The 2027–28 FAFSA Opens October 1, 2026
Planning to take classes at EC3 in Fall 2027, Spring 2028 or Summer 2028? The 2027–28 FAFSA opens October 1. File early.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is how you apply for federal Pell Grants, work-study and federal student loans. Pennsylvania also uses it to decide who gets a PA State Grant, and EC3 uses it for many of its own scholarships. It's free and takes most students less than an hour.
EC3 Federal School Code: 043180
Add this code to your FAFSA so EC3 receives your information.
| Date | What Happens |
| October 1, 2026 | The 2027-28 FAFSA opens at StudentAid.gov |
| May 1, 2027 | PA State Grant deadline for returning students. We recommend all students file by this date. |
| August 1, 2027 | PA State Grand deadline for first-time students at a community college |
| June 30, 2028 | Last day to submit the 2027-28 FAFSA |
Before You Start: What You'll Need
- A StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) for you and anyone else who has to provide information on your FAFSA, such as a parent or spouse. New accounts can take a few days to verify, so create yours now.
- 2025 tax information. The 2027-28 FAFSA uses your 2025 federal tax return. It's pulled straight from the IRS when you give consent.
- Current balances of checking and savings accounts, investments and any child support received.
- Your Social Security number (or Alien Registration Number, if it applies).
- EC3's school code: 043180
Federal and State Student Aid Programs
Erie County Community College understands that an affordable education can be the difference between dreaming about an exciting future and living out that dream. We are working to connect students with grants from the Department of Education and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, along with scholarships through the EC3 Foundation.
EC3 participates in the following federal and state student aid programs:
- Federal Student Aid program
- Pell grants
- Federal Student Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Federal work-study
- PHEAA student grant program
- Institutional scholarships
The first step to receiving financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application is free and can open financial opportunities from a variety of institutional, community, and national sources to help you cover the expenses of attending college.
Erie County Community College’s Federal School Code: 043180
For more information on how EC3 helps to support students financially, contact an advisor or the Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@ec3pa.org.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
EC3 has established SAP standards for students who are federal and Commonwealth financial aid applicants. This policy ensures that any student who receives or applies for financial aid is making progress toward a degree or certificate. The student’s total academic history is monitored regardless of whether they have previously received financial aid.
In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, a student must meet the SAP requirements listed below. Failure to meet SAP requirements may result in the loss of state and federal aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards
The College utilized three measures of compliance for SAP purposes:
Quantitative Measure
Students must complete 67% of enrolled credit hours with a grade of D or better, measured on a cumulative basis. As an example, a student enrolled in a total of 24 credit hours for the academic year must complete 16 credit hours with a grade of D or better to meet this requirement.
Qualitative Measure
The qualitative measure for SAP requires that a student maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average. During the entirety of a student’s program, the student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Pace or Maximum Timeframe (MTF)
The pace measure for SAP requires the student to achieve completion of the academic program in 150% of the published length of the program. For example, a student completing the Associate of Arts General Studies program (60 credit hours) must complete the program within 90 credit hours or risk losing student aid.
SAP Appeals
If at any time a student fails to meet the SAP standards, the student may follow the SAP appeal process to be reinstated for a minimum of one payment period (typically one semester). Students whose SAP appeals are granted will have a specific academic plan in place to help them return to good standing as quickly as possible.
For more information on Satisfactory Academic Progress, see the Financial Aid Policy and Procedures Manual or contact an advisor at advising@ec3pa.org.
Helpful Financial Aid Resources
Overview of the Financial Aid Process
How To Fill Out the FAFSA® Form - YouTube
Financial Aid Policy and Procedures Manual
Erie County Community College’s Federal School Code: 043180
