NORTH SHORE – May 1 is the deadline to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure that those interested in attending college this year will get the best possible financial aid package available to them.
FAFSA filing will make students eligible for two new, innovative no to low cost education packages at state colleges and universities – the North Shore Promise and/or Commonwealth Commitment.
North Shore Community College is piloting The “North Shore Promise Award” to attract those “missing” college students who are being priced out of higher education as they are not poor enough to qualify for full federal and state grant aid, can’t pay out of pocket, or are too risk-adverse to utilize student loans.
Applications are now being accepted for the pilot on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 100 qualified students. Students need to apply for a FAFSA and the program by May 1 to be qualify for the most robust financial aid package.
To be eligible for the North Shore Promise award, potential students must: enroll as a new student in at least 15 credits, in an eligible Commonwealth Commitment Pathway or an eligible NSCC program, for the Fall 2017 semester; be a Massachusetts resident prior to September 1, 2016; have a 2.3 high school GPA at time of application or Accuplacer placement at or near college level; file a 2017-18 FAFSA prior to May 1, 2017; be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, as determined by the Federal Government and confirmed by NSCC, with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) between $3,800 – $5,328; be willing to complete a degree at NSCC in 2.5 years or 5 continuous semesters; and meet NSCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements throughout enrollment in the North Shore Promise Award.
For more information (Click on Link) go to: www.northshore.edu/promise.
With the state’s Commonwealth Commitment program, students can complete their associate degree at North Shore Community College or another community college and transfer to Salem State University or another Massachusetts state university, and get a bachelor degree, saving an average of $5,000.
To be eligible to participate students must plan to enter a Massachusetts Community College between fall 2016 and fall 2017, attend college full-time, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. At the end of every semester completed, assuming you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, you will receive a 10% rebate. This rebate will be applied to any amount you still owe to your college or university at the end of the semester, or if you owe nothing, it will be refunded to you in the form of a check.
Students must complete community college in no more than 2.5 years and then transfer to a state four-year school. Seamless transfer of all credits is guaranteed.
For more info on the Commonwealth Commitment please CLICK HERE
