STUDENT ALERT
It has come to the attention of Cuyahoga Community College’s Public Safety Department that fliers have been distributed and posted on Tri-C campuses recently advertising that student financial aid is available through something called “The College Advantage Program.” There are reports that similar fliers have been posted at other area colleges as well.
All students should be aware that there are allegations of improper usage of personal information that students have provided to the organization, and that Cuyahoga Community College has no affiliation with the organization.
Any students who have provided personal information to The College Advantage Program should contact Cuyahoga Community College’s Public Safety Department at 216-987-4325. If they provided personal information to the organization off-campus, they may also want to contact that city’s police department.
Cuyahoga Community College maintains a Student Financial Assistance Office on each campus (East, West and Metro). This office is dedicated to helping students in finding a way to pay for college and is located where students can apply for financial aid including grants and loans.
Financial Assistance Office Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Computers are available for students to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and on-line entrance loan counseling. Staff members are available for assistance during office hours.
Grants
(Only those who complete their FAFSA prior to October 1 will be eligible for the OIG and OCOG programs)
Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid. Generally, grants are need-based and are provided by the United States Department of Education or the state of Ohio. Tri-C awards grant money through the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) and the Ohio Instructional Grant (OIG) programs. In order to qualify for participation in these programs, a student must complete the FAFSA, which determines eligibility in the above mentioned grant programs, as well as the Federal Work-Study and Federal Stafford Loan programs. As such, any student who believes he may qualify for some type of financial assistance should complete the FAFSA online.
Attention Part-time Students!
Do not miss out on valuable education dollars simply because you are a part-time student. Financial Assistance is available to you as well, through federal and state grants, loans and scholarships. Such options as the Federal Pell Grant, William D. Ford Loan and PLUS Loan Programs are provided to you. Please see your campus student financial aid office for more details.
Exploring Financial Aid Eligibility?
Additionally, for students who are simply considering college, the US Department of Education now provides an option to get an early start on the process. Completion of the FAFSA4caster allows students and their families to receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal financial aid.