Financial Aid: Types of Financial Aid
Federal Programs
Federal Pell Grants
To receive a Pell Grant a student must be enrolled in an undergraduate program. Awards range from $400 to $4,050 for the school year (two semesters).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - This is awarded to students with exceptional financial need.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
This program provides jobs for students who have a need and must earn a portion of their educational expenses. The purpose of this program is to promote the part-time employment of college students. Jobs are available on campus as teacher aides, library assistants, cafeteria helpers, and clerks. A student may not begin work until he/she has been processed by the Human Resources Office.
Federal Stafford Loans (SL)
These are low-interest loans made by a lender such as a bank or credit union. A student may borrow up to $7,500 each school year and repayment begins six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least halftime.
State Programs
Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW)
This waives the mandatory college enrollment fee required by the State of California. The fee waiver can be processed quickly and students can register immediately for classes. To be eligible for the BOGFW, a student must be a California resident and have already qualified for financial aid such as the Pell Grant, Cal Grant, or other need-based aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who have not completed the FAFSA may qualify for a fee waiver by completing the Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver Application. Eligibility criteria for the BOGFW Application include the following: students or their families must be receiving TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families)/CalWORKS, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or General Assistance, or the student must meet the income limit based on family size. For example, a family of four must have had an adjusted gross income for last year of less than $30,000. Students should come to the Financial Aid Office in the month prior to registration to apply for this fee waiver.
To apply for the Board of Governers Enrollment Fee Waiver online, please visit http://cccapply.org/BOG_Waiver/
Cal Grant A
This program helps low and middle-income students pay tuition and fees at California State University and University of California campuses, independent colleges, and some private occupational career schools in California. Cal Grant A recipients who choose to attend a community college may be eligible for a Community College Reserve Grant (CC Reserve). CC Reserve recipients may hold their award in reserve up to two years until they transfer to a four-year school. For 1998-99 the maximum Cal Grant A award was $3,609 at UC, $1,506 at CSU, and ranged from $5,250 to $9,036 at independent colleges.
Cal Grant B
This program is for high-potential students from disadvantaged or low-income families who otherwise would not be able to pursue a postsecondary education. Awards are for students who have completed no more than one semester of full-time study, or no more than 16 units of part-time study. At a community college, the award is limited to a subsistence grant for non-tuition costs. The maximum subsistence grant is $1,551. At an eligible four-year California school, the award would also include tuition and fees the same as Cal Grant A.
Cal Grant C
This program helps vocationally oriented students acquire marketable job skills within a short time period. A Cal Grant C may not be used to pursue a four-year degree program, graduate study, course prerequisites, or general education.
The student applies for the Cal Grant Program prior to March 2nd, preceding the next academic year they will enroll.
Scholarships
Visit our scholarships page for more information.