Fees & Financial Information

Fees are subject to change.

College presidents, with the approval of the Board, are authorized to waive General and Special Fees of students enrolled in special programs when the circumstances justify such action.

New England Regional Student Program

Each New England state has agreed to admit out-of-state New England residents for study at its public, degree-granting colleges, universities and institutions. At HCC, these students pay the same student activity fees as students from Connecticut, and the same tuition and college services fee, plus a 50 % tuition and college services fee surcharge.

Tuition and Fees Payment Schedule

Tuition and fees are payable in advance in accordance with deadline dates announced each semester. Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Housatonic offers an Installment Payment Plan option (requires a $25.00 fee) for qualified students. Inquire at the Business Office.

Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning Courses

For information about the fees applicable to Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning courses, see the information available in advance of each semester or special session.

Waiver of Tuition for Senior Citizens, Qualified Veterans and the Children of Certain Servicemen

Connecticut residents aged 62 or older who have been accepted for admission to Housatonic Community College shall be exempt from payment of tuition, general fees, and the application fee provided if, at the end of the regular registration period, there is space available in the course(s) in which the person intends to enroll. Proof of age must be submitted to the Business Office to complete the eligibility requirements for this waiver.

Qualified veterans, who were residents of Connecticut when accepted for admission to Housatonic Community College, may be exempt from payment of tuition. Persons who believe they may qualify for this waiver of tuition should speak with the Veteran’s Affairs Office for further information about eligibility requirements.

The dependent children of certain servicemen who have been declared missing in action or prisoners of war are eligible for a full or partial waiver of the tuition. Details about this waiver are available from the Veteran’s Affairs Office.

Registration and Fee Deposit

Students registering for credit general fund/ tuition account courses prior to the tuition due date must pay a non-refundable deposit of applicable college services and student activity fees to hold their registration.

The total tuition and any mandatory usage fees are payable in one installment and are due no later than the announced deadline. Failure to have made all payments by the announced deadline will result in the cancellation of the student’s registration unless an installment payment plan option has been approved.

All registrations between the announced deadline and the first day of classes shall be accompanied by full payment of all tuition and fees applicable to the course unless an installment payment plan option has been approved.

Failure to make payments in accordance with an installment payment plan option will also result in the cancellation of the student’s registration.

Students presenting bad checks must replace them within seven days of the college’s receipt of such notification, or the student’s registration will be immediately cancelled.

Refunds of Tuition Only

Requests for the refund of tuition must be made in writing. Requests made by telephone or email will not be accepted. Fees will not be refunded. All refunds take 2 to 3 weeks for processing. Please refer to the appropriate schedule of classes for the semester that lists specific dates for registration, tuition payment deadline and refund dates.

Fall and Spring Semester Courses

Students who wish to withdraw from the college shall direct their requests for withdrawal to the Registrar’s Office. Refunds are made according to the conditions and in the amounts set forth below.

If written notice of complete withdrawal from the college, indicated by completion of an official withdrawal form, is received by the last business day prior to the first day of classes for that semester, 100 percent of the total tuition, lab and studio fees for all courses in which one has registered will be refunded. If a notice of withdrawal is received through the first 14 calendar days of the semester, a 50 percent refund of tuition, lab and studio fees will be granted both full-time and part-time students. No refunds will be granted either full-time or part-time students beyond the 14th calendar day of the semester. The College Services Fee and Student Activity Fee are not refundable.

Summer School Courses Supported by the Educational Extension Account

In the event the college cancels a summer school course, students will receive a complete refund. A student who withdraws from a summer school course prior to the first day of the session will receive a full refund of credit tuition, lab and studio fees, provided that a written request for refund shall have been received by the Registrar’s Office not later than 4 p.m. on the last business day preceding the first day of the session (requests must be received by 4 p.m. Friday for sessions that begin on the following Monday).

No refunds are granted if withdrawal is made on or after the first day of the session. Program fees are non-refundable.

Financial Assistance to Students

The purpose of financial aid is to provide financial assistance to students who would otherwise be unable to attend college.

General Guidelines

Housatonic offers financial aid to students who have been determined to have financial need, according to Federal need analysis. The financial aid awarded depends on the financial need, the availability of funds at Housatonic, and any other aid the student is receiving. The financial aid package may include grants, loans, work-study, or a combination of these funds. All financial aid awards are subject to change.

