Financial Aid Programs at Brookdale

Grants

• Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant provided by the U.S. government to help undergraduate students pay for college. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. The amount awarded is based on factors such as the student's financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.

• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is an additional grant awarded to Pell recipients. The amount is based on financial need and available funds.

• New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) is a last-dollar grant available to full- and part-time students attending their county community college. Award values depend on eligibility requirements and may cover up to the full cost of tuition and fees.

• New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) is available for Full and Part Time students attending New Jersey postsecondary institutions, including community colleges, state colleges and private schools.

• New Jersey Educational Opportunity Grant (EOF) is awarded on the basis of academic criteria and financial need.

• New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Rewards Scholarship (NJSTARS) — New Jersey High School students who do not require remedial coursework and graduate in the top 15% of their class are eligible for 5 terms free tuition. You must apply for financial aid by completing your FAFSA and provide documentation of your High School rank after you graduate. For more information, visit the NJSTARS website.

Loans -

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan — $5,500 for first-year students and $6,500 for second-year students enrolled in a program that is a full academic year program. Repayment begins six months after the student drops to less than half-time status; the student has up to 10 years to repay. The current interest rate is 0% in-school (subsidized by the federal government) and a fixed rate of 6.53% upon taking less than 6 credits.

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan — If a student is not eligible to receive funds from the subsidized loan, a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loans may not exceed $9,500 for first-year students and $10,500 for second-year students. The interest rate is 6.53%, and repayment terms are the same, except interest is not subsidized and will accrue during in-school and six-month grace periods.

Instructions on how to request a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan please click Here  Or visit your self-service portal on the Brookdale website.

• Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) — The annual loan limit is the dependent student's cost of education minus any estimated financial aid received. Repayment begins within sixty days of disbursement, or 6 months after the student stops attending at least 6 credits, with up to ten years to repay. The interest rate is a fixed 9.08%. For more information, please click Here

• Alternative Loans — Alternative loans should be a last resort for students whose financial aid package already includes Federal Direct Loans and other sources of financial aid but still need additional funding to meet their educational costs. The annual loan limit is the cost of education minus any financial aid received. Eligibility is determined by the lender. The borrower must be creditworthy and have an established annual income or need a co-signer. Brookdale does not associate with or advise students on alternative loan lenders.

Work -

• Federal College Work Study —This program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money while pursuing their education. The amount you earn will depend on your financial need, the amount of other aid you receive, and the availability of funds at your school. Jobs can be on-campus or off-campus, and students are paid bi-monthly.

• Student Help Positions — These positions provide part-time jobs for students, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their education expenses. Students may work in various departments or offices on campus, assisting with tasks such as administrative support, event coordination, or research assistance. The number of hours and pay rate will vary depending on the position and department. These roles offer valuable work experience and a flexible schedule that accommodates class times. Students are typically paid bi-monthly.

For more information, please visit https://www.brookdalecc.edu/career-center/

Return of Title IV Funds

The Higher Education Amendment of 1998 stipulates that a recalculation of a financial aid award must be completed for any Title IV recipient who totally withdraws from Brookdale Community College. The federal recalculation formula calculates how much Title IV program assistance is earned for attendance up through the 60% point of the term. More information regarding this process is available in the Financial Aid Office. Please speak to a Financial Aid Administrator if you have any questions.

ROTC

Brookdale maintains an agreement with Rutgers University, the Army ROTC and/or the Air Force ROTC to provide two and three year scholarships for qualified students. For more information on the Army ROTC call 732-932-3217, or go to www.armyrotc.rutgers.edu/.

For more information on the Air Force ROTC call 732-932-7706, ext. 20 or go to https://afrotc.rutgers.edu/.

Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC)

Brookdale Community College is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity College sponsored by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges and the education agencies of the Department of Defense. As a SOC College, Brookdale commits to meeting the educational needs of Armed Forces personnel and their dependents. Brookdale is also a member of a national collegiate program, sponsored by the SOC Consortium, designed to allow service members to earn degrees even though an enrolled member relocates away from the home institution. The program is called Servicemembers Opportunity College Associate Degree (SOCAD) in the Army and Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOCNAV) in the Navy. Through these programs the service members and their dependents may enroll at Brookdale for a planned program and receive optimum credit for technical training and experience, up to 45 credits. Service members enrolled in SOCAD/SOCNAV programs can rest assured that credits equivalent to course requirements at Brookdale earned at other institutions will be accepted toward a Brookdale degree. All SOC Consortium institutions offer program planning and have personnel ready to assist the service member in completing degree requirements. Information about Brookdale’s SOCAD/SOCNAV is handled through the Continuing and Professional Studies unit of Brookdale and by Base education offices. For information call 732-224-2068.  The program at Brookdale is open to all Armed Forces personnel stationed or residing in Monmouth County, and their dependents.

Tuition Waivers

There are also three other opportunities to “pay” for tuition. Tuition waivers (tuition charges waived) are provided for the unemployed student with a waiver from state employment services; firefighters and first aid volunteers obtain waivers from their municipalities; and lastly, family dependents of victims of 9/11. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office by calling 732-224-2361. Waivers are valid for the Academic Year, which runs July 1st through June 30th each year.

The unemployed student, firefighters and first aid volunteers may not pre-register. They must wait until the first day of any semester to register and have their tuition waived.

Special At Brookdale

The Brookdale Community College Foundation

The Brookdale Community College Foundation (www.brookdalecc.edu/community/brookdale-foundation/) is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The mission of the Foundation is to raise money for student scholarship programs, building and capital expansion projects, and educational and curriculum enrichment programs.

Foundation Trustees are elected to three-year terms and represent Monmouth County’s business, corporate, community and professional leaderships.

Gifts to the Foundation’s Annual Access and Opportunity Scholarship, and the “Securing the Vision” Library Endowment Campaign are tax-exempt under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Bequests and charitable trusts are also ways that donors can leave a legacy of support.

Students needing financial assistance from the Foundation should apply through the College Financial Aid Office. A number of scholarships are available each year for both full and part-time students at the College.

Tuition Installment Plan

Students enrolling for credit courses in any term may participate in a tuition installment plan with Nelnet. Students must be in good financial standing to participate and there is an initial $60 non-refundable fee per term at the time of application. Payment schedules will differ depending on the term. Questions? Call Nelnet directly at 800-307-6641. Please have your student ID number, term and amount due available when you call.  Students may also visit the website (brookdalecc.afford.com/) to review account activity and payment options.