Paying for College

Student Administrative Services staff is ready to assist you with your financial aid applications and with any situation that might arise related to your financial aid status.  We welcome your questions and are ready to provide you with complete information about the types of financial aid available, including College scholarships and other awards.

** See below for types of financial aid, tips for transfer students with financial aid, and veterans information.

Do you need assistance filing your FAFSA? It is recommended that students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.  If you need assistance, we offer one-on-one help with filing your FAFSA as outlined below.

  • Assistance is generally available every Thursday by appointment only, in the Student Administrative Services area on the Spencer Hill Campus. Please call 607-962-9428 to schedule an appointment. Bring all required documents.

Types of Financial Aid

FEDERAL PELL GRANT -   This grant is for undergraduates only.  Eligibility is based on need, family income, assets, the number in the family enrolled in college, and other factors.  The PELL grant does not need to be paid back. Award amount is $605-$5645 per year.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG) -   This grant is based on need and does not need to be paid back.  Funds are limited and awarded on a first come, first served basis to first time degree candidates.  Priority is given to those students whose applications are received by June 1 for the Fall semester. Award amount is $300 per year.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY - Work study appointments are based on need.  Funds are limited and awarded on a first come, first served basis.  Priority is given to those students whose applications are received by June 1 for the Fall semester.

FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOAN - A low interest educational loan.  Loans are based on unmet financial need.  Repayment of this loan begins six months after the student leaves school.

  • Subsidized: Interest free until six month grace period ends.
  • Unsubsidized: Interest begins to accrue when the loan is disbursed.
  • Dependent Students: Loan amounts are $200-$6,500 per year based on grade level and eligibility (no more than $3,500 for freshman or $4,500 for sophomore can be subsidized).
  • Independent Students: Loan amounts are $200-$10,500 per year based on grade level and eligibility (no more than $3,500 for freshman or $4,500 for sophomore can be subsidized).

CCC students needing to access loan funds are required to apply for Federal Direct Loans before private loans will be certified as the terms and conditions of the Direct Loan program are more beneficial.

DIRECT PARENT PLUS LOAN - This loan has a variable interest rate.  Applications are available at www.studentloans.gov.  Repayment of this loan begins 60 days from the receipt of the loan.

NYS TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) - A grant for New York State residents.  Student must be enrolled full-time and meet all TAP guidelines.

NYS AID FOR PART-TIME STUDY (APTS) - A grant for New York State residents.  Students must be enrolled part-time and meet all APTS guidelines.

How to Apply

Apply electronically by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.  Before submitting your FAFSA, you and a parent (if you are a dependent student) will need to apply for a PIN.  You will need the PIN to electronically sign your FAFSA, make changes to a processed FAFSA and to access your Student Aid Report.  Students and parents can apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.  When completing the FAFSA you will be asked for a school code.  CCC's Federal School Code is 002863.  For more detailed information on completing the FAFSA, go to : http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/index.html

The Financial Aid Office will receive your FAFSA data electronically.  If we need more information, we will request it.  Once your application is complete, you will receive an award letter indicating your eligibility.

VERIFICATION OF APPLICATION DATA

  • If you are selected for VERIFICATION, you and your spouse or parents must complete a Verification Worksheet and provide a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS if you did not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool at the time the FAFSA was completed.  The Corning Community College Financial Aid Office will compare your FAFSA data to the verification documentation and will correct your application electronically if any data is incorrect.  The verification process must be complete before any federal financial aid can be awarded.

WHEN TO APPLY

We recommend that you apply by:

  • April 1 for the following academic year
  • October 1 for the Spring semester if entering mid year
  • You must reapply for financial aid every year

How Eligibility is Determined

  • Once your FAFSA is received and is complete and correct, we will verify your admission status, academic progress and your expected enrollment status.
  • Most federal financial aid is based on your financial need.   To calculate this we deduct your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) which is listed on your SAR from your estimated cost of attendance. 
  • Cost of attendance includes estimates for:
    • Tuition and fees
    • Books and supplies
    • Room and board
    • Personal expenses
    • Transportation expenses
  • Once your financial aid awards are determined, we will send you an award letter.  If you are awarded Federal Work-Study and/or Federal Direct Loans, you must accept these awards and complete additional requirements online. Instructions will be included with your award letter.  Pay careful attention to these instructions.

Tips for Transfer Students with Financial Aid

If you are transferring to CCC after applying for financial aid at another college, please follow these steps:

  • If you know your Federal PIN (and parent Federal PIN, if dependent) then:
    • Log on to www.fafsa.gov
    • Select "Make corrections to a processed FAFSA"
    • Add Corning Community College (Federal Code:  002863)
  • If you do not know your Federal PIN then:

You will receive your FAFSA results in about 7 to 10 days after you add CCC to your FAFSA.

If you are a NYS resident and are eligible for a TAP award, change your school code to CCC for the appropriate semester.  Our TAP School Code is 2042.  You may change this online at www.hesc.ny.gov or contact CCC Student Administrative Services and we can change it for you.

Veterans' Information

In addition to the traditional forms of financial aid, students who are military veterans, members of the Reserves or National Guard may be eligible for education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The Veteran's Certification Representative at CCC is available to assist you in the application and payment process.

Veteran Students

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides educational assistance allowance to veterans eligible for:

  • Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Ch.30)
  • Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Ch.1606)
  • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (Ch.1607)
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch.33) - eligible veterans receive housing allowance, book stipend and tuition benefit.
  • Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

If you are currently active duty you may be eligible for the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program. All branches of services have its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions.

Spouse/Child of a Veteran

Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Entitlement:  Veterans may be eligible to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their children and/or spouse.

Post-9/11 GI Bill: Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship:  Children of an active duty member of the Armed Forces who has died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for this benefit. A child may be married or over 23 and still be eligible.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Ch.35):  Spouse/Widow or Child of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled or died as a result of a service connected disability may be eligible.

Please consult the GI Bill Website (www.gibill.va.gov) for application procedures, eligibility requirements, payment rates, and additional information regarding VA benefits. You may also contact Tara Bauman, VA School Certifying Official by phone at (607)962-9433, toll free (800)358-7171, ext 9433 or email bauman@corning-cc.edu.

If you are a NYS resident, you may qualify for additional state financial aid through the Veterans Tuition Award (Veterans), Military Service Recognition Scholarship (Child/Spouse), Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans, Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (Army and Air National Guard, and Naval Militia).  For more information regarding eligibility for these programs visit www.hesc.ny.gov.