Awards & Receiving Aid
Understanding your financial aid award is an important part of planning and preparing for college. Once your financial aid application is reviewed, you can check your status and access your award details directly through PeopleSoft.
Enrollment and Aid Eligibility
Your aid amount is based on your enrollment at the start of each semester. Federal Student Aid, including Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), is locked in on a specific date each term:
- The 50% refund date for 15-week courses in fall and spring
- The 50% refund date for 8-week courses in summer
Courses you enroll in after this lock date will not increase your Pell Grant or SEOG award. You must also attend or complete academic activity in your classes to keep your aid. If you do not attend a course, it will not count toward your enrollment for financial aid purposes. Students who do not attend late-start courses may have their aid reduced after a refund has been issued and may owe money back to the College.
Checking Your Award Status
Once your financial aid application is complete, the Financial Aid Office reviews
your eligibility and determines your award. Follow these steps to check your status
and view your award letter once available.
- Sign into your PeopleSoft account and select "Student Center."
- Under the "Finances" section, click "View Financial Aid."
- Select the correct aid year. For example, to review 2026-2027 awards, select 2027.
Receiving Financial Aid
Once your aid is awarded, your funds will be applied directly to your student account to cover tuition, fees, and other charges for the semester. Here is what to expect.
Aid Disbursement Schedule
Financial aid is released at the start of each semester, then weekly every Tuesday as students become eligible. Summer 2026 disbursements began July 1, 2026.
State aid from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is disbursed once the 100% refund period has passed for each course you are enrolled in, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.
How Refunds Work
If your total aid is more than what FCC charges you for tuition, fees, and other costs, the difference is issued to you as a refund through Nelnet Business Solutions (NBS). Refunds are typically available within 14 days of the disbursement that created your credit balance.
Signing up for direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your refund. If you do not provide bank account information, FCC will mail you a check instead. Cash your refund check within 240 days of issuance. Uncashed checks after 240 days are considered unclaimed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education.
Stay Informed
Please check your myFCC email regularly. The Financial Aid Office sends important updates at the beginning of each semester with specific processing and deadline information.
Check Your MyFCC EmailContact Us
Student Financial Aid Office
Jefferson Hall (3rd Floor)
financialaid@frederick.edu
301.846.2620
Student Accounts Center
Jefferson Hall (3rd Floor)
studentaccounts@frederick.edu
301.846.2456
FCC Foundation Office
Annapolis Hall (2nd Floor)
foundation@frederick.edu
301.846.2438