ECC - Financial Aid - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for applying?

Usually, it takes four to six weeks for the FAFSA to be processed by the federal processor. Therefore, we recommend very strongly that you file your aid application no later than April 1. You may file on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov to reduce the processing time to 3-4 weeks.

What are the academic requirements for financial aid?

You must be accepted as a matriculated (degree seeking) student and enrolled in an approved program of study. For you to continue to receive financial aid during your attendance at the college, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

What happens after you apply?

You will receive a federal Student Aid Report (SAR). You can expect the SAR to be mailed to your home in two to six weeks after you mail or transmit your SAR to the federal processor. You must review this report for accuracy. We recommend that if corrections are necessary, that you bring the SAR to the Financial Aid Office immediately for assistance in making corrections to the SAR. If you are selected for verification, you will also be required to provide copies of the tax returns for individuals whose income was included on the application. Essex County College’s Financial Aid office will notify the selected students of additional documents required.

What will the College receive?

ECC will receive your Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). The federal processor will transmit an electronic eligibility file called an ISIR to the College if you correctly listed ECC’s code number 007107 when you filed your FAFSA. ECC will review the ISIR for accuracy and request missing documents if you are selected for verification or if corrections are needed. You will receive a follow-up letter for missing documents and missing forms that are required to make your file complete.

How will I know that I have been awarded?

If you are eligible for aid, a Financial Aid Award Letter will be sent to you from the ECC Financial Aid Office when all the steps in the application process are completed. If you are ineligible for all or part of the aid you applied for, a Denial Letter will be sent to you.

How will I get my money?

If you are awarded aid, the funds will be used to pay tuition, fees and other charges. Fund remaining after all charges are satisfied will be paid directly to you. These funds will be sent to you approximately 14 days after the funds have been applied to your registration bill.

Your awards will be based on full-time enrollment. If you enroll for less than full-time, your federal grant awards will be reduced and your eligibility for state grant programs will be affected. Most aid programs require at least half-time status and a few require full-time status. The credit breakdown is as follows:

12 credits or more
9-11.5 credits
6-8.5 credits
1-5.5 credits

= full-time status
= ¾ time status
= ½ time status
= less than ½ time status

What happens if I change my enrollment status?

Your enrollment is checked before aid is disbursed. If you have withdrawn from any classes, your aid eligibility may be affected and disbursement will not occur until your eligibility is recalculated. If you have withdrawn from all classes or have dropped to less than six credits, you may not be eligible for aid and your scheduled disbursement will be cancelled.

How do I get money for books?

To be eligible for a book voucher, you must be awarded aid by the Financial Aid Office at ECC and have funds remaining from your award(s) after your registration bill has been paid in full. The book voucher will be issued to eligible students from the Financial Aid Office on or before the first day of classes each semester/term, and may be used only once and only in the ECC College Bookstore. If you do not spend the full amount of your book voucher, the remaining balance will be sent to you during scheduled check disbursement for the semester/term.

How is eligibility for financial aid determined?

There are other criteria that may determine eligibility for financial aid, for example the Ability To Benefit Test (ATB) and academic standing. The major criteria for providing funds through Essex County College’s Financial Aid Office is financial “need” as shown on the financial aid form (FAFSA). Your need is determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Cost of Attendance (COA).

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total cost of the student’s education at ECC for each academic year including tuition, fees, books and supplies, personal and transportation costs. Expected Family Contribution is an estimate by the state and federal governments of the ability of the student and the student’s family to contribute toward educational cost. It is determined by evaluating the information you provide on the financial aid form, using a standardized, federally mandated formula of need analysis.

What are the requirements to be considered an independent student?

You will be considered an independent student if:

You were born before January 1, 1982

You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

You are married

You are a ward of the court or if both your parents are deceased

You have children who receive more than half their support from you

You have dependents other than your children or spouse who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you

Students who do not fall into the above categories but who feel they have sufficient evidence to prove independence should contact the Financial Aid Office at (973) 877-3200. Each application will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine an applicant’s eligibility status.

How can I get more information?

Visit any or all of the websites listed below:

Financial Aid Sites:

State Sites:

Or call the Financial Aid Office at Essex County College at (973) 877-3200