Paying for College
Tuition and Fees
Tuition
Philadelphia residents - $115 per credit hour
Other Pennsylvanians - $230 per credit hour
Non-Pennsylvanians - $345 per credit hour
Most courses are three credit hours. Therefore, a student taking one three-credit-hour course would pay $345 (3 x $115 = $345). Tuition for Penn-sylvania residents outside Philadelphia is $230 per credit hour and $345 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Please note: The Board of Trustees reserves the right to change tuition and fees without notice.
Tuition Deposit - $50
An applicant accepted or readmitted for full-time status by the College may be required to remit a $50 nonrefundable deposit within a specified time. The applicant’s letter of acceptance will specify the date.
This deposit ensures the applicant a place at the College and will be credited to the initial semester’s tuition charge. If the student fails to register for that semester, the tuition deposit will not be refunded but may be applied to subsequent registrations within that academic year only.
Fees
Application Fee - $20
A fee of $20 must be paid by each applicant when applying for admission
to the College’s credit program. This fee is required only once and is nonrefundable.
General College Fee - $4 per Credit
To fund the cost of student publica-tions, intramural and intercollegiate athletics, graduation expenses and other special services and activities for students, there is a general College fee for credit courses. This fee is non-refundable as of the first day of the semester.
Graduation Fee - $30
A fee of $30, payable in advance, is charged to defray costs associated with graduation eligibility processing and commencement activities. This fee will be charged for each semester/term where a student applies for graduation. This fee is nonrefundable.
Technology Fee - $28 per credit
A fee of $28 per credit is charged to defray the institutional operating and equipment costs associated with providing student access to technology in academic and student support services and in instructional programs. This fee is nonrefundable as of the first day of the semester.
Nonresident Capital Fee
$10 per credit for Pennsylvania residents outside Philadelphia
$20 per
credit for students who do not meet the State's residency requirement
The College’s capital costs are funded by the city and state. The capital fee is charged to students in circumstances where the student is a nonresident and therefore capital support from the city or state is not provided. This fee is non-refundable as of the first day of the semester.
Course Fees
Some courses offered by the College are subject to course fees. These include courses with laboratory costs, clinical instruction costs or additional instruc-tional hours. The course fees range from $66 to $264 per course. The applicable course fee, if any, is shown at the end of the course description in the Course Description section of the Catalog. Course fees are subject to the Refund Policy on page 17.
Distance Education Course Fee - $25
A fee of $25 will be assessed for any section of a course that is offered as an online course. Students should consult the course offerings listing for each semester to identify which courses are available in an online course delivery format. This fee is nonrefundable as of the first day of the semester.
Senior Citizen Registration Fee - $75
This fee is charged to students who take advantage of the tuition-free course (see page 14). This fee is nonrefundable as of the first day of the semester.
Returned Check Fee - $25
A penalty of $25 will be assessed for all checks issued to the College but not paid on presentation to the bank.
Late Registration Fee - $30
A $30 late registration fee will be charged to previously enrolled students who register after the payment deadline for credit courses during the Fall and Spring terms.
Academic Transcript Fee
The transcript fee is payable in advance and requires the student’s written release. For normal mail service (allow 7-10 business days for processing), the fee is $3 for each transcript. For rush service, which includes same-day regular US mail service, fax service and pick-up, the fee is $10 for each transcript.
Identification Card Fee - $10
All credit students at the College are required to have a College photo identification card. There is a $10 one-time charge for the card. The cost of the card will be included in the first semester bill for on-campus students. Off-campus credit students will be requested to pay for the identification card at the time it is issued. Students who for religious or other reasons require a student identification card without a photo may make arrangements through the Security office.
Lost Identification Card Fee - $10
A replacement fee of $10 will be charged for each replacement of the identification card.
Credit-by-Examination Fee - $115
This fee is charged for each course in which a student has applied for credit on the basis of examination. The fee is based on the tuition rate for one credit hour. This fee is nonrefundable.
Credit for Life Experience Fee - $115
This fee is charged for each course in which a student has applied for credit on the basis of life experience. The fee is based on the tuition rate for one credit hour. This fee is nonrefundable.
