Financial Aid

Administration Building (B)  •  finaid@sussex.edu  •  973.300.2225

Sussex County Community College recognizes that many families need assistance in meeting their educational costs. The College’s financial aid programs assist students who would be unable to attend without financial help. 

The College expects that students and their parents will contribute to the extent of their abilities toward meeting their educational costs. All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Financial aid is available to those who demonstrate need. Need is defined as the difference between what it costs to attend Sussex and what a student may reasonably be expected to contribute. Unless otherwise designated, all assistance offered by or through Sussex is awarded based on financial need and satisfactory academic progress.

Sussex participates in all federal and New Jersey state aid programs. These programs include federal and state grants, as well as low-interest loans and campus employment opportunities. Students applying for financial aid are considered for all programs for which they are eligible.

When to File a FAFSA

Students should complete a FAFSA for each year after October 1st but before April 15th to be considered for maximum grant aid.

How to Apply for Financial Assistance

Follow the steps outlined below. The Financial Aid Office offers FAFSA Workshops for students who need assistance. Check the website for scheduled dates. Please allow enough time before the start of the semester to avoid missed deadlines.

1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   1. The FAFSA is available online at StudentAid.gov.
   2. FAFSA Workshops are held once a week to assist with the FAFSA Application. Register online at sussex.edu/fafsaworkshops
   3. Use your FSA ID and password to sign for the student (and parent if applicable). Create your FSA ID and password at StudentAid.gov.
   4. Print a copy of the confirmation page for your records.
   5. The Sussex School Code is 025688.
2. If requested by the Financial Aid Office, provide an official final high school transcript, or High School Equivalency (HSE) Test. (faxes not accepted).
3. Eligibility for assistance is determined as a result of information submitted to the Federal Student Aid Processing Center on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Processing Center calculates an Expected Financial Contribution (EFC). The EFC is provided on the Federal Student Aid Report (SAR).

Federal Verification

After a student receives their Student Aid Report, he or she will be notified through their Sussex email if they have been selected for federal verification. If the student is selected for verification they will be required to do the following:

1. Complete the appropriate Verification Worksheet available on the Financial Aid website at sussex.edu/financialaidforms.
2. Submit a copy of the student and their parent’s (if parental information was required) signed Tax Return or IRS-generated Tax Return Transcript to the Financial Aid Office. Transcripts can be printed by accessing your records at www.irs.gov
3. Students should submit all other documentation as requested to the Financial Aid Office.

Student Portal

We strongly encourage students to use the My.Student Portal to view both their financial aid awards on their College Financing Plan as well as missing documents needed to complete their financial aid file. The student portal is available from my.sussex.edu.

Changes in Financial Circumstances and Unusual Situations - Request for Professional Judgment

Students should notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes in their financial circumstances and unusual situations that may occur. Examples are loss of a job, reduction of non-taxable income, disability or death of a parent or spouse, separation or divorce, etc. All may have an effect on the student’s need for assistance. If the student’s circumstances have changed, their application may require updates. Submit a request by completing the Request for Professional Judgment Form located on our website. In all cases, third-party documentation is required.

Other Aid

Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office and/or Bursar’s Office when any outside financial assistance, such as scholarships and/or third-party funding, is given to the student.

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Several Federal programs may be available for those who qualify to help reduce the cost of education. The programs include grants, work-study, and loans.

Federal Pell Grant (Pell)

The processed FAFSA will determine a student’s eligibility for a Pell Grant. The grant value is dependent upon the FAFSA analysis and is sensitive to the course load taken. The grant could range from $672 to $6,495 annually.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This grant requires no additional application and is awarded to students who show exceptional need via random selection. Awards range from $100 to $600 annually. Award amounts vary depending on the availability of funds.

Federal Work Study Program (FWSP)

The Federal Work Study Program is designed to provide employment for needy students. Earnings for services are paid on the 15th and last day of the month by automatic deposit and do not appear as a credit against school charges. Eligibility for the program is determined by the Financial Aid Office, and priority is given to students demonstrating the most financial need.

Funding for FWSP is provided by a yearly allocation from the federal government. Students may not earn more than the amount stated on their Work Authorization Form.

Students select an employment location from our job listings. FWSP is part of the student’s financial aid package, they will be referred to Human Resources for employment location and the date he or she will start to work. Employment follows the academic calendar and usually averages 10 to 20 hours per week. The College pays, but is not limited to paying, the prevailing minimum wage.

