Types of Aid

Federal Pell Grant

The largest federal student aid program, Pell, is the foundation for which all financial aid - federal and state government and non-government sources, is determined.

Students are allowed the equivalent of 12 full time semesters of Pell. Students who enroll part-time have additional semesters of eligibility.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - All students are required to complete a FAFSA.

Verification of Student Financial Aid Data

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOG is awarded to independent students who are determined, by their FAFSA application, to have the highest financial need. Awards do not require repayment. Funds are limited and dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP is a grant program for NYS residents, including active duty soldiers and their family members stationed at Fort Drum. Undergraduate students are eligible for a maximum of 8 semesters of TAP; up to 6 can be used at a community college. TAP awards cannot exceed the cost of college tuition.

To apply, students must first submit their FAFSA and then TAP application.

Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

Intended for part-time students enrolled in undergraduate studies, APTS is based on income and determined by the Financial Services Office.

To apply, students must first submit their FAFSA and then APTS application.

New York became the first state in the nation to allow students to attend a SUNY college, such as JCC, tuition-free.  Eligibility requirements apply.

To apply, students must first submit their FAFSA and TAP applications, then the Excelsior Scholarship application.

New York State Part-time Scholarship Award Program

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6, but less than 12, credit hours each term to be eligible to apply for the NYS Part-Time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program.

PTS Application

Other New York State Scholarships

Learn more via Higher Education Services Corporation.

The Jefferson Community College Foundation offers more than 270 scholarships to JCC students annually! Awards range from $100 to the full cost of tuition. All students attending Jefferson are encouraged to apply.

JCC Foundation Scholarship Application

Before applying for a student loan, you should apply for all federal and state grants and college, private and community based scholarships. Unlike grants and scholarships, student loans require repayment. 

There are several types of federal student loans and you can research them on the Federal Student Aid website. 

Student Loans are part of a financial aid package. In order to receive a student loan, your first step is to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). 

The U.S. Department of Education provides subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans (Direct Loans) to college students based eligibility requirements including financial need.

• Subsidized Loans – Awarded based on financial need. Eligibility is determined by FAFSA. The federal government pays the loan interest while students are enrolled in college at least part-time (6 credit hours) and during the six month grace period after graduation or withdrawal, and during authorized periods of deferment. 
• Unsubsidized Loans – Loan interest is the responsibility of the student, from the date their loan funds are disbursed to full repayment. Students may choose to pay the interest as it accrues or start repayment after graduation/withdrawal. Note, in the latter option, unpaid interest is applied towards the principal. It is recommended that students pay the interest as it accrues to minimize their debt load.  

How do I apply for a Direct Loan at Jefferson?

• Complete the annual FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Note: If your application is selected for verification, your JCC Financial Aid Award will arrive after the verification process is completed.
• If you are a first-time borrower, complete your Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling for undergraduate students
  • Once you select Jefferson Community College, Watertown, NY, the College will receive notification of your application.
  • Complete the Direct Student Loan Application & Instructions form and submit it to the Financial Services Office, JCC, 1220 Coffeen St., Watertown, NY

The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students who are registered at least part-time (six credits or more) and are matriculated (enrolled) in a degree or certificate program.

Repayment begins 60 days after the last disbursement. Eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office, and the amount borrowed may not exceed the cost of attendance after financial aid awards have been applied.

To borrow a PLUS loan, the parent must be the student’s biological or adoptive mother or father, or stepparent if his/her income and assets were reported on the student’s FAFSA. A legal guardian does not qualify. The Federal Direct Loan Servicer will complete a credit check on the borrower (parent/stepparent) prior to approval.

The U.S. Dept. of Education has approved the following interest rate for Federal Direct PLUS Loans: AFTER JULY 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020

• Direct PLUS Loans Parents and Graduate or Professional Students 7.08%

Plus Application Process:

Students must be in good financial aid standing. To apply, students and parents should complete the FAFSA, and students should accept the student loan offer approved by FAFSA. Then, the PLUS loan application process may be started.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan Instructions

This is not a guaranteed loan. The parent must apply and be credit approved.

If the parent is denied, they may add a co-borrower to the loan and retry for approval. Students also have the option to replace the parent loan with a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan of up to $4,000. 

The applicant must complete counseling on the Federal Student Aid website.

Request for Additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan due to Parent PLUS Loan Denial Form

PLEASE NOTE: The parent PLUS loan amount could be higher than the student loan.

If you have questions about student loans you can check our Financial Literacy Resource page, our Frequently Asked Questions,  or contact the JCC Financial Services Office at 315-786-2350.  

The State University of New York at Jefferson Community College works diligently to ensure that its officers, employees, and agents avoid conflicts of interest in connection with their responsibilities relating to providing and administering student loans for our students. 

The College’s Student Loan Practices Code of Conduct is available online. Inquiries may be directed to the Financial Services office at 315-786-2350.

JCC partners with Inceptia, a division of National Student Loan Program (NSLP), to help students explore alternative repayment plans such as deferment, consolidation, discharge, forgiveness, and forbearance options, to name a few. Inceptia offers free assistance with managing student loan repayment. Inceptia is not a debt collection agency. Inceptia’s friendly customer service representatives may reach out to you if your loan(s) become delinquent. 

For additional resources including information on repayment options, visit Inceptia’s Federal Student Loan Overview website at Inceptia.org/FAQ.

Student employment provides a meaningful job experience to students and financial assistance to off-set the cost of college expenses. Most student worker positions average between six to twelve hours per week and operate on a bi-weekly pay schedule.

JCC’s student worker program includes Federal Work Study (funding source is the federal government) and Student Aid (funding source is JCC. Eligibility requirements are different for each program.  

Federal Work Study Program Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a permanent resident.
   2. Be matriculated and currently enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours.
   3. Display financial need as determined by the Financial Services Office.
   4. Apply for Federal aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Student Aid Program Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or possess proper INS paperwork.
   2. Be Matriculated and currently enrolled.

Take Note! Work Study is included in your financial aid package only if you:

• Indicate on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that you are  interested in a work study position

  AND

• Meet eligibility guidelines

Indicating interest in a work study position does not guarantee employment. You must actively seek a work study position to obtain employment. 

It is important to contact Financial Services at (315) 786-2437 for work study to be removed from your account if it was included on your financial aid award letter and you have decided not to seek employment under this program. Work Study may reduce your loan eligibility if the Financial Services Office has not been informed. Also, if you did not indicate on the FAFSA that you were interested in a work study position and you are, contact the Financial Services Office to see if you qualify.

Obtaining Campus Employment at Jefferson

1. Apply for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. Check your SOAR account or drop in to the Financial Services Office, Suite 6-010, to see if you qualify for the Federal Work Study program and/or the Student Aid program.
3. Visit the Student Employment page for more information.