Bucks Financial Aid Programs
The College participates in all major federal and state financial aid programs. Descriptions of the various programs, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and possible award amounts are summarized below. Award amounts and eligibility requirements are subject to change by state and federal legislation.
Contact the Financial Aid Office at Bucks to secure application forms. If possible, pick up the forms in person. For those unable to come to campus, the forms can be mailed. However, mailing will delay the application process at least two weeks. The FAFSA can be completed online.
Federal Pell Grant
Source
Federal Government Program
Who is Eligible to Apply
Applicants must be:
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Enrolled or planning to enroll for at least six (6) credits, half-time status.
- Federal Pell Grant eligibility is extended to less than half-time students.
- Enrolled in a major on a degree- seeking basis.
- Not in default status on a previously secured student loan.
- Making "satisfactory academic progress."
- A recipient of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).
Award Amounts
Yearly amounts range from $740 to $7,395 at Bucks. (Dependent upon eligibility and enrollment status.)
How Eligibility is Determined
Eligibility is based on the federal methodology needs analysis, student's enrollment status, and cost of attendance.
- Full-Time (FT): 12 or more credits
- Three Quarters Time (QT): 9-11 credits
- Half Time (HT): 6-8 credits
- Less Than Half Time (LTHT): 0-5 credits
Enrollment intensity is a percentage that determines how many credits a student is enrolled in compared to a full-time course load and is used to calculate Pell Grant awards. For federal student aid purposes, full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours. To calculate enrollment intensity, divide the number of credits a student is enrolled in by 12 and multiply by 100%. For example, if a student is enrolled in 7 credit hours, their enrollment intensity would be 58.3% (rounded to 58%). Enrollment intensity cannot exceed 100% for Pell Grant proration. Enrollment intensity is only used to calculate Pell Grant awards. Other types of aid, such as SEOG, continue to use the Enrollment Level system.
How to Apply
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Renewal students should receive a renewal FAFSA automatically. The FAFSA can be completed online.
Federal Work-Study Program
Source
Federal Government - 75%
Bucks - 25%
Who is Eligible to Apply
Applicants must be:
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Enrolled or planning to enroll for at least six (6) credits, half-time status.
- Federal Pell Grant eligibility is extended to less than half-time students.
- enrolled in a major on a degree- seeking basis.
- Not in default status on a previously secured student loan.
- Making "satisfactory academic progress."
- A recipient of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).
Award Amounts
Amounts are determined by hourly rate of pay and number of hours per week. Awards generally range from $1,000 to $4,500 per year.
How Eligibility is Determined
Eligibility is based on the federal methodology needs analysis, student's enrollment status, and cost of attendance.
How to Apply
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Renewal students should receive a renewal FAFSA automatically. The FAFSA can be completed online.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG)
Source
Federal Government - 75%
Bucks - 25%
Who is Eligible to Apply
Applicants must be:
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Enrolled or planning to enroll for at least six (6) credits, half-time status.
- Federal Pell Grant eligibility is extended to less than half-time students.
- Enrolled in a major on a degree- seeking basis.
- Not in default status on a previously secured student loan.
- Making "satisfactory academic progress."
- A recipient of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).
Award Amounts
Yearly awards range from $100 to $1,000 per year at Bucks.
How Eligibility is Determined
Based on program guidelines and available funds.
Preference given to students applying before May 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for new students entering in the Spring semester.
How to Apply
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Renewal students should receive a renewal FAFSA automatically. The FAFSA can be completed online.
Federal Direct Loan Program (both subsidized and unsubsidized)
Source
Federal Government
Who is Eligible to Apply
Students intending to enroll on at least a half-time basis (six credit hours).
- Subsidized means the government pays the interest while you attend college.
- Unsubsidized means the student pays the interest while you attend college.
Award Amounts
Maximum amounts for dependent students
Academic grade level 1: $5,500 per academic year.
$3,500 as subsidized and $2,000 as unsubsidized
Academic grade level 2: $6,500 per academic year.
$4,500 as subsidized and $2,000 as unsubsidized
Maximum amounts for independent students
Academic grade level 1: $9,500 per academic year.
$3,500 as subsidized and $6,000 as unsubsidized
Academic grade level 2: $10,500 per academic year.
$4,500 as subsidized and $6,000 as unsubsidized
How Eligibility is Determined
Eligibility is determined by the school, based upon certification information provided by Bucks. Eligibility is based upon cost of attendance, Student Aid Index, and other financial resources received by the student.
How to Apply
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Loan Application or Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Complete the Student Loan Entrance Counseling
- Complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement. Be sure to select "I'm an Undergraduate Student."
Federal PLUS Loan
Source
Federal Government
Who is Eligible to Apply
Parents of dependent undergraduate students. Students must enroll at least half-time.
Award Amounts
Loan amount may not exceed cost of attendance minus financial aid student received.
How Eligibility is Determined
Eligibility is determined by the school, based upon certification information provided by Bucks. Eligibility is based upon cost of attendance, Student-Aid Index, and other financial resources received by the student.
How to Apply
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Loan Application or Master Promissory Note (MPN)
- Complete the Student Loan Entrance Counseling
- Complete the PLUS Loan Credit Application
Happ-Grover Fund of the Bucks County Foundation
Source
Happ-Grover Fund of the Bucks County Foundation
Who is Eligible to Apply
Students enrolled on at least a half-time basis who are from the Central Bucks County School District.
Award Amounts
Yearly awards range from $200 to $1,000.
How Eligibility is Determined
Eligibility is based on federal methodology needs analysis, student’s enrollment status, GPA, and residence in the Central Bucks County School District. Final eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office.