Question about financial aid for community college during the summer

[collegeguz]

<p>I currently have a question about financial aid for come community college courses during the summer. </p>

<p>I'm an engineer major and took 18 credits the past semester and am taking 17 more this semester. I would like to take chemistry and programing during the summer at my community college. I know that two courses wouldn't cost a load of money, but would it be possible to get financial help to complete 2 or 3 courses during the summer? If I can, do I apply for it when I do my regular Fafsa application for fall 2011?</p>

[sk8rmom]

<p>No, since federal aid is only awarded to matriculated students the CC will not be processing any financial aid for you. You’ll have to pay for them out of pocket.</p>

[collegeguz]

<p>I still haven’t graduated, I’m only a freshman so would it be possible to get the pell grant or any other grants that I receive during the fall and spring for the summer?</p>

[swimcatsmom]

<p>You usually have to be a degree seeking student at a particular school to be eligible for federal aid at that school. As you would not be a degree seeking student at the CC you would probably not be eligible for aid there. But occasionally schools have agreements between each other, especially if they are in the same state. So check with your CC to be sure.</p>

[sk8rmom]

<p>If you take the summer courses at your regular college, it’s possible you would be eligible for a Pell grant…there are special rules/criteria for receiving 2 Pells within a year and the amount of the grant, if any, would depend on the number of credits you’re taking. But you’re not eligible for federal aid at any other school since you won’t meet the criteria to be enrolled as a regular student in a degree program:</p>

<p>

Eligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors. The financial aid administrator at the college or career school you plan to attend will determine your eligibility.</p>

<p>To receive aid from our programs, you must:
demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans). </p>

<p>have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass an ability-to-benefit (ATB) test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards your state establishes that the Department approves, complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law, or have satisfactorily completed six credit hours or the equivalent course work toward a degree or certificate. </p>

<p>be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. Note: You might be able to receive aid for distance education courses as long as they are part of a recognized certificate or degree program.</p>

<p>be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
have a valid Social Security Number.<br>
register with the Selective Service if required. You can use the paper or electronic FAFSASM to register, you can register at [Selective</a> Service System: Welcome](<a href=“http://www.sss.gov%5DSelective”>http://www.sss.gov), or you can call 1-847-688-6888. (TTY users can call 1-847-688-2567.)
maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.
certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant.
certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

</p>

<p>You can look into consortium or cross-registration agreements between the two schools but I’d bet that, even if one exists, it won’t apply to summer sessions. (Been there…done that! YMMV)</p>