How To Apply for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid at CCBC is easier than ever before. Simply complete and send to the Federal Processor, either by mail or electronically, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The ideal time to submit the application is between January 1 and March 1 to receive priority consideration for the next academic year. The FAFSA may be submitted after March 1.
To ensure that your aid is processed and available to pay your tuition, fees and books, the Financial Aid Office must receive your information by the priority date set for each semester. These dates can be found on our Important Dates page. Students whose financial aid information arrives at CCBC after the specified date will be required to make payment on their classes to hold their registration.
Would you like to apply electronically?
You and your parent (if you are considered dependent by the Department of Education) need to apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The PIN is your electronic signature. By using electronic signatures, the application is processed more quickly. You can also make corrections on-line and print a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you have e-mail, the PIN will be sent to your e-mail address within 48 hours. If not, the PIN will be mailed to your mailing address. We can take you to the Pin website now.
After you obtain your PIN(s), you can apply electronically for federal student aid at FAFSA on the Web.
Title IV code
002063 (Use this code for CCBC Catonsville, CCBC Dundalk, and CCBC Essex).
Would you like a paper FAFSA?
Call Federal Student Aid Information at 1-800-433-3243. Paper FAFSAs are no longer provided to colleges.
What happens after I submit my FAFSA?
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Processor. The SAR will also be transmitted electronically to the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will send a Missing Information Letter to inform you that your data has been received and to request the documents needed to complete the processing of your financial aid. Remember, you must reapply for financial aid every year.
Verification
The U. S. Department of Education or the college may select your application for verification. If selected, you will need to provide additional documentation (e.g., income taxes) to support or clarify the data on your application.
Special Circumstances
Major financial changes within your family may affect the amount you would be able to contribute to your education. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if these circumstances arise. These conditions may include: unemployment, high medical or dental bills, or elementary and secondary school expenses.
Award Notification
After CCBC receives all documents and the data is verified (if required), CCBC will send an award letter. Information regarding the types of aid, how the aid will be disbursed, all rules pertaining to the award and your responsibilities can be viewed on this website under 'Award Information.' If you are eligible for a Pell Grant, the award will be based on full-time enrollment (12 credits/billable hours). A chart is available under 'Printable Documents' to provide you with the calculations for the actual award amount you will receive based on your enrollment hours.
Your financial aid disbursement is based on the number of credits you are enrolled in as of the 3rd week of the regular fall and spring semesters. You cannot receive any financial aid for courses you register for after that time. (NOTE: This will include late start courses). Many state scholarships also require that the student be full-time. If you are not full-time at the end of the 3rd week, these state scholarships will be canceled.
Tuition, fees, and other charges authorized by you will be deducted from your award. Any proceeds remaining from your award will be mailed to you approximately the 6th week of the semester. If your award was processed after the refund period, your check will take about two weeks.
Summer Financial Aid
Financial aid for summer is limited to students who have remaining Pell Grant eligibility. If you plan to attend summer courses and you have not attended full-time in the fall and spring semesters, please contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if you have eligibility for Summer Pell. You must bring a copy of your summer Schedule/Bill to the Financial Aid Office to receive a Summer Pell Grant.
Student loans are also available for the summer terms. Students must be enrolled in 6 or more credits and must contact the Financial Aid Office to determine their summer loan eligibility.
