Financial Aid Resources

Financial aid is determined and allocated not only on the cost of tuition and fees, but other costs (such as transportation, housing and board costs) for a student.  This total cost will vary depending on a student’s attendance level (full-time, ¾ time, half-time and less than half-time) and FAFSA filing status (independent or dependent).  Click on Cost of Attendance 24-25 for a breakdown of these expenses for the current academic year.

While each student’s financial circumstances vary, the federal government has developed a methodology to help students estimate the potential cost of attendance for their general circumstances.  This Net Price Calculator can be a useful tool to help you determine whether you may be eligible for financial aid at Warren County Community College.  However, you are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for financial aid.  See information under “Application Process” to apply for financial aid.

You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (908) 835-2396 or [email protected] for additional information.

Types of Aid Available

WCCC offers the following financial aid programs to support students in credit (A.A., A.S., A.A.S or certificate) programs:

Federal PELL Grant: A federal grant program based on financial need and awarded based on the PELL Grant formula, cost of attendance and enrollment status.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): A supplemental federal grant program based on exceptional financial need.

New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG): A grant program based on financial need for New Jersey residents attending a New Jersey college.

New Jersey STARS Program: A scholarship program that provides tuition to students attending their local community college who graduated in the top 15% of their high school class. WCCC contacts eligible students during their senior year regarding possible program eligibility. STARS who graduate from WCCC with at least a 3.25 GPA may receive a scholarship at a 4-year NJ public college.

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program: A grant program based on income eligibility and financial need.   Please  email [email protected].

Garden State Scholarship (GSS): Scholarships provided to high achieving NJ High School students to attend NJ Colleges.

WCCC Foundation Scholarship: Special scholarships are available each semester through a separate application process.  Funds may be awarded on merit and/or financial need.   See the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

Federal Work-Study: Part-time employment on-campus or in community service positions to help meet educational expenses.  Students must meet specific guidelines for eligibility for work-study positions.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: This loan is based on financial need and the government pays the interest for the student during the following periods: while the student is enrolled at least half-time; during the six month grace period after the student stops attending; and during periods of authorized deferment.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: This loan is not based on financial need and is available to all students regardless of income.  The student is responsible for the interest which accrues while in school, grace and deferment periods.  Interest payments may be made while in school or can be deferred until repayment.

Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG): A grant program based on some financial need for Warren County residents attending Warren County Community College. For additional information, please see here.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at [email protected] for additional information on these programs.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To receive financial assistance, a student must meet the following conditions:

  • Be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen
  • Have a high school diploma or a GED
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan or have been convicted of possessing or distributing illegal drugs
  • Register with the Selective Service (as applicable)

A student at WCCC must also:

  • Complete the FAFSA form annually and submit any additional verification documents as required
  • Meet the program requirements for assistance (such as demonstrating financial need for a Pell grant or being a NJ resident for state financial aid)
  • Be registered for classes at WCCC and working toward a degree in an eligible program
  • If a continuing student, must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Each semester a student must meet qualitative and quantitative standards of academic progress to remain eligible for financial aid. This is referred to as making Satisfactory Academic Progress.  This means that a student must meet a minimum GPA and also be making appropriate credit progression toward a degree.

Refund of Unearned Financial Aid and Repayment Policy

Students who withdraw from school or stop regular attendance will have their financial aid award prorated according to federal and state regulations. If a student officially or unofficially withdraws, the financial aid will be adjusted accordingly and any unearned funds will be returned by WCCC to the government.  Students will be held responsible for any amounts due to the College as a result of the return of these funds.

Students with balances on their accounts due to underpayment or a return of financial aid funds will not be able to register in subsequent semester(s) or to receive transcripts.  The College reserves the right to send any student to a collection agency. who has a balance on his/her account.

Rights and Responsibilities

Students accepting financial aid have certain rights and responsibilities and must comply with any rules, regulations and conditions governing such awards. Failure to read the WCCC Catalog, WCCC Student Handbook, Financial Aid Applications or any other publication pertaining to financial aid does not excuse the student from compliance. Further information regarding rights and responsibilities may be obtained in the Office of Student Services.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at (908) 835-2396 or [email protected] for additional information.

