To qualify for any of these programs, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal government uses this form to determine your eligibility for:
- Grants.
- Scholarships.
- Work-study.
- Loans.
To learn more about the four things you need to know before you complete the FAFSA on GRCC's Youtube channel.
Before completing the FAFSA you, and parent if dependent, must create a FSA ID Number.
You can learn more about how to create your FSA ID Number and password on GRCC's Youtube channel.
Learn more about how to apply for the FAFSA or begin your FAFSA application today.
If you're preparing for the 2024-2025 school year (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, and Summer 2025), you will complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA. The 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available later in December 2023. The 2024-2025 FAFSA must be completed by June 30, 2025.
If you're preparing for the 2025-2026 school year (Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and Summer 2026), you will complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA. The 2025-2026 FAFSA must be completed by June 30, 2026.
Consortium Agreement
If you are attending two colleges at the same time, you may be eligible to apply for a consortium agreement.
Grants
Pell Grant
The information you provide on the FAFSA will determine your student aid index (SAI), which is used to determine your Pell Grant eligibility.
After completing the FAFSA, you will receive a notification from the Financial Aid Office regarding your eligibility for the Pell Grant.
The maximum annual Pell Grant award for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 is $7,395.
Summer Pell: If you were full time both Fall and Winter semesters during the school year, you may still have Pell 2 eligibility for the Summer semester! Financial Aid staff will review student files to determine eligibility later in February.
Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship & Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Maximum Pell Grant Eligibility for Dependents of Certain Deceased Servicemembers and Public Safety Officers.
The FAFSA Simplification Act changed eligibility for what were formerly called “Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants (IASG)” and “Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) Scholarships.” Beginning with the 2024-25 award year, students who meet the eligibility requirements for Pell Grants under the Special Rule in HEA Section 401(c) will receive a maximum Pell Grant award, regardless of their calculated SAI. To receive a Pell Grant based on eligibility under the Special Rule, a student must be:
- The child of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty while either (a) serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001; or (b) actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer; and
- Less than 33 years old as of the January 1 prior to the award year for which the applicant is applying (e.g., for the 2024–25 award year, a student must be less than 33 years old as of January 1, 2024, to be eligible).
In this situation, eligible students will have a Scheduled Award equal to a maximum Pell Grant award, regardless of SAI. Other aid for these students will be based on their calculated SAI.
Public Safety Officer Definition
A public safety officer generally includes the following:
- Law enforcement officer
- Firefighter
- Member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee
- Emergency management or civil defense agency employee
- Chaplain
- Others defined in Section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968
Identification of Eligibility and Acceptable Documentation
After the 2023–24 award year the U.S. Department of Defense will no longer provide confirmation that a service member killed in the line of duty meets the revised special eligibility criteria. Further, no comprehensive federal database exists to effectively and efficiently identify public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Therefore, students will self-identify potential eligibility on the FAFSA® form, and the school will be required to confirm eligibility by collecting supporting documentation from the student.
Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- A copy of the servicemember’s DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) which documents death in the line of duty.
- A copy of the servicemember’s DD Form 214 and death certificate, documenting that the date and cause of death occurred during and as a result of active duty.
- A copy of a Department of Veterans Affairs Death Narrative Document
- A determination letter acknowledging eligibility for certain federal benefits under the Public Safety Officers Benefit (PSOB) program administered by the Department of Justice.
- A written letter of attestation or determination made by a state or local government official with supervisory or other relevant oversight authority of an individual who died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer.
- Documentation of the student qualifying for a state tuition or other state benefit accorded to the children or other family members of a public safety officer.
- Other documentation the school determines to be from a credible source that describes or reports the circumstances of the death and the eligible occupation of the parent or guardian.
Legacy IASG and CFH Eligibility
Students who were eligible for and received IASG funds OR received Pell Grant funds based on IASG or CFH eligibility criteria for the 2023-24 award year but are not eligible for Pell Grant funds under the Special Rule beginning with the 2024–25 award year are eligible to receive Pell Grant funds based on prior IASG or CFH eligibility criteria. Students remain eligible if they received at least one disbursement of Pell Grant or IASG funds based on their IASG or CFH eligibility during the 2023-24 award year and continue to meet the age requirement for the Special Rule.
Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG funds are awarded to students with exceptional financial need, and Pell Grant recipients have priority.
Complete your FAFSA early for this grant, as these funds are limited.
Awards for this grant range between $500 and $1000.
Work-study
This program provides you with part-time employment (28 hours or less a week) for on-campus jobs, and some off-campus jobs with community organizations.
Work-study can reduce or eliminate your need for student loans.
To qualify you must complete the following steps:
- Enroll in at least six credit hours for Fall and Winter semesters (three credit hours when being considered for Summer semester work).
