If I am enrolled at two colleges, can I receive aid at both colleges?
No, you cannot receive aid at more than one college for the same enrollment period, with the exception of the Board of
Governors Fee Waiver.
Is financial aid available only for poor people?
No. Financial Aid is intended both to remove financial barriers for families who cannot afford the cost of an education beyond high
school and to fill the gap for families who can afford only part of the cost. Some loans and scholarships are available regardless of need.
I am a Veteran and using my GI Bill, can I apply for financial aid?
Veterans and/or dependents receiving Veteran’s education benefits are highly encouraged to also apply for financial aid. A
common misperception is that students may not receive both financial aid and VA Benefits - this is NOT true.
What if I don’t have a Social Security number or don’t want to report it on the FAFSA?
It is necessary to provide your Social Security number on the FAFSA. If you do not yet have a number, you should contact
your local Social Security Administration office to obtain one. It is required before you can be considered for any Federal
student aid program. The FAFSA will be returned unprocessed if the student’s Social Security number is missing. Eligible
AB540 students without social security numbers may apply for state and scholarship aid via the California Dream Act
application. Visit
/ for more information.
I plan to go to college half-time. Will that lessen my chance for aid?
Almost all funds are available to students who attend college at least half-time. Some funding is prorated based on
enrollment. There are also programs available for less than half-time attendance, such as the Pell Grant and BOG fee waiver.
My neighbor and I both applied for financial aid at the same college. Why did she get more aid than
I did when they’ve got a bigger house than ours and her parents make more money than mine?
The circumstances in your neighbor’s family may be different than they appear, and home equity is not used to determine
eligibility for federal aid. What doesn’t necessarily show are other factors, such as debts or number in college, which affects
the computation of the family contribution.
What happens if I purposely provide inaccurate information and I’m caught?
If you use the FAFSA to apply for Federal student aid funds and provide false information, you are subject to fines and/or
imprisonment under the U.S. Criminal Code. State and local laws may also apply in such cases.
I don’t feel it is the College’s right to request my U.S. tax forms. What happens if I don’t
submit them?
If you fail to comply with a request for U.S. tax forms, the college may discontinue processing your application for aid.
Must I be accepted for admission before I apply for financial aid?
Must I be admitted before I receive aid?
You may apply for financial aid at the same time you apply for admission. Many colleges require that you be admitted before
they can process your financial aid application. However, you must actually enroll in college before you receive any funds.
Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
Yes. Your financial situation must be reassessed each year. Financial aid applications are available beginning in October for
the next academic year.
What are the office hours for the Financial Aid Office?
Office hours are 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on Friday. These hours are
subject to change.
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