IMPORTANT LINKS
 

 
 

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Financial assistance can come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans or work-study plans offered by a college upon your admission. Scholarships and some grants do not need to be repaid. Loans, such as the federal Pell grants and state (Cal A,B,C) grants are low-interest and usually must be repaid after graduation. Students qualify for these loans and grants by need analysis — the lower the total family income (as reported to the IRS) and the higher the cost of a college’s tuition at an institution, the greater the financial need.

The need analysis for financial aid takes place by filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form must be thoroughly filled out and submitted in January or February of the senior year. Even if an academic or athletic scholarship is a possibility, colleges expect qualified students to submit a FAFSA. Students with the greatest need receive the maximum awards. A student may have differing needs depending on costs of each campus. It is advisable to list the most
expensive campus first on the application if you are considering several schools. It is easier to adjust grants downward than to increase grants for a more expensive campus.

Federal and State Grants (Received Only by Filing the FAFSA)

1. CAL GRANT A: For students with financial need enrolling in a California four-year college (community college students may put this grant on reserve until transfer).
2. CAL GRANT B: For disadvantaged students with financial need enrolling in a California four-year college. Cal Grant B provides a living allowance (and sometimes tuition/fee help) for very low-income students. About half of all new Cal Grant B recipients must begin at a public community college. When renewed by sophomores, juniors and seniors, it may also cover all or part of tuition/fee costs.
3. CAL GRANT C: For students having a financial need enrolling in a trade school or vocational course in California. The course of study may be from four months to two years in duration.
4. PELL (Basic) GRANT: The awards are based on a federal formula and my be used in all states for the community college, trade school or four-year college programs. This grant is known as the “basic” grant since it is the base for all other aids in the college financial package.
5. LOANS: Stafford, Perkins, PLUS, Federal Family Loan Program are all offered based on need.

The need analysis for financial aid takes place by filing the FAFSA, Grade Point Verification Form, and /or CSS Profile. Students may pick up forms in the counseling office in September for CSS Profile and in December for FAFSA.

1. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This form must be filed during January and February of the senior year. This form, along with the Grade Point Verification form, is used to determine need for Cal Grants, Pell Grants and Loans.
2.CSS PROFILE: This form has the same deadline for submission as the FAFSA and is used by private colleges to determine additional support that might come from their own private funds. A student must file a FAFSA in order to be considered for CSS Profile help. There is a fee for this form and the application lists the private colleges that require the CSS Profile.

A Financial Aid Workshop is held in December or January at SCPA to provide information about completing these forms.

Further assistance is available in the counseling office.