Admission & Aid FAQs

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Financial Aid
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Admissions and Financial Aid Made Simple: Your Top Questions Answered

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to navigating admissions and financial aid for higher education. Making decisions about college admissions and financing can be overwhelming, but we're here to simplify the process and provide you with the information you need to succeed. Whether you're a high school student exploring your options, a transfer student considering your next steps, or a parent supporting your child's educational journey, this guide is designed to help you understand the admissions process and navigate the complexities of financial aid.  If you're seeking information on FAFSA filing requirements, PA State Grant disbursement timelines, or understanding the differences between federal student loan options, we've got you covered. Let's dive in and make your journey to higher education a breeze.

 

Who should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

Any student who plans to attend Community College of Philadelphia should file, even if you are not sure whether you will need or qualify for financial aid. The FAFSA form is good for the entire school year (fall, spring and summer).
 

Is there a filing deadline for FAFSA?

For Community College of Philadelphia, the priority filing deadline is the tax filing date of April 15 or the first business day after April 15. Filing a FAFSA after this date can delay your packaging and disqualify you from certain aid offers for which you may otherwise qualify.
 

Is there a deadline for the PA State Grant (PHEAA)?

Yes. The deadline is May 1 for renewal applicants and Aug. 1 for new applicants.
 

What is the Federal School Code for Community College of Philadelphia?

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

When will I receive my PA State Grant?

Students receive a letter from PHEAA several weeks after the FAFSA has been processed. If you are eligible, your grant will be applied to your account in approximately the 10th week of class. Students who have not received their PA State Grant by this time may check with the Office of Financial Aid for the status. You must be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours to be eligible for the PA State Grant.
 

How is my financial need determined?

Financial need is determined by the Community College of Philadelphia’s cost of attendance minus your Student Aid Index (SAI), previously known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
 

I was selected for verification. What does that mean?

Verification is a process the U.S. Department of Education uses to ensure the information reported on the FAFSA is accurate. Some FAFSA applications are selected because of inconsistent information. The Office of Financial Aid will request copies of your (and if a dependent student, your parents’) IRS tax return transcript(s) and W-2s, as well as a verification worksheet if you are selected. The information provided by you on the FAFSA is compared to the tax information submitted. Corrections are made, if necessary, and you are notified of any corrections made and the effect the changes had on your aid eligibility.

Verification: To avoid the need for verification, when completing the FAFSA application, students and parents should use the Federal Tax Information Consent and Approval (FTI) process, which is found on the FAFSA.
 

Can I file the FAFSA if my parents or I have not yet filed our taxes for the tax year?

The Department of Education (ED) has eliminated the need to use “estimated” figures on the FAFSA and now requires students and parents to use prior tax information. For example, the 2025-2026 FAFSA requires 2023 tax information, while the 2026-2027 FAFSA requires 2024 tax information.

Note: Corrections may be needed after you file your taxes, which can delay the processing of your financial aid.
 

Do I need my parents’ tax information if I do not live with them?

If you do not meet the requirements listed below, your parent(s) tax information is required on the FAFSA.

  • The student is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training.
  • The student is a veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
  • The student has children or other people (excluding their spouse) who live with the student and receive more than half of their support from the student now and between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for (2025-2026); and July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, for (2026-2027).
  • At any time since the student turned 13, they were an orphan (no living biological or adoptive parent).
  • At any time since the student turned 13, they were a ward of the court. At any time since the student turned 13, they were in foster care.
  • The student is or was a legally emancipated minor, as determined by a court in their state of residence.
  • The student is or was in a legal guardianship with someone other than their parent or stepparent, as determined by a court in their state of residence.
  • At any time on or after July 1, 2023, was the student unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If you answered "No" to all of the above questions, you are considered a dependent student, and you will need your parents’ tax information. If you answered "Yes" to any of the questions, you are considered independent, and you are not required to provide parental tax information. However, you may be required to provide other documentation to support your independent status.
 

Can I petition to complete my FAFSA application without my parents' income?

You can submit a petition for dependent students without parental support, but it is in your best interest to provide parental data on the FAFSA. Submitting a petition will eliminate you from consideration for federal grants and certain federal direct loans.
 

Help me understand the meaning of “an unaccompanied youth who was homeless”?

“Youth” means that you are 21 years of age or less or are still enrolled in high school as of the day you sign the FAFSA. “Unaccompanied” means you are not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. “Homeless” means lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing, including living in shelters, motels, cars, and temporarily with other people because you have nowhere else to go.
 

I have no contact with my dad or mom. I am in a transitional housing program. Am I an independent student?

If you are unable to provide parental information, speak to a financial aid specialist, and if applicable, complete a Petition for Dependent Students without Parental Support.
 

