Financial Aid FAQs

How do I apply for financial aid?

You must apply by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To access the application, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov. Personal information, income information and electronic signatures are required to complete the electronic application (i.e. taxes, W2’s). Although the application may be printed and mailed to the Federal Processing Center, we strongly encourage students to apply online for faster and more accurate results. After the Center has processed your application, your results are forwarded to the colleges that you select on your FAFSA. You must submit this application before the beginning of each academic year.  It takes about two weeks for the Federal Processing Center to review the application. If after two weeks of submitting your application our Financial Aid Office has not received your results, you must contact the Federal Processing Center by calling 1-800-433-3243 and inquire about the status of your application.

I don’t think I qualify for aid. Should I apply anyway?

Yes. Many students think they do not qualify and prevent themselves from receiving financial aid by failing to apply for it. Students who are not eligible for federal funds may be eligible for state or institutional funding, or possibly student loans. The application is free; therefore, all students are encouraged to apply.

What are the priority deadlines to apply for financial aid?

The priority deadline for fall is May 15, for spring it is October 1, and for summer it is April 1. Applications are accepted after these deadlines, but late applications may not be processed in time for the start of the semester.     

Do I need to be admitted to MCC before I can apply for financial aid?

Not necessarily. You can apply for financial aid any time after January 1. However, for you to be awarded, you must be admitted and matriculated into an associate degree or certificate program (of 30 or more credits) at MCC.

Do I need to be enrolled full-time to be eligible for financial aid?

Financial aid is awarded based on full-time enrollment. If a student is enrolled less than full-time, the award will be adjusted according to the enrollment. For example, if you are enrolled half-time (6 credits), the amount disbursed will be half the amount awarded.

Do I need to provide my parents’ financial information on the FAFSA?

Federal regulations dictate that if you are under the age of 24, or you are not married, not a veteran, not a ward of the court, not a graduate or professional student, or do not have children or legal dependents, you are considered a dependent student and must provide parent information on the FAFSA.

Will financial aid cover tuition, fees and books?

If you are eligible for financial aid, you will be awarded a money package based on your enrollment (how many credits you register for each semester). This package may cover tuition, fees and books. After your financial aid has been fully processed and you’ve been awarded, you may register. If you register and your financial aid has not been processed, you will be responsible for paying for tuition, fees and books. Watch for deadlines and become familiarized with the fee policy available to you in Financial Aid Office. If your award is sufficient to cover the cost of books after tuition and fees have been covered, you may complete the Title IV Authorization to use the remaining funds for the purchase of books.

I am interested in work-study. How do I apply?

In order to receive work-study funds, you must be eligible for financial aid and must complete an in-office application. When you have completed it and are ready to be placed in a position at the college or in a community agency/program, a Financial Aid staff member will contact you.   

How can I receive financial aid for the summer?

If you are determined eligible for pell, your summer classes will be covered unless you have used your full time pell grant during the fall and spring. You must be making satisfactory progress in order to be eligible for financial aid.

What does it mean to "maintain Satisfactory Progress"?

Your financial aid status must indicate Satisfactory Progress in order for you to receive aid. You make Satisfactory Progress if you successfully satisfy 66.6% of your attempted credits and maintain a minimum, cumulative grade point average of 1.50 for 15.99 earned credits and a minimum of 2.00 for 16.00 earned credits. If you are on Financial Aid Probation, you may receive aid; however, during your probationary period, which will be your next semester of enrollment, you must meet the financial aid academic standards mentioned. If you fail to do so, it will result in a termination of your financial aid, and your status will be Unsatisfactory Progress.

How do I apply for a student loan?

Students who are interested in a loan must complete the FAFSA to first determine any eligibility for grant money. Then, an application for a student loan must be completed. This application is available in the Financial Aid Office. In order to receive the loan, the student must go through an entrance interview. This site provides more information on loans including exit interviews.

NOTE: For more information on your loan history, please visit NSLDS.

After I have been awarded financial aid, what is my next step?

After submitting your application, you will be able to track your financial aid status and award information on the Internet by using myCommNet - the Connecticut Community Colleges' student information portal.

When you have been awarded, you must take the following steps to accept your financial aid award online:

  1. Go to my.commnet.edu.
  2. Log in with your NetID and password.
  3. Click on the Student tab.
  4. Click on Student/Academic Records to access your information.
  5. Click on Financial Aid.
  6. Click on My Award Information.
  7. Click on Award by Aid Year.
  8. Choose appropriate academic year and Submit. (i.e. For fall 2010 and spring 2011, the academic year is 2010/2011.)
  9. Click on the Accept Award Offer tab.
  10. Accept Full Amount of all Awards.
  11. Print a copy for your records.

How do I use my remaining funds to purchase books?

In order to authorize MCC to use your remaining financial aid for the purchase of books, you must complete the Title IV Authorization by taking the following steps:

  1. Go to my.commnet.edu.
  2. Log in with your NetID and password.
  3. Click on the Student tab.
  4. Click on Student/Academic Records to access your information.
  5. Click on Financial Aid.
  6. Click on Title IV Authorization.
  7. At the bottom of the page, there will be three drop-down boxes. The first will say Authorize; the bottom two will say Select One.
  8. Leave the options as they are and click Submit.
  9. Print a copy for your records.

I am not able to access myCommNet. What should I do?

If you are unable to access the system, contact the Registrar’s Office at 860-512-3220 or email GenInfoRegistrar@mcc.commnet.edu.

When will I receive my reimbursement check?

For those students who qualify, reimbursement funds are typically available four to six weeks after the start of classes. To request Direct Deposit, visit my.commnet.edu. Under “Student Services” select “Registration and Payment,” and then click on “Direct Deposit Enrollment. ”  If you don't request direct deposit, a check will be sent to your home. Make sure your address is updated in the Admission, Registrar and Financial Aid Offices.

Who do I contact if I have any more questions about financial aid?

For additional questions, you can contact us at 860-512-3380, email us at
ma-finaid@mcc.commnet.edu, or visit us in the Financial Aid Office, Lowe L177.

The Financial Aid Office staff members are readily to help you. They are Ivette Rivera-Dreyer, Director; Larissa O. Urquilla and Jody Bailey, Associate Directors; Audrey Letizia, Enrollment Management Coordinator; Donna Lee-Pitt, Secretary.

 

Last Update: February 27 2012
For additional information, contact: Ivette Rivera-Dreyer