Types of Aid

General Types of Financial Aid

Grants – Money that you don’t have to pay back.
Loans – Money borrowed that must be repaid with interest.
Work – Money earned from employment and paid to you bimonthly.
Scholarships – Money available from outside sources.  Want to get started? A good online search for available scholarships is here.  And scholarships available through the Brookdale Foundation are here.

Aid Available at Brookdale

Grants

• Federal Pell Grant is a grant ranging from approximately $313 to $6095 per year.
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is an additional grant awarded to Pell recipients. The amount is based on financial need and available funds and range from $400 – $800.
• New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) is a last dollar grant available to Full and Part Time students attending their County Community College. Award values are dependent on eligibility requirements and may cover up to tuition and fees.
• New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) is available for Full and Part Time students attending New Jersey postsecondary institutions, including community colleges, state colleges and private schools. Award values at Brookdale range from $311 to $3168.
• New Jersey Educational Opportunity Grant (EOF) is awarded on the basis of academic criteria and financial need. Awards range from $264 – $1250.
• New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Rewards Scholarship (NJSTARS) — New Jersey High School students who do not require remedial coursework and graduate in the top 15% of their class are eligible for 5 terms free tuition. You must apply for financial aid by completing your FAFSA and provide documentation of your High School rank after you graduate. For more information, visit the NJSTARS website.
• Brookdale Foundation — a select number of grants awarded on academic achievement and other criteria.
• HEERF Emergency Grants provided by the Federal government as a result of the Pandemic and COVID-19. See the Brookdale COVID page for more information.

Work Opportunities

• Federal College Work Study — awarded on the basis of financial need and available funds; students are paid bimonthly at a rate of $9.00 – $12.00 per hour.
• Student Help — Work in College Dining Services, Bookstore, Mail Room, Student Activities and other locations; students are paid bimonthly at a rate of $9.00 – $12.00 per hour.

Student Loans

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan — $5500 for first year students and $6500 for 2nd year students enrolled in a program that is a full academic year program. Repayment begins six months after student drops to less than half time status; student has up to 10 years to repay. Current interest rate is 0% in-school (subsidized by federal government) and beginning July 1, 2020 a fixed rate of 2.75% upon taking less than 6 credits.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan — If a student is not eligible to receive funds from the subsidized loan, a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loans may not exceed $9500 for first year students and $10,500. for second year students. The interest is 2.75% and repayment terms are the same, except interest is not subsidized and will accrue during in-school and six-month grace periods.
• Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) — Annual loan limit is the dependent student`s cost of education minus any estimated financial aid received. Repayment begins within sixty days of disbursement, or 6 months after the student stops attending at least 6 credits, with up to ten years to repay. Interest rate is a fixed 7.60%.
• Alternative Loans — Alternative loans should be a last resort for students whose financial aid package already includes Federal Direct Loans and other sources of financial aid and still needs additional funding to meet their educational costs. Annual loan limit is the cost of education minus any financial aid received. Eligibility is determined by the lender. The borrower must be credit worthy and have established annual income, or need a co-signer. Brookdale does not associate or advise students on alternative loan lenders.