As part of the FWSP, students may be able to participate in the Community Service Learning (CSL) program. Work is usually performed at an off-campus location but must be in the public interest at a non-profit, community-based employer. In the CSL program, students are employed in positions designed to directly improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or solve particular problems related to their needs in areas such as health care, childcare, literacy training, education, and counseling.

As with all FWSP students, the College determines if eligibility requirements have been met and match the student to the work location. Supervisors schedule duties and work hours. In no case may the student exceed the budgeted amount of earnings set by the Financial Aid Office. Work hours in the CSL program could be up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. The employment contract is for one semester and may be renewed for the following semester as long as the student is enrolled.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan)

The loan may be used to help cover costs not met by grant assistance. Subsidized maximum loan amounts for dependent students are $3,500 for the freshman year (one to 32 college-level credits earned) and $4,500 for the sophomore year (33 or more college-level credits earned). An additional $2,000 in an unsubsidized loan is available for dependent students. 

Independent students may borrow more. Loans are not recommended and are to be used only if all other options are exhausted.

Students must complete the following before a loan can be awarded and disbursed.

1. FAFSA: StudentAid.gov
2. Entrance Counseling: studentloans.gov
3. Master Promissory Note: studentloans.gov
4. Sussex Direct Student Loan Request Form: sussex.edu/studentservices/financialaid/forms

Subsidized: A loan for which a borrower is not responsible for the interest while in an in-school, grace, or deferment status. Subsidized loans include Direct Subsidized, Direct Subsidized Consolidation Loans, Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, and Federal Subsidized Consolidation Loans. If you are a first-time borrower on or after July 1, 2013, there is a limit on the maximum period of time (measured in academic years) that you can receive Direct Subsidized Loans. This time limit does not apply to Direct Unsubsidized Loans or Direct PLUS Loans. If this limit applies to you, you may not receive Direct Subsidized Loans for more than 150 percent of the published length of your program. This is called your “maximum eligibility period.” Your maximum eligibility period is generally based on the published length of your current program. You can usually find the published length of any program of study in your school’s catalog.

Unsubsidized: A loan for which the borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest regardless of the loan status. Interest on unsubsidized loans accrues from the date of disbursement and continues throughout the life of the loan. Unsubsidized loans include: Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Consolidation Loans, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, and Federal Unsubsidized Consolidation Loans.

Points to Remember:

• Exit Counseling is required before permanently leaving the campus (graduation or transfer to another college), dropping to less than half-time during a semester or taking a semester off. Visit StudentAid.gov to complete.
• Students have several repayment options to repay the loan. Payment schedules are set up with a servicer before repayment of the loan. Loans are made in the student’s name only. It will be the student’s responsibility to repay their loan. It is recommended that all other avenues of assistance be explored before considering a Direct Loan

Typical Monthly Payments

The Sample Repayment Amounts chart is a projection of the approximate amount of monthly installments over different periods of time required to amortize various levels of indebtedness.

Student Loan Exit Counseling

All students who have borrowed funds through the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program are required to complete Exit Counseling upon graduation, transfer, or enrollment dropping below half-time. Exit Counseling may be accomplished online at StudentAid.gov. Students should contact their servicer if they are experiencing difficulties in repaying their loans. Students have options available, including deferring payments. Please note that a deferment of both principal and interest is available to students in Peace Corps service, Domestic Volunteer Service Act service, or Community Service at a tax-exempt organization.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Study (PLUS)

This is a loan to enable parents with good credit to borrow for their children who are enrolled in college on at least a halftime basis. Loans are at variable interest rates and could be for amounts up to the cost of education, minus any financial assistance for which the student is eligible.

State Financial Aid Programs

Regulations are subject to change. Contact the Financial Aid Office for details.

Community College Opportunity Grants (CCOG)

Community College Opportunity Grants make community colleges affordable for New Jersey residents. CCOG awards pay for the cost of tuition and approved educational fees for New Jersey residents with an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0 and $65,000. New Jersey residents with AGIs between $65,001 and $80,000 pay reduced tuition costs after up to one-half of the maximum CCOG award available at their community college is applied. New Jersey residents with AGIs between $80,001 and $100,000 will pay reduced tuition costs after up to one-third of the maximum CCOG award available at their community college is applied. The CCOG covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not already covered by federal and state financial aid or scholarships.

 
For additional details and eligibility requirements, visit the NJGRANTS website.

NJ Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)

State grants are available to full-time students based on need. Grants range from $1,276 to $3,206 annually.

NJ Part-time Tuition Aid Grant

This state program is for students who take between 6 and 11 credits. Awards range from $610 to $2,130 annually, depending on course load. As with all state aid, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be filed by the state deadlines.

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Grant

EOF grants are available to students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who meet eligibility requirements. Award amounts vary depending on enrollment status, college costs, and financial need. EOF grants are renewable annually based upon continued eligibility. Applicants must also contact the campus EOF director to apply for admission into the program. The college will determine the value of the grant.

NJ Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship Program (NJ STARS)

NJ STARS is a state program for students who graduate from a NJ high school and who rank in the top 15% at the end of their junior or senior year of high school. Reference the NJHESAA website at www.njgrants.org for up-to-date information and eligibility.

NJ CLASS

NJ CLASS is a state loan program for students and their families who are either NJ residents or are an out-of-state resident attending a NJ college. Please reference the NJHESAA website at njgrants.org for up-to-date information and eligibility.

New Jersey Scholarships and Grants

State Aid Deadlines (N.J. Residents only)

• Received TAG in the prior academic year - April 15
• Did not receive TAG in the prior academic year - September 15

Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship (NJ-GIVS) for Women and Minorities.

This scholarship pays up to $2000 per year or up to the cost of tuition in an eligible certificate or degree program, less any federal, state or institutional financial aid. Funding is limited and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. To receive an award all eligibility must be met.

Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Scholarship (LEOMS)

This is a state grant for dependent children of New Jersey law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program. The award amount cannot exceed an amount equal to the recipients’ annual cost of attendance that is not covered by any other scholarship, grant, benefit, or assistance administered by HESAA.

NJ Volunteer Firefighters and Rescue Squad Program

This program is to aid volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members, their spouses, and dependent children. The value of the assistance is $600 annually but may not exceed $2,400 over a four-year period. Confirmation and eligibility must be provided through the municipal letter. The program is for tuition costs only, and the student is responsible for fees and books.

New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship

This scholarship is for eligible dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents who were killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, or later died from injury or exposure to the site. Students must be enrolled full-time and are limited to 8 years from the date of graduation or eight years from the date of the death of the spouse.

Survivor Tuition Benefits (STB)

This program is for eligible children and surviving spouses of New Jersey firefighters, emergency service workers, or law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Students must be enrolled at least half time and will cover the cost of tuition only.

Scholarships

The College Foundation maintains a number of locally endowed and in-house scholarships that are designed to assist qualified students with the cost of attending Sussex. These Foundation Scholarship applications are available online at sussex.edu/scholarships. The Student Success Center also has information available on local, national and transfer scholarships. Internet access to specific scholarship sites is also available.

Veterans’ Educational Benefits

Students wishing to take advantage of V.A. benefits & programs at Sussex MUST meet with the Veterans Coordinator to apply, register for classes, and certify enrollment with the V.A. Veterans should contact the College’s Veterans Services Dept. at 973-300-2385.

Financial Aid Criteria

Billing Procedures: The College expects that students will pay for their school expenses as they are incurred, i.e. per semester. Financial assistance is applied first to tuition charges and then to required fees. Additional expenses such as laboratory fees, books, class trip expenses, and supplies may be covered with any remaining assistance.

Aid Disbursement: Fall and spring semester aid will be disbursed once attendance is confirmed for all classes. Summer aid will be disbursed once attendance is confirmed for all classes. First-time, first-year student loan borrowers will have their loan disbursement delayed for 30 days. Students who have single-semester loans will receive two disbursements. Aid generally is electronically transferred to the College from federal, state, and private aid programs and from both federal and private loan programs. Using the College computer system, aid is released to the Bursar’s Office for application against account balances. Credit balances are sent to the student by check, mail, or by direct deposit.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients

In compliance with Final Program Integrity Rules published October 29, 2010, Sussex has adopted a policy concerning the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for financial aid recipients. Federal and state regulations impose limits on how long a student may continue to receive Federal and State aid in order to make up deficiencies in meeting SAP standards.

A review of satisfactory academic progress is completed at the end of each semester/payment period. Summer terms are considered a semester/payment period; therefore, satisfactory academic progress will be evaluated at the end of the summer session as well if the student enrolls and attends summer session(s). The evaluation period will be based on attendance in all prior semester(s) and will include all classes attempted, whether federal aid was received or not.

Each student who receives either federal or state assistance (including student/parent loans) must make satisfactory academic progress toward the attainment of his or her degree or certificate as a condition of receiving financial aid.

To be considered making satisfactory academic progress, a student must have a 2.0 CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average), and successfully complete a certain percentage of their credits (see chart)*. Students must keep within a maximum time frame which would be limited to no more than 150% of the published length of the program for undergraduate study. Please note that remedial and repeated coursework are counted in the cumulative GPA. This is why the cumulative GPA on a student’s transcript may not match the cumulative GPA derived from the financial aid calculation.