Applying for Financial Aid

All applications for financial aid should be completed by May 1 for students enrolling in September, and November 1 for students enrolling in January. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year, but awards made after the recommended deadlines depend on fund availability. A new application must be completed for each academic year.

Eligibility is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply online at www.fafsa.gov. For more information on financial aid application procedures, please visit the financial aid website at www.housatonic.edu

The information provided in the FAFSA provides a consistent way of measuring the ability of families and/or students to pay educational costs. The student is determined to have need if the cost of education exceeds the student’s available resources, based upon a standardized formula that was established by Congress. All allowable educational expenses are considered when financial aid applications are reviewed.

The Student Aid Report that the student will receive after filing the FAFSA need not be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will download reports electronically.

Requirements for Student Financial Aid

In order to receive financial aid, students must have completed the entire admissions process and be accepted into a degree or eligible certificate program. You may be eligible for financial assistance if you are:

• A citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Trust Territories;
• In good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress according to the standards and practices of HCC (see Appendix XI  for Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy For Student Financial Aid Recipients);
• In compliance with draft (Selective Service) registration requirements;
• Not in default in the repayment of any educational loans or owe a refund on any Title IV grant program at any institution.

How Financial Aid Works

Financial aid awards are based on your enrollment status as of the 14th calendar day of the semester. Any course added after that time will not be covered by financial aid and will be billed directly to you.

Students should remember that:

• Financial aid cannot be used for non-credit courses offered through the Continuing Education Program
• Financial aid cannot be used for audited courses.
• Withdrawal during the first two weeks of any semester will result in the cancellation of all financial aid. Students will be billed by the business office for 50 percent of their tuition, all fees, and any bookstore charges. For students that fall into this category, a Return of Title IV funds calculation will be completed to determine if the students are eligible for a post withdrawal disbursement.
• More information regarding withdrawals after the first 14 days of the semester is available in the section entitled “Policy for Refunds & Repayments of Cash Disbursements of Title IV Financial Aid (Withdrawal Information)”.
• Financial aid does not cover the cost of any course and/or related books for which a student registers and never attends. The charges for any such course become the responsibility of the student who will be billed directly by the business office.
• Financial aid is NOT available for the Winter session.

Student Responsibilities

All financial aid applicants are assumed to be familiar with the contents of the HCC catalog. Students are responsible for reading and understanding all forms they are asked to sign and should keep copies of all documents submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Students and their families should be aware that they are completing applications for federal, state, and college funds.

Financial aid recipients must inform the Financial Aid Office in writing of any change in name, address, marital status, family size, or financial circumstances. Deliberately misreporting can result in criminal and civil liabilities.

Housatonic Community College expects you, the student, to initiate the application process in a timely manner, and considers it your responsibility to complete the application on time. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Students with questions concerning the accuracy or completeness of their applications should contact the Financial Aid Office. If your application is in any stage of processing or review and you have not received an official notification of financial aid at the time you wish to enroll, you will be responsible for your tuition bill at the time of registration, and must make payment arrangements with the Business Office. If payment arrangements have not been made and you do not have an official notification of financial aid, your classes will, in all probability, be cancelled.

Late applications will be awarded on a funds available basis. Application materials cannot be accepted after a student’s last date of attendance.

The only formal announcement of financial aid is an award letter or email sent by the Financial Aid Office. Information online at myCommNet is not official unless you have received an official email award notification or have been sent an award letter.

Please note… Applicants are responsible for completing all Federal eligibility and file completion requirements as soon as possible. Under NO circumstances will financial aid be available for the fall semester unless ALL requirements are satisfied by November 15, or for the spring semester by April 15.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy For Student Financial Aid Recipients

A student receiving Federal Title IV financial aid or other financial aid directly administered or certified by the college must maintain satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of a certificate or degree program of study. Satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients is measured by both quantitative and qualitative standards and is an assessment of a student’s cumulative academic record at the college. Students should be aware that the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for financial aid recipients differs from the institutional Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

The current Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is available online at myCommNet, in Appendix XI of the college Policies section of the catalog, or in the financial aid office.

