Now, more than ever, college affordability plays an essential role in every student's decision to apply for college. We understand that attending college, even if it is just one class, requires a sacrifice from you and your family. That is why CT State is committed to meeting your direct costs of tuition, fees, and books through need-based financial aid.
Each year, CT State receives more than 50,000 financial aid applications for students seeking financial assistance to cover college costs. Even though that seems like a lot for our staff to review, we are committed to providing you with individual assistance if you need it. Our Financial Aid Offices are located at campuses across the state to assist you with all of your questions and concerns to make sure that your financial aid is available for you to attend school.
We encourage you to apply for financial aid early by completing the FAFSA. Even though financial aid funds are limited, we are committed to ensuring that each student's aid application is reviewed the same way to make sure that everyone is treated fair and equitably. Priority deadlines are July 15 for fall processing and November 15 for spring processing. Your FAFSA must be submitted prior to your last day of attendance for that financial aid award year.
About Financial Aid
To be eligible for federal financial assistance at CT State, a student must:
- Be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Have financial need as assessed by an eligible need analysis system
- Be enrolled as a matriculated student at CT State Community College
- Be in an eligible degree or certificate program
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Not be in default on any federal educational loan or owe a repayment on any federal grant at any institution
- Have completed high school or have earned the GED.
- Financial aid is available for undocumented students. Use these forms to apply for aid.
The Office of Financial Aid Services maintains a position that no student should be denied access to higher education because of financial need. Each year, our office uses all available resources to help eligible students fund their direct costs, which include charges for tuition and fees, as well as an allowance for books and supplies. Each year, we collectively award more than $100 million to more than 30,000 students.
CT State is a partner institution of the College Cost Transparency Initiative, a higher education community committed to providing students financial aid information about the cost of college that is clear, accurate, and transparent. To ensure that we are providing you with financial aid information reflective of these values, CT State is committed to using the Principles and Standards of the College Cost Transparency Initiative in our student financial aid offers.
To assist in determining your financial need and eligibility for financial aid, we are required to develop a Cost of Attendance for you based on federal regulations. Aside from tuition and fees, this also includes items such as books, course materials, supplies and equipment, housing and food, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. We understand that housing and food, transportation costs, and miscellaneous personal expenses will vary for each individual and family. For that reason, we use approximated costs for these components based on actual data from The College Board and The Council for Community and Economic Research. The Housing estimate is a standard allowance for rent or other housing costs. The Food estimate is a standard allowance for purchasing food and includes three meals per day. Should you experience other costs that are not typical, you have the right to a Cost of Attendance appeal to include additional expenses with supporting documentation. Please note, this does not guarantee any additional award to your financial aid package. Examples of such expenses may include dependent care, disability costs, or the documented cost of a leased or purchased computer.
Financial Need is the calculated difference between your Cost of Attendance and the Student Aid Index (SAI) you receive when you complete your FAFSA. The value of your calculated financial need provides our office with the information needed to award you need-based financial aid, such as grants and scholarships.
While tuition and fee charges are the same for all students at any CT State institution, the calculated Cost of Attendance will vary by campus, dependency status, and other factors such as the location within the State of Connecticut. You may view your personal Cost of Attendance within your Self-Service Banner account, accessible from myCTState. From the Financial Aid section, select College Financing Plan.
Remember, you are not required to fund your entire Cost of Attendance for enrollment at any of our colleges. Depending on eligibility and the availability of funds, we seek to cover your direct costs to the college, which are your tuition and fee charges, and an allowance for books, course materials, supplies and equipment.
2025-2026 Cost of Attendance
|
Estimated Costs for Full-Time Enrollment |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) |
|
Tuition and Fees |
$5,338 |
$15,596 |
$7,926 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment |
$1,500 |
$1,500 |
$1,500 |
|
Transportation |
$3,146 |
$3,146 |
$3,146 |
|
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$10,009 |
$10,009 |
$10,009 |
|
Loan Fees |
$84.56 |
$84.56 |
$84.56 |
|
Internet Costs |
$450 |
$450 |
$450 |
|
Living Expenses (Food and Housing) |
$15,443 |
$15,081 |
$15,081 |
|
Estimated Total Expenses |
$35,970.56 |
$45,866.56 |
$38,196.56 |
Note: These figures do not represent your actual bill but are estimates. For information regarding actual current-year costs, please visit the Tuition and Fees website. Students who are less-than-full-time will have certain expenses adjusted based on the number of credits for which they are enrolled, usually after the end of each semester’s add/drop period.