- Submit a FAFSA.
- Contact GRCC's Student Employment Services (SES) to complete a Work-study Request Form and review available job opportunities.
SES will notify the Financial Aid Office and request your eligibility for work-study to be determined.
Student Loans
Federal Direct Loans
You must complete the FAFSA, be enrolled in a minimum of six credits, and meet all other financial aid eligibility requirements to be considered for Federal Direct Loans. The Federal Direct Loan program includes subsidized and unsubsidized student loans for educational expenses with different repayment options. The 2024-25 loan interest rate for Federal Direct loans is 6.53%, and the origination fee is 1.057%.
Subsidized Loans: The Direct Subsidized Loan enables you to borrow money for educational expenses if you have demonstrated financial need. Generally, interest does not accrue until six months after you graduate, withdraw from school or take fewer than six credit hours.
Unsubsidized Loans: The Direct Unsubsidized Loan enables you to borrow money for educational expenses regardless of financial need. You have the option to pay the interest on the loan while you are in college to avoid paying additional interest after you graduate.
Eligibility and Award Options: You are automatically considered for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans when you submit the FAFSA.
You can decline, reduce or accept the loan amount you have been awarded through your GRCC Online Center. Your award letter will give you directions on how to accept or decline student loan funds.
Borrowing Limits and Yearly Maximums
Yearly Maximums:
| Student Level & Dependency Status | Maximum Subsidized and Unsubsidized | Maximum Subsidized |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent freshman | $5,500 | $3,500 |
| Dependent sophomore | $6,500 | $4,500 |
| Independent freshman | $9,500 | $3,500 |
| Independent sophomore | $10,500 | $4,500 |
Lifetime Limits:
| Student Level and Dependency Status | Maximum Subsidized and Unsubsidized | Maximum Subsidized |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 | $23,000 |
| Independent Undergraduate | $57,500 | $23,000 |
If you reach your lifetime loan limit, you cannot receive any more of that type of loan. If you exceed your limit, aid already disbursed will be returned to the federal government and you will be billed. You will have to find alternate ways to finance your education. Therefore, it is to your advantage to borrow only what you need for educational expenses and to keep track of your cumulative debt. Financial Aid representatives are happy to work with you to find ways to minimize your borrowing.
Office of the Ombudsman for Federal Student Aid
Have a question about Title IV federal student aid or one of the services the Department of Education provides? Contact one of the Department of Education's Customer Service Centers or Federal Student Aid Offices.
The Ombudsman Office is a final resource after individuals look for help through other customer service avenues. Before contacting the Ombudsman, borrowers concerned about student loans should contact their loan holder or visit our web site for further information. Current students should contact their financial aid office first.
When contacting the Ombudsman Office, be ready to:
- Identify the problem and the reason behind it
- Define expectations
- Describe actions already taken to resolve the problem
- Supply documentation to support your position
The easiest way to contact the Ombudsman is to file an on-line assistance request thru https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/prepare. Other contact options are:
FSA Ombudsman Group Contact Information
FSA Ombudsman Group
U. S. Department of Education
Office of Federal Student Aid
P.O. Box 1854
Monticello, KY 42633
Phone: 1-877-557-2575
Website: https://studentaid.gov/feedback-center/ (best used to initiate a case)
Office Hours: Please see FSAIC Hours of Operation
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
This program enables parents, who do not have an adverse credit history, to borrow funds to help pay for the cost of their child's education. As a student, you must be dependent as defined by the federal government on the FAFSA, enrolled in at least six credit hours, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
Interest accrues beginning with the first disbursement. Repayment of principal and interest begins while the student is in college — within 60 days after the final loan disbursement is made for the period of enrollment for which the funds were borrowed.
The parent may request a deferment while your child is enrolled at least half time and for an additional six months after your child graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment. Parents do not have to make any payments while the loan is deferred. However, interest will accrue on the loan during deferment. When making the request at studentloans.gov, parents will have the option of requesting deferment.
The 2024-2025 interest rate for Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans is 9.08% and the origination fee is 4.228%.
To apply: Log in to the Federal Student Aid website and select Parent Tab, select Apply for Parent PLUS Loan.
Alternative or Private Student Loans
If you are considering alternative or private student loan, we encourage you to research multiple lenders because interest rates and loan repayment terms vary.
Unlike federal student loans, alternative or private loan borrowers may need an established credit record or a co-signer to be considered.
We will certify your private loan applications, but we do not provide information about private lenders or have preferred lender arrangements.
Note: The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires that before a private educational lender may finalize a private education loan for a student in attendance at an institution of higher education, the private lender must obtain the signed, completed self-certification form. Most lenders will provide this form directly to you. If your lender does not, you can obtain a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form.