Financial Aid

CSCU offers financial aid to help qualified students meet their educational expenses. Staff is available at all our institutions to assist students in determining their eligibility.

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?

  • CT High School Graduate
    Be a CT High School Graduate, GED and home schooled students qualify
  • First-Time College Student
    Be a first-time college student
  • Completed FAFSA
    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 Part- or Full-Time
    Attend community college full-time (6+ credits/semester)
  • Degree or Certificate Program
    Participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program
  • Good Academic Standing
    Once Enrolled, remain in good academic standing

Get Started

  • Select a Community College
    12 convenient locations and hundreds of areas of study
  • Apply for College Admission
    Apply online at your selected college
  • Complete the FAFSA
    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used to package federal, state and often institutional aid and accept all awards
  • Register for 6+ credits
    Students must apply and register for 6+ credits
  • Good Academic Standing
    Once Enrolled, remain in good academic standing

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible for PACT if I took college courses in high school?

College credits completed prior to high school graduation will not preclude a student from participating in PACT.

Where do I go to fill out my FAFSA?

To complete your FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.gov.

Which programs at my community college are eligible?

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.

If I'm already a student at a CT Community College, am I eligible?

No. PACT is only available for first-time, full- or part-time students (6+ credits) enrolling in an upcoming semester.

I have some learning challenges and/or health concerns that may make it difficult to take 12 credits per semester. Am I eligible for PACT?

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.

Do you have to accept the Stafford Loan as part of the FAFSA before PACT kicks in?

No. Applicants must accept all grants (Pell and Roberta Willis grants), not loans, before PACT funding becomes available.

I attended trade school, but did not finish. Am I eligible for PACT?

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.

I graduated from a CT high school a long time ago and would be a first time college enrollee. May I take advantage of the program?

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.

Are there any income requirements for PACT eligibility?

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.

I graduated with a GED. Can I take advantage of the program?

Yes, as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Do you have Spanish-speaking admission representatives for students with Spanish-speaking parents or family members that want to enroll in PACT?

Yes, there are multilingual representatives at each college to assist students and their families.

Are there more details about the PACT program?

Yes, more specific details about the PACT program can be found in our PACT Manual.
PACT Manual

PACT Appeal Form

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
Contact

Financial Aid Services Website Telephone / E-mail Address Fax School Code
CT State Community College

Note: Federal school code 007635 is required on your 2023-2024 FAFSA. This school code is for CT State, but will appear as Capital Community College on the FAFSA until summer 2023.

007635
Asnuntuck Community College 860.253.3030
AS-FinAid@asnuntuck.edu
860.253.3029 011150
Capital Community College 860.906.5090
CA-FinAidHelp@ccc.comment.edu
860.906.5092 007635
Central Connecticut State University 860.832.2200
finaid@ccsu.edu
860.832.3330 001378
Charter Oak State College 860.515.3703
sfa@charteroak.edu
860.760.6540 032343
Eastern Connecticut State University 860.465.5205
financialaid@easternct.edu
860.465.2811 001425
Gateway Community College 203.285.2030
GW-FinAidHelp@gwcc.commnet.edu
203.285.2036 008037
Housatonic Community College 203.332.5047
HC-FinAid@hcc.commnet.edu
203.332.5253 004513
Manchester Community College 860.512.3380
ma-finaid@manchestercc.edu
860.512.3381 001392
Middlesex Community College 860.343.5741
MX-FinAidHelp@mxcc.edu
860.344.3014 008038
Naugatuck Valley Community College 203.575.8274
NV-FinAid@nv.edu
203.575.8157 006982
Northwestern CT Community College 860.738.6326
NW-FinAid@nwcc.commnet.edu
860.738.6437 001398
Norwalk Community College 203.857.7023
NK-FinAid@NCC.commnet.edu
203.857.7310 001399
Quinebaug Valley Community College 860.774.1130
QV-FinAid@qvcc.commnet.edu
860.774.3952 001399
Southern Connecticut State University 203.392.5222
leeg1@southernct.edu
203.392.5229 001406
Three Rivers Community College 860.215.9040
FinancialAidHelp@trcc.commnet.edu
860.215.9902 009765
Tunxis Community College 860.255.3510
TX-FinAid@txcc.commnet.edu
860.676.8906 009764
Western Connecticut State University 203.837.8580
wcsufinancialaid@wcsu.edu
203.837.8528 001380

Financial Aid
How to Apply

Step 1

File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

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

You will receive various notifications

  • An email notification from college/university Financial Aid office
  • An email notification from the Federal Processor

Step 3

If eligible, you are awarded financial aid

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

Complete additional requirements

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

Your financial aid refund

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