Aid Programs
Need Based Financial Aid Programs
Your Financial Aid Award Letter lists the programs and amounts of financial aid for which you are eligible, enabling you to determine the remaining costs.
- Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Federa Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (freshmen & sophomore)
Federal National SMART Grant (juniors & seniors) - Loans
Federal Stafford Loan
Federal Perkins Loan
Connecticut College Loan - Federal Work Study
- Grants and Scholarships
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is based on an analysis of the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This grant is available to undergraduate students only. Students typically must have exceptional financial need. Grants from the college may be adjusted if the Federal Pell Grant differs from the amount estimated on the award. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
This federal grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need and priority is given to students who have been awarded the Federal Pell Grant. The amount of the award is determined by Financial Aid Services based on the availability of funding provided by the federal government.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant
The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created a new grant program for full-time first and second year students who are at degree-granting institutions.
Freshmen Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizens (not permanent residents).
- Federal Pell Grant recipients.
- enrolled full-time (16 credits) in a degree program.
- successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program. Students will be required to submit final high school transcripts to determine if this requirement has been met.
- were not previously enrolled in an undergraduate program (transfer students).
Additional Information
- Award is $750 but is subject to change based on federal budget allocations.
- For entering freshmen, eligibility for this grant might not be known until the student has matriculated and the final high school transcript has been received.
- To the extent possible, the grant will first be used to meet unmet federal need, then reduce federal loan and work study awards.
Sophomore Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizens (not permanent residents).
- Federal Pell Grant recipients.
- enrolled full-time (16 credits) in a degree program.
- successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program. Students will be required to submit final high school transcripts to determine if this requirement has been met.
- were not previously enrolled in an undergraduate program (transfer students).
- Award is $1,300 but is subject to change based on federal budget allocations.
- To the extent possible, the grant will first be used to meet unmet federal need, then reduce federal loan and work study awards.
Federal National SMART Grant
The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) also created a new grant program for full-time third and fourth year students who are at a degree-granting institutions.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizens (not permanent residents).
- Federal Pell Grant recipients.
- Enrolled full-time (16 credits), RTC (12 credits).
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Juniors and seniors (based on number of credits earned).
- Must have declared a major in science, computer science, technology, math or certain designated foreign language.
Additional Information
- Award is $4,000 but is subject to change based on federal budget allocations.
- To the extent possible, the grant will first be used to meet unmet federal need, then reduce federal loan and work study awards.
Disbursement of Grants:
2. Loan funds will not be disbursed until all necessary paperwork is completed and the student is enrolled in sufficient credit hours. All undergraduates at CC must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours).
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Loans
Federal Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins Loan is for undergraduates and graduates. Students must sign a promissory note that explains that this is a loan that must be repaid. Interest rate is 5%. Read more about this loan on the Federal Perkins Loan Page.
Federal Stafford Loan
A Federal Stafford loan is a government guaranteed loan offering low interest rates and deferred payment options. There are two types of Stafford loans - subsidized and unsubsidized. Read more about this loan on the Federal Stafford Loan page.
Connecticut College Loan
This modest loan program is funded by Connecticut College to help assist those students who are not eligible to borrow from the federal loan programs. The program carries a 5% fixed interest rate which is deferred until the student ceases to be at least a half-time student. Repayment begins 6 months after the student's withdrawal. All students must participate in entrance counseling before signing the applicable paperwork.
Disbursement of Loans:
1. The Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, and the Connecticut College Loan are normally payable in two disbursements, one-half of the total in each semester and will not be disbursed earlier than 10 days prior to the start of classes.
2. Loan funds will not be disbursed until all necessary paperwork is completed and the student is enrolled in sufficient credit hours. All undergraduates at CC must be enrolled full-time,normally 16 credit hours per semester.
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Federal Work Study
This fund is awarded based on need and enables a student to work on or off campus with designated employers approved by the college in accordance with federal regulations. Students are paid every two weeks and they may elect to have their check deposited directly into their checking or savings account. The money earned can be used for indirect costs such as books, supplies, travel, or miscellaneous items.
To accept a Federal Work Study award, students are required to complete the Federal Student Employment Verification form and the W-4 statements for withholding. A passport or driver's license and original Social Security card (copies not acceptable) will be required for inspection for all first time student employees at the college. Information on campus jobs is available online on the Financial Aid homepage under employment. All returning students are responsible for securing a job for the next academic year before they leave campus for the summer.
Students may elect not to accept a Federal Work Study award, but Connecticut College will not increase grant aid to make up for the resulting difference.
For more specific information on federal programs, please visit the Department of Education.
Grants and Scholarhips
State scholarships
State scholarships are provided by various states for eligible students based on academic qualifications. Those states have specific application deadlines. All require the Free Application for Federal Aid. In addition, some states have their own application. Please contact your state higher education agency for specific application procedures. Connecticut College will not make up for anticipated state funds for which a student fails to apply or meet the deadline date.
Those states that participate in this program are: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Connecticut Independent College Student Grant
Administered by Connecticut College but funded by the State of Connecticut. Qualification is based on financial need, Connecticut residency, and meeting the Connecticut College established deadlines for financial aid.
Connecticut College Grant Programs
Eligibility for these programs, with the exception of the Jane Bredeson Scholarship, is based on financial need and limited to 8 semesters, less for transfer students.
Connecticut College Grant
This scholarship is based on demonstrated need and funded in part from donor gifts and endowed funds. Endowed CC Grants are awarded based on criteria established by the donor. A partial listing of endowed funds is included the Connecticut College Catalog. A student may be notified in the Fall by the Office of Advancement that his or her scholarship was partly funded by the generous donation of an individual. The student will be requested to supply biographical information that can be shared with the donor. It is our hope that all eligible students will honor this request.
Jane Bredeson Scholarship Program
New London City residents may qualify for this program. If eligible, a student may receive up to one-half of the college tuition in a combination of federal, state and college grant aid.
Lois Taylor '32 Scholarship
This program was established to honor the first African American graduate of Connecticut College and the historic leadership of the citizens of color of New London County. The scholarship is based on demonstrated financial need. It is awarded to local underrepresented students with distinguished records of academic excellence.
Cornel West Scholarship
This program was established to honor Cornel West, Class of 1943 University Professor of Religion at Princeton University and author of several books, including Race Matters and Democracy Matters. This scholarship is based on annual demonstrated financial need and will cover the full institutional grant portion of the student's financial aid award for all four years. The scholarship will be awarded annually to one or more underrepresented student (eligible citizens) who demonstrated in their admission application a commitment to the exploration of issues of racial injustice, diversity and dialogue and democracy.
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Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Note: The purpose of the Higher Education Grant is to provide supplemental financial assistance to the eligible American Indian/Alaska Native scholar entering college seeking a baccalaureate degree. The student must comply with the following eligibility criteria:
1.Must be a member of, or at least one-quarter degree Indian blood descendant of a member of an American Indian tribe which is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau of Indian Affairs of Indians because of their status as Indians.
2.Must be accepted for admission at Connecticut College.
3.Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the financial aid officer at Connecticut College
4.Must re-apply each year to establish eligibility for this grant.
5.Must submit yearly an academic transcript to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
By applying for financial aid, your eligibility will be determined for all need-based federal, state, and college awards with the exception of the BIA Higher Education Grant. If awarded the BIA Higher Education Grant and your combined award exceeds the student's need, the surplus money will be deducted from the other awarded items but not from the Federal Pell Grant.
Eligible students should obtain a BIA Higher Education Grant application from the education office of the Tribe with which you are affiliated or are a member. For additional information please visit the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 9:41