Other Costs
Although the tuition for Philadelphia residents is relatively low, students should be aware of the need to plan ahead and anticipate all costs for the entire academic year. The basic budget for one year at the College should include, in addition to the appropriate tuition, the following:
- General College Fee $96-$120
- Technology Fee $624-$780
- Books and Supplies $800-$1200*
- Transportation $1200-$1500
- Meal $1300
*Actual cost may vary upon program of study.
(This does not include course fees nor various additional expenses such as for clothing and for sundry personal items, which also must be anticipated.)
Making Payment
A Community College of Philadelphia bill listing the tuition and fees will be mailed to each student approximately four weeks before the beginning of each semester. If the bill is not received in the mail, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain it from the Cashier.
It is suggested that payments be made by check or money order, payable to Community College of Philadelphia, and addressed to the Cashier, Community College of Philadelphia, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Cash payments may be made at the Cashier’s Office, BG-2. To request a receipt or to pay by credit card using MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover, log onto MyCCP at http://myccp.ccp.edu. To pay by phone using your credit card please call 215-751-8130.
Checks in payment of tuition and fees that are returned to the College by the bank must be repaid immediately, or the student will be administratively withdrawn from the College.
Payment Plan
The College offers a monthly payment plan to those students taking six or more credit hours. The cost is $35 and is only available during the fall and spring terms. Students interested in the plan should contact the Cashier’s Office at 215-751-8987 or pick up information in room BG-1 at the Main Campus or any Regional Center.
Fulfillment of Financial Obligations
If any student has not met his or her full financial obligations, the College reserves the right to withhold any of its services from the student until the obligations are met. These include, but are not restricted to, transcripts, library services, letters of recommendation, registration, counseling and additional services.
Refunds
Students who submit official withdrawal forms during the equivalent first week of classes in a part-of-term for which they are registered will receive a 75 percent refund of their tuition. For those withdrawing during the equivalent second week, the refund will be
50 percent; during the equivalent third week, 25 percent. No refund will be granted to a student withdrawing during the equivalent fourth week and thereafter.
Students who receive financial aid are subject to federal refund policies and calculations as described in the provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. Recipients of grants and loans who fully withdraw or drop on or before the 60 percent point of the term will be required to return all or a portion of their financial aid proceeds to the College and/or the Federal Government. Read “Financial Aid Withdrawals, Refunds and Repayment Policy” under the Financial Aid section (see page 19).
Important: A student who drops a 15-week course during the 15-week refund period will not be permitted to apply full tuition to a 10-week course. The difference between the partial tuition refund for the 15-week course and the full tuition for the 10-week course must be paid by the student. This does not apply if the 15-week course is dropped prior to the start of the 15-week semester and is replaced by a 10-week course.
Refund policies are in keeping with the regulations of the State Board of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Section 35.30).
General College, Technology, Distance Education, Nonresident Capital, Senior Citizen and registration fees are not refundable as of the first day of the semester except in the case of course cancellation by the College.
Federal tax laws provide special benefits to help students pay for college. For example, a tax credit allows you to subtract an amount from the taxes you owe:
- Taxes owed $6,000
- Less tax credit minus $1,000
- Taxes owed $5,000
- Less tax credit minus $1,000
A tax deduction allows you to subtract an amount from the income on which you must pay taxes.
- Gross income $25,000
- Less tax deduction minus $1,000
- Taxable income $24,000
- Less tax deduction minus $1,000
Below are brief summaries of the tax incentives most likely to benefit adult, non-traditional students. Be sure to obtain a complete explanation of these tax incentives, and consult with your tax advisor, before you make financial decisions or use them in filing your federal income taxes.
Hope Scholarship
Credit up to $1,650 per year may be claimed for each eligible student in the family. The credit must be for qualified educational expenses.
Lifetime Learning Credit
Up to $2,000 per year per return may be claimed for qualified educational expenses.
Student Loan Interest Deduction
The maximum interest deduction is $2,500. The loans must have been used to pay qualified costs of attendance, including room and board.
Financial Aid
Community College of Philadelphia participates in the following federal and state-funded programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study Program, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) State Grant, Federal Stafford Loan (formerly Guaranteed Student Loan), and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).
