Financial Aid
Student Employment
For CT Community College Students
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.
Here’s a quick overview of Federal Work-Study:
- It provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school.
- It’s available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with financial need.
- It’s available to full-time or part-time students.
- It’s administered by schools participating in the Federal Work-Study Program. Check with your school's financial aid office to find out if your school participates.
Documents
Financial Aid
Pledge to Advance CT (PACT)
For CT Community Colleges
PACT funding covers the gap between federal and state grants you receive, and community college tuition and mandatory fees. To receive PACT funding, apply, register for classes (6+ credits), and fill out the FAFSA. Entry into the program will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis.
How to Qualify?
Be a CT High School Graduate, GED and home schooled students qualify
Be a first-time college student
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used to package federal, state and often institutional aid and accept all awards
Attend community college full-time (6+ credits/semester)
Participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program
Once Enrolled, remain in good academic standing
Frequently Asked Questions
College credits completed prior to high school graduation will not preclude a student from participating in PACT.
To complete your FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.gov.
Any degree or certificate program that can utilize Title IV funding at 72 credits over 36 months is eligible. For example, you can go into Nursing, Culinary Arts...etc.
No. PACT is only available for first-time, full- or part-time students (6+ credits) enrolling in an upcoming semester.
If you have a documented disability, we will work with you and your advisor to figure out the most credit hours that you'll be able to take for enrollment.
No. Applicants must accept all grants (Pell and Roberta Willis grants), not loans, before PACT funding becomes available.
No. Trade school and postsecondary school counts as prior enrollment, but we still encourage students to apply for admission as many other financial aid packages are available.
Under the law as is currently written, yes. However, there are proposals in the legislature that could alter eligibility. Details regarding specific qualifications are still being worked out and will be announced as soon as they are determined.
Under the law as is currently written, no. However, there are proposals in the legislature that could alter eligibility. Details regarding specific qualifications are still being worked out and will be announced as soon as they are determined.
Yes, as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Yes, there are multilingual representatives at each college to assist students and their families.
Yes, more specific details about the PACT program can be found in our PACT Manual.
PACT Manual
Eligibility for the PACT program is determined based on the eligibility criteria determined under Connecticut Public Act 19-117. Students who have lost the eligibility to participate have the right to an appeal. All appeals will be reviewed by the PACT Appeals Committee, and decisions will be made in writing to the student with a copy of the decision kept on file with the attending Financial Aid Office.
PACT Appeal Form
Financial Aid
Undocumented Students
On April 27, 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly, with the support of Governor Malloy, enacted a new state law that allows undocumented students to apply for institutional financial aid. These students must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements along with an affidavit with the institution they are attending about their intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so. This does not apply to non-immigrant visa holders.
Undocumented Aid Application
2022-2023 Aid application
2022-2023 Aid application (SPANISH)
2023-2024 Aid application
2023-2024 Aid application (SPANISH)
Undocumented Veteran Eligibility
Undocumented veterans may be eligible for institutional financial aid beginning with the Fall 2018 semester. To be eligible, veteran students must meet the following criteria:
- Honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces;
- Thirty years of age or younger on June 15, 2012;
- Fifteen years of age or younger when they arrived in the United States and have continuously resided in the United States since such arrival; and
- Have not been convicted of a felony in this state or another state.
Undocumented Students
Starting in the 2019-2020 academic year, undocumented students may apply for institutional aid consideration toward the Spring 2020 semester. To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
- Classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes;
- Thirty years of age or younger on June 15, 2012;
- Sixteen years of age or younger when they arrived in the United States and have continuously resided in the United States since such arrival; and
- Have not been convicted of a felony in this state or another state.
Undocumented Student Eligibility
Institutional financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need and fund availability. In order to be considered for institutional financial aid, undocumented students must meet these additional eligibility requirements:
- Must be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes;
- Must be accepted into a degree or eligible certificate program;
- Must be meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy at the attending institution;
- Must meet any priority deadlines or requirements published by the attending institution related to the receipt of institutional financial aid.
Scholarship Opportunities
We encourage you to search for scholarship opportunities from additional resources. Many organizations do not have restrictions based on citizenship or legal status.
Financial Aid
Net Price Calculator
Estimated net price (including tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other related expenses) for students based on what similar students paid in a previous year.
Financial Aid
How to Apply
Step 1
If you are a new student, do not wait until you are admitted to the university or college to apply for financial aid. The earlier you apply, the better chance you have that funds will be available.