I live with my foster parents and their children. Are they my “family members for FAFSA”?

No, do not count them in your household size for FAFSA.
 

What happens once I file my FAFSA form?

After the FAFSA form has been filed, you will be mailed a Student Aid Report (SAR), which indicates your Student Aid Index (SAI) and your estimated federal Pell Grant eligibility. If you file electronically, you will be notified via email. The College will also receive your SAR.
 

When will I receive an aid offer notification?

You will receive an aid offer notification based on a full-time enrollment assumption in early July if you submitted your FAFSA by April 15. Students who submit their FAFSA after this date will receive their aid offer notification approximately two to three weeks after submitting their FAFSA. Students selected for verification must first submit the required documentation to the College. The aid offer notification details the amount and types of aid offered. Upon receipt of the aid offer notification, you should compare your term aid offer total to your term bill. If the total financial aid package, excluding PA State Grant, does not cover the total charges, you are responsible for making payments to cover the outstanding balance before the payment deadline.
 

When will I receive my refund check?

Refund checks are mailed or directly deposited into students’ accounts shortly after the instructors submit the 20 percent enrollment report. Check your MyCCP account for the status of your refund.

Note: Not all students receive refunds.
 

Do I have to attend my classes to get financial aid?

Yes. Failure to attend class will result in the reduction or loss of financial aid, and you may be required to return all or part of your aid. In some situations, you may also owe the College for tuition and/or bookstore charges.
 

If I am not eligible for the federal Pell Grant, what other types of financial aid are available?

The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal grants, state grants, Work-Study, and loans. When students are not eligible for the federal Pell Grant, they may be eligible for the PHEAA State Grant. Students also have the option to apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan, which you must repay.
 

How do I apply for a William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct Loan)?

If interested in taking out Federal Direct Loans, you must complete the following:

  • A FAFSA and accept the Federal Direct Loan on your MyCCP Account
  • An Entrance Counseling session (EC) and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentaid.gov.
     

What is the difference between a subsidized federal Direct Loan and an unsubsidized federal Direct Loan?

Subsidized loans are need-based loans. The interest is paid by the federal government while you are attending school at least half-time (six credits per semester). Unsubsidized loans are not need-based, and you are responsible for the interest while attending school. Students have the option to defer making the interest payments if they are enrolled at least half-time.
 

What is entrance counseling?

Entrance counseling is a federal requirement for all loan borrowers at the Community College of Philadelphia. It is used to educate students on the types of funds they are borrowing, the amount students may borrow, interest rates, repayment options, and debt consolidation. You must complete an entrance counseling session online at www.studentaid.gov.
 

Why do I have to complete exit counseling?

Exit counseling is a federal requirement for all students with loans who are enrolled less than half-time or who are exiting an institution or transferring to another institution. These students must complete exit counseling online at www.studentaid.gov. The purpose of exit counseling is to educate borrowers about their rights and responsibilities for the federal student loans they owe.
 

How do I apply for the federal Work-Study program?

Students must file the FAFSA by the College’s FAFSA priority filing deadline, the IRS tax filing deadline of April 15, to be eligible for the federal Work-Study program. The Student Aid Index (SAI) on the Student Aid Report (SAR) must be $1,500 or less. Your enrollment must be at least six credit hours. Work authorization forms must be picked up from Enrollment Central, signed by your supervisor, and returned to the Office of Financial Aid. You should indicate on the FAFSA form that you are interested in federal Work-Study.
 

If eligible for federal Work-Study, how many hours can I work?

Students eligible for the federal Work-Study program are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Your actual hours will be determined by your offered allocation and your Work-Study supervisor.
 

Under the federal Work-Study program, what is the hourly pay rate?

Currently, the standard hourly wage is $15.00. This is subject to periodic increases as legislation raising the minimum hourly wage goes into effect.
 

Do I have to make an appointment to see a financial aid specialist?

No. Specialists are available at the Main Campus and at the three Regional Centers. Please check the College’s website for our office hours, and visit Enrollment Central when on campus.
 

How do I find out about scholarships?

Scholarship information may be obtained from libraries, civic organizations, churches, and online. Listed below are some of the national web-based searches: 

What do I have to do if I plan to attend classes in summer?

All summer classes are considered part of the current aid year. You do not have to file another FAFSA. Students who were not full-time in the fall and spring will usually have remaining eligibility. However, we can only determine the amount after you register for your summer classes.

Please submit a Summer Loan Application to the Office of Financial Aid if you are interested in taking out a loan. You must be enrolled for at least six credits in the summer to be eligible for loans. If possible, save your spring refund check for summer.