Benefits Access for College Completion

If you think you've exhausted all of your financial aid options, there may still be ways to help pay for college costs that you qualify for. Even better - you can find out in five minutes or less!

There are many other costs students must pay - including living expenses, medical care, or child care - that often stand between them and their education.  Whether students can meet their unmet college costs often determines whether they can attend and complete college. 

Benefits Access (BACC) grant specialists are knowledgeable about federal, state and community resources and will be able to refer students and/or assist students with the process of applying for those services either online or in person.

STEP ONE: Stop in to College Center 220 and speak with specialists Maryann Haytmanek or John Koretski (and remember to bring any Eligibility Verification Documents)!  Or, you can contact Maryann or John at 610-861-5350.

STEP TWO: The staff at NCC can work with you to help you visit the PA COMPASS website, where it will take just a few minutes to find out if you might be eligible for benefits. First, you'll select which benefits you might be most interested in. Then you'll respond to a brief set of questions and be able to instantly view your results. After viewing the benefits you may qualify for, you will have the option of working with a specialist to start the benefits application right away.

Public Benefits that may include:

• Cash Assistance (TANF)
• Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Child Care Works
• Health Care (Medicaid/CHIP)
• Home Heating Assistance (LIHEAP)
• Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC)

*Other Community and/or NCC Resources may include shelter or housing programs, local food and clothing banks, transportation assistance, scholarship opportunities, legal services, financial literacy and emergency funds.

BACC is funded by the Ford Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and the Open Society Foundations. The Annie E. Casey Foundation is also contributing to the initiative. It is managed by CLASP and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).