Financial Aid

Helpful ways to pay for college

If you want to attend Montco but feel overwhelmed by the cost of a college education, consider applying for financial aid.

Too often students assume that they aren't eligible for financial assistance so they don't even apply for it. However, the only way to know if you're eligible for aid is to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It costs nothing in time or money to fill out. Yet, the financial payoffs could be tremendous!

You can file the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year (which begins in the fall) as early as October 1 , giving you plenty of time to evaluate your options.

Types of financial aid

By filing the FAFSA, you could be eligible for:

Federal grants — federal financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, that does not have to be repaid;
PA state grants — state financial aid that does not have to be repaid;
Scholarships and awards — institutional financial aid that does not have to be repaid;
Federal work study — part-time employment that helps finance your education;
Loans — borrowed money that must be repaid with interest;
Tax credits and deductions.