Financial Aid

CCC participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. These federal student loans are provided through the U.S. Department of Education.

There are two main types of Direct Loans for students:

Direct Subsidized Loans

Subsidized loans are based on financial need. The federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) and during your six-month grace period after you leave school or drop below half-time. Not everyone is eligible for Direct Subsidzed Loans.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need. Interest starts the day the loan is paid out and continues to grow until you pay off the loan. 

You can pay the interest while you are in school or allow it to build up. When you drop below half-time or stop going to school, the unpaid interest gets added to your original loan balance. This is called capitalization. All future interest is calculated using the combined, higher amount.

If you are offered both types of loans, using the subsidized loan first can help reduce the amount of interest you pay.

1. Complete the FAFSA.
   Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the correct school year.

2. Complete your financial aid requirements.
   Submit any documents requested by CCC Financial Aid.

3. Review and accept your loan.
   Once your financial aid has been awarded, sign in to myCCC. Select “Self Service” then “Financial Aid.” Review your loan offer and accept the amount you want to borrow. You may accept less than the amount offered.

4. Complete your Master Promissory Note.
   Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at StudentAid.gov. The MPN is your leagal agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to repay your federal student loan.

5. Complete Loan Entrance Counseling.
   Complete Loan Entrance Counseling at StudentAid.gov. It explains how your loan works, what borrowing costs, and your responsibilities as a borrower.

6. Enroll in and attend at least 6 eligible credits.
   You must be enrolled at least half-time in courses that count toward your CCC degree or certificate to receive a federal student loan. 

The amount you can borrow depends on your grade level, whether you are a dependent or independent student, your financial aid eligibility, and other aid you receive.

These are the maximum annual Direct Loan amounts for CCC students:

CCC releases student loan funds after your enrollment, attendance, and participation in your classes have been confirmed.

For most students, the first loan payment is about three weeks after classes begin.

If you are a first-time, first-year borrower, federal rules require CCC to wait at least 30 days after the first day of classes before releasing your first loan payment.

Student loans are paid in more than one disbursement, or payment.

If your loan covers Fall and Spring, it is generally divided between the two semesters.

If you borrow for only one semester, including Fall, Spring, or Summer, your loan is divided into two payments. One is paid near the beginning of the semester, and the other around the middle of the semester.

A Parent PLUS Loan is a federal loan that a parent may use to help pay education costs for a dependent undergraduate student. The parent is the borrower and is responsible for repaying the loan.

Parents apply through StudentAid.gov using their own StudentAid.gov account.

Approval of this loan is dependent on your parent’s credit score. CCC generally receives the results of the required credit check within 5 to 7 business days.

Parent PLUS Loan Limits

For new Parent PLUS borrowing beginning July 1, 2026, parents may borrow up to:

• $20,000 per dependent student each year
• $65,000 per dependent student over the student’s lifetime

Different rules may apply to parents who borrowed Parent PLUS Loans before July 1, 2026, while their student remains in the same program.

What If My Parent Is Denied a PLUS Loan?

If a parent is denied because of their credit history, they may be able to apply with an endorser. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the loan if the parent applicant does not.

The student may also contact CCC Financial Aid to ask whether they qualify for additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds.