Deciding you want to be a Cavalier is one thing. Finding ways to pay for college is another. Grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs are among the ways you can afford a JCCC education.
Scholarships
Scholarships are financial awards based on area of study or merit and do not have to be repaid. Scholarships can be earned based on your talents or performance in a variety of areas. Some scholarships are also based on financial need, which may be determined by a student's FAFSA results.
Grants
A grant is a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is usually based on financial need.
Grants can come from several sources including the federal government and state governments (where you live and where you plan to attend school).
Grants are funds that do not need to be repaid and are usually a need-based form of aid. Federal grants are offered based on financial need as determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They do not require repayment.
The United States Department of Education's Student Aid Grants and Scholarships website offers more information on grants.
The Kansas Board of Regents offers information about state scholarships and grants.
If you are a resident of another state, see The National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP) for links to other state scholarship and grant information or contact the Federal Processor for the specific state application requirements and deadlines.
Loans
A loan is money you borrow that must be repaid with interest. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private lenders, such as banks or other financial institutions. Federal student loans typically offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than alternative (private) loans.
Federal student loans, also called Federal Direct Loans, are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Eligibility is based on your FAFSA results and may include subsidized and/or unsubsidized student loans. Parents of dependent undergraduate students may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan to help cover the student’s cost of attendance. Federal student loans generally offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Learn more about all the different loan types, including alternative loans, below.
Regulations: Please be aware that certain policies and federal regulations can affect the timing of loan disbursement.
For a subsidized loan, the U.S. Department of Education will pay the interest on the loan while you are enrolled in school at least half-time. The interest is also covered during deferment periods. Students must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the subsidized loan.
For an unsubsidized loan, you are responsible for the interest during the entire life of the loan. The student must be enrolled at least half-time. Financial need is not a requirement for unsubsidized loans.
Once you have accepted a Federal Direct Loan, don’t forget to review your financial aid status. Complete any missing disbursement requirements, including the Master Promissory Note and Loan Counseling, so we can process your loan.
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is a low-cost loan available to parents of eligible dependent undergraduate students enrolled at JCCC. A completed student FAFSA is required.
Parents may borrow up to the student’s annual cost of attendance, as determined by JCCC, minus any other financial aid the student receives.
Beginning July 1, 2026, new Direct PLUS Loan borrowers will be subject to:
- A $20,000 annual limit per student
- A $65,000 aggregate (lifetime) limit
Direct PLUS Loans are:
- Processed through the federal government
- Unsubsidized, meaning the parent borrower is responsible for all interest for the life of the loan
- Subject to a credit check
Parents – be sure to have your student provide permission for us to speak with you by completing an Authorization to Release Information form.
Direct PLUS Loan Application Procedures
First, your student must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and complete the JCCC Financial Aid process.
Next, you will go to StudentAid.gov to complete the Direct PLUS Loan application.
- Log in by entering your FSA ID Username & Password.
- If you have not created an FSA ID, click “Create Account.”
- Find the “Apply for Aid” menu and click “Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan.”
- Under the “Direct PLUS Loan Application for Parents” (not the Graduate/Professional Student Borrower option)
- Select “Start.”
- Complete the PLUS Loan Application.
- Select the Award Year.
- Enter the student’s information for the student in which you are applying. If you are applying for the Parent PLUS Loan for multiple dependent students, you will need a separate application for each student.
- Answer the remaining questions on the application.
- Add Johnson County Community College in the “School and Loan Information” section.
- Select “Kansas” and type “Johnson County Community College” in the “Search School by Name” drop down box.
- Indicate the loan amount you wish to request.
- Indicate the Requested Loan Period. This will typically be the same as the student’s enrollment period. If the student plans to attend fall and spring, the loan period start date will be in August and the end date will be in May.
A credit check is required as part of the application process. If your application is accepted, complete the Master Promissory Note and parent certification form. The parent must complete and electronically sign a Master Promissory Note for your Direct PLUS Loan. This is your agreement with the U.S. Department of Education that you will repay your loan.
If your application is denied and your student requires further financial assistance, the student may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loan funds. Please contact our office to discuss all options available.
Direct Loan Master Promissory Note
You must complete and electronically sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for any Direct Loan. This is your agreement with the U.S. Department of Education that you will repay your loan. When completing your MPN, you will need to have the contact information for two references.
Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
Entrance Counseling is required to receive Direct Loan funds and provides you important information about the loans, including the rights and responsibilities associated with them.
Complete Your Student Loan Entrance Counseling Requirement
Direct Loan Exit Counseling
This must be completed when you withdraw, graduate, or drop below half‐time attendance (even if you plan to transfer to another school). This is designed to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower, including repayment.
You can complete these requirements through the Federal Student Aid site by following the steps below:
- Go to Federal Student Aid’s StudentAid.gov.
- Login by entering your FSA ID username and password.
Find the pages to complete the MPN and Entrance/Exit Counseling using the direct links under the dropdown menus or through the search feature.
No officer or employee of the JCCC financial aid office, or an employee or agent who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall solicit or accept gifts from a lender, guarantor, or servicer of education loans. For purposes of this policy, a gift to a family member of an officer or employee or to any other individual based on that individual’s relationship with the officer or employee, shall be considered a gift to the officer or employee if the gift is given with the knowledge and acquiescence of the officer or employee and the officer or employee has reason to believe the gift was given because of the official position of the officer or employee.
No officer or employee of the JCCC financial aid office, or employee or agent who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall accept from a lender or an affiliate of any lender, any fee, payment, or other financial benefit as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or contract to provide services to or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.
The College shall not assign, through the financial aid packaging or other methods, a first-time borrower’s loan to a particular private lender. In addition, the College shall not refuse to certify, or delay the certification, of any loan based on the borrower’s selection of a particular lender or guaranty.
The College shall not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds for private loans, including funds for an opportunity pool loan, to students in exchange for providing concessions or promises to the lender for a specific number of federal loans made, insured, or guaranteed, a specified loan volume, or a preferred lender arrangement.
The College shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid office staffing,
The College shall not enter into any revenue-sharing arrangement with any lender.
Alternative (Private) Student Loans
Alternative Unsubsidized Loans provide an additional way for students to obtain educational loans through a variety of lenders such as a bank or financial institution, not the federal government.
More information can be found through FASTChoice.
Work-Study
Work-study is a federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school to help pay for your education. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.
Please be aware that any outside resources received could result in an adjustment to your original financial aid package.