There are various sources of financial aid available to students planning on attending community college.

1. Most states have some form of a community college free tuition program for their residents.
2. Eighty percent of community college students work. Some companies offer tuition assistance to their employees to attend community college. Typically, employees are reimbursed for their tuition after completing a semester or class.
3. There are various types of grants available. The most popular is the federal Pell Grant. It is a type of needs-based financial aid that helps students from low and middle-income families pay for tuition, living expenses, and other costs while attending community college or a four-year institution.
4. Scholarships are available for community college.
5. Community college students are eligible to receive federal student loans, but not all two-year schools participate in those programs.

You will need to file a FAFSA for #3, #4, and #5.

Most students (80%) attend community college with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree. For a variety of reasons, this rarely works out. I suggest you read the notes before you enroll at a community college.

Notes