Financial Aid

The primary purpose of the financial aid program is to enable qualified students with limited financial resources to attend Herkimer County Community College. Approximately 75% of our student population receives some source of financial aid while attending our institution. To be eligible to receive financial aid, students must matriculate into a degree program by completing an admissions application.Financial aid is any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity with the express purpose of assisting students with educational related expenses. 

Although the primary obligation for college expenses rests with the student and the student's parents, the College, the community and the State and Federal governments have programs of financial assistance that can be employed separately or in combination to meet individual needs.

The College gives priority in awarding financial aid to those students with the greatest need. Federal and state regulations require students to maintain satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit in order to receive financial aid. Student federal and state financial aid will be based on enrollment hours calculated by the college's census date for each term. The census date is approximately three weeks into each semester and is also the day the student incurs full tuition liability of charges. Here are a two examples explaining how a student's enrollment status can affect their financial aid. Federal Financial Aid - If student registers for 12 credits and drops to 9 credits prior to the census date, then adds another 3 credit class after the census date, the student will be evaluated as a part-time student. State and Federal Financial Aid - If a student is registered for 9 credit hours prior to the census date and then adds a 3 credit hour course after the census date the student will be considered a part-time student.

 Student federal and state financial aid will be based on enrollment hours calculated by the college published census date for each term. The census date is approximately three weeks into each semester and is also the day the student incurs full tuition liability of charges.A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are determined by the student’s need and awarded only to students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Students that are enrolled for at least three credit hours and meet the above criteria may be eligible for a Pell Grant.This grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need, and priority is given to students who file their FAFSA prior to the April 1st deadline. Students must be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant to receive SEOG. You do not have to repay SEOG awards