There are a variety of financial aid options.
At NCC, we believe that higher education should be affordable and accessible to all. For students in Northampton County area and surrounding counties, there are many financial grants and scholarship opportunities available. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of common grants we accept along with helpful links to guide your research.
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This grant is awarded to students with exceptional financial need based on FAFSA submission. This grant is applied for by completing the FAFSA and submitting it to NCC.
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The FSEOG is a form of aid for students with exceptional financial need. The amount of the SEOG award will depend on a student's financial need and enrollment status. Priority for SEOG is given to students who apply by the May 1 NCC priority application deadline.
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The Pennsylvania State Grant is awarded by the state government to students with exceptional financial need. Students must be at least half-time (6 credits), taking classes in their program of study, and have lived in Pennsylvania for at least five years to potentially qualify.
NCC has one of the largest scholarship programs in Pennsylvania! Each year, NCC is proud to award over 600 scholarships to our students. We offer funding based on a wide range of qualifying factors such as academic achievement, financial need, program of study, and more. Students who are permanent residents of Northampton and Monroe Counties are given first preference, and must enroll in classes at NCC to apply. The earlier you enroll at NCC and apply for a scholarship, the better your chances of receiving one. Follow the steps below to get started!
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You must be admitted as a student to NCC to be considered for a scholarship. Our online application is fast, easy, and free so apply now if you haven’t!
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To be considered for a scholarship, your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed. The FAFSA is separate from NCC's scholarship application and has different deadlines for each semester.
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Submit your scholarship application as soon as you are enrolled in courses.
In addition to our other scholarship offerings, you may also be eligible for private scholarships or grants from an outside organization or agency. Some sources to explore are employers, unions, professional organizations, and community and special interest groups.
You'll need to check into these opportunities on your own, but we've assembled a list of free scholarship research resources on the web to get you started.
Today’s workforce is fiercely competitive. We know that pursuing higher education is more important than ever before, and yet, it is often not enough to land graduates a job. Work experience is an essential component in a student’s journey to prepare them for the workforce. The Federal Work-Study Program offers the unique opportunity to work on or off campus while students gain professional experience in a range of fields.
Higher education is an investment. We encourage you to take advantage of available opportunities to plan a career path, build your professional network and resume, and to learn valuable skills for the next phase of your academic journey.
Even if you think you are not eligible for financial aid, we encourage you to fill out the FAFSA. If you are not eligible for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program, there is an abundance of employment opportunities available on Handshake!
Accessing Work-Study at NCC:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Review your financial aid offer in your Workday Student portal (click “Finances,” then “View Financial Aid”) to see if you have Federal Work-Study available on your initial financial aid award. Email workstudy@northampton.edu if you do not see work study on your award and would like to participate in the program.
- Accept your Federal Work-Study Award in your Workday Student portal (click "Finances," then "Accept/Decline Awards.")
- Review and apply for work-study jobs in your Workday Student portal (click "Career," then "Find Student Jobs").
- Then finalize your work-study job.
How it Works
Award eligibility is based on financial need. Full award amounts are not guaranteed - students may earn up to a maximum of their award amount. Wages are at least $7.25 (current minimum) but vary across positions. In addition to the duties and responsibilities, wages are based on factors such as the student’s prior work experience, skill set, and level of education.
Academic responsibility comes first! Work hours are scheduled around class times. Students may obtain more than one work-study position but may not earn more than the total award amount. In that case, the award would be divided between positions. Earnings are paid in bi-weekly paychecks through Bankmobile. Funds are not applied directly to the student’s tuition bill.
Loans
The process of applying for financial loans can seem like a confusing and difficult process for students and their parents. At NCC, we make managing your loans simple by matching you and your parents with funding, federal and private loans, scholarships, grants, and other opportunities to ease the finances of college tuition.
- Federal Direct Loans (Student Loans) are loans you may receive to pay for educational expenses. You must be enrolled in at least six credits per semester to qualify for a Direct Loan. There are two types of Direct Loans to NCC students:
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- Subsidized Direct Loans are based on a student's demonstrated financial need. The federal government will pay the interest on a subsidized loan while the student are in school and during any grace periods.
- Unsubsidized Direct Loans are available for students who do not demonstrate financial need. The student is responsible for all interest that accrues on the loan. The student may choose to make interest payments while in school or defer interest payments, which will then be added to the principal of the loan.
Students who would like to be considered for a Direct Loan will need to complete and submit a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN may be completed online at studentaid.gov. Students who are borrowing for the first time while at NCC are also required to complete online entrance counseling before a Direct Loan can be granted.
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- Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans) are loans offered to the parents of dependent undergraduate students to pay for student educational expenses. Parent loans protect a student's guardians from jeopardizing their credit scores, but still allow them to provide financial help. Because most students often don't have established credit, parent loans serve as a great backup route.
As with student loans, a student must be enrolled in at least six credits per semester for his/her parent to apply for a Direct PLUS loan. However, unlike a student loan, a Direct PLUS loan is approved based on the parent's credit worthiness. If you are planning to apply for a Direct PLUS loan, please read Northampton Community College's Student Lending Code of Conduct (PDF).
- Private Student Loans
A private student loan is an education loan from a bank and is usually an option of last resort for most NCC students. You are encouraged to complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov) to apply for federal, state, and institutional grant aid first.
The next step is to apply for a student Federal Direct Loan. If you are still unable to cover your educational expenses, then a private student loan may be a viable option for you. Several local banks offer private loans for NCC students, too. Learn more about NCC's loaning process by talking with a financial aid officer today.
Contact the Financial Aid Office:
If you need help with financial aid or have questions about the types of aid you might qualify for, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office:
In-person: Student Enrollment Center (Bethlehem) or Enrollment Services Office (Pocono)
Phone: 610-861-5510
Email: financialaid@northampton.edu