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Financial Aid

ESCC offers students a variety of financial aid programs based on financial need, academic record, or a combination of factors. Financial Aid programs  include: federal and state grants;  work-study opportunities; and scholarships funded by local organizations, individual donors and the Eastern Shore Community College Foundation.

Note: ESCC does not offer Federal or private student loans and, for this reason, does not provide loan counseling.  However, a trained and qualified financial aid counselor is available to all students at ESCC.

The ESCC YES! Tuition Promise allows eligible students to attend college for free. The state and federal governments and the ESCC Foundation have dedicated additional funding so that more students can attend ESCC with all tuition and fees paid for. Click above to learn more!

ESCC Average Cost of Attendance

What types of financial aid are available?

  • Grants – Based on financial need; do not have to be paid back unless students officially or unofficially withdraw from all classes
  • Scholarships – Based on financial need, academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement, or a combination. View ESCC Foundation Scholarships or Community Scholarships.
  • Work-Study – Hourly-wage rate employment generally on campus

Check Federal Student Aid for more information on types of financial aid.

How do students get started?

Students should apply for federal and state financial aid by submitting an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  by the following priority deadlines:

  • Fall – June 1
  • Spring – October 1
  • Summer – May 1

Financial aid files completed by May 1st receive priority consideration for all available financial aid funds.  Please Note: Applications will be accepted after the above dates, but you should have other payment options in place in case your application is not processed.

The Title IV code for ESCC is 003748. Also, students should apply for local ESCC Scholarships by completing a Fillable ESCCF Scholarship Application 2023-2024 [Fillable PDF] or Regular ESCCF Scholarship Application 2023-2024 [Regular PDF]. 

For assistance with the 2023-24 FAFSA or questions related to financial aid, please email Financial_Aid@es.vccs.edu. 

You may also contact the Student Services Help Desk at 757-789-1720.

If you wish to successfully submit your FAFSA application, please go to studentaid.gov for additional information.

What is financial need and how is it determined?

Financial need is the difference between a student’s educational costs and the amount of money the family is expected to contribute toward those costs.

(COA) Cost of Attendance – (EFC) Estimated Family Contribution = Financial Need

What exactly is Expected Family Contribution?

It is the amount of money a family is expected to contribute towards the student’s Cost of Attendance as determined by information gathered on the FAFSA.

Can part-time students apply for financial aid programs?

Absolutely. Some programs allow students to receive financial aid for less-than-half-time (1 to 5 credits); others require at least full-time (12 or more credits) or half-time (6 to 8 credits) enrollment.

Do students have to maintain acceptable grade point averages?

Most financial aid programs require students to maintain an acceptable grade point average as well as other standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. (Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated at the time an application is received and at the end of each semester.)

What if students lose their eligibility for financial aid?

We strongly recommend meeting with your Academic Advisor prior to the beginning of each semester for which you enroll. Careful class selection coupled with tutoring may help assure you maintain eligibility. However, if you are not successful in meeting the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) you may appeal. Removal from financial aid does not prevent students from enrolling without financial aid if they are otherwise eligible to continue their enrollment.

Are there any deadlines for applying for financial aid?

Students should fill out the FAFSA on the Web  by the following priority deadlines:

  • Fall – June 1
  • Spring – October 1
  • Summer – May 1

Financial aid files completed by May 1st receive priority consideration for all available financial aid funds. Please Note: Applications will be accepted after the above dates, but you should have other payment options in place in case your application is not processed.

The ESCC Foundation Scholarship Application has a May (for Fall semester) or December (for Spring semester) deadline each year.  Fillable ESCCF Scholarship Application 2023 – 2024 [Fillable PDF] or Regular ESCCF Scholarship Application 2023-2024 [Regular PDF]

New applications for financial aid must be filed each year!

How do students receive their financial aid money?

Aid recipients are allowed to charge tuition, fees, books, and educational supplies to their financial aid accounts. If the amount of assistance is greater than the charges, a check will be mailed for the balance of their funds approximately 40 days after the “last day to withdraw with a refund” date

Can anyone at ESCC help me with this?

For assistance with the FAFSA or questions related to financial aid, please contact Student Services at 757-789-1720.

Charging Textbooks

 Charging Textbooks at Eastern Shore Community College 

About Your Award

What You Need To Know About Your Financial Aid Package

Please review all the information on the page above and bookmark it for future reference. Click the hyperlinks throughout the page to learn more about a specific item. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions. 

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