Remedial Coursework

Remedial coursework is included in both the SAP completion rate and in the GPA calculation. Students may receive financial aid for developmental credits up to a maximum of 30 credit hours. ESOL courses do not count in this 30-credit hour limitation.

Repeated Coursework

If a student receives an F the first time they take a course and subsequently passes the course with a D, the student may only receive financial aid once to improve their D grade.

Repeated Coursework and Enrollment Status

Repeated courses may include any repetition of the course in a student’s enrollment status for a term as long as the student has never passed the course. If the student passes the course, Sussex may include one repetition after passing the course. Any second or subsequent repetition of the passed course may not be included in the student’s enrollment status for purposes of Federal and State aid programs.

Transfer Credit

Sussex will count transfer credit hours that are accepted toward a student’s educational program as both attempted and completed hours.

Change of Major

Students seeking second degrees and students with double majors are monitored like any other students under this policy. Students that change their major more than twice may affect their maximum timeframe. Coursework from a previous major will not count toward attempted credits.

If or when the student exceeds the maximum time frame allowed for their respective programs, students may appeal if they have mitigating circumstances. All transfer hours accepted by Sussex will be included when determining the maximum timeframe eligibility.

Terminology

Academic Plan is a plan of action that will help the student achieve minimum satisfactory academic progress. The Academic Plan is the result of the appeals process.

Financial Aid Warning is a status assigned to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress at a school that evaluates academic progress at the end of each payment period and chooses to allow students who fail progress standards to continue to receive aid. During a period of Warning, the student will continue to receive Title IV and State aid automatically for one semester.

Financial Aid Probation is a status assigned to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress and who has appealed and has had eligibility for aid reinstated. This is for one semester. No Aid Status (Suspension) is after the Warning period, when a student does not meet SAP standards, the student is placed on Financial Aid No Aid Status (Suspension) but has the right to appeal if there were extenuating circumstances. Sussex may choose to reinstate federal and state eligibility based on the appeal.

The Process

Warning

Students not making satisfactory academic progress after their first semester will be placed on a Warning and notified accordingly. A Warning allows a student to continue to receive Title IV and State aid automatically. This Warning period lasts for only one semester.

If the student still does not meet SAP standards after the Warning period, the student loses financial aid eligibility but has the right to appeal. Sussex may choose to reinstate federal and state eligibility based on the appeal.

The Appeals Process

The circumstances under which a student would be permitted to submit an appeal are death of a relative, injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances.

A student will be required to submit (as part of the appeal process), the completed appeal form, a signed letter indicating why the student failed to make SAP, and what has changed in the student’s situation that would allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. In addition, the student should submit any documentation available to support their extenuating circumstance, such as a letter from their doctor, hospital bills, police reports, etc.

An appeal may be approved only if the school has determined that the student will be able to meet SAP standards within the maximum time frame. Subsequent appeal submissions require prior approval from the Director of Financial Aid. Subsequent appeals cannot be submitted for the same reason as the previous appeal.

Academic Plan

Part of the successful appeals process will be the development and acceptance of an Academic Plan. The Academic Plan is set up to help the student meet the minimum standards for academic progress.

At the end of the semester of probation, the Financial Aid Office will determine if the student is meeting the minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress.

1. If the student meets the minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress, the student will no longer be considered on probation status for financial aid.
2. If the student is not meeting the minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress, the Financial Aid Office will determine if the student met the terms of his/her academic plan.
   1. If the terms of the plan are met, the student will be eligible to continue on probation status for financial aid.
   2. If the terms of the plan are not met, the student will be ineligible for financial aid until the student is meeting the minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress on a self-pay basis.

Probation

Once the appeal is granted and an academic plan is created, the student is then placed on Financial Aid Probation. A student on Financial Aid Probation may receive federal and state funds for one payment period. If after the one semester of Probation the student still does not meet SAP standards, the student will lose financial aid eligibility, however, if the terms of the academic plan are met, the student will be eligible to continue on a probation status for financial aid.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

• A student who has lost financial aid eligibility may regain eligibility after taking classes at his/her own expense (selfpay) and meeting minimum requirements of 2.0 GPA and a completion rate in accordance with the completion rate chart within the 150% time frame.
• It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office when these conditions have been met.
• All classes (including those taken at other institutions) will be taken into consideration for reinstatement purposes.
• Students who exhaust the 150% time frame may appeal if they have mitigating circumstances.

