Important Information and Resources

Financial Aid Terms and Conditions

  1. Awards are based on information provided by the student and are subject to change and/or cancellation at any time due to any of the following:
    • Federal and/or New Jersey regulation updates
    • Federal, New Jersey or institutional budget changes
    • Estimated family contribution changes
    • Additional awards received by the student (i.e.; outside scholarships or Veteran’s benefits)
    • Miscalculation on your estimated eligibility/award
  2. The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to request verification of any data submitted by the applicant. Any incorrect information will be revised, and may cause your award to be adjusted or cancelled.
  3. The student will be responsible for payment of all balances incurred at Bergen Community College.
  4. Students must maintain minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please note SAP evaluations are run at the end of each semester.
  5. Certain Financial Aid awards such as Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG), Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and Federal Work Study (FWS) are based on availability of funds.
  6. Please check your Bergen Community College self-service frequently as Financial Aid awards are subject to change at any time.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Financial Aid recipients at Bergen Community College have the right to know:

  • What financial aid programs are available at the College
  • The deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid
  • The costs of attending Bergen Community College and the College’s refund policy
  • The criteria used by the College to select financial aid recipients
  • How your financial need was determined
  • What financial resources were considered in calculating your need
  • How much of your financial need was met by the College
  • The College’s awarding policy (If you think you may have been treated unfairly, you can request an explanation and reconsideration)
  • What percentage of your aid must be repaid
  • If you have a loan, you have the right to know the interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid, repayment procedures, the repayment beginning date and the length of time you have to repay
  • How the College determines whether or not you are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if you do not

It is a student’s responsibility to:

  • Carefully review and consider all information about the College before you enroll
  • Complete all forms accurately and submit them to the right place
  • Complete any requested documentation promptly
  • Read all forms you are asked to sign and keep copies
  • Accept responsibility for any agreements you sign
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office if your enrollment status changes, such as from full-time to half-time or less
  • Perform any work agreed upon when accepting Federal Work Study employment
  • Know and comply with the various financial aid deadlines
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office about any aid you receive from sources outside the College
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Understanding the Financial Aid College Financial Plan

The Financial Aid College Financing Plan ( also known as “Shopping Sheet“) is a standardized form that is designed to simplify information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so they can make informed decisions about which postsecondary institution to attend.

After a student files the student aid/ FAFSA application or makes all needed corrections, an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) is created; it contains all information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ) form, key processing results, and National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) financial aid history.
All processed student information records are sent electronically to institutions by the U.S. Department of Education’s Central Processing System (CPS).

Upon receiving & reviewing the ISIR,  the Office of Financial Aid sends an award letter to the student/FAFSA applicant advising about the financial aid awards package,  next steps to complete the process (accept/deny awards),  and  access to key information. The tuition and fees information, worksheets are made available to the student and they are accessible under Bursar’s Tuition and Fees Web page.
More financial aid award information is accessible through the Bergen Portal /Self-Service (under “Financial Aid” menu option) .
The information contained in the Financial Aid College Financing Plan (Shopping Sheet) is only current as of the date it was viewed or printed.

Federal Resources

State Resources

Important Phone Numbers

  • Federal Student Aid Programs: 1-800-433-3243
  • TTY Users with Federal Student Aid questions: 1-800-730-8913
  • State of New Jersey Hotline: 1-800-792-8670
  • State TAG: 1-609-588-3272
  • HESSA Help Desk: 1-609-588-3315
  • Duplicate SAR: 1-319-337-5665
  • Duplicate Income Tax Return: 1-800-829-3676
  • Selective Service: 1-708-688-6888
  • Loan Defaults: 1-800-331-2314
  • SCI Translation Service: 201-794-6464 (NJ)
  • SCI Translation Service: 212-966-6311 (NY)
  • AMS Payment Plan: 1-800-635-0120 / 800-556-6684