FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2009-2010 academic year is $5,350 depending on the student’s financial need. This grant may be adjusted based on changes in the number of credits that a student registers for.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid. Most awards range from $100-$200.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): ACG is available to students receiving a Pell Grant who have also completed a rigorous high school curriculum and are enrolled at least half time. Freshman may receive a maximum of $750 and sophomores may receive a maximum of $1300.

Federal Work Study (FWS)
This program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient's course of study. For more information on work study, please view our Federal Work Study page.

Federal Stafford Student Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
These federal loans are made by private lenders, but there are no co-signers or credit checks required.
The interest rate for the subsidized loan is 5.6% and the unsubsidized loan is 6.8%. Students will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) from the lender of their choice, complete entrance counseling, and submit a Loan Request Form available from our website.

A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. If a student is eligible for a subsidized loan, the government will pay (subsidize) the interest on your loan while the student is in school, during the grace period, and during any deferments. Students without unmet need may borrow an unsubsidized loan. The interest will accrue on an unsubsidized loan throughout the life of the loan.

Students must have a t least a 2.00 cumulative GPA in order to receive a student loan. For more information on Stafford Loans, please refer to our Stafford Loan page.

Federal PLUS Loan
Parents can borrow a PLUS Loan to help students pay their education expenses if the student is dependent. Parents should contact the lender of their choice to complete a PLUS Loan Application and pass the required credit check. Once the PLUS Loan has been approved and the parent has completed the Master Promissory Note (MPN), the student should complete the Loan Request Form available from our website.

STATE OF NEW JERSEY FINANCIAL AID
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)
TAG is awarded based on financial need. The maximum TAG award is over $2200 annually and does not need to be repaid.

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)
Please refer to the EOF section of our website.

Distinguished/Urban Scholars Awards (DS/US)
Candidates are selected by their high school based upon academic standing as of the fall semester of their senior year and will be notified by HESAA of their eligibility. Students must be full time to receive this award. Awards are made up to $1000 based on funding.

NJ Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS)
This program is for full time students who graduated in the top 15% of their high school class within the past year.

NJ CLASS
This fixed rate, credit based loan program offers flexible repayment options and a low interest rate.

For more information on state grants, scholarships, and loans, please visit the HESAA website at www.hesaa.org.

UNION COUNTY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Union County offers a wide variety of scholarship to help our students achieve their educational goals. Last year, UCC awarded over $1.5 million dollars in scholarships to our students. Scholarships are a form of financial aid that does not have to be repaid and we have over a hundred scholarships available to students each year.

Each scholarship has different criteria and there are scholarships available for almost any student. Scholarships criteria can be based on GPA, major, high school, city, community service, etc. The Scholarship Application is the application for all of these scholarships. Some scholarships require that you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be eligible. Incoming first time freshman should also complete the Freshman Scholarship Application and provide their official final high school transcript once they graduate. For more information, please view our Scholarships page.