will evaluate your eligibility for Year-Round Pell.
Please check your Web Advisor account periodically for updates.
Any outstanding balance in excess of your financial aid award(s) will become the student's responsibility to pay.
Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG):
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education reserved for students with the greatest need for financial aid to attend college. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants and are usually restricted due to funding limitations. SEOG is a direct grant that is awarded to students who have not received their first bachelor's degree, are U.S. Citizens (or eligible non-citizens), not defaulted on a Federal Student Loan, completed a FAFSA, and are enrolled in degree-granting program.
Federal Work Study (FWS):
A part-time employment program based on financial need. Eligible students typically work on-campus and are paid at an hourly rate every two weeks depending on the number of hours worked. After completing the appropriate payroll forms, students are assigned to work in one of several College departments or at an approved off-campus site. Do not begin working before you receive an authorization showing your department, your supervisor, your rate of pay and the number of hours you will be working. Detailed information on FWS
Federal Family Educational Loan Program (Stafford Loans):
Loans in this program are made by participating lenders. Available amounts are primarily determined by the student's year-in-school and the loan may be either subsidized or non-subsidized depending on the amount of demonstrated financial need. Students must enroll for at least six (6) credit hours to receive this loan. Parent (PLUS) loans are also available to qualifying students.
A state grant program that is based on financial need and does not have to be repaid. Award amounts are determined by the State of New Jersey. You must enroll full-time (12 credits) in order to receive this grant.
Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Grants:
Students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds may be eligible to participate in this federal program. Award amounts will vary from year-to-year however the range is from $200.00 to $850.00. In the most recent year, students received $475.00.
Campus EOF programs include summer sessions, tutoring, counseling and development courses. Grants are renewable annually based on continued eligibility.
Outstanding Scholar Recruitment Program (OSRP):
OSRP provides New Jersey's highest achieving students with annual scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 to attend participating New Jersey colleges and universities. The program is administered by participating institutions which notify students of their eligibility to receive awards.
Awards may be renewable, contingent upon maintaining program eligibility requirements. Funding is provided by HESSA and individual participating institutions. Currently thirteen of New Jersey's four-year colleges and universities participate.
Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished and Urban Scholars Awards:
Both scholarship programs provide annual awards of up to $1000.00 to recognize outstanding academic achievement of graduating New Jersey high school seniors. Awards are renewable and they are not based on financial need.
NJCLASS Loan Program:
NJCLASS is a supplemental student loan program sponsored by the state of New Jersey that provides an additional, affordable source of funds to help students meet college expenses not already covered by other forms of student aid. These are fixed-rate loans and borrowers must complete a FAFSA and be considered for Federal Stafford Loans before applying for NJCLASS.
Veterans' Administration Educational Benefits:
Montgomery GI Bill:
The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, called "MGIB" for short, provides up to thirty-six months of education benefits to eligible veterans for programs approved for VA training. The monthly benefit paid is based on the type of training taken, length of service, individual category, and if DOD put extra money in your MGIB Fund (called "kickers"). You usually have 10 years to use MGIB benefits, but the time can be less, in some cases, and longer under certain circumstances.
National Guard Tuition Waiver Program:
Any member of the New Jersey National Guard may receive up to 15 credits per semester, tuition-free, provided he/she has completed initial active training and is in good standing as an active member of the NJ National Guard. Fees however are the student's responsibility. Written certification by a guard member's commander will be required to issue a tuition waiver to the student which will be used at the time tuition payment is due.
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