Types of Aid

General Types of Financial Aid

Grants – Money that you don’t have to pay back.
Loans – Money borrowed that must be repaid with interest.
Work – Money earned from employment and paid to you bimonthly.
Scholarships – Money available from outside sources.  Want to get started? A good online search for available scholarships is here.  And scholarships available through the Brookdale Foundation are here.

Aid Available at Brookdale

Grants

• Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant provided by the U.S. government to help undergraduate students pay for college. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. The amount awarded is based on factors such as the student’s financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is an additional grant awarded to Pell recipients. The amount is based on financial need and available funds.
• New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) is a last-dollar grant available to full- and part-time students attending their county community college. Award values depend on eligibility requirements and may cover up to the full cost of tuition and fees.
• New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) is available for Full and Part Time students attending New Jersey postsecondary institutions, including community colleges, state colleges and private schools.
• New Jersey Educational Opportunity Grant (EOF) is awarded on the basis of academic criteria and financial need.
• New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Rewards Scholarship (NJSTARS) — New Jersey High School students who do not require remedial coursework and graduate in the top 15% of their class are eligible for 5 terms free tuition. You must apply for financial aid by completing your FAFSA and provide documentation of your High School rank after you graduate. For more information, NJSTARS.
• Brookdale Foundation — a select number of grants awarded on academic achievement and other criteria.

Work Opportunities

• Federal College Work Study —This program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money while pursuing their education. The amount you earn will depend on your financial need, the amount of other aid you receive, and the availability of funds at your school. Jobs can be on-campus or off-campus, and students are paid bi-monthly.
• Student Help Positions — These positions provide part-time jobs for students, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their education expenses. Students may work in various departments or offices on campus, assisting with tasks such as administrative support, event coordination, or research assistance. The amount of hours and pay rate will vary depending on the position and department. These roles offer valuable work experience and a flexible schedule that accommodates class times. Students are typically paid bi-monthly.

For more information, please visit https://www.brookdalecc.edu/career-center/

Student Loans

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan — $5,500 for first-year students and $6,500 for second-year students enrolled in a program that is a full academic year program. Repayment begins six months after the student drops to less than half-time status; the student has up to 10 years to repay. The current interest rate is 0% in-school (subsidized by the federal government) and a fixed rate of 6.53% upon taking less than 6 credits.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan — If a student is not eligible to receive funds from the subsidized loan, a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loans may not exceed $9,500 for first-year students and $10,500 for second-year students. The interest rate is 6.53%, and repayment terms are the same, except interest is not subsidized and will accrue during in-school and six-month grace periods.
  Instructions on how to request a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan please click Here Or visit your self-service portal on the Brookdale website.
• Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) — The annual loan limit is the dependent student’s cost of education minus any estimated financial aid received. Repayment begins within sixty days of disbursement, or 6 months after the student stops attending at least 6 credits, with up to ten years to repay. The interest rate is a fixed 9.08%. For more information, please click Here
• Alternative Loans — Alternative loans should be a last resort for students whose financial aid package already includes Federal Direct Loans and other sources of financial aid but still need additional funding to meet their educational costs. The annual loan limit is the cost of education minus any financial aid received. Eligibility is determined by the lender. The borrower must be creditworthy and have an established annual income or need a co-signer. Brookdale does not associate with or advise students on alternative loan lenders.