Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and do not require repayment unless a refund is due. It is recommended that applications be made early since funds are limited. You must apply each academic year for grants.

FEDERAL PELL GRANT
Federal PELL grant is used as the foundation for undergraduate student awards. YOU MUST APPLY FOR A FEDERAL PELL GRANT in order to be considered for any type of Federal financial aid. Applications are available at the Financial Aid Office, or on the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. You must be enrolled full-time (12 units per semester) to receive the maximum award.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG)
FSEOG eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office based on Financial Aid Application needs analysis. Priority is given to PELL Grant recipients as per Federal regulations.

FEDERAL ACADEMIC COMPETITIVE GRANTS (ACG)
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): Created by the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 this grant encourages students to take more challenging courses in high school which will enable them to pursue college majors in high demand in the global economy, such as science, mathematics, technology, engineering, and critical foreign languages. 

1. General eligibility requirements:  to qualify, students or eligible non-citizens must be eligible for Federal Pell Grants, (b) United States Citizens; and (c) at least 1/2 time students.
2. Up to $750 will be awarded to eligible first-year students, and up to $1,300 for second year students.
3. Students must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study as established by a state or local educational agency and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
4. Students must be enrolled or accepted in a two or four year degree granting institution of higher education.
5. First year students must not have been previously enrolled in a program of undergraduate education and must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2006.
6. Second year students must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2005 and have had at least a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) during their first year of college.

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS (BIA)
This grant assists Native American Students. In order to qualify, you must be at least one-fourth Native American, Eskimo or Aleut. For further information, contact the Financial Aid Office.

CAL GRANT
Cal Grants are state funded cash grants given to California college students to help pay for college expenses. These awards do not have to be paid back. You must:
1. Be a California resident, and;
2. Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree (except for Cal Grant T) and;
3. File a completed FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA verification form by March 2 or September 2, and;
4. Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on any student loan, and;
5. Have remaining financial need.

Community College students are eligible for Cal Grant A and B awards, Transfer Entitlement award and/or Cal Grant C.

Cal Grant A: This grant is for students from low and middle income families. This grant assists with tuition and fees at a four-year college or university. If you are awarded a Cal Grant A, you will have your award placed on reserve for up to three years until you transfer. This award is renewable.

There are two typs of Cal Grant A: an Entitlement and a Competitive Award.
Entitlement Award: Every graduating high school senior who has a grade point average of at least 3.0, meets the Cal Grant financial and eligibility requirements and applies before March 2nd., is guaranteed this award.

Competitive Award: Other students who meet the basic Cal Grant eligibility requirements and who has at least a 3.0 GPA may compete for this award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into account a variety of factors such as family income, parent’s educational level, etc.

Cal Grant B: This is for high potential students from disadvantaged or low income families who otherwise would not be able to pursue a higher education. For most first-year recipients, the award helps with living expenses, books, supplies, and transportation, but not tuition and fees. If renewed after the first year, a Cal B can be used for tuition and fees.

There are two types of Cal Grant B: an Entitlement and a Competitive award.
Entitlement Award: This is either a Cal Grant A or B. High school senior who graduated after June 30, 2000, attend a California community college and then transfer to a 4-year school may be eligibe for this award. Eligible students must have at least a 2.4 GPA, meet the Cal Grant financial and eligibility requirements, and be under 24 years of age as of December of the award year.

Cal Grant C: This grant helps vocational students acquire marketable job skills. Full or part-time training must be for at least four months and lead to a recognized occupational goal, diploma, associate degree, license qualification, or certificate. Cal Grant financial need criteria must also be met. 

Cal Grant T: Helps cover one year of tuition and fees at a program of professional teaching preparation in California in exchange for teaching service. Recipients must commit to teach at a low performing K-12 school for one year each $2000 received.

WORKSTUDY PROGRAMS
Part time work adds to the educational experience, and can be a valuable asset when seeking employment after graduation. You must be in good academic standing (not on probation) in order to be approved for college work study.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS FEE WAIVER PROGRAM (BOG)
State law requires that students attending California Community Colleges pay an enrollment fee for classes. (In addition, out-of-state residents pay non resident fees.)

However, the California Community Colleges Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOG) permits enrollment fees to be waived for California residents who meet certain financial criteria. The waiver is based on your income, not on academic performance.

Eligibility: If you are a California resident, you will qualify for a BOG if one of the following statements describes your current status:
1.You have already completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have been determined by the college to have financial need.
2. You or your family are receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF/CALWORKS), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplemental Program (SSP) or General Assistance. You must file the BOG application.
3. You have certification from the California Department of Veterans Affairs or the California National Guard Adjutant General that you are eligible for a dependent’s fee waiver. You must file the BOG application.
4. You meet the established income criteria. You must file the BOG application.

Applicants will be required to provide supporting documents to complete the application process.

BOOK VOUCHERS
Beginning two weeks prior to the first day of the semester, the college provides loans to students in the form of vouchers for the purchase of books and other school related supplies. Loans are to be repaid by the end of the semester and no interest or fee is charged if the loan is repaid on time. If you are receiving a PELL grant at the time you receive a loan a deduction will be made from your PELL grant to pay the loan off the remainder will be given to you as a REFUND. You must use the Book Voucher no later than the end of the second week of each term or the end of the official add/drop period, whichever comes first. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (760) 355-6266 for further information.