Financial Aid Topics
All financial aid starts with filing the FAFSA form on studentaid.gov
NCC’s School Code: 009236
This depends on which semester you plan on attending:
- Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026: Submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA
- Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027: Submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA
In most cases, all you need to submit the FAFSA is:
- An account on StudentAid.gov
- Your full legal name, social security number, email, and phone number
- If you were born AFTER January 1st 2002: at least one of your parents’ full legal names, email addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers
Additional Information may be required if:
- You or your parents marital status has changed in the past 2 years
- You or your parents are married but legally separated
- Your or your parents are married but file taxes separately
- You were in the legal guardianship of someone other than your parents when you turned 18
- You have no contact with your parents
- You are not a U.S. Citizen
If any of these additional circumstances apply to you, click here to schedule an appointment
- Completion of the financial aid application process;
- Admission to an associate degree or a certificate program that is financial aid eligible;
- Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen;
- Be registered with the Selective Service if male between the ages of 18 and 25;
- Not owe a refund on a grant or be in default on any federal student loan;
- Not have borrowed in excess of the annual or aggregate federal loan limits;
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by federal and/or state guidelines;
- Enrollment in a minimum of six (6) credits per semester. The Pell Grant may be awarded to students with extremely low expected family contribution (EFC) who are enrolled in three (3) credits per semester;
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the guidelines; and
- Reapply every academic year.
CCSNH Pell Recalculation Policy
The Pell Recalculation Date (PRD), also known as the Financial Aid Freeze Date, is the date when the Financial Aid Office locks your enrollment for the semester.
On this date, the Financial Aid Office calculates the number of credits you are enrolled in to determine your eligibility for the Pell Grant or other federal grants.
To ensure your FAFSA is received before the payment due date, please submit your FAFSA before these dates:
- Spring Semester – 3rd Monday of December
- Summer Semester – 3rd Monday of April
- Fall Semester – 3rd Monday of July
As a service to current or prospective students and current or prospective employees, and in accordance with the disclosure and reporting requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), NCC has designed this page to provide quick access to important consumer information. CLICK HERE.
The College is well aware of the financial burden of meeting college costs. The Financial Aid Office at NCC encourages students to apply for assistance. Assistance is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work study. Federal, state, and private scholarship funds are often limited. Applications with the greatest financial need receive first consideration for assistance. Applications should be filed by May 1 each year to receive consideration for state grants.
Grants and scholarships are “gift money” which does not need to be repaid. Grants are generally provided to students who demonstrate financial need, while scholarships are usually merit based or specific to an individual degree or certificate.
Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program that assists students who demonstrate financial need with the actual costs of attending college. A Pell Grant is considered “gift money” that does not have to be repaid. To qualify for a Pell Grant, you must be an undergraduate student who does not already have a bachelor degree.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): FSEOG is a federal grant made available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The FSEOG is considered “gift money” that does not have to be repaid. To qualify for FSEOG, you must have Pell Grant eligibility, however, all students who receive the Pell Grant will not receive FSEOG.
Massachusetts and Vermont State Grants: The Massachusetts State Grant and the Vermont State Grant programs provide grants for their respective residents attending a college in his/her state or another state. Students must demonstrate financial need. Massachusetts residents must submit the FAFSA by May 1 of each year to be considered.
Federal Loans are low interest loans provided by the Department of Education, and managed by a loan servicer. A student must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credits to be eligible for these programs. The amount a student may borrow may not exceed the cost of attendance minus other assistance (or, for subsidized loans, other assistance plus the EFC). All Students must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling (LEC) at https://studentaid.gov/
There are limitations on the total amount of money which can be borrowed. Please see the StudentAid.gov website for specific details: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized#how-much
Direct Subsidized Loans
These loans are subsidized by the federal government for students who demonstrate financial need. Subsidized means the student is not responsible for payment of accrued interest during periods of at least half time enrollment [six (6) credits or more]. Repayment begins six (6) months after graduation, withdrawal, or when enrollment drops below six (6) credits.
Unsubsidized Loans
These loans are not subsidized by the federal government and are not based on financial need. Unsubsidized means the student is responsible for payment of accrued interest during periods of at least half time enrollment although actual payment can usually be deferred. Repayment begins six (6) months after graduation, withdrawal, or when enrollment drops below six (6) credits.
These loans are offered by various lenders to assist parents and students meet educational expenses. Such funds may assist families that do not qualify for or need to supplement other forms of financial aid. Information is available at here.
Federal work study opportunities exist both on and off the NCC campus. On-campus jobs are available throughout the campus. Off-campus jobs are available throughout the local Nashua area in non-profit agencies. Students must provide their own transportation. Additional information is available through the Financial Aid Office.
WIOA
WIOA, or the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, is a federal program that helps unemployed job seekers find training and employment opportunities.
SNAP Benefits
You may qualify for food stamps/SNAP benefits depending on your household size, income, expenses, and resources.
See if you qualify for the SNAP Employment & Training Program.
Granite Advantage Healthcare Program
Hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Granite Advantage Healthcare Program replaced the NH Health Protection Program, see eligibility details online. Visit the NH Easy Gateway to Services page to view other benefits, such as childcare and tuition funds through WorkNow NH (PDF).
Download this information (PDF).
The Financial Aid office is required by federal regulations to periodically review financial aid recipients to ensure that they are making satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of his/her program of study. Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial recipients is measured by both qualitative and quantitative standards and is an assessment of a student’s cumulative academic record while in attendance at the College.
For specifics regarding the SAP policies, please refer to the NCC Student Handbook located here: https://nashua.cleancatalog.io/student-handbook
Have your finances changed?
You may qualify for more Financial Aid. See details on re-assessing your financial circumstances here.
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are loans made to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Parents may borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance less anticipated financial aid. Additional information is available through the Financial Aid Office or at studentloans.gov.
Information is available on the Code of Conduct for lenders of Alternative/Private Loans by CLICKING HERE (PDF)
Financial aid recipients who withdraw from all classes or stop attending classes prior to completing more than the 60% point in the semester may be required to repay all or a portion of the financial aid they received for that semester. Recipients may also be required to pay back, to the College, all or a portion of tuition charges.
Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student ceases attendance, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.
The following is a sample Cost of Attendance (COA) constructed for a 9 month academic year with full time attendance (24 credit hours for the year) for a student living off campus.
Tuition (24 credit hours): $4,800
Room and Board: $13,329
Fees: $624
Books and Supplies: $1,400
Transportation: $2,467
Personal Expenses: $1,800
Total Sample Cost of Attendance: $24,420
Special Note: CCSNH uses period based budgeting. A student’s COA is reviewed each semester. Full Time is (12+credits), Mixed is (6 –11 credits), and Less than half time is (less than 6 credits). However, if a student is enrolled for less than half time in a semester, their COA must be adjusted for that semester to exclude Personal Expenses and Room and Board. Additionally, when a student withdraws from a course or course(s), a review of COA is required and the COA may be modified.
A guide for early college financial planning
Information to help students find scholarships
Information for alternative finance options
EXCESS STUDENT LOAN FUNDS FAQ’S
Frequently asked questions for student loan refunds.