Policy for Refunds & Repayments of Cash Disbursements of Title IV Financial Aid (Withdrawal Information)

Students who officially withdraw between the 15th day and the 60% point (generally the 9th week) in any semester will be subject to a Title IV calculation to determine how much federal financial aid was actually earned.

The college will return unearned Title IV funds to the Department of Education as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date the college determined that the student withdrew.

Students who stop attending classes at any time during a semester are considered unofficial withdrawals. The college will perform the Title IV calculation and will assume that 50 % of your federal financial aid was earned.

In both of the above situations, a letter will be sent to you explaining your financial obligation to the college and the U.S. Department of Education. You will have 45 days from the date of that letter to pay the college.

Treatment of Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws

The law specifies how Housatonic Community College must determine the amount of Title IV program assistance that you earn if you withdraw from school. The Title IV programs that are covered by this law include, but are not limited to: Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.

When you withdraw during your period of enrollment, the amount of Title IV program assistance that you have earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. If you received (or Housatonic Community College or your parent received on your behalf) less assistance than the amount you earned, you may be able to receive those additional funds. If you received more assistance than you earned, the excess funds must be returned by Housatonic Community College and/or you.

The amount of assistance that you have earned is determined on a prorate basis. For example, if you completed 30% of your period of enrollment, you earn 30% of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive. Once you have completed more than 60% of the period of enrollment, you earn all of the assistance that you were scheduled to receive for that period.

If you did not receive all of the funds that you earned, you may be due a Post-withdrawal disbursement. If your Post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, Housatonic Community College must get your permission before it can disburse them. You may choose to decline some or all of the loan funds so that you don’t incur additional debt. Housatonic Community College may automatically use all or a portion of your Post-withdrawal disbursement of grant funds for tuition and fees. Housatonic Community College needs your permission to use the Post-withdrawal grant disbursement for all other school charges. If you do not give your permission, you will be offered the funds. However, it may be in your best interest to allow Housatonic Community College to keep the funds to reduce your debt at the school.

There are some Title IV funds that you may have been scheduled to receive that cannot be disbursed to you once you withdraw because of other eligibility requirements. For example, if you are a first-time, first-year undergraduate student and you have not completed the first 30 days of your program before you withdraw, you will not receive any Direct Loan funds that you would have received had you remained enrolled past the 30th day.

If you receive (or Housatonic Community College or your parent receives on your behalf) excess Title IV program funds that must be returned, Housatonic Community College must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

1. Your institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of your funds, or
2. The entire amount of excess funds.

Housatonic Community College must return this amount even if it didn’t keep this amount of your Title IV program funds.

Regarding the order of return of Title IV loan funds, unearned funds returned by the institution or the student must be credited to outstanding balances on Title IV loans made to the student or on behalf of the student for the payment period or period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required. Those funds must be credited to outstanding balances for the payment period or period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required in the following order:

• Unsubsidized Federal Direct loans
• Subsidized Federal Direct loans
• Federal Direct PLUS loans received on behalf of the student

Regarding the order of return of Title IV remaining funds, if unearned funds remain to be returned after repayment of all outstanding loan amounts, the remaining excess must be credited to any amount awarded for the payment period or period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required in the following order:

• Federal Pell Grants
• FSEOG Program aid

If Housatonic Community College is not required to return all the excess funds, you must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that you must return you repay in accordance with the terms of the promissory note. That is, you make scheduled payments to the holder of the loan over a period of time.

Any amount of unearned grant funds that you must return is called an overpayment. The maximum amount of a grant overpayment that you must repay is half of the grant funds you received or were scheduled to receive. You must make arrangements with Housatonic Community College or the Department of Education to return the unearned grant funds.

The requirements for Title IV program funds when you withdraw are separate from any refund policy that Housatonic Community College may have. Therefore, you may still owe funds to Housatonic Community College to cover unpaid institutional charges. Housatonic Community College may also charge you for any Title IV program funds that the school was required to return. The Housatonic Community College Financial Aid, Bursar, and Registrar’s Offices can provide you with more information about the school’s refund policy and the requirements and procedures for officially withdrawing from the school. If you have questions about your Title IV program funds, you can also call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243). TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913. Information is also available on Student Aid on the Web at www.studentaid.ed.gov.

