Financial Aid Options
Federal Student Aid
Once your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is submitted and all necessary documentation is reviewed, you will receive a financial aid package notification. Below are descriptions of the Federal Student Aid grants that you may be eligible to receive.
Federal Pell Grants
The Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students—those who have not earned a bachelor's or graduate degree. In some limited cases, however, you might receive a Pell Grant if you are enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certificate program.
Pell Grants are usually a foundation of federal student aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant, you will receive the full amount for which you qualify.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This grant is for undergraduates (with low Expected Family Contributions or EFCs determined by the FAFSA) and is a campus-based program. The amount of aid you receive depends on such factors as your financial need, the amount of other aid you receive and the availability of funds at your school. Unlike the Federal Pell Grant program, which provides every eligible student with funds, each school participating in any of the campus-based programs receives a fixed amount each year from the federal government. When that money is exhausted, no further awards can be made from that program for that year. It is important to complete your financial aid process early in order to be considered for an FSEOG grant.
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
FWS is a federally funded campus-based program that allows students to earn money for educational costs through part-time employment. The program offers jobs at the College and with off-campus community service agencies. Students are paid on an hourly basis and usually work 10–15 hours per week. To work in a FWS position, students must apply for financial aid by completing a FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. All financial aid requirements must be satisfied by April 15 in order to receive a FWS offer. FWS eligibility after April 15 is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible students must use MyCCP to accept the FWS offer in full or in part.
Federal Student Loans
To be eligible for federal direct student loans, students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester and have completed their Entrance Counseling (EC) and a Master Promissory Note (MPN). All new and returning students must complete EC and an MPN online at www.studentaid.gov. Subsidized Federal Direct Loans are based on need, while Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans are not need-based. Your need level is determined by your FAFSA information. You may receive a combination of both loans, but the annual aggregate loan limits listed below cannot be exceeded.
Below is a chart that provides a breakdown of the amount of Federal Direct Loans students are eligible to receive per year and the amount of the loans that may be subsidized. Read further for a description of the kinds of loans that you may be eligible to receive.
| Year | Dependent | Independent |
Freshman (<30 Cr) | $5,500 of which no more than $3,500 may be subsidized | $9,500 of which no more than $3,500 may be subsidized |
Sophomore (30+ Cr) | $6,500 of which no more than $4,500 may be subsidized | $10,500 of which no more than $4,500 may be subsidized |
First-time borrowers at Community College of Philadelphia: Please note that your loans will not be disbursed until 30 days after the start of the semester.
Subsidized Federal Direct Loans
A need-based loan on which the interest is paid by the government while you are in school at least half time (6 credits per semester) during the grace period and during periods of deferment.
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
You are responsible for paying the interest on an unsubsidized loan while you are in school, during the grace period, during deferment periods and during repayment. Interest can either be paid while you are attending school, or it can be postponed until graduation or withdrawal from school. If you have postponed paying interest, it will be capitalized once you enter repayment (for example, after your grace period). Both the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans have a variable interest rate that adjusts every July 1.
Know Your Loans
Know your loans. Watch these videos.
Capitalizing Interest
In this process the lender adds any unpaid interest on a loan to the principal balance, which increases the outstanding balance on which interest accrues (builds) daily.
Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
A federal loan taken out by a parent, in your parent's name to cover the cost of education that is not covered by other aid. It has a variable interest rate that is adjusted every July 1. Parents PLUS loan borrowers cannot have an adverse credit history (a credit check will be done). If a parent is denied a PLUS loan based on credit history, there is a cosigner option for the parent. Parents apply for the Parent PLUS Loan by logging into www.studentaid.gov with the parent's FSA ID.
For more information on loans, please refer to the Federal Student Aid website: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans
Alternative Funding Sources
The following funding sources are available to students in addition to the Federal Student Aid and Federal Student Loans which they qualify for from the FAFSA.