For in-state students living at home, “Living Expenses (Food and Housing)” estimates included are $11,582, “Transportation” estimates of $2,359 and “Miscellaneous Personal Expenses” estimates of $7,507 per year are included.
For out-of-state and NEBHE students living at home, “Living Expenses (Food and Housing)” estimates included are $11,311, “Transportation” estimates of $2,359 and “Miscellaneous Personal Expenses” estimates of $7,507 per year are included.
For students enrolled in programs that require professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential, “Professional/Licensure fee” estimates included are $527.46 per year and books, course materials, supplies and equipment are $3,000 per year.
Federal regulations stipulate that a student may only receive financial aid for courses that count toward their degree/certificate. To comply with this regulation, CT State must track the courses that a student is registered for that count toward their degree/certificate program. Courses identified as not meeting program requirements will not be included in the calculation of financial aid eligibility. Prerequisites will be covered.
To receive financial aid, you must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program. The courses you take must apply to your degree or certificate. Timely degree completion is critical as time limits and aggregate lifetime limits exist for all aid programs.
If you are taking 12 credits or more this semester, you are considered to be a full-time student. Here’s the official breakdown and how it affects your financial aid:
- 12 credits and above: full-time – receive 100% of financial aid award
- 9-11 credits: 3/4-time – receive 75% of financial aid award
- 6-8 credits: 1/2-time – receive 50% of financial aid award (Note: This is the minimum level needed to maximize your financial aid.)
- 1-5 credits: less than half time – May not be eligible for financial aid (contact Financial Aid Office to confirm)
On April 27, 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly, with support from Governor Dannel P. Malloy, enacted a new state law that allows undocumented students to apply for and access institutional financial aid.
Students must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements, along with an affidavit about their intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so, to determine eligibility. Certain undocumented veterans may also be eligible to participate. This application does not apply to non-immigrant visa holders.
To apply, eligible students must complete the Aid Application for Connecticut Undocumented Students (AACTUS) each year. This application is similar to the FAFSA, however it is reviewed only by the CT State Office of Financial Aid Services and not by the U.S. Department of Education.
All CT State students are required to notify the Financial Aid office if they receive any “outside” financial assistance such as:
- Tuition benefits from an employer
- Private scholarship
- Connecticut Veteran’s Tuition waiver
- National Guard Tuition Waiver
- Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment of Tuition and Fees (Chapter 33)
CT State reserves the right to adjust any financial aid award, in compliance with federal regulations and institutional policy, if outside aid is received after it is estimated that a student’s need has been met.
If an overpayment has been made, the student must return aid dollars to the appropriate accounts in the order indicated below until the over-award (overpayment) is eliminated:
- Loan funds may be reduced or canceled or eligibility for subsidized loans may change to unsubsidized loan eligibility
- Federal Work Study Awards may be reduced or canceled
- Scholarship aid may be reduced or canceled
Types of Financial Aid
When you complete your FAFSA every year, we will work to determine your eligibility for financial aid from federal, state, and institutional sources.
Grants are gift aid from federal, state, or college sources. They are awarded to students on the basis of need, and they do not need to be repaid like loans. Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for grant awards. Below is a listing of grants offered at CT State.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Institutional Grant
- Mary Ann Handley Award (Free Tuition)
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Eligibility Criteria for Federal Loans
- Have a finalized FAFSA on file and meet all other Federal Aid Eligibility requirements
- Be matriculated in an eligible degree or certificate program
- Be registered for a minimum of 6 credits
- Complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). You will need your FSA ID to complete the process.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
Subsidized loans are available to those who demonstrate financial need. Those who qualify for subsidized loans are not responsible for paying the interest on their loans while they are in school. The principal is also deferred until a student’s six-month grace period expires.
The interest on a Direct Subsidized loan is paid for by the federal government while a student is enrolled at least half-time (6 credits or more) and during the authorized periods of deferment.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Unsubsidized loans are non-need-based and are available to students who meet all the basic requirements. Unsubsidized loans do accrue interest while the student is in school. The student has the option to pay that interest while in school. If the student chooses not to pay the interest while in school, the accrued interest becomes capitalized (added to the principal). It is recommended that students pay interest while they are in school. In the long run, this will reduce the amount you will be required to pay.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans
Direct PLUS Loans allow parents of dependent students to borrow money to cover any costs not already covered by the student’s financial aid, up to the full cost of attendance. Interested parents of dependent undergraduate students apply separately for the loan.