Financial Aid Eligibility
Students should be enrolled for at least six credits to be eligibile for loans and the PHEAA State Grant. Students may receive Federal Pell Grant for fewer than six credits. In addition, to be eligible for financial aid, students must indicate that they have either a high school diploma or GED. If not, they will be required to take a computer-administered examination on which they must achieve a specified score (see the following section on Ability to Benefit Requirement). To maintain financial aid eligibility, students must make academic progress as outlined in the College’s “Policy on Academic Standards and Progress” (Normal Progress, Academic Probation, Provisional Status, and Dropped for Poor Scholarship), see pages 26-28 of this Catalog.
Read all the provisions of this policy carefully before registering for classes.
If you have any questions, contact the Counseling Center, W2-2, at 215-751-8169.
Ability to Benefit Requirement
This test is required of persons who have applied for Federal Student Financial Aid and who have not earned a high school diploma or GED. An ability to benefit test is one of any on an approved list of commonly administered standardized tests which an individual who has not earned a high school diploma or GED can take to demonstrate that she or he has the ability to benefit from a college education. Each test has an established minimum passing score. Potential students who achieve scores above the minimum passing score demonstrate that they have the potential to succeed in college. The College’s Assessment Center administers this test. To schedule an appointment for testing, contact the Information Center at 215-751-8010.
Applying for Financial Aid
Students applying for financial aid must do so for each academic year. Students should file the Free Applica-tion for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (2008-2009 school year) via the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application is used to apply for the Federal Pell Grant, the PHEAA State Grant and the Federal Stafford Loan. Use Community College of Philadelphia School Code 003249 when filing your FAFSA. In addition to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (2008-2009 school year), students applying for the Federal Stafford Loan must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and an entrance counseling session at www.aessuccess.org.
Since the application process for all of the above grants and loans takes about four to eight weeks, students are advised to file early rather than merely by the deadlines listed below. Students needing assistance completing the financial aid application should call the Financial Aid Office at 215-751-8271 or e-mail financialaid@ccp.edu.
Filing Deadlines for 2008-2009
Note: Regarding application for any and all of the grants listed below, be sure to refer to the previous paragraph for required use of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA 2008-2009 school year) forms.
Federal Pell Grant:
All applicants - June 30, 2009
PHEAA State Grant:
All applicants — May 1, 2008
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Federal Work-Study:
All Applicants - April 15, 2008*
*For those students who have
been selected for income verification, these deadlines are for complete applications. All required documentation must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office of the College by the above-listed deadlines. Applications should be filed at least two months prior to these deadlines.
We cannot guarantee that there will be funds available for students applying after these dates, but we will continue to review late applications until all funds have been awarded.
Federal Stafford Loan
In addition to accepting the awarded loans online in MyCCP, a student must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and an entrance counseling session at www.aessuccess.org. This must be done at least two weeks before payment deadline.
Information concerning summer aid is available at the Financial Aid Office in early spring.
For detailed information and applications, please contact the Financial Aid Office, BG-3, at 215-751-8271.
PLEASE NOTE: Federal regulations require that schools have academic progress policies for students receiving federal financial aid. Again, students should read carefully the Policy on Academic Standards and Progress on pages 26-28 of this Catalog.
Attendance is required in all classes for which a student is registered. If a student never attends a class, the financial aid will be adjusted to reflect only those classes the student attends. This adjust-ment could affect a student’s current and future financial aid eligibility. Students will also have to repay any overpayments.
Furthermore, the federal regulations state that students may receive federal funds for only one academic year (30 credits) of developmental classes, except for courses relating to English as a Second Language. Therefore, if a student has registered for 30 credits of develop-mental course work, the student will not be able to receive federal funds for additional developmental courses.
Financial Aid Withdrawals, Refunds And Repayment
Policy
The Financial Aid Office is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, are dismissed or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term. The federal Title IV financial aid programs must be recalculated in these situations.
If a student leaves the institution prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term, the Financial Aid Office recalculates eligibility for Title IV funds. Recalculation is based on the percentage of earned aid using the following Federal Return of Title IV funds formula:
Percentage of payment period or term completed equals the number of days completed up to the withdrawal date divided by the total days in the payment period or term. Any break of five or more days is not counted as part of the days in the term. This percentage is also the percentage of earned aid.