How to Keep Financial Aid Eligibility

Degree Programs

A student (i.e., one who is not taking developmental courses) must complete his or her associate degree program after attempting no more than 150% of the total hours required in the program.

All hours attempted, including repeated course work, are counted whether or not financial aid was received.

Federal Financial Aid Review is completed at the end of each semester.

Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy

The Higher Education Act of 1998 has revised the way the College must manage the Federal Return of Title IV Funds whenever the student stops attending all classes, officially withdraws from all classes, or is dismissed while classes are in progress. For courses that span an entire semester (Full-term fall and spring semester courses), federal funds may only be fully utilized after the student completes the first 60% of the term (in days). Any withdrawals or stop-outs within the first 60% of the term will necessitate an award adjustment. Students who withdraw from courses delivered in modules (Early Finish, Delayed Start, Late Start, and all Summer sessions) must complete an equivalent portion of the modules in which they are enrolled. The exact calculation will depend upon the student’s combination of modules. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information when withdrawing from courses delivered in modules.

Should the student find that he or she cannot complete the term, he or she must immediately notify the Financial Aid Office PRIOR TO WITHDRAWAL. Failure to attend classes or to officially WITHDRAW IN WRITING will result in the student being billed for tuition and fees. The student’s financial aid may be reduced or withdrawn, and the student may jeopardize their eligibility for future assistance.

If it is necessary for Federal Aid to be returned, it will be accomplished in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Stafford Loan
3. Federal Plus Loan
4. Pell Grant
5. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
6. Other Title IV Programs (Refunds are not required for the Federal Work Study Programs.) Note: If no formal letter of withdrawal has been filed, the College will use the last documented attendance date as the ending date of instruction.

The following example is provided for clarification:

Example: You are a full-time, credit-hour student, and, through circumstances beyond your control, you stop attending classes. (You must notify the Financial Aid Office of your withdrawal.) You attended classes for 70 days of a 125-calendar-day semester. This means that you are entitled to use 56% of your Federal Aid to pay your bill (70/125=56%). If you had received a Federal Pell Grant of $1500, $840 could be used to pay against your bill, and $660 would be the required return to the Federal Aid Program.

Institutional Charge Policy

Students who withdraw, drop out, or are expelled from the College during either the Fall or Spring semesters will have their tuition bill adjusted according to the following schedule:

1. After the first (1st) day of class, through to the end of the second (2nd) week of class, a 100% refund (effective spring 1. Please check with the Bursar’s Office to be sure of the date.) of tuition charged.
2. After the third (3rd) week of class, no refund of tuition.
3. After the second (2nd) week of class, no refund of tuition.

Summer and winter terms have abbreviated refund periods. Please see the published Academic Calendar for actual refund dates.

State funds will be returned to the appropriate programs in the following order:

1. NJ Tuition Aid Grant Program (TAG).
2. NJ Part-time Tuition Aid Grant Program.
3. NJ STARS Program.

After Federal and State aid program funds have been returned, refunds will be made to any off-campus scholarship/grant programs and/or Sussex County Community College programs. If a credit balance remains on account after this process has been completed, a pass-through of funds will be made to the student to cover non-billed educational expenses.

Charges - Educational Costs

Direct Costs - Amounts that must be paid to the College. (See Tuition and Fees ).

Figures were developed for full-time students and show annual budgets for a nine-month school year.

These in-state/in-county budgets are provided for your information. Your actual budget for school costs may vary. The budgets for out-of-county, out-of-state, and Pennsylvania students are significantly different. If you have questions about the cost of education, you’re encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office.

Award Revisions

Financial aid awards may be adjusted due to changes in the student’s enrollment status, academic progress, governmental allocations, etc. If a change becomes necessary, he or she will be notified, and a new award notice will be provided.

The student may request a review of his or her award by calling the Financial Aid Office to make an appointment. If the student feels that they have a unique situation that was not addressed or they just wish to talk, please be sure to call. Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office if they have any questions as to how their assistance affects their bill. (In exceptional circumstances, special payment arrangements may be made by contacting the Bursar’s Office. All checks should be made payable to Sussex County Community College and not to any individual).

Additional Financial Aid Information

Full details about federal and state assistance programs can be found at StudentAid.gov and Financial Aid Programs for NJ Students at www.njgrants.org.

Students are encouraged to refer to the Financial Aid portion of the website.

Sussex offers limited financial assistance through the generosity of outside donors. The process requires a separate application to the Sussex Foundation. Essays and interviews are normally required. Awards are directed to students in specific academic areas and are issued to students with a strong Sussex achievement record. Award amounts vary. Interested students are urged to contact the Student Success Center for more information.