Federal student aid is financial assistance offered by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) to eligible students enrolled in an eligible programs at participating schools to cover school-related costs: tuition and fees, food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Most federal aid is need-based.
Certain personal financial disclosures are required of students in order for a financial need analysis to be completed and awards to be made. Determination of financial need will be made based upon the financial information a student and all other contributors submit. All the information will be kept confidential.
The three most common types of aid are grants (financial aid that does not have to be repaid), loans (borrowed money that must be repaid with interest) and work-study (job opportunity for students to work part-time to earn money to help pay for school expenses).
Eligibility requirements for Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and Federal Work-Study, are determined by Federal rules and include the following:
Applicant must:
Federal Student Aid Program
Federal Pell Grant
Generally, the Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned bachelor’s degrees. They are grants that do not need to be repaid
Students are automatically considered for a Federal Pell Grant when they file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may receive a Federal Pell Grant for enrollment in one or more credits.
The amount of the grant is determined by the student aid index (SAI), the student’s enrollment intensity, the period of enrollment, and the cost of education. A student must be enrolled and eligible for payment at the time a valid Student Aid Report (SAR) or Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) is received.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Students may receive an award in an amount from a minimum of $100 up to a maximum of $4000 per award year depending on students’ financial needs and the availability of funds.
Student Employment
Federal Work-Study (FWS):
The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students who need financial aid to help pay for their educational expenses.
Many jobs are designed to assist students in providing work experience in their majors.
Federal Work-Study award depends on when students apply, their financial needs, and the funding level at PCC. The Work-Study wages are based on the duties and skills required of each particular position.
Applying for Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the required application for need-based financial aid at PCC.
Financial aid application will not be processed until all the required documents and forms are received by the Office of Financial Aid.
To be considered for financial aid at PCC, an applicant must:
For additional financial aid information, refer to the Student Financial Aid Handbook or contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Veterans Administration Benefits
Palau Community College is an approved educational institution for education and training under the Veteran’s Educational Assistance Act (GI Bill). Information regarding eligibility, entitlement and types of training authorized may be obtained from the Office of Admissions.
Non-Federal Funds
Non-federal funds include state/republic scholarships (as well as grants and loans) and private scholarships. The following are some of the scholarships available to Palau Community College students:
State Scholarships and Grants – The Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau offer scholarships, grants and in some instances loans, to its respective citizens. The Office of Financial Aid helps students seek and file applications for state/republic scholarships. For detailed information, contact the Office of Financial Aid or your respective state scholarship offices.
Private Foundations/Scholarships – PCC offers a number of privately sponsored/funded scholarships to qualified students. The PCC Development Office assists students in seeking and filing applications for scholarships. Requirements for each scholarship vary and full information and application forms are available at the Development Office.
