Student eligibility for the following programs is based on the specific requirements of the program as well as positive evidence that the student is making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Students apply for these programs by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
FEDERAL GRANTS
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a new student grant program signed into law on February 8, 2006 as part of the "Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA)." The ACG Grant program will be awarded to first- and second-year college students who have successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program. First year students must have graduated after January 1, 2006. Second year students must have graduated after January 1, 2005. Students must also meet the following criteria to be eligible for the ACG.
Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
- Be enrolled full time in a degree program (full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours)
- Be enrolled in your first or second year of study at a two or four year program
- *Have completed a rigorous High School program of study. The student cannot have a GED, but can be home schooled.
- If this is the first year of school, cannot have been enrolled in any undergraduate program
- If this is the second year of school, must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 grading scale, and have completed the rigorous high school curriculum. (Summer grades will not be used to boost a spring GPA that is below a 3.)
* Our Admissions Office will determine the rigorous high school program requirement.
Pell Grant Program
- Awards range from $200 to $4,310 per year.
- The U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula to determine student eligibility.
- The student is notified via a Student Aid Report (SAR).
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Awards range from $400 to $1000 per year.
- The College determines eligibility based on federal guidelines.
- The student is notified via an award notice from the College.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM
- Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year.
- The College uses federal guidelines to determine eligibility and place students in part-time on-campus jobs.
- The student is notified via an award notice from the College.
- AmeriCorps Program
The AmeriCorps Program provides full-time educational awards in return for work in community service. You can work before, during, or after your post-secondary education, and you use the funds to either repay current educational expenses or to repay federal student loans. For more information on this program call 1-800-942-2677. Information is also available through the Internet at www.americorps.org*
* 2001/2002 Financial Aid - The Student Guide, US Department of Education page 3
FAMILY FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL LOAN PROGRAMS (FFLEP)
STAFFORD STUDENT LOAN
- Loans range from $100 to 4,000 per year.
- The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, Office of Student Loans, approves the loan after the College uses federal guidelines to determine eligibility.
- The student is notified via a letter from the lender.
- Beginning in the 2007/08 academic year the annual loan limits will change. For 1st year students the amount will change from $2,625 to $ 3,500 and for 2nd year students the amount will change from $3,500 to $4,500.
Stafford loans are made through banks, or other lending agencies, such as Educaid, SallieMae, and Citibank and are repaid after the student leaves college. The interest rate is variable for repayment of new loans but not higher than 8.25 percent. The government pays the interest during in-school periods on need based loans called subsidized Stafford loans.
The student is responsible for all interest on non-need based loans called unsubsidized Stafford loans. In addition to completing the FAFSA, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be completed. Master Promissory Notes(MPN's) are available at the college or lending institutions. Information about the current terms of the program is available at the time of application.
Review the terms and conditions of loan repayment.
Review your Rights & Responsibilities as a loan borrower.
Review Deferment & Forebearance options.
PARENT LOAN FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (PLUS)
PLUS Loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to pay for the educational expenses of ech dependent undergraduate child enrolled at least half-time(minimum of 6 credits).
NEW JERSEY GRANTS
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)
Educational Opportunity Fund Program
- Awards range from $410 to $1050 per year.
- The College uses State guidelines to determine eligibility.
- The student is notified via a Student Eligibility Notice (SEN) from the State.
- EOF Department's web page.
Garden State Scholarship Program
- Awards range from $200 to $930 per year.
- The New Jersey Office of Student Assistance uses academic achievement guidelines to determine recipients.
- The student is notified via a Student Eligibility Notice (SEN) from the State.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY COLLEGE FOUNDATION GRANTS
- Awards range from $400 to $1,000 per year.
- The College uses Middlesex County College Foundation guidelines to determine eligibility.
- The student is notified via an award notice from the College.
- MCC Foundation's web page.
