Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office is located in Room 124.

Contact Information:

Phone: (603) 578-8903
Fax: (603) 882-8690 - Attn: Financial Aid
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mail: Nashua Community College, Attn: Financial Aid, 505 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 03063

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Thursday, 8:00am - 6:00pm
Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

The College is well aware of the financial burden of meeting college costs. The Financial Aid Office at NCC encourages students to apply for assistance. Assistance is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work study. Federal, state, and private scholarship funds are often limited. Applications with the greatest financial need receive first consideration for assistance. Applications should be filed by May 1 each year to receive consideration for state grants.

CCSNH Student Financial Aid Handbook is available here >>>

The first step in applying for financial aid is for the student and, if applicable, his/her parent or his/her spouse, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The school code for Nashua Community College is 009236. Please allow 1-2 weeks for the results of your processed FAFSA to be sent to the College. Upon receipt of your processed FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office will contact you if additional information is required.

Requirements of an applicant each academic year for him/her to be awarded financial aid:

1. Completion of the financial aid application process;

2. Admission to an associate degree or a certificate program that is financial aid eligible;

3. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen;

4. Be registered with the Selective Service if male between the ages of 18 and 25;

5. Not owe a refund on a grant or be in default on any federal student loan;

6. Not have borrowed in excess of the annual or aggregate federal loan limits;

7. Demonstrate financial need as determined by federal and/or state guidelines;

8. Enrollment in a minimum of six (6) credits per semester. The Pell Grant may be awarded to students with extremely

   low expected family contribution (EFC) who are enrolled in three (3) credits per semester;

9. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the guidelines; and

10. Reapply every academic year.

Student Aid on the Web has detailed information on all federal student aid.

Federal & State Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program that assists students who demonstrate financial need with the actual costs of attending college. A Pell Grant is considered "gift money" that does not have to be repaid. To qualify for a Pell Grant, you must be an undergraduate student who does not already have a bachelor degree. Awards are granted on a sliding scale ranging from $277 to $5,550 and are based on the expected family contribution (EFC) determined by the FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a federal grant made available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The FSEOG is considered "gift money" that does not have to be repaid. To qualify for FSEOG, you must have Pell Grant eligibility, however, all students who receive the Pell Grant will not receive FSEOG.

Massachusetts and Vermont State Grants

The Massachusetts State Grant and the Vermont State Grant programs provide grants for their respective residents attending a college in his/her state or another state. Students must demonstrate financial need. Massachusetts residents must submit the FAFSA by May 1 of each year to be considered.

Loan Programs

Federal Perkins Loan Program

The Federal Perkins Loan program provides low interest subsidized loans to students who demonstrate financial need. This loan program has a five (5) percent interest rate and repayment does not begin until nine (9) months after graduation, withdrawal, or when enrollment drops below six (6) credits.

Federal Direct Loan Program

Requirements: A student must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credits to be eligible for these programs. The amount a student may borrow may not exceed the cost of attendance minus other assistance (or, for subsidized loans, other assistance plus the EFC). All students must complete a Master Promissory Note as the College has now switched to the Federal Direct Loan Program. First time borrowers must also complete loan entrance counseling.

Direct Subsidized Loans

These loans are subsidized by the federal government for students who demonstrate financial need. Subsidized means the student is not responsible for payment of accrued interest during periods of at least half time enrollment [six (6) credits or more]. Repayment begins six (6) months after graduation, withdrawal, or when enrolment drops below six (6) credits.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

These loans are not subsidized by the federal government and are not based on financial need. Unsubsidized means the student is responsible for payment of accrued interest during periods of at least half time enrollment although actual payment can usually be deferred. Repayment begins six (6) months after graduation, withdrawal, or when enrollment drops below six (6) credits.

Annual Loan Limits

Dependent Students (except students whose parents cannot borrow a PLUS loan) who qualify, may borrow the following per academic year:

• Freshmen (0-31 credits earned) up to $5,500 of which only $3,500 can be subsidized;

• Sophomore (32+ credits earned) up to $6,500 of which only $4,500 can be subsidized.

Independent Students and Dependent Students whose parents cannot borrow PLUS who qualify may borrow the following per academic year:

• Freshmen (0-31 credits earned) up to $9,500 of which only $3,500 can be subsidized;

• Sophomore (32+ credits earned) upt to $10,500 of which only $4,500 can be subsidized.

  The average loan debt for graduates is $6,123.

 Aggregate Stafford Loan Limits

There are aggregate Stafford loan limits.  Students who qualify may borrow the following to complete an undergraduate degree:

• Dependent Students up to $31,000 of which only $23,000 can be subsidized;

• Independent Students up to $57,500 of which only $23,000 can be subsidized.

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are loans made to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Parents may borrow up to the student's cost of attendance less anticipated financial aid. Additional information is available through the Financial Aid Office or at studentloans.gov.

Alternative Loans for Parents and Students

These loans are offered by various lenders to assist parents and students meet educational expenses. Such funds may assist families that do not qualify for or need to supplement other forms of financial aid. Information is available at here.

Lender Code of Conduct

Information is available on the Code of Conduct for lenders of Alternative/Private Loans by selecting Code of Conduct under Related Links at http://www.ccsnh.edu/links.html.

 Federal Work Study Program

Federal College Work Study

Federal work study opportunities exist both on and off the NCC campus. Hourly wages range from $9.00 to $10.00 per hour.
On-campus jobs are available throughout the campus.
Off-campus jobs are available throughout the local Nashua area in non-profit agencies.

Students must provide their own transportation. Additional information is available through the Financial Aid Office.

Failure to Complete Classes and Financial Aid

Return of Financial Aid Funds (Return to Title IV)

Financial aid recipients who withdraw from all classes or stop attending classes prior to completing more than the 60% point in the semester may be required to repay all or a portion of the financial aid they received for that semester.  Recipients may also be required to pay back, to the College, all or a portion of tuition charges.

Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded.  When a student ceases attendance, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.  Please select here for complete information.

 Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility Aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Financial Aid office is required by federal regulations to periodically review financial aid recipients to ensure that they are making satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of his/her program of study.  Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial recipients is measured by both qualitative and quantitative standards and is an assessment of a student's cumulative academic record while in attendance at the College. Please select here for complete information.

Scholarship Information