Bunker Hill Community College

Financial Aid FAQs

Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

At Bunker Hill Community College, the Financial Aid Office is committed to assisting students and their families meet the costs of a college education. Bunker Hill Community College participates in a wide variety of federal, state, and private financial aid programs.  The Financial Aid Office is here to help you through the financial aid application process and to help you decide how to best cover your educational expenses. 

How do I apply for financial aid?  Is there a deadline to apply for aid?

The first step in applying for financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The fastest way to file your FAFSA is on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Filing the FAFSA is always free and the Financial Aid staff is here to help you, if you need it.  Students planning on taking classes in the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 semesters should complete a 2010-2011 FAFSA application.  There is no deadline to apply for financial aid, however, we encourage you to  file for FAFSA by April 15th for the fall semester.  If you will be attending for the first time in the spring semester, we encourage you to file by November 15th.   

For more detailed information on applying, please see http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/123. 

I have financial aid this year.  Do I need to reapply for financial aid if I'm going to take classes next year?

Yes, you will need to file a new FAFSA for each academic year that you are enrolled in classes.  We encourage you to file your FAFSA early, to give you the best chance of qualifying for the most aid.  Massachusetts residents should complete their FAFSA by May 1, to be considered for the MassGrant program.  For more information on applying for financial aid please visit http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/123.

Do I have to be a full-time student to get financial aid?

No,  part-time students taking as few as 3 credits can qualify for some types of grant aid.  We encourage you to complete your FAFSA to help the Financial Aid Office determine what types of aid may be available to you.

If I am not a full-time student will my financial aid award change?

Yes.  Students that enroll in fewer than twelve credits will have their aid adjusted during the drop/add period.  Remember, financial aid does not always cover every cost associated with attending school.  Please be sure to review your billing statement and account information regularly. 

I have financial aid at another college or university, but am planning on transferring to Bunker Hill.  How can I get my financial aid information sent to Bunker Hill.

In order to have your financial aid information sent to Bunker Hill, you will need to add our school code to your FAFSA.  Please go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and click on "Add or Delete a School Code" under the FAFSA Follow-Up heading.  Bunker Hill's school code is 011210.  It generally takes a week for Bunker Hill to receive your financial aid information, once you have added our school code.

I've already paid for my classes this semester.  Should I still apply for financial aid?

Absolutely!  Students that have already paid for their classes can still qualify for financial aid.  These students would be eligible to receive a reimbursement up to the amount of financial aid for which they are eligible.  In order to qualify for a reimbursement, students must complete their financial aid file before the end of classes for the semester.

I need to send documents in to the Financial Aid Office to complete my application.  Where can I send them?

Unless we specify that we need to see the original document, the fastest way to send your documents is via fax.  Our office fax number is (617) 228-3407.  You can also mail your documents to our office.

Can I purchase my textbooks using my financial aid?

You may be able to use financial aid funds to help with your book expenses during the Fall and Spring semesters.  An agreement with the BHCC Bookstore, managed by Barnes and Noble, allows a limited advance to be  made available to eligible students who are enrolled in six or more credits and whose aid is greater than their projected costs.  You must complete a Book Advance Request form to be considered for a book advance.  If you are eligible,  you will be contacted via email one week prior to the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.  There is no book advance available for the Summer semester.  Please remember that adding and dropping courses may change the amount of financial aid that you are eligible to use in the bookstore.

How will I receive my financial aid funds?

Financial aid is paid directly to Student Payment Office and placed on your account.  Financial aid will be used first to pay your tuition, fees, book advance charges, and any other charges on your account.  Any financial aid funds that are left after your charges are paid will be refunded to you via your BHCC OneCard.  If you believe you may be eligible for a refund, be sure to apply for and activate your card.  Refunds are generally sent to students during the middle of the semester.

When will I receive my financial aid funds?

When you receive an award letter, you are considered to have "pending" financial aid.  This allows you to use your anticipated financial aid award to help pay your tuition, fees, and may make you eligible for a book advance to help with book costs.  Your actual financial aid dollars will be credited to your account during the middle of the semester, after your enrollment level has been verified, book advance charges have been added to your account, and all NA grades have been reported to our office.  Any financial aid funds that are left after your charges are paid will be refunded to you via your BHCC OneCard.  This generally happens in late October for the Fall semester and in early April for the Spring semester.

I am considering withdrawing from a class(es).  Will this change my financial aid?

It might.  For information on how withdrawing from a class may change your financial aid award, please visit http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/130. Students that withdraw from all of their classes are to having their financial aid award recalculated.  For more information on how this is done, please visit http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/134.  Please be aware that withdrawing from multiple classes may impact your ability to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and make you ineligible for future financial aid.  For more information on Satisfactory Academic Progress, please visit http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/125.

What if I do not pass any of my classes?

Due to federal regulations, students that do not pass any of their classes in a given semester may become ineligible for up to 50% of their financial aid award.  Grades are reviewed after each semester.  For more information, please view http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/inside/130.

I just want to take one or two classes and will not be in a degree or certificate program.  Can I still get financial aid?

In order to qualify for financial aid, student must be matriculated (accepted) into a degree or certificate program.  Students that are just taking classes and are not enrolled in a degree or certificate program are not eligible for  financial aid. 

I am enrolled at another college or university, but I would like to take a class(es) at Bunker Hill and transfer the credit back to my school.  Can I get financial aid?

In order to qualify for financial aid, student must be matriculated (accepted) into a degree or certificate program at Bunker Hill.  If you are enrolled at another college or university and are not transferring to Bunker Hill, you should discuss your  options with the financial aid office at your current school.