Erie County Community College students will have more help paying for their education.
Officials announced June 15 that the college was approved to award Pell Grants and offer Federal Work-Study through the Title IV student aid program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. More than half of the school’s 800 students will qualify for the federal financial aid, officials said.
“EC3 will be able to attract students who would otherwise attend colleges outside of our region due to the financial support they could receive. But we can offer that financial support here,” Michael Victor, chair of the community college’s Board of Trustees, said at a news conference.
What are Pell Grants?
Federal Pell Grants are usually awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree, according to the Federal Student Aid website. Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
“A Pell Grant will not only cover their tuition, but will leave extra funds available for things like books and necessary items to study,” Victor said.
The Erie County Community College is located at 2403 W. Eighth St.
He said Pell Grants have no repayment requirements so students don’t have to worry about how they’re going to pay back the money.
“The work-study options … will allow students to gain valuable skills,” he said, and also allow students to earn additional money to help support their education.
Why provide financial aid?
The Erie County Community College opened its doors almost five years ago offering associate degrees and technical certificates, and has graduated four classes so far.
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“The idea of a community college was to provide affordable and accessible education to all. Today’s announcement is one more part of that,” Chris Gray, the school’s president said at the June 15 news conference.
Gray described Erie County as economically challenged.
“The average family in Erie County has $100 to $150 in excess income every month, leaving little to nothing to pay for higher education. The college’s ability to award federal financial aid will help that,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler, R-16th Dist., left, joins Chris Gray, president of Erie County Community College, on June 15, 2026, at the college, 2403 W. Eighth St., Millcreek Township, to announce federal financial aid opportunities now available to students at the school.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler, R-16th Dist., was present for the announcement and said it means “opportunity” for the college and its students.
“Education is the foundation for every single thing we do,” Kelly said. “Now, in the past, not everybody has had the funds to be able to go to college.”
He said the federal financial aid announced by the Erie County college will help prepare students for jobs and the future.
Kelly also pointed out that the financial aid is “taxpayer funded.”
Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County Community College offering Pell Grants, work-study