Learn how to apply for financial aid at a community college. San Juan College's guide answers questions about types of aid and the FAFSA application process.
Thinking about college but worried about the cost? Many students are unsure if they are eligible for financial aid if they go to community college instead of a four-year university, or if they work while going to school. However, the New York Times reports that 43% of all undergraduates in the United States attend or have attended community college. 75% of community college students are enrolled part-time.
As you can see, many students attend community colleges, and financial aid is key to making that possible. This guide will explain what you need to know about financial aid, including how to apply for types of aid and how to choose the best options.
In This Guide:
How Does Financial Aid Work?
The financial aid process is centered on one main task: filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This will determine your eligibility for various types of aid. (This is the same process for four-year institutions, too.)
Each year, the government’s Federal Student Aid office funds 13 million students with over $120 billion each year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans. Your FAFSA submission unlocks your share of that aid.
These are the steps of the complete aid application process for most students:
- Submit FAFSA
- Apply for outside scholarships
- Wait for financial aid offers from each school
- Accept any institutional or federal aid you aim to use
- Confirm attendance and start school
- Receive federal funds directly to your school account
Eligibility for Community College Students
Whether you pursue a degree at a community college first or a four-year institution, you may qualify for federal financial aid such as grants or loans. Eligibility criteria may include:
- Enrolling in an eligible and accredited degree or certificate program
- Being a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Having a high school diploma or equivalent
- No background defaults on prior federal student loans
You may be eligible if you:
- Are a transfer student
- Pursue an associate’s degree
- Pursue a certificate
- Study a trade such as manufacturing, building, or truck driving
Types of Financial Aid for Community College
The financial aid you receive may come from a combination of different sources. The FAFSA helps determine eligibility for most of these. The main financial aid categories are grants, scholarships, and loans.
Tip: Your employer may offer tuition benefits that reimburse you up to a certain amount for college tuition. Check with your human resources department if you aren’t sure.
Grants
Grants are considered “gift aid.” Unlike a loan, grants do not need to be repaid. They are typically awarded based on financial need and come from federal or state sources. Examples of grants include:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
- State-funded grants
Scholarships
Like grants, scholarships don’t have to be repaid. They can be awarded based on need or merit (academic achievement), or specific criteria like your field of study, community involvement, or extracurricular activities. Community college scholarships are often funded by:
- Community college foundations (ex, San Juan College Foundation)
- State organizations
- Private organizations
Federal or Private Loans
Loans are money you borrow and pay back with interest. (Interest adds a percentage of the dollars borrowed to the total amount that must be repaid after graduation.) Federal loans often have better interest rates and other favorable terms compared to private loans. We’ll get more into this later.
Work-Study
This federally funded program allows you to work on-campus or school-related jobs to help pay for expenses during school. You could find work in libraries or academic departments, or in student life, admissions, housing, or advising offices.
Promise Programs
More than 400 “promise programs” in all 50 states help pay for or reimburse educational costs, sometimes in exchange for earning certain degrees or planning on working in high demand areas after graduation. New Mexico has a notable promise program called the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. Learn more about attending community college for free or minimal cost in New Mexico.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid is more manageable than you may expect. The single FAFSA application determines eligibility for a wide range of aid, including federal grants, work-study funds, and loans.
Step 1: Get Prepared
Gathering the necessary documents and information before starting the FAFSA makes the process faster and smoother. You may need documents such as:
- Your Social Security number or Alien Registration Number
- Your federal income tax returns and W-2s from the required tax year
- Financial statements for bank accounts, investments, or property
- If you are a dependent student, you will need your parents’ information as well
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA
Once you have your documents ready, you can start the application online at the Federal Student Aid website.
- Create your FSA ID: Both the student and one parent (if the student is a dependent) need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. This acts as your login information. Be sure to use your legal name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your Social Security card when creating your account.
- Provide consent: The FAFSA requires you and contributors, like your parent, to provide consent for the form to pull tax information directly from the IRS. This step simplifies the process and reduces errors.
- Add school codes for top choices: You can add several of your top schools to your FAFSA application to receive your aid information directly from the Federal Student Aid office. San Juan College’s school code is 002660.
Tip: Community college students can easily find their school’s federal code on the school’s website or by using the search tool on the Federal Student Aid website.
Step 3: What Happens After You Submit the FAFSA
After submitting your FAFSA, your journey continues.
- Review your FAFSA submission summary: You’ll receive an email notification when a summary of your FAFSA is ready to review on studentaid.gov. This summary includes the information you entered and information that determines your eligibility for financial aid programs. Review it carefully and submit any corrections.
- Respond to requests for additional documents: Sometimes, schools need more information to process their financial aid offers and any additional scholarships or grants. Respond promptly to avoid any delays in receiving your aid.
- Receive your financial aid offer: A financial aid offer letter from each school you applied to and listed on your FAFSA will detail the grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans you are eligible for.
Tip: Don’t forget to apply for financial aid with FAFSA every year, not just once.
How to Find and Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships are sought-after because they help you pay for college without taking on debt or taking time away from your studies. They can come from many different sources that you can research, including:
- Your school itself: The San Juan College Foundation offers over 700 scholarships each semester, from merit-based to program-specific ones. Check with each school for its own scholarship opportunities.
- Your state: Review state websites for state-specific scholarships and grant programs for in-state students.
- Employers and organizations: Many companies, nonprofits, and other organizations offer scholarships.
- Religious or worship communities and local businesses: Don’t forget to check with local groups you are involved with.
