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General Types of Financial Aid

Aid Available at Brookdale

Grants

  • Federal Pell Grant: 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): An additional grant awarded to Pell recipients. The amount is based on financial need and available funds.
  • New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG): 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 Alternative Application: 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): 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 achool rank after you graduate. For more information, read more about NJSTARS (PDF).
  • 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 the Career Center.

Student Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

  • Annual limit: Dependent first-year undergraduates: $3,500 subsidized (up to total $5,500 if combined with unsubsidized).
  • Grace period: Repayment begins six months after dropping below half-time enrollment.
  • Term length: Up to 10 years for standard repayment.
  • Interest rate:

    • Fixed at 6.39% for loans first disbursed July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
    • Fixed at 6.52% for loans first disbursed July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
  • Subsidy: Federal government covers interest while enrolled at least half-time and during grace period.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  • Annual limit: Up to $5,500 total for dependent first-year students (includes both subsidized and unsubsidized); if unsubsidized only, limit remains $5,500.
  • Grace period: Begins six months after the student drops below half-time status, same as unsubsidized
  • Term length: Up to 10 years.
  • Interest rate:

    • 6.39% for disbursements in the 2025 – 2026 year.
    • 6.52% for disbursements in the 2026 – 2027 year.
  • Accrual: Interest accrues from disbursement; students may pay during school or have it capitalized later.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

  • Annual limit: Up to full cost of attendance minus other aid.
  • Repayment: Begins once disbursed, parents must begin repayment within 60 days, or alternatively, they can defer until six months after the student drops below half-time.
  • Term length: Standard 10-year repayment.
  • Interest rate:

    • Fixed at 8.94% for loans originated July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
    • Fixed at 9.07% for loans originated July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
  • Origination fee: About 4.228% deducted from each disbursement.

Alternative Loans

Alternative loans should be considered only after a student’s financial aid package has been reviewed and all available federal, state, and institutional aid options have been exhausted. Alternative loans are intended for students who still need additional funding to meet educational costs. The annual loan limit is the cost of education minus any estimated financial aid received. Eligibility, interest rates, fees, and repayment terms are determined by the lender. Borrowers are generally required to be creditworthy or may need a credit approved co signer.

Brookdale Community College does not recommend or endorse any private or alternative loan lender. Students and families are encouraged to carefully review and compare loan options and select a lender that best meets their individual financial needs.

Comparing Private Loan Options

To assist students and parents in comparing private loan options, Brookdale provides access to ELMSelect, a free, lender neutral, third party online comparison tool. ELMSelect allows users to view and compare private student loan products from multiple lenders in one place.

The lenders displayed in ELMSelect are not the only private loan lenders available. Students and parents are free to choose any private loan lender, whether or not that lender appears in ELMSelect.

ELMSelect is not operated by Brookdale Community College. Brookdale is not involved in lender selection, loan application processing, loan approval decisions, or the terms and conditions of any private student loan. The decision to borrow a private loan, and which lender to choose, rests entirely with the student and/or parent.

Learn more about ELMSelect.

Additional Disclosure: Brookdale Community College does not receive any financial or other benefit from any private education loan lender, including those that may appear in ELMSelect, and has no revenue-sharing or compensation arrangements related to private loan volume or lender placement. The lenders and loan products displayed in ELMSelect are provided by a third-party service provider and are not selected, ranked, or endorsed by the College. The College’s use of ELMSelect is solely to provide a comparison resource for students and families, and borrowers are free to select any lender of their choice, whether or not that lender appears in the tool.

Finding and Researching Private LoansVideo: Finding and Researching Private Loans