Funds are returned to the appropriate federal program based on the percentage of unearned aid using the following formula:
Aid to be returned equals 100% of the aid that could be disbursed minus the percentage of earned aid multiplied by the total amount of aid that could have been disbursed during the payment period or term.
If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep in mind that when Title IV funds are returned, the student may owe the College.
If a student earned more aid than
was disbursed to him/her, the institution would owe the student a post-withdrawal disbursement that must be paid within 120 days of the student’s withdrawal.
Refunds are allocated in the following order:
- Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
- Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
- Federal Parent (PLUS) Loans
- Federal Pell Grants for which a return of funds is required
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants for which a return of funds is required
- Other assistance under this Title for which a return of funds is required
(e.g., LEAP)
Scholarships and Awards
Community College of Philadelphia supports commitment to community college education through the development of a viable student award and scholarship program. Individual, organizational and corporate donors are invited to establish awards or scholarships, in accordance with applicable College policies for students enrolled at the College or for use by the College’s students upon transfer to other colleges and universities. For more information regarding scholarships, please call the Office of Institutional Advancement at 215-751-8214.
The Community College of Philadelphia Foundation has established several student scholarship programs. These scholarship programs support students in need of financial assistance by providing funds for tuition, books or other costs associated with attending college.
Currently, the Foundation administers almost 60 student scholarship and award programs. The Foundation works with various departments and committees to establish eligibility requirements and select recipients.
A sampling of the scholarship programs for which Community College of Philadelphia students are eligible follows:
Jane S. Abrahams Award for Excellence:
A $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to an academically outstanding graduating student receiving an associate degree. The award was established by The Leon C. Sunstein Foundation.
Jane S. Abrahams Community Service Award:
Annual awards of $500 each to up to four members of the College community (students, faculty, classified/confidential employees or administrators) who have performed outstanding volunteer service outside the College during the preceding year, excluding partisan political activity or religious service. The award was
established by The Leon C. Sunstein Foundation.
Dr. Edward Anderson Scholarhip:
Dr. Edward Anderson was the founding director of the College’s Division of Economics and Business Administration, serving as professor from 1965 until his death in June of 1972. Dr. Anderson was highly regarded for his many talents and contributions to the College as educator, administrator, entrepreneur, marketing expert and artist. It was Dr. Anderson’s devotion to his students in the role of educator that inspired alumni contributors to name this scholarship in his honor.
Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Graduating high school senior who will attend the College in the upcoming semester; or
- Current student who has completed 15 or fewer credits at the College (at the time the application is submitted).
The College Scholarship for Academic Excellence:
An award of up to $1,500 to a graduating student who will continue his or her education at a baccalaureate institution. It is given in recognition of scholarly and general achievement at the College.
Financial need is taken into considera-tion. Regular contributions by College faculty and staff fund this award.
Community College of Philadelphia Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program:
The CCAMPIS Program is a US Department of Education grant designed to help low-income student-parents pay for child care. A maximum of $500 per month is awarded for student-parents who are in good academic standing and who are Pell-eligible. Children of student-parents must enroll or be enrolled in an accredited day care center. Application can be made throughout the year.
Community College of Philadelphia Foundation Scholars
Program:
The Community College of Philadelphia Foundation Scholars Program was established to recognize students who demonstrate the ability to achieve in academic and community endeavors, and who have overcome barriers on the way to success. These merit-based scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,000 per year, and are to be used to meet educational expenses for attendance at Community College of Philadelphia. Selection of scholarship recipients is competitive. This scholarship is for students who have successfully completed one semester of at least six credits, are currently enrolled for a minimum of six credits, will continue their education at the College during the following academic year, and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.25. Applications are due in February for the following academic year.
CORE Philly:
CORE (College Opportunity Resources for Education) Philly offers scholarships of up to $1,000 to high school seniors to help pay first-year college expenses (including living expenses and books). The exact amount of your CORE Philly Scholarship is determined by your enrollment. Philadelphia residents who are graduating high school and entering Community College of Philadelphia may apply for the CORE Philly Scholarship. You may apply online at www.corephilly.org.
To be eligible to apply in 2008, student must be:
- A 2008 graduate of a School District of Philadelphia public, charter, archdiocese, or private high school.
- A resident of the City of Philadelphia.
- Planning to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at a participating college or university.