PA State Grant
Pennsylvania residents are eligible to apply for the PA State Grant administered by PHEAA. The deadline for new applicants is August 1, and the deadline for renewal applicants is May 1. To be considered for a Pennsylvania State Grant, you must fill out the FAFSA and complete the PA State Grant Form. Most renewal students do not have to complete the State Grant Form. Questions about PA State Grant administration can be directed to the Office of Financial Aid or PHEAA at 1-800-692-7392.
Alternative and Private Loans
Alternative and Private Loan options are available. These are loans students borrow from banks, credit unions, or other lending agencies to pay for educational expenses. Approval for alternative or private loans is determined by the lender.
If approved for an alternative or private loan, please complete the Request for Private Loan Certification and return to the Office of Financial Aid.
Request for Private Loan Certification
Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program
The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees for students who are in foster care. The waiver applies only to charges that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account.
The eligibility requirements and application can be found here.
The Fostering Independence Point of Contact is:
Michelle Lopez
Director, Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership
215-751-8373
milopez [at] ccp.edu
Additional Funding Resources
Additional funding resources are linked below:
https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps
www.collegeboard.org
www.philaedfund.org
www.ed.gov
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.org
www.gibill.va.gov
www.pheaa.org
Financial Aid Forms
Guides and Procedures
- Financial Aid Information Guide
- Financial Aid User's Guide
- Make Progress or Risk Losing Your Financial Aid
Submit Form(s) and Documentation
For in-person service, visit us in the Bonnell Building at the Enrollment Central Counter or mail your forms to:
Community College of Philadelphia - Office of Financial Aid
1700 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Fax: (215) 972-6234
Email: financialaid [at] ccp.edu (financialaid[at]ccp[dot]edu)
Note: Provide the student's name and ID number (J#) on all documents.
2023-2024 Aid Year
The 2023-2024 Financial Aid Forms are available electronically within the MyCCP portal.
- Login to MyCCP
- Click on the Student tab at the top
- Click on Financial Aid Forms to the right
- Click on the form needed to satisfy your requirement
Please ensure you are completing the correct forms and submitting the appropriate documents. This information is listed under the Financial Aid Requirements section of the MyCCP portal.
- Login to MyCCP
- Click on the Student tab at the top
- Click on Financial Aid to the right
- Click on Status
- Click on My Eligibility
- Click on Student Requirements
- Choose the Aid Year (School Year)
Other FA Forms
Checking Financial Aid Status
- Login to MyCCP
- Click on the Student tab at the top
- Click on Financial Aid to the left
- Click on Status
From there you can access:
My Overall Status of Financial Aid
View overall status; View holds; View academic progress; View cost of attendance; Read messages; View financial aid awards
My Eligibility
Review Financial Aid Holds (which may prevent payment of awards) and document requirements; Display academic progress history; View academic transcript.
My Award Information
Review awards by aid year; Accept award offers by aid year; Review award history; Display award payment schedule; View loan offers.
Note: If you are enrolled for less than six credits per semester, you are not eligible for loans or the PA State Grant. Also, your estimated awards will be based on a full-time status and subject to adjustments, repeat coursework, reported class attendance and enrolled credits.
All students interested in taking out loans from the Direct Loan Program must complete an entrance counseling session and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at: www.studentloans.gov.
Accepting or Declining Loans
Steps for accepting or declining loan offers:
- Login to MyCCP
- Click on the Student tab at the top
- Click on Financial Aid to the left
- Click on Award
- Click on Award by Aid Year
- Choose the appropriate school year/aid year
- Click on Accept Award Offer tab
- Accept/Decline desired loan amounts and submit for processing
Checking Bookstore Credit
- Log into MyCCP
- Click on the Student tab at the top
- Click on the Financial Aid to the left
- Click Bookstore Credit
- Select the appropriate Aid Year
Remember, your financial aid must total more than your tuition and fees in order to be eligible for a bookstore credit.
Using Your Bookstore Credit
Every transaction at the bookstore requires your signature and photo ID to complete the purchase. Your bookstore charges will be deducted from any expected balance check. Bookstore credits are to be applied only toward books and supplies.