File a FAFSA Online
- Submit one FAFSA for each academic year.
- To access all Federal Student Aid's online systems and sign your FAFSA, apply for an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov.
- To reduce possible mistakes, use the Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval process.
- Enter the institutional code in the Federal School Code field. Use school code 007635 for CT State on your 2023-2024 FAFSA.
- Review the application to ensure all answers are complete and accurate.
Additional Financial Aid Resources
Federal Student Aid
Information about college/career preparation, budgeting for educational costs, types of financial aid available, qualifications for federal aid, financial aid application procedures, and educational debt management & repayment. These resources are provided in print/PDF, graphic, and video formats.
Federal Student Aid
The College Board: College Financing Calculators
By entering such information as expected family contributions, anticipated monthly loan payments, and your current savings, you can figure out how you can pay for college.
Visit College Board
Fastweb
Fastweb members are matched to relevant scholarship opportunities completely free of charge. With roughly 1.5 million scholarships worth over $3.4 billion, there are scholarships for every student's educational goals, activities and interests. Additionally, Fastweb members can depend on us for insider financial aid tips and job and internship matches in their area.
Visit Fastweb
CHESLA
The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) is a quasi-public state authority created to help students and their families finance the cost of higher education.
Visit CHESLA
Visit Refi CT
FinAid.org: College Cost Calculators
This award-winning web site is designed to help students figure out how much money they will need to pay for college. Other calculators on the site will also be helpful to you and your parents.
Visit FinAid.org
College Savings Planner
Review your savings goals and model different ways to meet them. All you need to do is enter some basic information about the children you're saving for, the cost of the college they're likely to attend, and how much you've already saved.
Visit College Savings Planner
ACT: Financial Aid Need Estimator
Using this free service, you can calculate your family contribution, your eligibility for need-based aid, and the costs of attending the college you choose.
Visit ACT
Step 2
- An email notification from college/university Financial Aid office
- An email notification from the Federal Processor
Step 3
If you are eligible, you will be awarded financial aid. You will receive an email notification of your financial aid award sent to your email address.
Step 4
If you accepted your Federal Direct student loan, you must complete additional requirements to receive the loan.
- Complete an online entrance interview at studentaid.gov
- Complete an online master promissory note committing student to repay the loan. Complete the promissory note online at studentaid.gov
If you have been offered and accepted a Federal Perkins loan please go to signmyloan.com to complete the Federal Perkins Loan Process.
Step 5
CSUs and CCCs
Fifteen days after the semester begins, financial aid refunds (minus tuition, fees and housing fees) will be either directly deposited or have a checked mailed to those students who have completed steps 1-4 above.
Charter Oak State College
View the Charter Oak disbursement procedures (doc)
Financial Aid
Overview
CT State Community College Financial Aid Guide
Information on types of financial aid, rights and policies, FAQs, and resources for CT State Community College students.
Visit the Guide
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships
Scholarships are a great source of aid, and you do not need to pay them back. Many scholarships are available for students with special interests and backgrounds.Grants
You may be eligible to receive federal, state, and/or institutional grants. Certain federal student aid programs require a percentage of aid to be returned if a student completely withdraws from all courses.Work Study
Work-study programs give you the opportunity to work on campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money for college. These jobs are often flexible, working around your class and personal schedules.Student Loans
You also may be eligible for student loans, which must be repaid. Federal student loans usually have a lower interest rate than other kinds of loans.
How to Apply
Financial Aid
Deadlines
CSCU institutions may have different priority or deadline dates regarding financial aid. All institutions require students applying for financial aid to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used to package federal, state and often institutional aid. The application is required annually and is available starting October 1 for students planning to be enrolled in college the following fall semester.
How to Apply College Contacts
Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Students receiving financial assistance under the federally supported Title IV Programs must comply with a set of standards to be eligible for such assistance. Such standards are referred to as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please check below for the policies of each institution.
Veterans
If you've served in the Armed Forces, you may be eligible for additional financial aid. Stop by one of the on-campus veterans centers for information, support and assistance.
Veteran Services
Undocumented Students
On April 27, 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly, with the support of Governor Malloy, enacted a new state law that allows undocumented students to apply for institutional financial aid. These students must meet certain age, residency, and criminal history requirements along with an affidavit with the institution they are attending about their intent to legalize their immigration status when they are eligible to do so. This does not apply to non-immigrant visa holders.
Undocumented Students Info