- Tribal sources: Native American students may be eligible for scholarships and other financial aid directly from their tribe or from organizations like the American Indian College Fund that support students who themselves or their families are tribe members.
A few well-known community college scholarships are:
- Point Foundation Community College Scholarship: A full-year scholarship for full and part-time students with 1-2 years left of community college and who plan to transfer to a four-year institution
- American Association for Women in Community Colleges National Board Scholarship: A scholarship to support women attending community colleges.
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: An award for select community college students transferring to bachelor’s degrees at four-year institutions.
Many online resources are available to find available scholarships, such as Best Colleges’ list of scholarships for community college students.
Decoding Federal and Private Student Loans
Loans are a common method for students to help cover the costs of college, but they are funds that must be repaid with interest. While the idea of taking on debt can be daunting, understanding the different types of loans can help you make informed decisions and use debt effectively to benefit your educational investment. The most important distinction to understand is between federal and private loans.
Federal Loans: Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans
Federal loans provided by the U.S. Department of Education generally offer more protections and lower, fixed interest rates than private loans. You apply for them by completing the FAFSA. There are two main types of undergraduate federal loans:
- Direct Subsidized Loans: Available to students demonstrating financial need. The government will pay the loan’s interest while you are in school, during a grace period after graduating, and during any deferment periods. This arrangement saves money over time as the loan balance stays the same while enrolled.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Available to students regardless of financial need. Interest does accrue, but you can make interest-only payments while in school.
There are also Direct PLUS Loans, which are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. These loans require a credit check.
Private Loans
Private loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and other private lenders. They are typically used to bridge the gap between your total college costs and the amount covered by grants, scholarships, and federal loans. Private loans have different criteria depending on the lender. Features of private loans are that they:
- Are credit-based: Unlike most federal loans, private loans are approved based on the borrower’s or a co-signer’s credit history.
- Have variable terms: Private loans can have either a fixed or a variable interest rate, meaning rates may be changed after you receive the loan. Also, their repayment terms are determined by the lender.
- Are less flexible: These loans may lack the flexible repayment plans and deferment options of federal loans.
Financial Aid and Transferring
If you plan to earn an associate's degree at a community college and then transfer to a four-year university, your financial aid process is straightforward, but it may differ from that of a non-transfer student. Typically, your aid package from your new school will be recalculated based on the cost of attendance at your new school.
Here are our best tips:
- When you apply to your new school, remember to add your new school’s FAFSA code to your application.
- Reach out to the financial aid office of both institutions to ensure a smooth transition.
Starting at a community college can be a financially smart move, as you can save significantly on tuition before transferring. To learn more about these financial benefits, read our blog post Benefits of Transferring from Community College.
Frequently Asked Questions
San Juan College accepts financial aid, including federal grants and loans, which you can receive after applying through FAFSA. We offer certificate programs, associate degrees, and various career and trade programs. Additionally, we award our own scholarships to students every year.
Community colleges are generally a low-cost option compared to four-year universities. However, costs can vary widely depending on whether you are an in-state resident, the number of credits you take, and other fees. San Juan College’s tuition costs can be found on our Tuition and Fees page.
While the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year, many states and schools set their own deadlines for specific financial aid programs. The best rule of thumb is to apply as early as possible when the FAFSA opens, submitting the school codes of your top schools so they can evaluate you for additional aid. Some funds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting early can maximize your financial aid package.
Yes, many forms of financial aid can be used to pay for summer classes. Contact your school’s financial aid office for details on their summer class policies.
Yes! As noted earlier, 75% of community college students are part-time. Most financial aid, including Pell Grants and federal loans, is available to part-time students, though the amount of aid may be adjusted for part-time enrollment. It’s best to check with each institution to understand how your part-time status may impact your eligibility. Contact the admissions experts at San Juan College today.
Common mistakes that you can avoid during the financial aid application and acceptance process are:
- Not filing the FAFSA every year: There’s a misconception that all aid has an income cutoff. In reality, you never know what kind of aid you may qualify for, so it is crucial to apply each year you attend college.
- Missing financial aid deadlines: Each school may have its own deadlines for aid from its own scholarships. Missing a federal, state, or school deadline could mean missing out on certain grants or scholarships.
- Filling out FAFSA with missing or incomplete information: If a question does not apply to you, it’s better to enter “0” or “N/A” instead of leaving it blank. Pay careful attention–errors, even small ones, can cause delays in processing your application.
When it comes to paying for college, each student’s specific circumstances will influence the mix of scholarships, grants, government loans, private loans, work-study jobs, and personal savings that make the most sense.
When you're figuring out which types of financial aid to apply for or accept, keep these things in mind to help you stay financially healthy during and after college.
- Scholarships and grants are typically not paid back. In addition to personal savings or income, this type of aid is a good one to keep as your top priority for long-term financial wellness.
- Next, consider federal student loans. These often have better interest rates, offer more flexible repayment plans, and may have built-in forgiveness programs.
- Private loans may have more flexibility in the amount of aid, but most students take these as a last resort, as they may have less favorable terms and interest rates than federal loans.
- If you are eligible, don’t forget federal work-study, state promise programs, or employee tuition benefits! These can help provide income during school or promise to repay portions of your tuition costs.
Community College Student Financial Aid at San Juan College
We hope this guide has made the financial aid process a bit clearer, no matter what college you’re looking at or what type of student you are. Getting a great education that fits your life and budget is totally possible! If you have any questions, just reach out to the Financial Aid Office at San Juan College—we're here to help!