Financial Aid
Financial Aid Eligible Programs & Courses
Federal financial aid can only be used when you are working toward an eligible CCC degree or certificate. Your aid is also based on the classes that count toward that program.
Before registering, check your program requirements and make sure your classes apply to your degree or certificate.
Which Courses Are Eligible for Financial Aid?
In most cases, a class is eligible for federal financial aid if it:
- Is required for your declared degree or certificate
- Meets an approved elective within your program
- Is an eligible remedial or developmental course
Classes that do not count toward your degree or certificate cannot be used to determine how much federal financial aid you are eligible to receive.
You can check your classes in DegreeWorks through myCCC. Classes that do not apply to your program may appear in the Fall Through section.
If you are not sure whether a class counts, talk with an Academic Advisor before making or changing your schedule.
Remedial or Developmental Courses
Some students need remedial or developmental classes to prepare for college-level coursework.
CCC generally considers remedial coursework to include courses below the college level. Federal financial aid can generally cover up to 30 semester credits of eligible remedial coursework when you are admitted to an eligible degree or certificate program. Not every remedial or developmental course may qualify for financial aid, so check with Financial Aid or an Academic Advisor if you are unsure.
Remedial courses also count toward your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at CCC.
How Eligible Courses Affect Your Aid
The number of eligible credits you take can affect the amount and type of aid you receive.
Pell Grant Example
You register for 12 credits, but only 9 credits count toward your degree or certificate.
CCC uses the 9 eligible credits when determining your Pell Grant. If 12 credits is considered full-time, 9 eligible credits equals 75% enrollment intensity.
The other 3 credits do not increase your Pell Grant.
Student Loan Example
You register for 6 credits, but only 3 credits count toward your degree or certificate.
Federal Direct Loans require you to be enrolled at least half-time. At CCC, that means you need at least 6 eligible credits.
Because only 3 of your credits apply to your program, you would not be eligible for a Direct Loan for that semester.
What If One of My Classes Does Not Count?
You may still take a class that does not apply to your degree or certificate, but that class will not be used to determine your federal financial aid eligibility.
This may:
- Reduce your Pell Grant
- Make you ineligible for a student loan
- Leave you with part of your tuition and fees to pay yourself
Before dropping or changing a class, talk with Financial Aid and an Academic Advisor. Changing your schedule can also affect other parts of your financial aid.
Can I Change My Program So a Class Becomes Eligible?
Your declared degree or certificate should match your actual educational goal.
Do not change your program only to make a class eligible for financial aid. Changing programs can also add credits to your academic record and affect your 150% maximum timeframe under Satisfactory Academic Progress.
If you think you are in the wrong program, meet with an Academic Advisor before making a change.
What If I Am Taking Classes at CCC to Transfer Somewhere Else?
To receive federal financial aid from CCC, you generally must be working toward an eligible CCC degree or certificate.
If you are earning a degree at another college and taking CCC classes that will transfer back to that school, ask your home college about a Consortium Agreement. An approved agreement may allow your home college to include eligible CCC classes when determining your financial aid.
Eligible Degrees and Certificates: [WE NEED THIS FROM YOU PLEASE]
Degrees
- Degree name & Link to the Catalog
- Degree name & Link to the Catalog
- Degree name & Link to the Catalog
- Degree name & Link to the Catalog
- Degree name & Link to the Catalog
- Degree name & Link to the Catalog
- Degree name & Link to the Catalog
Certificates
- Certificate name & Link to the Catalog
- Certificate name & Link to the Catalog
- Certificate name & Link to the Catalog
- Certificate name & Link to the Catalog
- Certificate name & Link to the Catalog
- Certificate name & Link to the Catalog
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if a class counts toward my program?
Sign in to myCCC and review your program in DegreeWorks. You can also meet with an Academic Advisor.
If a class appears in the Fall Through section, it may not count toward your degree or certificate. Check with an Academic Advisor if you are unsure.
- Can financial aid pay for a class that is not required for my program?
No. The class cannot be counted when CCC determines your federal financial aid eligibility.
In some cases, the aid you receive for your eligible classes may still be enough to cover your total account balance. However, you are responsible for any amount your financial aid does not cover.
- Can financial aid cover prerequisites?
It depends on the course.
Some prerequisite courses may qualify as eligible remedial coursework under federal rules. Other prerequisites may not be eligible. Check with Financial Aid before registering if a prerequisite does not appear as part of your degree or certificate requirements.
- How many remedial credits can financial aid cover?
Federal financial aid can cover up to 30 credits of eligible remedial coursework. This still needs to be approved by Financial Aid, so always double-check before registering.
