Understanding Financial Aid Awards

If you aren't already a part of the BCC community, we hope you soon will be! The mission of the Financial Aid Office is to remove financial barriers to your enrolling at BCC. We're equally committed to helping you with living expenses while enrolled so you can more effectively focus on your studies and achieve your goals. Below you will find descriptions of award programs available for students like you.

About financial aid awards:

Federal Pell Grant (PELL): Eligibility for this grant is determined by the Federal Processor, and it can be awarded to students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. It is generally the largest source of "free money" for college expenses and is available to non-priority as well as priority applicants.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): This grant is awarded to Pell-eligible students with the highest need and also does not have to be repaid. BCC receives limited SEOG funding.

MASSGrant (MSS): This grant is awarded by the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) to state residents who filed their FAFSA by May 1. The amount on your BCC award letter is an estimate only. If you fail to meet the full-time requirement, BCC will replace your award with a Mass Part-Time Grant (while funds last). There is a cap of four semesters on receiving MASSGrants.

Tuition Waiver (TWR): Tuition waivers are generally awarded to residents of Massachusetts. A waiver can be used to cover day tuition charges; if your day tuition is less than your award, you'll receive the lower amount. A waiver does not cover college fees, or books, or any charges associated with summer, evening or non state-supported classes. If you enroll in non state-supported classes, we will convert your waiver to a Cash Grant (while funds last). However, we can't replace your waiver if you already have another type of waiver (egs. DSS, Mass Rehab. Natiohnal Guard, Veterans or the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship).

Mass Cash Grant (CGR): This grant is also for state residents and is awarded first to priority applicants and offered to others on a funds available basis. Like other grants, the Cash Grant provides "free money" that can be applied to college expenses and does not have to be repaid.

Federal Work-Study (FWS): This program provides students with part-time employment opportunities in a variety of job sites both on and off campus. The minimum wage rate paid to students working the equivalent of 8-15 hours per week based on their award amount. Paychecks are issued every two weeks. For more about how Work-Study works, contact our Work-Study Counselor..

Federal Stafford Loan Program (EFSL, EUSL): Federal student loan programs provide low interest loans to help meet expenses related to enrollment in college. Eligibility for a "Subsidized" or "Unsubsidized" Stafford Loan is determined from the household/financial information provided on the FAFSA. Students can receive subsidized, unsubsidized, or a combination of both loans depending on eligibility. For additional information, contact our Loan Counselor.

Updated: 1/10/06, /std