How Financial Aid Credit Balances Are Processed

Students must remain in attendance to be eligible for refunds of financial aid monies after all debt to HCC is satisfied. If a student does not remain in attendance, the excess aid will be returned to the Federal government. In the case of students who withdraw, payment will be prorated based on length of attendance according to the Federal Title IV Refund calculation.

Refunds of any amount after eligible educational expenses are deducted are normally made by the State Controller’s Office.

What Programs are Available

Federal Programs -

Pell Grant is a federal grant based on need and restricted to students pursuing a first undergraduate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is a federal grant usually awarded to Pell Grant recipients with the greatest financial need.

Federal Work Study is a federal program for students with financial aid eligibility which provides an opportunity for students to work and earn an income. It is expected that any earnings will be used for costs relating to attendance at the college.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program includes Federal Direct Subsidized Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Financial aid eligibility must be determined before loan applications can be processed.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan eligibility is determined by the student’s FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are student loans for which in some cases a borrower is not responsible for paying the interest while in an in-school, grace, or deferment period.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility is not based on the student’s FAFSA EFC. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are student loans for which the borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest regardless of the loan status.

Direct PLUS Loan Program includes loans for eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for the cost of the student’s education. Parent borrowers of a Direct PLUS Loan must not have an adverse credit history or must obtain an endorser.

Housatonic Community College observes the Connecticut Community College System’s Code of Conduct when working with providers of education loans. For more information, please visit the HCC Financial Aid web site at www.housatonic.edu and download the Financial Aid Code of Conduct from the “”Helpful Links”” section.

State Programs -

Connecticut Aid for Public College Students is a state grant awarded by the college in various amounts to full or part-time students with demonstrated financial need. Students must be Connecticut residents in order to qualify.

Governor’s Scholarship is a state grant awarded by the college in various amounts to full or part-time students with demonstrated financial need. Students must be Connecticut residents in order to qualify.

Connecticut Community College Grant Program is a state program awarded by the college as a grant for full- or part-time students with demonstrated financial need. Students must be Connecticut residents in order to qualify.

Awards of all Federal and State Financial Aid resources are determined by the Financial Aid Office. Contact the Financial Aid Office regarding any additional requirements for these programs.

Veteran’s Educational Benefits

Housatonic is approved by the State Department of Higher Education for student benefits under appropriate chapters of Title 38, U.S. Code. Under specific circumstances, spouses, widows, widowers, and children may also be eligible for these benefits. Veterans or their dependents should contact the Veteran’s Representative in the Registrar’s Office for assistance in effecting certification of eligibility.

Housatonic, through the State of Connecticut, is also able to offer veterans tuition waivers for General Fund courses. To be eligible, a veteran must have served honorably on active duty during qualified war eras and fulfill residency requirements. Please refer to the Admissions section for more information.

Each veteran must present a valid Form DD-214 when applying for student benefits under the G.I. Bill or Tuition Waiver.

Note: The Advanced English Proficiency (ESL) certificate is not a vocational program approvable for veteran benefits. However, veterans and eligible dependents may be paid for remedial, deficiency, or refresher courses (such as ESL) when it is determined that they need the courses in order to pursue a program for which they would be otherwise eligible. Certification of need (as determined by testing) can be made to the VA.

Tax Credit Programs

The American Opportunity Tax Credit provides for qualified education expenses. Eligible students can receive up to a $2,500 tax credit for the first four years of post-secondary education.

The Lifetime Learning Credit helps students offset the cost of education by providing a Lifetime tax credit of 20% of qualified tuition and fee expenses, up to $2,000 per year, with some income-based limitations.

For more information on these programs, consult your tax advisor or the IRS website at www.irs.gov

Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc. Scholarships

The Housatonic Community College Foundation (HCC Foundation) is committed to the education of all Housatonic Community College (HCC) students. To this end, financial assistance is available for tuition and fees based on academic achievement and financial need as determined by the Scholarship Committee of the Foundation Board of Directors.

Information about scholarship applications and deadlines is publicized regularly throughout the HCC community. For our HCC scholarships, preference is given to students in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and who have completed at least nine credits at Housatonic. It is required that all students apply for financial aid before applying for scholarships.

