FINANCIAL AID OUTLINE
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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.
 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
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).
1. The student and one parent should get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov (these will serve
as electronic signatures for the online FAFSA).
2. Fill out the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (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
www.calgrants.org. (NOTE: Some schools send an electronic version of this form
on the student’s behalf! Verify your high school’s procedure!) DUE March 2!!
www.fafsa.ed.gov ; www.pin.ed.gov ; www.calgrants.org ; www.finaid.org ;
www.csac.ca.gov ; www.studentaid.ed.gov
Board Of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOGW)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
State program (without specified amount) that waives community college fees for eligible
applicants.
California residents who demonstrate financial need either as a dependent (eligibility
based on parent income) OR as an independent (eligibility based on student income)
The BOGW waives all community college unit fees for eligible California residents.
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!
www.cccco.edu ; www.sdccd.edu ; www.gcccd.edu ; www.southwesterncc.edu
Scholarships
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Private Funds: Scholarship grants vary in amount and do NOT have to be repaid.
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!
Scholarship awards are granted to students by various organizations and individuals in a
competitive forum. Eligibility criteria as well as the application processes vary.
The application process differs by scholarship. (NOTE: Essays are often required.)
www.fastweb.com ; www.scholarships.com ; www.finaid.org ; www.hsf.net ;
www.hispanicfund.org ; www.blackexcel.org
College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Campus-based funds of varied amounts based on financial need and school cost.
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
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.
Check if chosen institution requires PROFILE. Application process is online at
https://profileonline.collegeboard.com (with 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.
www.collegeboard.com ; (800) 778-6888 ; (305) 829-9793
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Provides access to scholarships of varied amounts as well as legal support to students
regardless of citizenship status.
Varies by scholarship, but citizenship status does not matter.
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.
Application process varies with each scholarship
www.maldef.org ; (213) 629-2512
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Form (AB540)
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
State program that waives out-of-state increased tuition fees for eligible undocumented
students.
 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
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.
The form is available online at various sources, including www.maldef.org, as well as
individual university web sites. A copy of the application is also in the CPA Handbook.
Usually, the application must be mailed or personally delivered to the student’s college.
Student must look into this!
www.maldef.org ; www.ilrc.org
California Veterans’ Dependents College Fee Waiver
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
State program that waives “state mandated” and “per unit” fees for qualified students.
According to the California Association of County Veteran Services Officers web site, to
be eligible for a waiver, students must:
 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 child earning 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
The California College Fee Waiver program benefits 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.
Application is available online at the web site of the California Association of County
Veteran Services Officers (www.cacvso.org).
www.cacvso.org
California Chafee Grant
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
A state program that offers varied amounts of financial aid to eligible current or former
foster youth students.
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.)
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.
Application and instructions available at www.chafee.csac.ca.gov. 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.)
www.chafee.csac.ca.gov ; 1-888-224-7268 ; Email: studentsupport@csac.ca.gov
Loans
FORM / AMOUNT OF AID:
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Borrowed funds of varied amounts with a set interest amount and repayment schedule.
Eligibility varies with each loan institution. Often, parent and/or student income and credit
history are reviewed.
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.
Application process varies based on the loan institution / program.
www.finaid.org ; www.studentaid.ed.gov ; www.edfund.org ; www.edwise.org ;
www.salliemae.com ; www.nelliemae.org