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Financial Aid is of three sources federal, state and private.
Student families are encouraged to complete the FAFSA® application to determine their financial aid eligibility for grants and loans in meeting educational expenses.
Federal Grants and Loans
State Grants
- Tuition Aid Grant
- Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) Award Estimator
- Tuition Free College
- Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF)
- New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant
Alternative Student Loans
- Alternative loans should be a last resort for students whose financial aid package already includes Direct Loans and other sources of financial aid, and who still needs additional funding to meet his or her educational costs. Annual loan limit is the cost of education minus any estimated financial aid received.
- Eligibility is determined by the lender.
- The borrower may need to be credit worthy and have established annual income or may need a co-signer.
- Start your search on the internet or contact your personal banker to learn about Private Alternative Loans.
Notes/Private education loan disclosures and self-certification form:
Under 34 CFR 601.11(d), an institution must provide any enrolled or admitted student with the Private Education Loan Application Self-Certification form – Click here to access/view or download the form
and the information required to complete the form (i.e. the student’s Cost of Attendance, estimated financial assistance) if the student requests a private education loan.
Scholarships
- NJ STARS – NJ Student Tuition Assistance Reward
- NJ GIV -New Jersey Governor’s Industry Vocation Scholarship for Women & Minorities
- BCC Foundation Scholarship Application Information
Resources for NJ Dreamers
- NOTES:
DACA and Undocumented students should not file the 2022-2023 FAFSA®.
They should complete the NJ Alternative application instead. - NJ Alternative Application Information
Tuition-Free College Education!
To find out about the Tuition-Free College Education, please log on http://free.bergen.edu
To ensure that students receive or maintain aid, they should:
• create a BCC Portal account with my.bergen.edu and check it frequently
• activate your Bergen E-Mail account and check it frequently
• respond to requests for documents immediately
• be conscious of deadline date.
About Federal Work Study (FWS)
Federal Work-Study aid enables students with financial need to work a part-time job in departments on campus, earning money that helps pay for education expenses while enrolled at Bergen Community College.
Work Study Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for FWS funds:
– File the FAFSA form by the priority deadline.
– Answer “Yes” to Question 31 (Are you interested in being considered for work-study?) on the FAFSA application
– Meet institution and federal student aid, eligibility requirements.
– Maintain enrollment.
If eligible, a Federal Work Study award will be posted in the Bergen Self Service Account.
Students must file a FAFSA form each year and must continue to be financially eligible to participate.
Notes:
– Students work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the fall and spring terms.
– FWS jobs fit around your class schedule – because completing your degree comes first.
– FWS money is earned as you work; earnings do not pay your tuition and fees.
– The average FWS award is $2,000.00 for the academic year. (If additional funding becomes available during the academic year, this award may be increased.)
How To Apply for Work Study
- You must answer “Yes” to the FAFSA question. Are you interested in Work Study?
- Review your Bergen Self Service Account for a Federal Work Study award.
If you answered Yes and do not see a Federal Work Study award come to the One Stop and request to be placed on the FWS waitlist. - Print out the Financial Aid Award page:
a. Take the Award letter to the Career Development & Work Force Center (One-Stop Center)
b. You must attend a FWS workshop and sign a Work Rules Understanding, which explains your rights and responsibilities.
c. Select a position of interest based on the job posting offered.
d. Contact the Supervisor (job lead) to request an interview. If hired the Supervisor must complete the BCC Federal Work Study Employment Form it confirms you are hired.
e. Complete the (I-9 and W-4 forms) within (3) days of hire, at the Career Development Center (One-Stop Center).
f. The Ready To Work Card will be issued confirming all student employment paperwork is complete and you can begin working.
g. Student is responsible for accurately completing timesheets, handing in their timesheets for approval, on a timely basis to their Supervisor for submission to the Office of Financial Aidor the One-Stop Center.
h. Every pay period you will receive an email notification of your FWS earnings YTD.
Financial Aid TV
Financial Aid TV (FATV)/Ocelot provides current and prospective students and families with instant 24/7 access to financial aid information.
Some financial aid related short videos discuss important topics such as:
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- Applying for financial aid
- Financial aid eligibility
- Types of financial aid (e.g. grants and loans)
- Student loans and income-based repayment plans;
- Education Tax Benefits and Credits
- Federal work study jobs
- Public service student loan forgiveness
- and much more…
Why wait in line at the financial aid office? Click on FATV to get quick and easy-to-understand answers to many of your general financial aid questions!