Federal Aid

In general, to be eligible to receive federal aid students must:

  • Show financial need based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
  • Complete the verification process with appropriate corrections (if required) prior to aid being processed.
  • Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) for access to Federal Financial Aid.
  • Be U.S. citizens or an eligible non-citizen.
  • Be matriculated and enrolled in an approved program.
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Not owe any refunds on a PELL Grant or other federal funds.
  • Not be in default on federal student loan.
  • Be within aggregate limits for Pell and student loans.

Clinton Community College participates in the following Federal Financial Aid Programs:

  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Direct Stafford, subsidized and unsubsidized, Federal Direct Parent Loan for Students
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant–FSEOG
  • Federal Work Study–FWS
  • Aid to Native American Students

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is designed to provide financial assistance to full and part-time students. Amount: During the 2023/2024 academic year the awards range between $767 and $7,395 for eligible students. Visit www.clinton.edu for information.

How to Apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web at studentaid.gov.

Notification: Clinton will automatically receive an institutional copy of the Student Aid Report for all students who indicated on the FAFSA that Clinton was one of their college choices. The Financial Aid Office will then calculate the PELL award based on that document or request more information as needed. Eligible students will be notified of their awards through the student portal.The Federal PELL Grant will be credited to the student’s account and will be disbursed according to the College’s disbursement policy. Disbursements are issued by the Bursar’s Office. The order in which financial aid is paid to the student bill is as follows:

  • State Grants
  • Clinton Foundation Scholarships
  • Loans
  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Outside Scholarships

The College will take the funds as received and issue a refund, if due, only after the student bill is satisfied in full.

Campus Based Aid

Students are evaluated for campus-based aid on the basis of information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Awards are based on student financial need as well as availability of funds.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Eligibility: Recipients must have exceptional financial need and be in an approved program.

Amount: FSEOG awards at Clinton range from $100-$1,000 per year depending on financial need and the availability of funds.

How to Apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The established cut off date for consideration of FSEOG funds is May 1st. All applications received/processed prior to this date will be considered for these funds. Applications received/processed after this date will only be considered if funds are still available.

Notification: Clinton will automatically receive an institutional copy of the Student Aid Report for all students who indicated on the FAFSA that Clinton was one of their college choices. The Financial Aid Office will then award aid as indicated or request more information as needed. Applicants awarded FSEOG will be notified of their awards.

FSEOG awards will be credited to the student’s account and will be disbursed according to the College’s disbursement policy. Disbursements are issued by the Bursar’s Office. 

Federal College Work Study Program (FCWS)

Eligibility: Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time and have financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Amount: Federal Work Study positions pay not less than minimum wage and average 6-12 hours per week.

How to Apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Notification: Clinton will automatically receive an institutional copy of the Student Aid Report for all students who indicated on the FAFSA that Clinton was one of their college choices. The Financial Aid Office will determine if the applicant is eligible for Federal Work Study, or request more information as needed. Eligible students select a job from a list of eligible positions. Once the student has been interviewed by the job supervisor, and hours have been set, the student returns to the Financial Aid Office to pick up their student appointment form. The student is then sent to the Payroll Office to complete payroll paperwork.

Federal Work Study will be disbursed in accordance with the College payroll schedule, based on approved time sheets submitted.

Federal Direct Student Loans Program

The loan program allows students to borrow money from the Federal Government. Applicants must complete the FAFSA, Master Promissory Note, Entrance Counseling Session, and accept their student loan offer. Instructions for completing these steps are available at the Financial Aid Office or www.clinton.edu. Each first-time student loan recipient will be required to complete an electronic entrance interview prior to receiving their student loan disbursement. In addition, first time borrowers at Clinton will have a 30-day delayed disbursement of their loan. All borrowers must attend an exit interview when graduating or withdrawing from school.

The Federal Direct Student Loan will be credited to the student’s account. Loan proceeds will be applied against outstanding tuition, fees, and authorized charges and the remaining student loan proceeds will be refunded to the student, in accordance with the College’s disbursement schedule available at the Bursar’s Office. Refund payments are made by check.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan

This is a subsidized loan with the interest being paid by the government until 6 months after a student leaves college or attends less than half time.

Eligibility: Eligibility is determined using the following: cost of attendance, other financial aid, and expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA.

Amount: A first year student (less than 30 credit hours towards their degree) may borrow up to $3,500 per year. Second year students (30 or more credit hours towards their degree) may borrow up to $4,500 per year. Both first-and second-year students may be eligible for an additional $2,000 unsubsidized loan based on need. Undergraduate students may borrow an aggregate limit of $23,000.

Interest: Depends on date of first disbursement. Visit studentaid.gov.

Notification: After processing the loan application, the Financial Aid Office notifies the student as to the amount of the loan and the approximate disbursement date.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

This loan has all the same terms as a Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan except: the student is responsible for the interest while in school and does not need to prove financial need to receive the loan.

Eligibility: Eligibility is determined using cost of attendance and other financial aid.

Amount: A first year student (less than 30 credit hours towards their degree) may borrow up to $5,500 per year. Second year students (30 or more credit hours towards their degree) may borrow up to $6,500 per year. Independent undergraduates are eligible for additional amounts. Check with the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility. Undergraduate students may borrow an aggregate limit of $31,000 for dependent students and $57,500 for independent students.

Interest: Depends on date of first disbursement. Visit studentaid.gov.

Notification: Loans are subject to the approval of the Federal Government. Students will receive an official approval from the Federal Government. 

Federal Direct PLUS (Loans for Parents)

Eligibility: A parent of a dependent student must apply, must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, may not be in default on any educational loan or owe a refund on an educational grant, and is subject to a credit check.

Amount: Cost of attendance minus financial aid.

How to Apply: Loan process and procedures are available online at https://www.clinton.edu/tuition-and-aid/financial-aid/loans.aspx.

Interest: The interest rate depends on the date of disbursement. Visit https://studentaid.gov

Repayment: Begins 60 days after last disbursement for loan period, unless deferment is requested.

Notification: Loans are subject to the approval of the Federal Government. Parent will receive notification of approval from the Federal Government.