FINANCIAL AID OUTLINE

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / FAFSA offers various federal grants and loans:
  • Cal-Grants- Grants for low- and middle-income undergraduate students that do NOT have to be repaid. Amount varies: $500-$11,000 depending on need and tuition fees. Three Cal-Grants available based on finances, academics, and educational program. (NOTE: Cal-Grants require separate GPA Verification Form due March 2.)
  • Pell Grants- Grants for low-income undergraduate students that do NOT have to be repaid. Pell Grants pay up to $4,050.
  • Work Study Grants- Provides funds through part-time work for low- and middle-income undergraduate and graduate students. Work Study Grants do NOT have to be repaid. Amount varies depending on student’s need and campus funds.
  • Subsidized Stafford Student Loans- Federal loan based on financial need. Government pays the interest while student is in school. Maximum amount for first undergraduate year is $2,625. Amount increases each school year. All loans MUST BE REPAID!
  • Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loans- Federal loan that is NOT based on financial need. Student MUST pay interest. Amount varies and increases each school year. All loans MUST BE REPAID!
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants- Additional funding for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Amount varies from $100-$4,000.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? /
  • Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Have a valid Social Security Number
  • Comply with Selective Service Registration, if required
  • Have a high school diploma or GED Certificate
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program at a school that participates in the federal student aid programs

DESCRIPTION: / The FAFSA collects household and financial information in order to determine a student’s eligibility for federal, state, or institutional aid (including grants, work-study funds, scholarships, and federally subsidized loans).
HOW TO APPLY: /
  1. The student and one parent should get a PIN at (these will serve as electronic signatures for the online FAFSA).
  2. Fill out the FAFSA online at (NOTE: Paper applications are limited, but may be available at student’s school or Cal-SOAP office.) REMEMBER: The majority of funds are available for the March 2 deadline.
  3. Fill out the GPA Verification Form for Cal-Grant eligibility online at (NOTE: Some schools send an electronic version of this form on the student’s behalf! Verify your high school’s procedure!) DUE March 2!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: / ; ; ; ; ;
Board Of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOGW)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / State program (without specified amount) that waives community college fees foreligible applicants.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? / California residents who demonstrate financial need either as a dependent (eligibility based on parent income) OR as an independent (eligibility based on student income)
DESCRIPTION: / The BOGW waives all community college unit fees for eligible California residents.
HOW TO APPLY: / BOGW applications are available in the financial aid offices or on web sites of CA community colleges. (Also, in CPA Handbook.) The application must be physically submitted to the financial aid office of the student’s community college. REMEMBER: BOGW only covers unit fees. For additional aid, fill out the FAFSA!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: / ; ; ;
Scholarships
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / Private Funds: Scholarship grants vary in amount and do NOT have to be repaid.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? / Varies: Eligibility differs for every scholarship, depending on the criteria established by the donors (i.e. talents, academics, interests, gender, race, writing ability, etc). Almost everyone is eligible for a scholarship!
DESCRIPTION: / Scholarship awards are granted to students by various organizations and individuals in a competitive forum. Eligibility criteria as well as the application processesvary.
HOW TO APPLY: / The application process differs by scholarship. (NOTE: Essays are often required.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: / ; ; ; ;
College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / Campus-based funds of varied amounts based on financial need and school cost.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? / Eligibility varies by campus but requirements for the application include:
  • Student (and parent, if dependent)financial information
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Social Security Number requirement varies by campus

