Student Essentials

FINANCIAL AID

The federal government, the state of New Jersey, and Mercer County Community College offer eligible students a range of financial aid opportunities. A student or applicant wishing to be considered for financial aid should apply as early as possible. This can be done even before completing an MCCC admission application.

Most student financial aid is provided in the form of federal- and state-funded grant programs. This money is specifically awarded for education-related expenses including tuition, fees, books, and indirect costs such as living expenses and transportation. Eligibility depends upon financial need.

Specific financial aid programs along with eligibility requirements and application instructions (effective at time of publication) are outlined on the sources page. Visit the MCCC Financial Aid web page for the most up-to-date information.

Surplus Financial Aid

Accepted financial aid from all sources is automatically applied to a student’s bill to cover tuition and fees. If the sum of all payments made is greater than a student’s charges, the student will see a negative balance on their term account summary. For a period of time prior to and during the beginning of each semester, students with these surplus funds may use them in the college bookstore for textbooks and other supplies needed for classes (up to a $1,200 maximum each semester).

Any surplus funds not used in the bookstore will be mailed to students in the form of a check approximately halfway through the semester. Students expecting a refund check are encouraged to keep their mailing address up to date with the Registrar’s office. The college is not able to provide a specific timeframe for the generation or mailing of any individual student’s refund check, but information pertaining to a refund check is available in each student’s portal once a check has been issued.

Summer Financial Aid

Depending on when a student’s financial aid award is packaged, students may or may not see federal aid available for the Summer Session. Students wishing to take Summer classes may be eligible for federal financial aid even if they do not have a Summer term on their award letter. Information about Summer financial aid is available on the Financial Aid web page prior to the start of the Summer term.