Apply for Aid

If you do not already have a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), apply for one here. This is used as your electronic signature for all your federal aid documents.

If you are a dependent student, your parent will need his or her own FSA ID, too. This FSA ID is used to process all federal loans.

• Who Needs an FSA ID
• Creating FSA ID without SSN

With your FSA ID, log on to studentaid.gov, and be sure to apply for the correct academic year. Jefferson’s federal school code is 002870.

It is important to file your FAFSA as early as possible! Funds are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.

If you have lived in New York state longer than 1 year, complete the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application with school code 2220. 

NOTE: If you would like your aid to appear on your bill, please complete the FAFSA and TAP applications no later than June 1 if starting in the fall semester, or December 1 if starting in the spring semester.

Student loans must be paid back—with interest. Before taking out a student loan, make sure you have applied for all scholarships and grants you are eligible to receive from the federal and state governments, JCC, and organizations in your community. Apply for Federal Student Loans by completing the Direct Student Loan Application and Instructions form.

If you want to work on campus visit the Student Employment page to see the job opportunities online.

The Financial Aid Office at Jefferson Community College realizes that students and their families experience unforeseen circumstances and/or expenses during an academic year. A financial aid appeal is a way for a student and their family to communicate with the Financial Aid Office about changes and circumstances that could not be reflected or explained on the FAFSA.

Special Circumstances are defined as changes in a student and/or parent’s financial circumstances.

Unusual Circumstances are defined as changes in a student’s dependency status.

Downloadable appeal forms can be found in our Applications & Forms link. Please download and complete the form that corresponds with the financial aid year you are wishing to submit an appeal for.

Examples of Special Circumstances:

• Significant/unexpected changes in family income (student and/or parent) due to loss of job, child support loss/reduction
• Change in marital status (separated, divorced, widowed) after the FAFSA was filed
• Unreimbursed medical expenses
• Additional private educational expenses
• Other special circumstances outside of the student’s control
• Cost of attendance budget increases (*This appeal is intended to increase a student’s overall cost of attendance so that the student may obtain additional loan funding, this appeal does not result in non-loan funding*)

Unusual Circumstances and Dependency Status:

All applicants for federal financial aid are considered either “dependent” or “independent” based on criteria set by the Department of Education. However, dependent students could be considered independent by the Financial Aid Office if there are unusual circumstances.

Unusual circumstances exist when there is an involuntary dissolution of a relationship between the student and their parent(s).

Examples of Unusual Circumstances can include:

• Parental abuse or abandonment where the parent(s) cannot be located or shouldn’t be contacted.

Examples that are NOT considered Unusual Circumstances include:

• The student is self-supporting and/or reside separately from parent(s)
• The student and parent(s) are not on speaking terms
• The parent(s) does not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
• Parent(s) refusal to contribute to students’ education

Students who have questions regarding a Special or Unusual Circumstance are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office and speak with a member of our staff about possible appeal options based on their situation.

All decisions regarding appeal requests are at the discretion of Jefferson Community College financial aid staff and cannot be appealed.