Application Process

Warren Community College encourages all students to file for financial aid, even if you think you may not qualify. The application process is free and should be done as early as possible before the semester begins so that financial assistance can be in place prior to the payment due date. You must apply annually for assistance.

If you have never received financial aid at Warren, apply by following the instructions below:

  1. Apply for an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification) from the Department of Education at Create an FSA ID Parents of dependent students must also apply for an FSA ID.
  1. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov. Warren’s Federal School Code is 016857. There is also a Spanish version of the FAFSA available at FAFSA Espanol.
  1. Once you have registered for classes, you will receive information on how to view the status of your financial aid on Warren’s Easy Access Grant Loan Entry (EAGLE) System.  Your financial aid award is posted on EAGLE in lieu of an award letter. EAGLE also allows you to track your aid status and has links to download forms and other information.
  1. You may be asked to submit additional information to complete the application process. Applications are selected for verification on a random basis by the federal government. This selection does not imply there is something wrong with the application. If your application is selected, you must submit additional documentation so that your financial aid can be determined.

To receive notification of your financial aid eligibility by the semester payment deadlines, please complete the FAFSA by the following dates:

Semester                        Apply by

Fall                                    July 1

Spring                               November 1

Summer                           May 1

Students who apply after these dates may have to make a payment or enter a payment plan with the College.  Therefore, it is very important to complete your FAFSA as early as possible.  For more general assistance with the FAFSA process, please go to the federal Help with completing the FAFSA  site.

Award Notification

To be considered eligible for financial aid at Warren Community College, a student must complete the following steps:
  1. Be Admitted to Warren Community College
    The student must be accepted into the college and meet all admission requirements.
  2. Register for Eligible Courses within the Desired Program
    The student must enroll in courses that are part of a degree program that is eligible for financial aid.
  3. Submit Fully Completed Required Financial Aid Documents
    The student must submit all necessary documents for financial aid, which may include the FAFSA, tax information, and other supporting materials as required by the financial aid office.
By completing these steps, the student will be considered for financial aid eligibility.

Eligible students will be notified of their award via the EAGLE system. Awarded financial aid is credited to the student’s account each semester, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, which is paid biweekly to the student. Some students may receive assistance in excess of their college costs (tuition, fees, and books). The portion that exceeds the college costs will be disbursed to the student after the tenth week of classes.

You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (908) 835-2396 or [email protected] for additional information.

Verification

The federal government randomly selects students for a process called verification.  Being selected for verification means that you need to provide additional documentation to the College so that we can verify the information that was reported in your FAFSA.  This may include the submission of tax records or W-2 information, for example.

The Financial Aid Office will notify you if you are selected for verification.  If you are selected for verification, it is very important that you return any documents or forms as soon as possible so that your eligibility for financial aid can be determined.  Students selected for verification also need to complete a Verification Worksheet.  This document can be found under the student’s EAGLE account.

Please note that Warren Community College cannot finalize any financial aid for you until you successfully complete the application process, so it is very important for you to submit documentation as quickly as possible.  Note also that if you are under consideration for assistance under the State’s Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program, you may be contacted directly by that agency for additional information.  The FAFSA application is available as early as October 1 for the next fall semester.  Please apply as early as possible to ensure processing time.

You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (908) 835-2396 or [email protected] for additional information.

Cost of Attendance

Financial aid is determined and allocated not only on the cost of tuition and fees, but other costs (such as transportation, housing and board costs) for a student.  This total cost will vary depending on a student’s attendance level (full-time, ¾ time, half-time and less than half-time) and FAFSA filing status (independent or dependent).  Click on Cost of Attendance 24-25 for a breakdown of these expenses for the current academic year.

While each student’s financial circumstances vary, the federal government has developed a methodology to help students estimate the potential cost of attendance for their general circumstances.  This Net Price Calculator can be a useful tool to help you determine whether you may be eligible for financial aid at Warren County Community College.  However, you are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for financial aid.  See information under “Application Process” to apply for financial aid.

You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (908) 835-2396 or [email protected] for additional information.

The Steps for Veteran’s to Get Started

  • Apply to WCCC
  • Apply for Veteran’s Education Benefits
  • Register for Classes
  • Complete and submit the WCCC VA Benefits Certification Request
  • Apply for Financial Aid (Optional; mandatory for students using the NJ National Guard Tuition Waiver)