Sources of Aid

The Pell Grant is a federal grant for students who demonstrate financial need. To receive a Pell Grant the student must meet all eligibility requirements.

Pell Grants are prorated and reviewed each semester. Your eligibility is determined by your enrollment credits on the “Enrollment Freeze Date” published every term on the Registration Policies and Deadlines (Registration Documents & Forms).

12+ credits = 100% of the Pell offer.

11 credits = 92% of the Pell offer.

10 credits = 83% of the Pell offer.

9 credits = 75% of the Pell offer.

8 credits = 67% of the Pell offer.

7 credits = 58% of the Pell offer.

6 credits = 50% of the Pell offer.

5 credits = 42% of the Pell offer.

4 credits = 33% of the Pell offer.

3 credits = 25% of the Pell offer.

2 credits = 17% of the Pell offer.

1 credit = 8% of the Pell offer.

Pell Grants are subject to a Lifetime Eligibility limit of the equivalent of twelve (12) full-time semesters. Students who have met or exceeded this limit are not eligible to receive additional Pell Grants.

The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. To receive an SEOG a student must meet all eligibility requirements. Limited funds are available and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

To receive this grant, you must be enrolled in 6 or more credits on the “Enrollment Freeze Date” published every term in the Registration Policies and Deadlines (Registration Documents & Forms).

The Unique Annual Scholarship is a grant for New Hampshire residents who demonstrate exceptional financial need. To receive a Unique Scholarship, a student must satisfy all of these requirements:

• meet all eligibility requirements
• be a NH resident for at least the last 12 consecutive months
• file a FAFSA by January 31 of the financial aid year (July 1 – June 30).

This scholarship is prorated and reviewed each semester. Eligibility is determined by the enrollment credits on the “Enrollment Freeze Date” published every term in the Registration Policies and Deadlines (Registration Documents & Forms).

12+ credits = 100% of the Unique award.

6-11 credits = 50% of the Unique award.

1-5 credits = 0 Unique award.

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) gives students an opportunity to earn money by working a part-time job at Great Bay Community College. Students typically work as lab, library, or office aides, under the supervision of a faculty or staff member. Off-campus positions in community service agencies are also available. In most cases, work-study hours are limited to 8-10 hours per week. Work-study recipients must meet all eligibility requirements and demonstrate financial need.

• Students are paid at least the current federal minimum wage.
• Students are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
• Students are required to perform assigned work in a responsible and professional manner.
• Students must meet their course requirements prior to working a work-study job.

Some available positions are listed here 2324 Federal Work Study Opportunities. Positions sometimes change, so this may not reflect all available positions. Visit the OneStop more information.

Federal student loans offer fixed interest rates (usually lower than private loans) and do not require a credit check or cosigner.

• First Year Students (30 or fewer credits earned) may borrow up to $5,500 per academic year ($9,500 for independent students).
• Second Year Students (31 or more credits earned) may borrow up to $6,500 per academic year ($10,500 for independent students).

Repayment begins six months after the borrower is no longer a half-time student.

• Subsidized Direct loans are only offered to students who establish financial need.
  • Interest on Subsidized loans does not begin to accrue until after the borrower is no longer at least a half-time student (6 or more credits).
• Unsubsidized loans are offered regardless of financial need.
  • Direct Unsubsidized loans accrue interest while the borrower attends college and until the loan is fully repaid. Try to exhaust other sources of aid before using this type of loan.

Direct Loan borrowers must:

• Meet all eligibility requirements
• Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per semester)
• Complete Entrance Loan Counseling
• Sign a Loan Agreement (MPN)
• For assistance with completing these requirements, view this Guide to Loan Entrance Counseling and MPN (PDF).

Additional information, including current interest rates, Master Promissory Notes and Loan Entrance Counseling, is available at StudentAid.gov.

The Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students program provides funds to the parents of dependent students for educational purposes. The PLUS loan is a credit-based option available to the parents of students who have completed their FAFSA. Parents may borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance, less any other financial aid. The student who is a dependent of the borrower must meet all eligibility requirements and must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per semester). The borrower will be required to sign a Loan Agreement (MPN).

Additional information, including applications, current interest rates, and Loan Agreement (MPN), is available at StudentAid.gov.

Private lending institutions offer Alternative Loans to students or parents. Student borrowers may benefit from more favorable loan terms by having a cosigner. The student (or parent) applies directly to a lender. The lender will perform a credit check and inform the student:

• If the loan is approved
• The interest rate of the loan
• Origination fees
• Whether a cosigner will be required.

Like other student loans, alternative loans must be repaid. A helpful comparison tool can be found at:

ELM Select

Following are some recommended scholarship sources for students attending Great Bay Community College. These programs have their own eligibility, application, and/or deadline requirements. Many are restricted and some are very competitive, but they are all worth investigating.

CCSNH Foundation Scholarships

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation