Welcome to Student Financial Services!
The Student Financial Services team at Mount Wachusett Community College understands that financing your college education is often the most demanding part of the process. Comprised of both Financial Aid and Student Accounts, Student Financial Services is here to help you navigate the way. We offer a comprehensive program that makes the most of the federal, state, and institutional monies available to you. Our team is committed to assisting you and your family in finding the financial means to achieve an affordable education here at The Mount.
The Student Financial Services team will try, to the extent possible, to award grant funds (funds that do not have to be repaid) to cover tuition, fees, and book expenses. Applying for financial aid early in the year is crucial to receive the maximum aid possible. Since the college does not have sufficient funds to assist everyone, many students find it necessary to obtain a student loan to meet the required costs.
We are here to help you manage your college costs and payments and are committed to working with you to make paying for college easier. You will find we highly encourage accessing the maximum amount of resources as early as possible in your college career so that you can be in the best position to pay for your college expenses.
2024-2025 FAFSA Updates
Update – April 24, 2024 – MWCC will be loading 2024-25 FAFSA’s soon!
Updates for Students and Families
If you haven’t already, now is the time to submit your 2024-25 FAFSA! The sooner you apply for aid, the sooner you’ll receive your financial aid offer.
Here is what to expect over the next couple of months:
- Immediately (if you haven’t already): Prospective and Returning Students should apply for financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year as soon as possible.
- Early May to Mid-May: We’ll begin sending financial aid offers to students for the 2024-2025 academic year – Fall 2024, Spring 2025. Summer 2025 is part of the this academic year and will be awarded in the Spring semester, if you register for Summer.
- All students will be awarded at Full time (12 credits). Financial Aid will only pay for the number of credits in which you began attendance.
- Early July: Fall bills will be emailed to your student email, with a bill due date of August 2nd. MWCC does cancel for non-payment, so please ensure your financial aid is in order and your bill is covered by August 2nd. If you register after August 2nd, your bill is due within 4-7 days of the date you register.
Be sure to keep an eye on your financial aid checklist and pay attention to emails from the Student Financial Services office! If you ever have questions, feel free to contact us at sfs@mwcc.mass.edu or 978-630-9169.
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is now available in “soft launch” form. Stay informed about the status of the New FAFSA Form.
Important Update: The Department of Education announced that the 2024-2025 FAFSA form will be delayed until March 2024. What does this mean for you? You can still file your 2024-2025 FAFSA! If you have completed it, but need to make corrections, you will need to hold off till March 2024, put a reminder on your calendar today!
Why is the FAFSA application changing?
Congress recently passed the FAFSA Simplification Act to streamline the financial aid process for students and families.
Some fundamental changes include, but are not limited to:
- The FAFSA will be shorter and more user-friendly, and will be available in more languages.
- The Federal Pell Grant expands to more students and will link eligibility to family size and the federal poverty level.
- Students may list up to 20 colleges.
- Applicants will be required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange.
- All “contributors” must provide financial information.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) is replacing Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- The number in college will not be used to calculate SAI.
- Some students will automatically be awarded a Pell Grant.
- The parent responsible for submitting the FAFSA in cases of divorce or separation has changed.
- Family farms and small businesses must be reported as assets.
- Reduced barriers for certain student populations (e.g., homeless and unaccompanied youth, incarcerated students)
- To speed up processing time, parents without a Social Security Number will be able to apply for an FSA ID and submit their FAFSA application online. They will no longer have to print, sign and mail the form.
Prepare for the FAFSA
Create an FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid website and assist contributors, such as your parent(s) or spouse, in creating an FSA ID.
- An FSA ID is an account and password that gives you access to the Federal Student Aid’s online system and serves as your electronic signature.
- With the FSA ID, you can fill out the FAFSA when it’s available, sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN), apply for repayment plans, complete loan counseling, and use the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Help Tool.
- If you already have an FSA ID, there is no need to create a new one. Your existing FSA ID will continue to work.
For an estimate of your federal financial aid for 2024-2025, you can use the Federal Student Aid Estimator on the Federal Student Aid website. This tool estimates the Student Aid Index (SAI) for 2024-2025 and the federal aid for which you may qualify.
Need Help? We are here for you!
The North Central Educational Opportunity Center (NCEOC) team at MWCC provides free and confidential financial aid, and academic, and career counseling for adults living in the 29 cities and towns of North Central Massachusetts. Students hoping to apply for MassReconnect are also eligible for support from the NCEOC team. You don’t have to go it alone, we’re here to help!
The US Department of Education has provided resources to help students and families understand the FAFSA changes. FAFSA 2024-2025 Instructions and Informational video are available on the Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel
Contact Us
Student Financial Services can be contacted at 978-630-9169 or via email to sfs@mwcc.mass.edu.
Office Hours
Mondays – Thursdays: 8 am-6 pm
Fridays: 8 am – 4 pm
Beginning 2/4/2025 and ending on 5/2/2025, Student Financial Services will be closed during the following times – Tuesdays – 12:30 – 4pm and Fridays – 8am – Noon.