COVID-19 and Financial Aid | Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions 
COVID-19 and Financial Aid

Read important information regarding tuition, disbursements, work study and more as it relates to financial aid and the College's operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apply for Student Emergency Funds

Please note this FAQ will remain fluid as new federal, state and institutional regulations and restrictions arise. PCOM leadership will continue to monitor the situation daily, following national and local guidance and communicate changes as provided.

On August 24, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced the Biden Administration's efforts to provide $10,000-20,000 in student loan debt cancellation. For more information, please refer to the White House Fact Sheet.

Also announced was the final extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest and collections through December 31, 2022, which was set to expire at the end of September.

There were a number of other proposals that may not affect all borrowers. For more information on all topics and how they may affect you, please refer to the press release. Federal Student Aid (FSA) also has a Student Debt Relief Plan FAQ.

View updates on NASFAA's Student Loan Debt Cancellation Web Center.

Addendum: To allow resolution of the litigation surrounding the executive order, the Department of Education has extended the repayment pause while the litigation plays out, announcing that the repayment pause will resume 60 days after the Department is permitted to implement the program or the litigation is resolved. If the program has not been implemented and the litigation has not been resolved by June 30, 2023 — payments will resume 60 days after that.

Current PCOM students at all locations may request emergency funds to assist with their finances during the pandemic. Learn more about student emergency funds and how to apply.

PCOM continues to provide coursework, including rotations, using online instruction. If, however, coursework is altered such that it extends past a term or into another term, PCOM will ensure that the student will not pay more than what was initially required by your program prior to COVID-19 excluding any future annual tuition/fee increases.

PCOM continues to provide coursework, including rotations, using online instruction. If, however, coursework is altered such that it extends past a term or into another term, students can apply for the necessary financial aid for the additional time added to their academic calendar.

Loan disbursements are scheduled based on the academic calendar. If your program changes their academic calendar it could result in an adjustment to loan disbursements.

Students need to maintain at least half-time enrollment (3 credit hours) to be eligible for most financial aid programs.

PCOM continues to provide coursework, including rotations, using online instruction. Students enrolled in online courses maintain eligibility for financial aid assuming the student is enrolled in a least half-time (3 credit hours) for the term.

As long as the student continues to be enrolled in online coursework during the term, they will be eligible to maintain the financial aid that was originally disbursed to them.

Federal Work-Study students will continue to be paid based on the hours they were scheduled to work until one of the following happens:

  • the end of 2019-2020 spring term,
  • students are asked to return to campus,
  • or further guidance is provided by the Department of Education about paying federal work study students.

Financial aid can be used for online course instruction. No change in financial aid will result as a result of moving to online instruction.

Yes. Students should complete their FAFSA on studentaid.gov as soon as possible if they expect to attend during the next school year.

View our complete instructions on how to apply for financial aid.

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