Interest Rates and Fees
For current interest rates and fees, please refer to Interest Rates and Fees for Federal Student Loans.
Additional student loan information is available here.
Campus foundations award scholarships to eligible students within their home campus. Since each foundation award contains its own separate criteria, we encourage you to visit your home campus link below to learn more about which awards you may qualify for.
CT State provides a robust selection of outside scholarships for students to review and apply for on their own. New sources are added as they become available.
Get Started
By completing the FAFSA, you are applying for federal, state, and institutional financial aid for any campus location at CT State. If you aren't sure that you will qualify for any financial aid, we still encourage you to complete the FAFSA, even if you think you (or your family) make too much money to qualify.
You must use Connecticut State Community College’s federal school code 007635 on your FAFSA.
Federal Work-Study is a financial aid program for students who have financial need. This program funds part-time jobs for students, allowing students to earn money to help pay educational expenses. Under the Work-Study program, the student is paid directly with a biweekly paycheck to help pay college expenses. Work-Study wages do not appear on the student’s account.
- Create an FSA ID.
- Start the FAFSA form.
- Fill out the Personal Circumstances and Demographics section.
- List Federal School Code 007635 as a school that will receive your FAFSA information.
- Complete the Financials Section
- Sign and submit your FAFSA form.
Reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary
After you submit your FAFSA, you will get a FAFSA Submission Summary, an electronic or paper document that summarizes the information you reported on your FAFSA form. It includes your Student Aid Index (SAI), your estimated eligibility for federal student loans and Federal Pell Grants, and whether you have been selected for verification.
myCTState & College Email
Log in to myCTState to access Banner self-service and CT State email.
We have established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process for CT State. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide students and parents through verification.
If your FAFSA is selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education, you will receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org, or a postcard from Inceptia, containing CT State's unique website link to start the verification process.
We encourage you to begin the verification process within 7 days of receiving a notification from Verification Gateway. This will ensure you receive your financial aid in time for payments. Failure to complete the verification process could result in the delay or denial of your financial aid.
Follow these steps to complete your verification:
- Access our school’s unique website link in the email from VGCS@inceptia.org or listed below.
- Create your account and choose preferences for text messages and e-signatures.
- Complete your Task List.
- Confirm your signature and review your information.
- Sign your account.
*If you are a dependent student, your parent also needs to create their own account and complete each of these steps.
- 2024-2025 Deadline for submitting these documents: 9/13/2025
- 2025-2026 Deadline for submitting these documents: 9/11/2026
Questions about the verification process?
Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 am – 7 pm Central at 833-932-1877 or VGCS@inceptia.org
About Inceptia
Inceptia, a division of National Student Loan Program (NSLP), is a nonprofit organization committed to offering effective and uncomplicated solutions in financial aid management, default prevention, and financial education. Our mission is to support schools as they launch brilliant futures for students, armed with the knowledge to become financially responsible citizens. Learn more at Inceptia.org.
Additional Resources
A Consortium Agreement is a contract between the student, CT State Community College, and another college (Host school). The agreement allows the Financial Aid Office to process financial aid based on the combined registered credits at both colleges for a given semester.
To learn more about the process or to be considered for financial aid eligibility, students must complete the CT State Community College Consortium Agreement form.
While you may bring in any requested documentation in person, all financial aid forms are able to be securely uploaded to the Office of Financial Aid Services.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which is the successful completion of coursework toward an eligible certificate or degree. CT State’s SAP Policy is available here.
Academic Engagement
Students must participate in a course for the course to be included in enrollment for financial aid eligibility. The Financial Aid Office is required to comply with Federal Title IV regulations to ensure that recipients of federal student aid complete the academic credit for which their aid was awarded.
Enrollment Census Date
Initial financial aid offers are estimated based on anticipated enrollment (assumed to be full-time for all students). Final amounts will be determined based on a student’s enrollment status as of the census date (the 21st day after the first day of class) in the Fall and Spring semesters. In the summer session, the census date will be after the beginning of all summer modules. Any coursework dropped prior to each enrollment census will not be considered toward a student’s overall enrollment status and subsequent financial aid payment. In addition, any coursework added by a student who has already had their enrollment status determined will not have their additional courses considered toward their overall enrollment status and subsequent financial aid payment.
Annual FAFSA Renewal
Each year, students who wish to be considered for financial aid need to complete a FAFSA application.
