FINANCIAL AID

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State & Federal Financial Aid

The US and New Jersey offer many financial aid opportunities from grants to scholarships to student loans. It all starts with completing the FAFSA. If you’ve completed your FAFSA, read on for more information about the various types of federal and state financial aid available.

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State and Federal Grants

Grants are forms of aid that do not have to be repaid. They are awarded to students who show financial need on the FAFSA. The grants listed here are administered by the PCCC Financial Aid Office based on the guidelines set for each program by its provider.

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grants

The Higher Education Act of 1972 established this grant program to provide aid to needy students attending college full-time, part-time, or less than part-time. Students must meet eligibility requirements and must be pursuing a degree program or eligible certificate program.  The Certificate of Achievement (less than 30 credits) programs are not eligible for financial aid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This program awards funds to undergraduate students with the greatest need.  Priority is given to students who apply prior to August 1st.

Federal College Work Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program provides employment opportunities for students who need additional funds to help meet their educational expenses. To be considered as a candidate for the work-study program a student must

1. file a FAFSA,
2. be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
3. be enrolled in an undergraduate academic program,
4. be registered for at least 6 or more credits (including 1 college level course), and
meet the financial aid standards of satisfactory academic progress and
5. be in good academic standing.

Students may work off-campus as part of the Community Service Program.  Jobs could be in areas of welfare, social services, public  safety, recreation, youth corps, or support services for students with disabilities or mentoring activities.

Direct Loans

Passaic County Community College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, commonly known as Direct Lending.  Our participation in this program allows you to borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education. The Direct Loan program enables eligible applicants and their parents to obtain a student loan (Subsidized or Unsubsidized) or parent loan (PLUS) to meet their educationally related expenses.  For application instructions please view the Financial Aid Page on the college’s website.

State Grants

Tuition Aid Grant

1. The Tuition Aid Grant provides financial assistance to full-time/part-time community college students
2. Student / Student parents (if dependent) must have been residents of New Jersey for 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.
3. Applicants must have graduated from high school.
4. Returning students must file by April 15. State funds are awarded on current credit load at the time of authorization.
5. Remember, State funds are awarded on current credit load at the time of authorization.

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)

1. The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), instituted and sponsored by the state of New Jersey, is an academic support program designed to provide equal opportunity for students who show potential but who need additional support services and financial aid.
2. Students are selected based on documented  financial need and potential for success.
3. Students who are accepted into the EOF Program are recommended to attend full-time, be pursuing a degree, and be residents of the state of New Jersey.
4. To be considered for funds, returning students must file by April 15.
5. Have been residents of New Jersey for at least one year, meet all program requirements, and be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Learn more about EOF

Garden State Scholars Fund

Based on academic achievement, this program provides assistance to full-time students. Applicants must be residents of New Jersey for 12 consecutive months prior to application.

NJ STARS

Starting with the Class of 2004, New Jersey high school students who graduate in the top 15% of their class will be eligible to receive free tuition at  Passaic County Community College. Click here to learn more about NJ STARS.

Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)

1. New state financial assistance award that enables qualifying Passaic County New Jersey residents to attend PCCC tuition-free.
2. The grant will cover any tuition costs that are not already covered by the student’s other financial aid.
3. New, current, and returning PCCC students are eligible for the Community College Opportunity Grant awards if they DO NOT already have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
4. Have an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000
5. Be enroll in six or more credits
6. Complete the financial aid application (FAFSA)

Learn more about the Community College Opportunity Grant

Federal Direct Student Loans


If you are a first-time borrower at PCCC, you must have complete the steps outlined below: 

  1. Entrance Counseling
  2. Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  3. Determining how much you can borrow
  4. You can scan and email the Loan Request form to: [email protected], fax to: 973-279-5337
  5. Your Loan funds will be disbursed and credited to your tuition account once your professor confirms attendance


If you have already borrowed a Federal Direct Loan at PCCC you will not have to complete Step 1 and Step 2 in the list above.  If you borrowed a Federal Direct Loan at another school within the last ten years, you will not need to complete another MPN; however, you will need to complete an Entrance Counseling.

Note:  Before you proceed keep in mind a Federal Direct Loan repayment begins once you graduate, withdraw from school, or drop below 6 credits. For detailed information regarding the current School Loan Default Rate, please view our public information page.
Click here to get estimated payment plan:  Repayment Calculator-See what Your Payment will Be.  Your credit will be adversely impacted if you do not make on-time payments.  See additional information on Managing Your Federal Direct Student Loan

  • Continuing students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as outlined on the College Catalog  
  • Students who have less than 29 college level credits are considered first-year students (freshman) and 30 college-level credits or higher are considered second-year students (sophomore).

Before you take on a Loan you are recommended to read the below and click on the hyperlinks:

  • Research starting salaries in your field: Ask your school for starting salaries of recent graduates in your field of study to get an idea of how much you are likely to earn after you graduate.

    You can use the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook to estimate salaries for different careers or research employment opportunities advertised in the area where you plan to live to get an idea of a local starting salary.

    You also can use the Department of Labor’s career search tool to research careers and view the average annual salary for each career.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan


If you are a Dependent student your parent can borrow a Parent PLUS Loan to replace the estimated Federal Direct Loan amount listed on your award letter or on the portal.  For additional information on a PLUS Loan: How to complete a Parent Federal PLUS Loan

Once a pre-approval has been completed your parent can email us at [email protected] to request the Loan request form. Please attach a copy of the pre-approval letter.  Please remember to always include the name of the student and student ID to the email.


Check Your Status

If you submitted your FAFSA and completed your placement, you should have received your MyPCCC login. Check your financial aid status, find verification forms, and pay your bill by logging into MyPCCC.

* Note: if you’ve completed your FAFSA, it can take 5-7 days before your status is updated.

Discover how affordable your education can be.

See how financial aid can make your education even more valuable. Our Net Price Calculator will show you all of the tuition and fees associated with PCCC and how much you could save with financial assistance.

Have questions or need more info?

Schedule an appointment for help with your FAFSA Application, or chat with the Virtual Information Center to help figure out the best aid options for you.

Virtual Information Center

Virtual Info Center available Mon-Fri, 9am to 1pm. Closed Fridays during summer.