Eligibility

All students at MWCC are eligible to apply for student financial assistance. Each year, the Office of Financial Aid assists full-time and part-time, day and evening students, to obtain funds available from federal, state, and campus sources to make the educational programs at MWCC affordable.

Each year, many students do not apply for financial aid because they “think” they are ineligible or are misinformed about the student financial assistance regulations and procedures. Please take the time to complete the application.

To Become Eligible for Financial Aid, You Must

  • Complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be accepted in a degree or certificate program
  • Be a US citizen or permanent resident
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Maintain satisfactory progress according to college policy

Special Circumstances

In certain situations, the Director of Financial Aid may exercise professional judgment to review your FAFSA and adjust your aid based on special circumstances that more accurately reflect your current financial situation. These circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be supported by documentation.

Examples of special circumstances include, but are not limited to:

  • Loss or reduction of income due to recent unemployment, change in employment, or reduction in work hours for you, your spouse, or a parent (if applicable).
  • Unusual medical, dental, or nursing-home expenses not covered by insurance.
  • Tuition expenses for a dependent attending a private elementary or secondary school.
  • Child or dependent care expenses necessary for employment or education.
  • Significant changes in assets or other income (such as one-time distributions).
  • Disability-related expenses for any household member.

If any of these situations apply to you or your family, please contact Student Financial Services and request a Special Circumstances Form to be added to your iConnect student portal. We will review your request and any supporting documentation to determine whether an adjustment is appropriate. All decisions are made in accordance with federal regulations, apply only to Mount Wachusett Community College, and are final—they cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

How Financial Need Is Determined

Financial aid is awarded based on financial need, which is the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA) and your Student Aid Index (SAI) (previously known as the Expected Family Contribution or EFC):

Cost of Attendance (COA) – Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need

  • The COA includes estimated expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, and living costs.
  • The SAI is calculated from information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and reflects what you and your family are expected to contribute toward educational expenses.
  • A lower SAI generally indicates higher financial need.

If your SAI is at or below the annual Pell Grant eligibility threshold (as determined by the Department of Education), you may qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, provided you meet other eligibility criteria.

Financial Aid Awards and Payment Options

Students may receive a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans to meet educational costs.

  • Some students receive sufficient grant funding to cover the entire tuition and fees bill, including books.
  • Others receive partial grants and may borrow through federal student loans to cover remaining costs.
  • Students who do not qualify for grants or apply too late to receive funds before classes begin must still satisfy tuition and fees.

When aid exceeds tuition and fees, the excess amount may be made available as a bookstore credit or refund after disbursement.

If your aid does not fully cover costs, Student Financial Services offers an interest-free payment plan that allows tuition and fees to be paid in monthly installments.

MASFA

If you are not eligible to complete a FAFSA, you may be eligible to complete a MASFA (Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid)

To be eligible for state financial aid through the Tuition Equity Law, you must be what we call a “High School Completer.” To be a “High School Completer” you must have:

  • Attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three (3) academic years;
  • Earned a diploma or the equivalent (GED/HiSET) in Massachusetts; AND
  • Provided one of the following documents:
    • A valid Social Security Number (SSN),
    • A document reflecting the issuance of an individual taxpayer identification number,
    • A document of registration with selective service (if applicable), OR
    • If you cannot provide one of the above three documents, if you are not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, you can provide a completed DHE Affidavit stating that you will file an application to become a citizen or legal permanent resident within 120 days after you become eligible to do so.

Fill Out the MASFA

Fill out the MASFA and the Tuition Equity Form.

Complete the Tuition Equity form and send it to the Massachusetts colleges of your choice:

Complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) online.

The MASFA will automatically be sent to the Massachusetts colleges of your choice.

Commitment to Financial Wellness

Mount Wachusett Community College is committed to helping students access a quality education while minimizing student loan debt.
A variety of financial literacy programs are available to assist with budgeting, borrowing responsibly, and planning for loan repayment.

The average student loan debt for MWCC graduates is approximately $10,284 at the completion of an associate degree, and about 51 percent of graduates borrow student loans to complete their program.