Types of Financial Aid Available:

FEDERAL AID
NJ STATE AID
INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

Eligibility for these programs is determined by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Federal Pell Grant

This federal grant is designed to provide financial assistance to students with financial need. The amount of the award is determined by the federal government on the basis of the student's expected family contribution (EFC), as indicated on the Student Aid Report (SAR). Awards for the 2007-2008 funding year (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008) range from $400.00 to a maximum of $4310.00 per year.

Federal SEOG

(Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant)

This grant is available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Grants will be given to students with the greatest financial need (as determined by a students EFC) first, and then to others as funds are available.

Subsidized Stafford Loan
This is a need based loan, guaranteed by the federal government. The federal government pays the interest as long as the student is actively enrolled for at least 6 credit hours.  Once the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least 6 credit hours, he/she has a 6-month grace period before repayment begins and interest starts to accrue.


Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
This is a non-need based loan, guaranteed by the federal government.  The government does not subsidize this loan, and the interest on this loan will accrue immediately. Principal payments may be deferred until 6 months after graduation or student drops below 6 credit hours.  This loan provides additional funds to dependent students whose parents do not quality for a PLUS loan or independent students who need additional money to meet their educational expenses.

Federal Stafford Student Loan Limits
The following criteria have been established for determining the amount of subsidized money to be distributed to a student in the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program:

• Students who have not completed their first year may borrow up to $2,625 per year.
• Students who have completed their first year but have not completed their sophomore year are eligible to borrow up to $3,500 per year.
• Students who have completed their sophomore year but have not completed their senior year may borrow up to $5,500 per year.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Eligibility is restricted to parents borrowing for dependent students enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours). Approval for the PLUS loan is determined by the parent's credit worthiness.  Repayment begins 30 days after the loan is disbursed.


Student Employment Programs
Employment programs allow students to work and earn funds to help pay for their education and educational expenses. Students who qualify must be hired for qualifying employment at the college in order to receive work-study funds. Work Study funds will be paid to the student on an as earned basis. Federaly mandated forms are required to be on file before any work may begin.

SCC requires a new work contract each academic year.

Veterans Affairs Education Benefits
Department of Veterans Affairs offers education benefits to the veterans and their dependents. More information is available at www.gibill.va.gov.

TAG – Tuition Aid Grant
Restricted to New Jersey residents who are enrolled full time (minimum of 12 credit hours per term). Award amount varies, based on student need. Students who wish to be considered for the Tuition Aid Grant must file the FAFSA. The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) sends a Student Eligibility Notice (SEN) to the student with accompanying instructions. The student is responsible for informing the HESAA of any changes to information that is incorrect on the SEN. The student shouldalso submit these changes to the Office of Financial Aid.

NJCLASS Loans
NJCLASS is one of the nation's most affordable and flexible supplemental student loan programs in the nation. 

NJCLASS Features:

• The lowest fixed interest rate
• An even lower rate with auto debit (.50% immediate reduction)
• Only a 2% loan fee
• Students or parents can borrow
• Flexible repayment options - including deferment while in school
• 20 year repayment term for the NJCLASS Fixed Rate Loan
• 25 year repayment term for the fixed rate Graduate and Professional Loan

NJCLASS allows students or parents to borrow the money you need to meet the cost of education after all other sources of student aid are exhausted.  There are no annual and/or aggregate loan limits.  NJCLASS may be used for school related expenses including tuition and fees, books, supplies, and room & board. 

<<Apply Now>>

Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars
The highest achieving students at New Jersey's secondary schools are offered $1,000 scholarships annually without regard to financial need. Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars are students who place in the top 10 percent of their graduating class and have combined Scholastic Assessment Test I (SAT I) scores of at least 1260, or are ranked first, second, or third in their class. Additional scholarships are provided to students from the state's urban and economically distressed areas based on class rank and cumulative grade-point average.

