Greenfield Community College

Student eligibility

To be eligible for Federal or state financial aid, a student must:

• be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program;
• be free from default on any Federal or state education loans;
• be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen eligible under Federal Title IV regulations;
• be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
• demonstrate financial need as determined by Federal government criteria;
• comply with Federal and state regulations regarding controlled substances; and
• for Massachusetts state awards, be a permanent legal resident of the state at least one year prior to September 1 of the relevant academic year

Veterans

Veterans are eligible for special veterans benefits.

NOTE: The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) provides certain funds to help qualified Massachusetts residents attend colleges and universities. Awards are managed by the DHE's Office of Student Financial Assistance in Boston.

Gift aid

Gift aid is financial aid which does not need to be repaid or earned through work. The Financial Aid Office will work with you to determine your eligibility for the following sources of aid. Check out our list of outside scholarship sources as well.

• Federal Pell Grant
  Amounts depend on need as indicated by Expected Financial Contribution, called EFC, which is determined by the Federal Department of Education, and on student enrollment.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
  Limited amount available; awarded to students who show exceptional financial need.
• Massachusetts Access "Cash" Grant
  Provides assistance to Massachusetts residents with financial need, to help reduce the cost of tuition and fees.
• Massachusetts tuition waiver
  Allows the College to waive certain tuition charges, not fees. Some waivers based on certain requirements, such as military service, history of adoption or foster care, or senior citizen status.
• Massachusetts Part-time Grant
  Assists students studying part-time (between 6 and 11 credits per semester), under specified EFC range.
• MassGrant
  Awarded by the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance. Students must apply before May 1 and enroll for at least 12 credits, under specified EFC range.
• Other states' grants
  Other states may be able to provide financial aid to students attending GCC, such VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation) or New Hampshire's Postsecondary Education Commission. Please contact them directly to learn more about their grant programs.

Self-help aid

Unlike gift aid, self-help aid is either earned through work or provided as a loan which must be paid back.

• Federal Work-Study Program
  Offers part-time employment to students, usually about ten hours per week at jobs in offices, labs, on the campus grounds, and off-campus in non-profit organizations which have arranged for such student workers.  This award does not defer payment of tuition and fee bills. 
• Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
  Enable students enrolled at least half-time (6 credits each term) with financial need to receive loans directly from the Federal government. Required online entrance and exit interviews inform students about the rights and responsibilities of borrowing through these programs.
• Alternative Loans
  Are available to students who may not be eligible for other financial aid or who need to supplement their available aid.  Ask us in the Financial Aid Office about them.

Greenfield Community College awards

The College provides a limited number of grants and scholarships to students through various fundraising and funding activities.

GCC Scholarships

These awards provide additional support for students in need of financial assistance. The Spring Striving and Driving Golf Tournament is the single most important fund-raising event for these scholarships.  Volunteers for this event from the College Foundation, the local community, and GCC students, faculty, and staff work hard to raise money for these scholarships.

GCC Institutional Scholarships

These scholarships are provided directly from the College to help supplement other financial aid provided by Federal and state agencies.   

GCC Foundation Scholarships

The Foundation offers over fifty endowed awards and scholarships to GCC students. The application or nominating process begins in January with an application deadline usually of early March.  A ceremony is held later in the spring semester where recipients are presented with their awards.

Greenfield Community Access Scholarships

For five years (Fall 2007 - Spring 2012) an anonymous donor is providing valuable scholarship funding to help students who are at risk of dropping out of high school, students who have dropped out of high school and who are or are not pursuing a GED, and students who have earned a high school diploma but who are not college bound.

The Deerfield Plastics Scholarship

This fund was established through the generosity of the Barker family through an endowment managed by the GCC Foundation.  Awards help support students at least 25 years old in making transitions to college.

Outside scholarships

We've selected a score of scholarship providers here for you to check out.  In many instances you can get more information through the website that's listed, or by phone or email.  When possible, we've listed a deadline, too. Download outside scholarship list