Financial Aid

PURPOSE OF FINANCIAL AID

The purpose of financial aid is to help students who might not otherwise be able to attend school. Although the primary responsibility for meeting college costs rests with the student and/or his or her family, it is recognized that many families have limited resources and are unable to meet the cost of post-secondary education. For this reason, Financial Aid Programs have been established to provide assistance to students with documented financial need. Financial need exists when the cost of education exceeds the resources available to a student. The cost of education includes fees, books and supplies, room and board, personal expenses and transportation. Student earnings from employment, as well as savings, veterans’ benefits, social security, AFDC/TANF/CalWORKs and/or expected contribution from parents’ income and assets, are some of the resources considered available to a student for the cost of education. Financial need is determined by the information provided by applicants on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If need analysis shows financial circumstances are not sufficient to meet need, Cuyamaca College will attempt to meet the need by offering assistance through the financial aid programs available. The total amount of financial aid cannot exceed documented financial need, and the monies must be used solely for educationally-related costs while attending Cuyamaca College.

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

GRANTS

Board of Governors Waiver: The State of California through the BOGW program provides three ways to assist low income students with mandatory fees. Method A waives the enrollment, health services and student center construction fee. Students qualify for a Method A BOGW if they receive AFDC/TANF, SSI, GA/GR, or are eligible for benefits under the California Veterans Dependents Educational Assistance Program. Method B waives the enrollment and health services fee. Students qualify for a Method B BOGW if they have a low family income. Method C waives the enrollment and health services fee. Students qualify for a Method C BOGW if they apply for financial aid and have financial need. Students will be considered for a waiver as part of the financial aid application process or may apply directly through the Financial Aid Office. Information and applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Bureau of Indian Affairs: BIA Grants provide money to help meet the cost of education for Native American students. The amount of the grant varies according to individual agencies of the BIA. Students may apply if they are at least one-quarter American Indian, Eskimo or Aleut, as certified by the BIA and/or tribal group serviced by the BIA; have financial aid eligibility and scholastic ability; are working toward an undergraduate degree; and have completed all of the application requirements. To apply, contact the specific agency that serves the tribe where the student or the student’s parent(s) are enrolled. The agency will provide the student with a specific BIA Grant application. Complete the appropriate items and send to the Financial Aid Office. FAFSA must also be completed. Watch for deadlines - each agency establishes its own deadline.

Cal Grant A: Cal Grant A is a grant administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). This grant is for California residents only. It provides assistance to students from low and middle income families who will be attending tuition-charging institutions after leaving Cuyamaca College. Interested students must apply before completing six semesters of college work. To apply for this program, submit a FAFSA and a GPA Verification form postmarked by March 2, 1998.

Cal Grant B: Cal Grant B is a grant administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). It provides a living allowance for low income students. The allowance ranges from $300 to $1,410. This grant is for California residents only. To qualify initially the student must be an undergraduate who has completed fewer than 17 college units as of September, 1997. To apply for this program, submit a FAFSA and a GPA Verification form postmarked by March 2, 1998.

Cal Grant C: Cal Grant C is a grant administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Cal Grant C is for vocational students from low and middle income families. The maximum award is $530. This grant is for California residents only. To qualify, the student must be enrolled in an approved vocational course of study from four months to two years in length. Cal Grant C’s are awarded for the length of the vocational course. To apply for this program, submit a FAFSA and a GPA Verification form postmarked by March 2, 1998.

Federal Work Study (FWS): FWS is a federally-funded program which gives students the opportunity to earn part or all of their financial need by working on campus while in school. Jobs available include teacher’s aid, clerk, groundsperson, custodian and lab assistant. The student’s wage will be determined by the type and difficulty of the work to which the student is assigned. This type of part-time work can add to the student’s educational experience and can be a valuable asset when seeking employment after graduation.

Extended Opportunity Programs & Services Grant (EOPS): EOPS is a state-funded program designed primarily for the orientation, recruitment and retention of California residents who are considered educationally disadvantaged (as determined by EOPS), have not completed more than 70 units of degree applicable course work, are enrolled full-time, and qualify for the Board of Governors Waiver, Method A or B. The EOPS Program also offers grants and support services such as tutoring and peer counseling. Grant awards range from $100 to $900 per academic year.

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education Grant (CARE): CARE is a state-funded program designed to recruit and assist single parent recipients of AFDC/TANF/CalWORKs who are full-time students eligible for the EOPS Program. Students must have received AFDC/TANF/CalWORKs for a minimum of 12 consecutive months and must have at least one child under six years of age. Grants are given to assist students with childcare costs.

New Horizons Single Parent Grant: The New Horizons Program is designed to recruit and assist single parents enrolled in a minimum of six units. Students must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled or intend to enroll in a vocational education class. Grants are awarded to assist students with childcare and transportation expenses.

Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant is available for undergraduate study until students receive their first bachelor’s degree to a maximum of five years. Federal Pell Grants range from $100 to $3,000 per academic year depending upon the "Expected Family Contribution" (as determined by the federal government), the cost of attendance and the student’s enrollment status. Undergraduate students who have submitted a valid Student Aid Report (SAR) may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): FSEOG is a federal grant program for undergraduate students who have "exceptional need" and who have not received a bachelor’s degree. First priority will be given to students enrolled full-time with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 900 or below. Generally, the maximum FSEOG award at Cuyamaca College will be $900 per academic year.

LOANS

Federal Family Educational Loan Program

Federal Stafford Loan (FSL): An FSL is a low-interest loan made to the student by a lender such as a bank, credit union or savings and loan association to help the student pay for his or her education. These loans are insured by the guarantee agency in the student’s state and reinsured by the Federal Government. The interest rate for loans disbursed after October 1, 1993 is variable, capped at 8.25%. First year students may borrow up to $2,625; second year students may borrow up to $3,500 per academic year. Total borrowing may not exceed $23,000 for all undergraduate study. To apply for a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan, a student must first apply for Federal Financial Aid via the FAFSA.

Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan: These loans are available to students who demonstrate financial need. Students who are eligible to apply for an FSL based upon need qualify to have the Federal Government pay the interest on their loan while they are in school and during deferment periods.

Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan: These loans are available to students who do not qualify for need-based financial aid. Students are responsible for monthly interest payments (or capitalization of interest) from the date the loan is disbursed.

Emergency Book Loan Fund: The Emergency Book Loan Program provides 30-day interest free loans to enable students experiencing a temporary shortage of funds to purchase their books. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six units and are required to have a co-signer who is at least 21 years of age whose full time employment can be verified. Depending on the student’s enrollment status, loans can range from $75 to $150. These monies are made available through donations from the Associated Students of Cuyamaca College, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Foundation, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Alumni Association, Cuyamaca College Faculty and the Spring Valley Rotary Club.