The Financial Aid Office administers federal, state, institutional and privately funded financial aid awards. Financial aid can be in the form of grants, scholarships, employment and loans. Financial aid is awarded to students enrolled in degree or certificate programs. A student must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for most student aid programs. A student's financial need is the difference between the student’s cost of attendance (COA) at the school and the amount the family is expected to contribute to the student's education (EFC).

The only application necessary is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications are made available each January for the upcoming financial aid year, which begins with the summer term at EGCC. Students should file their application as soon as their (and their parents', if applicable) tax information is available.

Completing the FAFSA online is very efficient and convenient. Students who do not have Internet access can apply for financial aid by obtaining the paper FAFSA form from the Financial Aid Office. Students mail the completed paper FAFSA to the federal processor.

The following steps should be taken when filing a FAFSA online:

1. Getting a PIN - Students and parents can save time by requesting personal identification numbers called PIN before the student applies for aid. If you are considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes, at least one of your parents must also have a PIN. The PIN can be used to electronically sign the FAFSA, which drastically decreases processing time. To request a PIN, go to pin.ed.gov.
   
2. Once a student receives a PIN, the student can apply for financial aid by visiting the U.S. Department of Education financial aid website at fasfa.gov. Be sure to list EGCC's Federal School Code 007275 to ensure that your information is sent to Eastern Gateway Community College. By completing this form, the student is applying for both federal and state grants. Students are encouraged to apply early for all grants, scholarships, and awards for which they may be eligible. This avoids untimely delays and ensures maximum award eligibility.

There is a distinct advantage to applying as early as possible.

Federal Financial Aid Form
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Request Form and Guidelines
Special Circumstances Form
Verification Worksheet Dependent
Verification Worksheet Independent
Workstudy Interest Application
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Appeal for Suspension of Financial Aid Form
Financial Aid Authorization Form
Sources of Income
Low Income Worksheet
Dependency Override Policy
Dependency Override Appeal Form
Financial Aid Consortium Agreement Form
Eastern Gateway and Lorain County Community College Financial Aid Consortium Agreement Form

Definitions of Financial Aid

• Scholarship: Scholarships are a gift award of money, generally in combination with other types of aid, to a student of at least average academic qualifications with an amount determined by financial need.
• Grant: Grants are a gift award of money based upon financial need.
• Loan: A loan is financial aid that requires repayment. All applicants for loans, except parents applying for PLUS loans, are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). EGCC participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program (DL).
• Work Study: Federal Work Study allows students with demonstrated financial need, enrolled at least half time, to earn money at an on-campus or off-campus job to help pay for their educational expenses.

Grants

In order to participate in the following scholarships, students should contact the Financial Aid Office. The college will not discriminate in the administration of these programs against any individual on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or handicap.

• Horizon Grant -- EGCC has established a tuition grant program for Jefferson County residents in their pursuit of higher education. The grant provides two years of tuition for graduates starting their studies at EGCC by the fall immediately following their graduation from state-chartered, public, and private schools, and approved home school programs. The high school graduate must be a Jefferson County resident and have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or better. The applicant must apply and use all federal and state financial aid before this grant. The grant will cover tuition charges for credit courses for four successive (full-time summer enrollment counts as one semester) semesters of full-time attendance, provided the student enrolls full time. The grant does not cover books, supplies, or lab fees. Full-time summer enrollment counts as one semester.
• Upper Ohio Valley Grant -- EGCC has established a tuition grant program for Jefferson County high school graduates. Grants for the coming academic year will be awarded to residents from the Upper Ohio Valley counties bordering Jefferson County and West Virginia reciprocity counties, who graduate from a Jefferson County high school or have successfully completed a program offered by the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and enter EGCC in the fall immediately following high school graduation. Recipients must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or better. The applicant must apply and use all federal and state financial aid before this grant. The grant covers tuition charges for credit courses for four successive semesters of attendance (Full-time summer enrollment counts as one semester).

Scholarships

EGCC offers a number of scholarships. Eligibility is based on academic excellence and personal achievement. Financial need is considered as an underlying factor. Apply by March 1.

Loan Programs

• Entrance Counseling: If you need to complete your Entrance Counseling, click here.
• Complete Your Master Promissory Note (MPN): If you need to complete your MPN, click here.
• Exit Counseling: You are required to complete Exit Loan Counseling within 30 days from the time you dropped below half time (6 credits), ceased enrollment, or graduated. To do your Exit Counseling, click here.

Payment Plan -- Sallie Mae TuitionPay Plan offers students an opportunity to make arrangements for financing of their education. (This replaces what was known as the EGCC Deferred Payment Plan.) Students may apply online, by phone, or by mail to begin paying their EGCC education costs on a monthly basis. With the TutionPay Plan, the credit student will get a convenient monthly payment option at a low enrollment fee. The student just simply enrolls in a plan. It is for those students who need their tuition costs broken down into payments. It is also only for those student that are enrolled in credit courses via PowerCampus. The student must be able to receive a bill from the EGCC cashier, then the student would contact Sallie Mae to set up the TuitionPay Plan. About TuitionPay

• Extended Customer Service Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, at 800.635.0120.
• TuitionPay Connect: Fast, easy, convenient phone access to automated account information, and pay-by-phone options, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call 800.635.0120.
• Online Access: You can access your account information, make payments and enroll in or renew your TuitionPay Plan any time, anywhere. Just visit www.tuitionpay.salliemae.com

Expert Advice: In addition to interest-free, manageable monthly payments, TuitionPay’s expert consultants are there to help you evaluate all your payment options and find a payment solution that’s right for you and your budget. TuitionPay services are backed by over 38 years of experience helping more than 6 million families and 2,500 schools make education more affordable.

This is not to be confused with the Sallie Mae Signature Loan which is an Alternative Student Loan.

Alternative Education Loans -- EGCC's Financial Aid Office has information and applications for several third-party alternative loans. The loans are negotiated between the student and the bank and often times a credit check is required for approval. Students may borrow up to the cost of their education less any financial aid received and approval is solely at the lending institution's discretion. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office for a loan application and information.

Campus-Based Programs

The funds in these programs are awarded directly to the college to distribute among those students who demonstrate financial need. In order to qualify for these programs, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funding for these programs is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – The FSEOG is gift aid, which does not have to be repaid, for students demonstrating financial need. FSEOG awards must be targeted to exceptionally needy students with priority given to Pell Grant recipients.
• Federal Work Study (FWS) – This program allows students with demonstrated financial need, enrolled at least half time, to earn money at an on campus or off campus job to help pay for their educational expenses. Tutoring, mentoring and community service positions are also available. Part-time employment averaging 10-20 hours week is available for students on this program.

Federally Based Programs

• Federal Pell Grant – The Federal Pell Grant is gift aid, which does not have to be repaid. The grant is available to full and part time students. The U.S. Department of Education’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determines eligibility. For example, for the 2010-11 aid year, students who have an EFC between 0 and 4617 will qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. The maximum Pell grant award for the 2010-11 year is $5,550 (for a student with a 0 EFC).
• Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - The ACG is gift aid, which does not have to be repaid. An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

Veterans' Benefits

Veterans attending EGCC may be eligible to receive benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs when pursuing most associate degree programs. Further details can be obtained by contacting the veteran's certifying official at EGCC, Joanne Harris at jharris@egcc.edu.