Financial Information
Financial Aid
Your education is an important investment, and your decision to attend 4Cs is a wise financial decision, but we understand that finding the money to pay for college can be challenging. Financial aid exists to help with the costs of going to college.
We encourage every student to take a look at the available financial aid opportunities – you may be surprised to find that you qualify for assistance. Most of the funding is offered in the form of non-repayable grants, tuition waivers, and scholarships. Fewer than 20% of financial aid recipients borrow through the federal student loan programs.
Our helpful staff in the Financial Aid Office will work with you to explore all the available options, from grants and scholarships to work-study and loans, for financial assistance. If you ever have questions about the application process or need to learn more about financial aid opportunities, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Financial Aid | |
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Location | Nickerson Administration Building, Ground Floor |
Phone | 774.330.4393 |
finaid@capecod.edu | |
Online | Financial Aid at 4Cs |
How to Apply for Financial Aid
The very first step in the financial aid process is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for all federal and state grant, work study, and loan programs. The application is available online at Federal Student Aid. Complete the form after October 1, 2018, for the 2019–2020 academic year.
While the College accepts applications throughout the academic year, students should apply before May 1 for the Fall semester to allow sufficient processing time. The application process takes approximately two to four weeks.
Visit Financial Aid at 4Cs for more information about financial aid application procedures.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for financial aid programs students must meet all of the following requirements:
- be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen,
- be accepted into a College degree or qualifying certificate program,
- be enrolled for the appropriate number of credits per semester. Most aid programs require at least half-time enrollment (six credits per semester). Exceptions: some Federal Pell recipients receive the funds for only one class; the MassGrant program requires full-time enrollment (twelve or more credits).
- maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined on the College's website,
- not be in default or owe a refund on any federal grant or loan programs,
- provide all documentation required to complete the financial aid application, and
- demonstrate financial need for those programs awarded based on need.
Types of Financial Aid
There are three basic categories of financial aid available to students at 4Cs:
- Grants, tuition waivers, and scholarships—These are forms of assistance that do not have to be repaid.
- Loans—These are Federal loan programs. Repayment of most loans begins after the student is no longer enrolled in classes
- Work Study—Part-time employment at the 4Cs allows students to earn funds.
Note: Please visit Financial Aid at 4Cs for more information about the following financial aid options.
Grants
Federal Pell
Federal Supplemental Education and Opportunity Grant
MassGrant
MA Access Cash Grant
MA Part-Time Grant
MA Need-Based Tuition Waiver
MA Categorical Tuition Waivers
Scholarships
CCCC Gap Fund
CCCC Educational Foundation Scholarships and Grants
Whitehouse Scholarships
Loans
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students
Federal Work Study
If your total awards are less than your demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for the Federal Work Study program. Work study allows students to obtain part-time jobs on-campus and in certain off-campus, community service positions. Students receive paychecks every other week according to the number of hours worked.
More information about Work Study is available: Types of Financial Aid/Federal Work Study
Notification of Awards
Students receive an award letter providing the details of their financial aid package once their file is complete. The letter lists the source and amount of each type of assistance for which the student qualifies. Award letters usually begin to be mailed starting in May for the Fall semester.
Disbursement of Funds
Grants, waivers, scholarships, and loans are disbursed toward tuition, fees, and other charges approximately six weeks into the semester. If the total aid exceeds the charges, the Business Office mails a check to the student for the excess funds.
Federal Work Study checks are issued directly to the student every other week according to the number of hours worked.
Veterans
For information on Veterans benefits: Veterans Education Benefits
Withdrawals
If a student withdraws or is reported as absent in all classes, the amount of financial aid disbursed usually needs to be repaid. Visit Financial Aid Policies for withdrawal and refund policy details.