In addition to HCC Foundation scholarship funds, the following are available to incoming and current students:

Awards & Scholarships for Incoming Students

Allison Foundation Scholarship Fund - Provides scholarships to be used for tuition, fees and book purchases for students attending HCC academic programs which lead to a degree or certificate. Full-time recipients of scholarships from the Fund shall be eligible for a stipend of $250 for a GPA of 2.5 - 2.9, $400 for a GPA of 3.0 - 3.5 and $500 for a GPA of 3.6 or higher, at the end of the fall and spring semesters. This stipend may be used for any purpose so designated by the student.

Klein Family Foundation Fund - Awards full/partial scholarships to be used for tuition and fees for students attending HCC to obtain a certificate in Manufacturing and/or a degree in Engineering.

Karen D. Torres Memorial Scholarship Fund - Provides scholarships to be used for tuition and fees for students registered in any of the Allied Health programs.

Richard E. Parent Memorial Scholarship Fund - Provides scholarships to be used for tuition, fees and book purchases for students who are registered for a Chemistry course. The scholarship was established in memory of HCC Chemistry Professor.

Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund - This student scholarship is funded 100% by students established in 2010 to assist current or incoming students who demonstrate financial need, are in good academic standing and are not receiving financial aid.

William H. Pitt Foundation Scholarship Fund - Awarded to full-time Housatonic students who are in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.3 or better and who are not receiving financial aid. Students are not required to have nine credits for this particular scholarship.

Manufacturing Association of Southern Connecticut Inc. (MASC) Endowed Scholarship Fund - Awarded to students who are pursuing studies in an area related to the Manufacturing Industry and are taking the technical courses within the Engineering Science & Industrial Technology Programs. Students are not required to have nine credits for this particular scholarship.

Awards & Scholarships for Current Students

Dr. Janis M. Hadley Endowed Scholarship Fund - Awarded to students who have completed their first year at HCC and are continuing their studies there. The scholarship was established by Dr. Hadley, HCC’s third president, who retired in 2006.

Mercy Learning Center “Mother’s Advantage Scholarship” Fund - Established by HCC Foundation board member, Marianne Laska, and her husband, Robert, in memory of their mothers. The scholarship is available to graduates of the Mercy Learning Center who are mothers and are attending HCC.

Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Trust Endowed Scholarship Fund - Provides tuition assistance to current HCC students. The scholarship qualifications are based on scholastic achievement and financial need.

Kim Thibodeau Chiaraluce Endowed Scholarship Fund - Established to provide funds for a young woman attending the college for the academic year either on a full- or part-time basis who demonstrates academic achievement and financial need.

Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Scholarship Fund - Given to a current HCC student who is currently employed, preferably at a Subway Restaurant. Student must demonstrate success in all areas of academic achievement, participation in extra-curricular activities, and financial need.

Doane Endowed Scholarship Fund - Established in memory of Housatonic instructor and lab assistant and awarded to a student continuing his or her education in computer science, mathematics, or engineering.

Marguerite Sullivan Dunigan Endowed Scholarship Fund - Established to honor Marguerite Sullivan Dunigan’s achievements as a single mother, grandmother, friend, sister, Housatonic student, and graduate. Awarded to a single mother currently attending HCC.

President Edward J. Liston Endowed Scholarship Fund - In honor of HCC’s first president (1967 - 1973) established to provide funds for students enrolled in one of the college’s two-year degree programs and who demonstrate academic achievement or financial need and involvement in extracurricular activities.

Elizabeth Pfriem Endowed Scholarship Fund - Awarded to Housatonic Foundation Scholars. Scholars are current HCC students in good academic standing who demonstrate financial need and have completed nine or more credits at the college with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Connecticut Women’s Forum Endowed Scholarship Fund - Awarded to female students with financial need who are enrolled in any two-year program at HCC.

Dale Ward Endowed Scholarship Fund - Established in memory of HCC History Professor and Student Senate Advisoris awarded to graduating students who are the recipients of the HCC Senate Scholarship and who plan to continue their education.

Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund - Awarded to a HCC student pursing a course of study in the area of Allied Health.

Additional scholarship information for graduating students can be found in the Academic Support & Student Services section of the Catalog.

Early Childhood Laboratory School Funds

The Foundation may assist students with tuition for their children at the Housatonic Early Childhood Laboratory School.