How & When to Apply for Financial Aid

Now accepting Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
Application & Renewal for the 2024-2025 academic year!

Get started by reviewing the FAFSA® Application & Renewal Important Dates and Deadlines.

Applying for Financial Aid for the first time?

Be sure to use Bergen Community College’s Federal School Code 004736.

FAFSA® Reminders

The process for obtaining financial aid requires multiple steps. We encourage all prospective and current students who need help applying for federal financial aid to view the following video.

Students can complete the online FAFSA form using regular PC or Mac desktop devices desktop/tablet devices or mobiles/smartphones.

Get started by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) online form.

A- If you are a citizen or a permanent resident, you should complete the FAFSA®.

If you need help, we recommend you access additional resources online to learn more about:

B- If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident but qualify for a nonresident tuition waiver under NJ Senate Bill 2479 (The Tuition Equality Act /NJ DREAM Act), you should complete the New Jersey Alternate Financial Aid Application.

  • The New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application allows NJ Dreamers enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid.
  • For more financial aid resources for New Jersey Dreamers, please visit HESAA’s NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application.

C- If you are looking for merit or need-based scholarships in addition to applying for financial aid, please consider applying for:

  • Bergen Community College Foundation Scholarships
  • New Jersey Financial Aid Programs (Grants, Scholarships, Tuition benefits,).
    We recommend you review the following video playlists for eligibility information pertinent to certain programs including, Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship Program (LEOM), NJ Community College Opportunity Grant Program (CCOG), NJ Survivor Tuition Benefits Program (STB), NJ Tuition Aid Grant (TAG). NJ Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), NJ Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship Program (NJSTARS), and NJ World Trade Center (WTC) Scholarship.

D- If you are a Bergen student who will enroll in summer sessions at any campus (Paramus, Hackensack, Meadowlands) location, please review the eligibility criteria and information about Summer Federal Aid and follow up accordingly.

Financial Aid Application Status and Notice of Availability

  • After submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you’ll receive an email with instructions to access your FAFSA Submission Summary.
  • Don’t forget to also check your Bergen e-mail to review any messages from the Financial Aid Office. Questions about financial aid? Email financialaid@bergen.edu
  • The status of your aid application can be viewed online in the Bergen Student Portal/Self Service (my.bergen.edu).Tip: Log on my.bergen.edu and follow the Financial Aid menu option, then Select the Award Year to review any outstanding requirements or documents needed, award letter, and much more.
    Step-by-step instructions on how to use the Bergen Student Portal/Serf Service can be found at https://bergen.edu/selfservice