FAQ
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. How do I choose a scholarship that meets my educational and career goals?
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 and why have I been asked for this information ?
13. Who gets a Pin Number and what is it for?
1. How do I apply for financial aid at Bergen Community College?
You must first be accepted into a degree program, then complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The online version is recommended since it is easier, faster and safer.
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2. When Should I apply for Financial Aid?
Apply as early as possible and observe the application priority dates. The deadlines for New Jersey State aid are: June 1st for all continuing students, and October 1st for all new applicants. Although there is no deadline for federal student aid, you are encouraged to file your FAFSA information in accordance with these same dates to receive maximum consideration. Bergen Community College participates in most Federal and State Programs, including the Pell Grant, Tuition Aid Grant, EOF, Federal Work Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Family Education Loan Programs (Stafford Loans).
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3. How do I choose a scholarship that meets my educational and career goals?
Apply for all scholarships for which you appear to 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 your career and educational goals and how you plan to reach them. List any honors or awards you received in the past as well as 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 any children. A faculty recommendation must accompany your application.
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4. What is Bergen Community College's Federal Code # ?
Bergen Community College's federal code for student aid purposes is 004736. You may be asked for this number as part of the application process.
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5. How can I apply for a Federal Stafford Loan?
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and follow the instructions listed under Applying For A Stafford Loan. Note that you must also register for at least six (6) credit hours and be enrolled in or accepted to a degree program. Students who register for fewer than six credit hours are not eligible.
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6. What is Work Study and how can I apply?
The Federal Work Study program provides part-time jobs for students who demonstrate financial need and allows them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. This program encourages community service work as well as work related to a specific course of study. Work-study students receive $7.15 per hour or more depending on the job, and work approximately 20 hours per week. If you qualify, your award letter will show Work Study as part of your financial aid package.
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7. Am I required to submit tax returns?
If your application is selected by the Federal processor for verification, then you will be required to provide prior year federal tax returns as well as any other documentation requested. See question # 12.
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8. Who is considered an independent student?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, you must meet one of the following criteria to be considered independent of parental support for the 2005/2006 school year:
* You were born before January 1st, 1985
* You are married at the time of filing (answer "yes" if you are separated but not divorced)
* You are a ward/dependent of the court or both parents are deceased, or
* You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, or
* You have children who receive more than half of their support from you, or
* You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, or
* You are working on a master's or doctorate degree (not possible at Bergen Community College)
Note that you need to meet only one of these requirements to be considered independent of parental support; it is not necessary to meet all of the criteria shown above.
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9. What if I need help filling out my FAFSA?
The Financial Aid Office offers FAFSA workshops to assist students who need help with completion of the FAFSA. See workshop dates and times.
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10. How will academic progress affect my financial aid?
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress standards in order to continue to receive financial aid. Withdrawals, failures and course repeats will affect your financial aid. Become familiar with 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 may owe money back to the federal government, to the State of New Jersey or to Bergen Community College.
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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 by using Web Advisor. All withdrawals affect a students academic progress and future eligibility for financial aid. Federal regulations require that the college determine whether a portion of the federal aid be repaid when a student withdraws from classes before the end of the semester. Students 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 may be retained is in direct proportion to the length of time you attend classes during a semester. Students are urged to consult with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from school to determine the impact of the withdrawal on their financial aid.
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12. What is Verification and why do I have to provide this information?
Verification is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Education. If you are selected by the federal government for verification, Bergen Community College must compare your FAFSA information with signed copies of your federal tax return(s). You may also be asked to provide additional financial documents. Submit all documents to the Financial Aid Office along with a completed verification worksheet. If there are differences between your application data and the information contained on your financial documents, our office will make any necessary corrections and forward your corrected information to the Federal processor.
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13. Who gets a Pin Number and what is it used for?
The Department of Education mails a pin number to students who file a FAFSA. The Pin number serves as your identification and allows you to access your personal information in the various U.S. Department of Education systems. You can request a PIN # at www.pin.ed.gov. As you apply for a pin online your pin number can now be displayed on the screen for use imediately.
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