Financial Aid

Important Announcement: Visit the FAQ page for more information on student loan debt relief. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is designed to help remove the cost barriers that may prevent you from pursuing your educational goals. It is meant to supplement your family’s ability to pay for college costs such as tuition/fees, books/supplies, room and board, and transportation.

Whether or not you receive financial aid will depend on your demonstrated financial need and other eligibility requirements. There are many factors affecting eligibility for financial aid. Therefore, you should apply for financial aid every academic year, even if you think you will not qualify. Financial aid is available for full-time as well as part-time students.

Types of Financial Aid

Most financial aid comes from the state and federal governments in one of the following forms:

Grants
Unlike a loan, federal grants such as a Pell Grant or SEOG Grant do not need to be repaid and are based on your financial need.

Student Loans
Direct subsidized loans are available to students with financial need while unsubsidized loans do not require you to demonstrate financial need to be eligible.

Scholarships
Scholarships are gift aid that does not need to be repaid. Thousands are offered by schools, employers, individuals, companies, and other organizations.

Federal Work Study
If you have a financial need, Federal Work-Study can provide a part-time job, allowing you to earn money to help pay for your education expenses.

How to Apply

  1. Ensure you're admitted to PC before beginning this process.
  2. Create an FSA ID:
    • This is your username and password to complete, sign and access your FAFSA. Parents of dependent students will need to create their own FSA ID so they can sign the parent portion of the FAFSA. 
    • IMPORTANT: Do not forget your FSA ID or your FSA ID password. We cannot reset or recover them for you.
  3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
    • Our Federal School Code: 001078
    • New application available every October 1st 
    • It will take 3-5 business days for us to receive your application
  4. Monitor your Student Center and email.
    • If anything additional is needed, we will post it on your Student Center  
    • We will send various communication regarding your eligibility to your student email 
    • It is your responsibility to regularly check your financial aid status on your student portals

Need Help?

If you need help completing the FAFSA and/or your financial aid file, attend a Financial Aid & Wellness Open Session.