For information about NJ Financial Aid go to: www.hesaa.org

Payment Plan
Students who wish to pay all or any portion of their tuition and fees on an installment basis may take advantage of a payment plan made available through Tuition Management Systems, Inc. (TMS). Under this interest free plan, tuition is paid in monthly installments. There is a $45.00 fee for each enrollment period to cover administrative costs. For information and to apply for TMS payment plan log onto www.afford.com/somerset or call (888) 285-3052.

A delinquent account (nonpayment 14 days after the installment due date) will be cancelled by Tuition Management Systems, resulting in the student's payment plan being cancelled. Students who hold delinquent accounts will be placed on a probationary status for the subsequent semester. Students holding such accounts for two consecutive semesters will not be permitted to enroll in the TMS installment plan for the following semester. Account balances will be charged 5% annualized interest per month until the amount is paid in full. 

The student must pay their bill in full within 30 days of receiving the cancellation notice from TMS. Checks must be made payable to and sent to SCC. MasterCard, Visa, AMEX and Discover are also acceptable forms of payment. Past-due accounts will be turned over to a collection agency; the student is responsible for all collection costs.

SCC Scholarships
Somerset Christian College offers institutional scholarships to students based on spiritual character, academic achievement and need. All students who wish to apply for SCC scholarships must first have completed a FAFSA. Awards apply to first-time entering SCC students who have successfully completed the application process and are enrolled full time in a degree program at SCC, unless otherwise noted. Other terms and conditions may apply. To ensure maximum eligibility students are encouraged to apply early.

Upon acceptance of admission to the college, each student will be evaluated for potentially receiving a SCC scholarship, and in what amount. Dollars are limited, so students must register to secure their scholarship within two weeks of notice of their award.

SCC Scholars Grants
Awarded based on GPA, SAT or ACT scores, financial need, previous church or community leadership and involvement and future goals. Award Amount(s): $500 to $3,000 annually.

National Honors Society Grant
Awarded to all incoming freshmen that are active members of a National Honor Society chapter in their high school. Transferring students are NOT eligible for this grant. Award Amount(s): $1,000 annually.

Servant Leadership Grant
Awarded to incoming students based on their active or recent involvement in a Christian Leadership Role. Award Amount(s): $1,000 annually.
Download PDF Application

Ministerial Dependent Grant
Awarded to dependents of full time Christian workers, ministers or missionaries. The recipient must be a dependent of a person who is currently on a church, district, or missionary staff and whose major source of income is paid by a Christian Para-church organization, church, district, or mission board. Award Amount(s): $1,000 annually.
Download PDF Verification Form

Urban Center Grant
Awarded to students who are currently residing in any of the five New York City boroughs and the cities of Philadelphia, PA, Hoboken, Jersey City, Camden, Bayonne, Newark, Orange, East Orange, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Trenton, Union, Paterson and Union City. Award amounts based on financial need. Award Amount(s): $500 to $1,000 annually.

Alumni Dependent Grant
Awarded to dependent children of graduates of Somerset Christian College or Zarephath Bible Institute. Award Amount(s): $500 annually.
Download PDF Verification Form

Home School Grants
Awarded to students that have been home-schooled a minimum of two years of their high school education. Award amount(s): $1,000 annually.

SCC Church Match
Somerset Christian College invites churches to help their congregants secure the

resources needed to finance their education at a Christian College. In this way, SCC and the local church can work as partners in preparing today’s student to be Christian leaders. The Church Matching Grant is NEED-BASED aid. In order to apply, students must meet the following three criteria:

1. Receive funds from a church.
2. Maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA.
3. Be enrolled in 6 or more credits in the semester of application.
- Students enrolled for 6 credit hours in a semester are eligible up to a $250 match.
- Students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in a semester are eligible up to a $500 match.

Please follow this procedure to apply for the Church Matching Grant for the current semester:

Student signs the Church Matching Grant Form stating that they meet the above listed criteria.

The church completes Church Matching Grant Form.

Church submits a check (payable to Somerset Christian College) by mail to the address listed on the form prior to the beginning of the semester.

Church matching funds are limited and processed on a first come basis. Once the church matching fund is exhausted for a given semester, SCC will no longer be able to match funding.