DESCRIPTION: / The CSS PROFILE is the financial aid application service of the College Board. Many colleges, universities, and scholarship programs use the information collected in the PROFILE to determine eligibility for nonfederal student aid funds / private money.
HOW TO APPLY: / Check if chosen institution requires PROFILE. Application process is online at a $5 fee) or, if necessary, by telephone at (800) 778-6888 (with a $7 fee). In addition to the application fees, student must pay $18 for each college receiving the PROFILE. A limited number of fee waivers are automatically granted to first-time college applicants based on financial need. The waiver covers cost of registration and reporting for up to six colleges.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: / (800) 778-6888 ; (305) 829-9793
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / Provides access to scholarships of varied amounts as well as legal support to students regardless of citizenship status.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? / Varies by scholarship, but citizenship status does not matter.
DESCRIPTION: / MALDEF is a non-profit outreach organization that supports the U.S. Latino population in matters of education, employment, immigration, political access, and equality. For students without citizenship status, MALDEF offers an annual list of scholarships that do not require Social Security Numbers for eligibility.
HOW TO APPLY: / Application process varies with each scholarship
FOR MORE INFORMATION: / ; (213) 629-2512
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Form (AB540)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / State program that waives out-of-state increased tuition fees for eligibleundocumented students.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? /
  • Must have attended a California high school(s) for 3 or more years
  • Must have high school diploma or GED certification
  • Must be registered or currently enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education in California
  • Must file an affidavit, as required by individual institutions, stating that student will apply for legal residency as soon as possible

DESCRIPTION: / Assembly Bill 540 does not provide access to federal and state financial aid but it does reduce tuition for undocumented individuals by waiving the out-of-state increased fees required of students without legal residency.
HOW TO APPLY: / The form is available online at various sources, including as well as individual university web sites. A copy of the application is also in the CPA Handbook. Usually, the application must be mailedor personally delivered to the student’s college. Student must look into this!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: / ;
California Veterans’ Dependents College Fee Waiver
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / State program that waives “state mandated” and “per unit” fees for qualified students.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? / According to the California Association of County Veteran Services Officers web site, to be eligible for a waiver, studentsmust:
  • Have a parent who is a disabled veteran (0% or more disabled); OR
  • Have a spouse who is service-connected (S/C) deceased or rated 100%S/C disabled
  • Be a childearning less than $10,160 per year (student’s income, not parents’)
    **Note: There is no income limit for a spouse or child of S/C deceased or 100% S/C veterans
  • Attend a California Community College, California State University, or a University of California school

DESCRIPTION: / The California College Fee Waiver programbenefits the spouse and children of U.S. veterans. Students meeting the eligibility criteria may get their college fees waived if they attend a California Community College, a California State University, or University of California campus.
HOW TO APPLY: / Application is available online at the web site of the California Association of County Veteran Services Officers (
FOR MORE INFORMATION: /
California Chafee Grant
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / A state program that offers varied amounts of financial aid to eligible current or former foster youth students.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? / According to the California Student Aid Commission web site, to qualify you must:
  • Be eligible, or have been eligible, for foster care between your 16th and 18th birthdays
  • Not have reached your 22nd birthday as of July 1 of the award year
  • Be enrolled in an eligible career, technical school, or college
  • Be a half time student, at least
  • Be in a course of study that is at least one year long
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Apply for the FAFSA! (NOTE: If you are an undocumented student and cannot apply for the FAFSA, you may still be eligible for the Chafee Grant. Contact the Commission for further assistance.)

DESCRIPTION: / According to the California Student Aid Commission web site: The California Chafee Grant Program gives free money to current or former foster youth to use for college courses or career and technical training. You don’t have to pay this money back and you can use it for things like books, transportation, childcare, and rent. The Chafee Grant Program, also known as the Education and Training Voucher (ETV), is a federally funded program and is subject to the availability of federal funds each year.
HOW TO APPLY: / Application and instructions available at NOTE:You must fill out the FAFSA in addition to the Chafee Grant Application!(IF you are an undocumented student and cannot apply for the FAFSA, you may still be eligible for the Chafee Grant. Contact the Commission for further assistance.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: / ; 1-888-224-7268 ; Email:
Loans
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID: / Borrowed funds of varied amounts with a set interest amount and repayment schedule.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? / Eligibility varies with each loan institution. Often, parent and/or student income and credit history are reviewed.
DESCRIPTION: / Loans are funds advanced to an individual by banks, federal programs, and student loan institutions. All loans MUST BE REPAID! Usually, a deadline for repayment is scheduled and a set interest amount is expected.
HOW TO APPLY: / Application process varies based on the loan institution / program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: / ; ; ; ; ;