Disbursement of Funds
Financial aid funds, based on a student’s actual enrollment, are directly applied to specific allowable charges such as tuition and fees appearing on a student’s account. If the student’s total of Title IV funds exceeds the total of allowable charges, CT State must refund that excess to the student unless the student provides authorization to do otherwise. The Title IV Authorization can be completed through myCTState in the Financial Aid section. The authorization can be rescinded or changed at any time. If the student does not grant the authorization, federal financial aid and loans cannot be used to pay for charges other than tuition and fees. Therefore, the student may receive a refund and may simultaneously be sent a bill for any charges that could not be paid with Title IV financial aid.
College Financing Plan
The College Financing Plan is available on the College Financing Plan tab in the Financial Aid section of myCTState. The College Financing Plan is delivered in a standard format by the U.S. Department of Education that allows you to easily compare your financial aid offer and costs at CT State with other colleges and universities. The total cost of attendance and net price, as well as all grant, scholarship, loan, and work-study offers (based on eligibility) are available to review.
myCTState
myCTState is the single portal for all CT State users. It provides students, faculty, and staff access to Banner Self-Service, Blackboard, email, and library databases.
Login to myCTState to access your financial aid information and college email.
Financial Aid Guide
We know that financial aid can be challenging. At CT State, we want to provide you with every opportunity to understand your financial aid.
Our Financial Aid Guide is available to you whenever you want. It contains resources such as contact information, types of financial aid available, your rights as a financial aid recipient, resources to help you, and common questions that we receive from students each year. Here, you will also find the financial aid policies you need to know, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a financial aid applicant and recipient.
CT State Community College Financial Aid Guide >
Net Price Calculator
Access CT State's Net Price Calculator here >
The Net Price Calculator is intended to provide estimated net price information (tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other related expenses minus estimated grant and scholarship aid) to prospective and current students. The information within this calculator is based on data from what similar students paid in a previous year.
Students must complete the FAFSA in order to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes grant, loan, and/or work-study assistance.
If you have questions about the Net Price Calculator, please contact the Financial Aid Staff.
As a CT State student, you may be eligible for additional benefits to help meet your basic needs. Please review the areas below to determine your eligibility while you are a CT State student.
- Affordable Connectivity Program
- Childcare (check your home campus for availability)
- Food Pantry/Clothing Closet (check your home campus for availability)
- Mental Health Counseling and Wellness Services
- Utility and Energy Assistance
- Virtual Health and Well-Being Resources
Whether you are making your first-ever student loan payment or restarting the process for the first time since 2020, Financial Aid Services is here to help.
Here are actions to take in preparation for loan repayment:
LOCATE YOUR STUDENT LOAN SERVICER
Find your loan servicer by logging into studentaid.gov using your FSA ID and visiting the “My Loan Servicer’s” section of your dashboard.
CONTACT YOUR LOAN SERVICER
Visit your loan servicer’s website to create an account or call them to confirm your contact information is up to date.
EXPLORE REPAYMENT PLANS
Speak with your loan servicer about available payment plans.
Consider the new income-driven repayment plan Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE). This plan helps ensure borrowers only pay what they can afford.
Compare payment plans using a Loan Simulator to see what option will best meet your needs and goals.
SET UP AUTOPAY
Enroll or re-enroll to ensure that your monthly payment is automatically processed to avoid missing payments and incurring additional fees. Autopay is optional but has added benefits, including an interest rate reduction.
CT State has partnered with ECMC to provide our students with student loan repayment and financial literacy services. To get started, create an account using your CT State-issued email address.
Please visit ECMC Solutions for helpful information on loan repayment or call ECMC to speak to a representative who can help answer any questions.
Additional Resources:
Next Steps
Financial Aid Guide
Receiving financial aid can be the difference that allows you to attend college. Learn more about the different types of aid, your rights and responsibilities as a student, answers to frequently asked questions and more.
Financial Literacy
We believe that each CT State student should feel financially empowered through financial literacy. Financial Literacy involves understanding the basics of budgeting, interest rates, how to save money, and how to avoid credit-debt cycle traps. We want our students to feel they have the skills and knowledge to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources. We want you to have the tools to not just afford your education, but all of the life that surrounds it.
Through our partnership with ECMC, all CT State students have access to ECMC Learning, a web-based and mobile-ready platform that offers:
- Personalized learning with relevant courses and real-time feedback
- An easy-to-navigate library of learning resources
- Methods to measure financial health
- Recommendations with calculators and individualized money management assessments
- Exploratory information around the cost of loan borrowing, setting financial goals, and exploring careers