Financial Aid

Community College of Philadelphia
www.ccp.edu / prospective students / financial aid /

Applying for Aid

All students applying for financial aid are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1. Or, students may call (800) 433-3243 to obtain an application.

The Federal School Code for Community College of Philadelphia is 003249.

You may use the Office of Financial Aid 2012 Summer/ Fall Checklist for guidance to complete your application.

The FAFSA application is required to apply for all Federal Programs, the Federal Pell Grant, the PHEAA State Grant, the Federal Stafford Loan and PLUS Loan and for all aid awarded by the Financial Aid office, including funds from federal sources, the College and private sources.

Since the application process for all of the above grants and loans takes approximately four to eight weeks by mail and two weeks electronically, students are advised to file early. The priority filing deadline is April 15. Filing early and filing online are two options that may reduce the processing time. Deadlines for other grants are listed on the College’s Frequently Asked Financial Aid Questions (FAQ) page. Students needing assistance completing the financial aid application should call the Office of Financial Aid at 215-751-8271 or 215-751-8270 (general announcement line). All students are encouraged to file online and file early.

Laid off from your job?

If you lost your job or were laid off, please complete Question 82 or Question 100 on the FAFSA. Congress has made it easier for dislocated workers to be eligible for financial aid. You can also submit a request for special consideration by submitting to the Office of Financial Aid a Special Condition form.

Student Aid Report (SAR)

Once you have completed the FAFSA application, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). You will also receive a confidential Postcard containing your Federal Personal Identification Number or PIN. If you do not receive your PIN within 4-6 weeks you may request your pin by visiting the federal PIN website at www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN may be used to access your FAFSA information online, make changes or corrections or to supply your signature electronically.

Verification

Review your Student Aid Report thoroughly and respond to any comments on the report. For example, if you have been selected for verification you must submit a copy of your and possibly your parent's tax information along with a verification worksheet. Click here to select the appropriate verification worksheet.  You must complete, print and sign the worksheet before submitting it to the Financial Aid office. Verification is the process that the Department of Education (DOE) uses to make sure that the information reported on the FAFSA is accurate. Some FAFSA applications are selected because of inconsistent information, and others are chosen randomly. For applications that are selected, the Financial Aid office requests copies of the student's (and if a dependent student, your parent's) IRS tax return transcripts, W2s, as well as a verification worksheet. The information provided by you on the FAFSA is compared to the tax information submitted to the IRS. If necessary, corrections are made, and the student is notified of any corrections made and the effect the changes will have on his or her aid eligibility. Corrections are then sent back to the DOE for review. If the DOE accepts the corrections, Community College of Philadelphia is notified, and the verification process can proceed.

Selective service

Male applicants between the ages of 18-26 are required to register for selective service in order to qualify for financial aid. If your SAR indicates that you must register for selective service you may do so on line at www.sss.gov. You may also register at your local post office. High school students may do so in the guidance counselor's office, or you may call selective service directly at (847) 688-6888. This process takes approximately two to four weeks and you will receive written notification of your registration. You must submit this information to your financial aid administrator.

Helpful Hints

The financial aid process can be complicated. There are some ways to make it easier on both you (independent status) and your parents (dependent status). The key to a successful financial aid experience is organization:

  • Be thorough. Read all instructions carefully. Never leave required questions on your FAFSA blank. This may cause a delay in processing.
  • Obtain financial aid forms early and apply early.
  • Keep copies of all documentation that you sign, including IRS tax return transcripts.
  • Know the language; keep a list of the programs for which you have applied and become familiar with their terms, conditions and requirements.
  • Read and respond. Read all and any information you receive from the Financial Aid office or your lender. If you do not understand, ask questions. If additional information is required from you, respond promptly.
  • Always ask for help. If you have questions, visit Financial Aid's FAQ page or contact your financial aid administrator in the Mint Building, MG-15, on the Main Campus.