Types of Available Financial Aid

Award - Up to $7,395
Application - FAFSA
Eligibility - Any undergraduate student who is a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen of the US who has an Expected Family Contribution (maximum EFC of 6,656 in 2023-2024 for full-time).

The Pell Grant is an entitlement program that is designed to assist students who display exceptional financial need through completing the FAFSA. In general, this is a grant that does not have to be repaid under most circumstances. You are able to receive a Pell Grant for an equivalent of 12 full-time semesters over the course of your academic career. However, keep in mind that once you earn a bachelor’s degree, you will no longer qualify for a Pell Grant. It is possible for you to receive your Pell Grant for enrollment in the Fall and Spring semesters, as well as the Winter and Summer sessions.

Award - Between $100 and $4,000
Application - FAFSA
Eligibility - Any undergraduate student who is a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen who is enrolled at least half-time. Priority is given to Pell-eligible students with the lowest EFCs.

The Federal SEOG award provides additional grant funds to Pell-eligible students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. You are required to attend at least half-time to be eligible for this award.

Award - Up to $5,000 based on financial need
Application - FAFSA Hiring Packet
Eligibility - Any student who is a US Citizen or eligible non-citizen and who has financial need. Students must be enrolled at least half-time.

The work-study program offered by the college provides paying jobs for eligible students who demonstrate unmet need. Most work-study jobs are on campus, but there are also positions that are community-based and available off campus. Students work an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, and can expect to earn between $13 and $17 per hour, depending on the position. Student workers are paid bi-weekly. You are required to be enrolled at least half-time to receive this fund.

Award - Up to $4,500 depending on eligibility for Subsidized/Unsubsidized
Application - FAFSA, Master Promissory Note, Entrance Counseling
Eligibility - Any undergraduate student who is a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the US and is enrolled at least half-time. Subsidized loans require that the student show financial need.

All CT State schools participate in the Federal Direct Loan program. There are important pieces of information you should be aware of regarding federal student loans. All loan funding must be repaid to the federal government. A failure to repay your student loans will negatively impact your future Title IV eligibility and credit rating.

Subsidized loans are made on the basis of need, and require a minimum half-time enrollment in an eligible program of study. The federal government will subsidize the loan by paying the interest for you while you are enrolled in school. Freshman students are able to borrow up to $3,500 per year, and students reaching the sophomore level may borrow up to $4,500.

Unsubsidized loans are not made on the basis of need, but students are still required to meet a minimum half-time enrollment in an eligible program of study. The federal government will not subsidize the interest on this loan for you, and it will accrue while you are enrolled in school. Eligibility for the subsidized loan will be considered first. If the maximum class standing limit of $3,500 or $4,500 has not been met, an unsubsidized loan will be considered to reach your eligibility limit.

While loan awards are not automatically provided to you based on eligibility, we do encourage you to research and plan your financial needs prior to opting for a student loan. If you find you must take a student loan, we encourage you to only borrow what you need. You are required to complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan Counseling in order to meet the requirements of the program.

Unless otherwise designated, we will award your student loans for both the Fall and Spring semesters at the same time. You are required to be enrolled at least half-time and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress to maintain your loan eligibility.

Award - Up to $4,500
Application - FAFSA
Eligibility - Connecticut residents whose EFC is at or below 12,412. Students must be enrolled at least half-time.

Effective July 1, 2016, the State of Connecticut established the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program to annually make need-based merit aid and need-based grant aid available to eligible Connecticut residents enrolled as undergraduates at Connecticut’s public and nonprofit, independent institutions of higher education. Students with prior bachelor degrees are not eligible for this program.

The need-merit component of the program provides awards up to $4,650 per year for full-time enrollment. High school seniors who ranked in the top 20th percentile of their high school junior year class or college undergraduates who ranked in the top 20th percentile of their high school senior year class and/or have a combined score on the SAT of 1200 or higher, or an ACT score of 25 or higher, are eligible. Students must submit a FAFSA by February 15th annually, and must have an EFC equal to or below the eligible cutoff, as determined by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education. This is a renewable, need-based award for students enrolled at least half-time. The electronic application is completed by the student’s high school guidance counselor, and must be submitted to the Connecticut Office of Higher Education by February 15th, who will in turn provide a determination of eligible students to the college.

The need-based component of the program provides awards up to $4,500 per year for full-time enrollment. Students are required to complete a FAFSA, be enrolled at least half-time, and have an EFC equal to or below the cutoff, as determined by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education. Based on the submission of your FAFSA and a review of your Connecticut residency status, we will make a determination of your eligibility for this award and provide it in your financial aid package automatically.

Award - The lesser of the cost of eligible tuition and fees less any other financial aid awarded, or $250, per semester.
Application - FAFSA
Eligibility - Connecticut residents who graduated from a Connecticut high school. Students must be continuously enrolled at least half-time.

Beginning in Fall 2020, the State of Connecticut established a debt-free college program for eligible Connecticut residents attending any of the twelve CT State schools. This program provides awards equal to any remaining eligible tuition and fee charges after subtracting all awarded financial aid, or $250. This program is available for the Fall and Spring semesters, but not for any Summer session. To meet the priority deadline for eligibility, students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA, provide all required documentation to the Financial Aid Office, register full-time, and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. The priority deadlines are July 15 for fall semesters and November 15 for spring semesters. Students must additionally be graduates of a Connecticut high school, be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program, and be continuously enrolled in order to have the award renewed. We will determine your eligibility for this award and provide it in your financial aid package automatically.

Award - Up to $6,100
Application - FAFSA or AACTUS
Eligibility - Connecticut residents with financial need.

Each CT State institution provides institutional grants to supplement a financial aid package. Students are required to be Connecticut residents and demonstrate need by completing the FAFSA.

Students ineligible to complete a FAFSA that meet certain immigration status conditions may be eligible for institutional grants. Students may complete the Aid Application for CT Undocumented Students (AACTUS) through the Financial Aid Office to apply and determine eligibility.

A student who may not be eligible for a Pell Grant but whose parent or guardian was a member of the US Armed Forces and died as a result of service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Students must be under the age of 24 and enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.

To assist you in funding your educational expenses when aid eligibility is insufficient to cover all of your charges, each college offers a payment plan which allows students to pay their tuition and fee charges in monthly installments over a period of time. No credit check is required, and no interest is charged to participate. There is a non-refundable installment plan fee of $25.00 to participate. Please contact your Bursar’s Office for more information on establishing a payment plan. You may also access the payment plan option at https://my.commnet.edu.