- There is no GPA requirement, no required classes, and no mandatory extracurricular activities.
- Each year, CORE Philly accepts scholarship applications from April 1 through June 1 for students planning to attend college starting in the fall. Check the CORE Philly Web site (www.corephilly.org) for updates and exact dates for application submissions.
Diane and George Davis Scholarship:
These scholarships are awarded to deserving students enrolled at the College in pursuit of an associate’s degree. Funding will provide three scholarships of $1,000 each disbursed equally over the fall and spring semesters. At least one of the three scholarships will be awarded with preference toward an African-American male student. Scholarship recipients who maintain their eligibility at the end of the first year of the scholarship award may be eligible to receive a second year of funding. Students must have completed 24 or fewer credits at the College and have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Applications are due in June for the following academic year.
Kathryn J. Engebretson Scholarship:
Established by the William Penn Foundation and a private donor to provide financial support to a student attending Community College of Philadelphia in pursuit of an associate degree, this award is geared toward female students returning to college to pursue a postsecondary degree. The scholarship will provide funding for tuition, fees and books up to $10,000, with no more than $5,000 disbursed in one academic year. Only one scholarship will be awarded each year. Selection of the recipient is competitive. Actual receipt of the scholarship is contingent upon the student’s enrollment status and grade point average. This scholarship will be awarded with the explicit understanding that the recipient will have successfully completed the requirements for an associate degree within the allotted time. Applications are distributed in May. The deadline for submitting an application is July. Awards are announced in August.
Federation Scholarship Fund:
Awarded to students who have accumulated 30 or more college-level credits with a GPA of 3.5 or higher by the end of the fall term. Application can be made from January 15 through March 15 (if March 15 falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the following Monday). Amount of scholarship varies. Students must be continuing their education at a college or university to be considered for eligibility. Inquiries about the scholarship should be directed to the Federation.
Robert S. King Award:
Robert S. King served the College as Chairman of the Board for 12 years. Named in his honor, this scholarship is awarded to 20 outstanding graduates from public or nonpublic, registered or licensed, diploma-granting high schools in the city of Philadelphia. This two-year scholarship covers Philadelphia tuition and related fees at the College for students who plan to enroll as full-time students in programs leading to an associate’s degree. This scholarship is not contingent upon financial need.
Thomas R. Scott Mathematics Award:
A $500 scholarship for study toward the baccalaureate presented annually to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding competence in mathematics (including calculus), and high personal and academic standards. This scholarship, endowed by his family, honors the memory of Thomas R. Scott, associate professor of Mathematics, a member of the faculty from 1965 until his death in 1981.
Wachovia Scholars Program:
The Wachovia Scholars Program was established to recognize students who demonstrate the ability to achieve in academic and community endeavors, and who have overcome barriers on the way to success. Specifically, this scholarship program will provide financial support to low‑income, single parents (mothers and fathers) pursuing an associate degree, with preference given to a student pursuing a degree in a business-related field (marketing, accounting, etc.). Individuals must be TANF‑eligible and/or Pell-eligible to qualify. The Wachovia Scholars Program will provide two students a cash award of $1,000 to alleviate the costs of tuition and fees unmet by other financial aid sources.
In addition to these, the Foundation administers many other scholarship programs to assist students in meeting their financial needs. For more information on Community College of Philadelphia scholarships and awards, please visit www.ccp.edu or contact the Office of Institutional Advancement, Annex–7th Floor or 215-751-8214.
Alternative Funding Sources
For information regarding scholar-ships external to the College and Web sites to assist students in obtaining money for college, stop by the Office of Institutional Advancement, Annex–7th Floor, or e-mail pconroy@ccp.edu for an appointment.
Many business enterprises, labor union locals, churches and faith-based organizations, and community groups award scholarships for collegiate studies. Parents of prospective students are encouraged to ascertain from employers and union offices what benefits may be available for their dependents. Students who are employed are sometimes eligible for financial assistance by their employers.
For information on scholarships and awards presented by an employer, contact the employer’s Human Resources Office.
Community College of Philadelphia complies with all regulations established by the Veterans Administration for students enrolled under VA programs, as required by Title 38, United States Code, Section 3675. Men or women eligible for assistance under the GI Bill or other VA programs should apply directly to the nearest VA office.
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