Financial Aid Programs

Enrollment Fee Waiver

State law requires that students attending the college pay an enrollment fee. Students enrolled in credit classes are currently required to pay $36 per unit. The college offers the Board of Governors Waiver BOGW online application, (or a print and return form) a state-funded program which waives the enrollment fee for all eligible students.

Important Notice

To determine your eligibility for the Board of Governor's Waiver based on the above income standards, you will be considered independent if:

• You are 24 years of age or older (Born before January 1, 1988).
• You are married or in a RDP (Registered Domestic Partnership)
• You have children or other dependents that will receive more than half of their support from you through June 30, 2012
• When you were age 13 or older, both of your parents were deceased, you were in foster care or you were a dependent/ward of the court
• As of today, you are an emancipated minor as determined by court in your state of legal residence
• As of today, you are in a legal guardianship as determined by court in your state of legal residence
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, your high school or school district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, the director of an emergency shelter program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless
• You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training
• You do not live with one or both of your parents
• You were not claimed as an exemption on any federal income tax filed by your parents or RDP in 2010

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CALIFORNIA DOMESTIC PARTNER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT

Recent legislation (Assembly Bill 205) extends new rights, benefits, responsibilities and obligations to individuals in domestic partnerships registered with the California Secretary of State under Section 297 of the Family Code. If you are in a Registered Domestic Partnership (RDP), you will be treated as an Independent married student to determine eligibility for this Fee Waiver and will need to provide income and household information for your domestic partner. If you are a dependent student and your parent is in a Registered Domestic Partnership, you will be treated the same as a student with married parents and income and household information will be required for the parent's domestic partner.

These new provisions apply to state funded student financial aid ONLY, and not to federal student financial aid.

2010–2011 Income Standards

These standards are based upon the federal poverty guidelines, as published each year by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Under Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, the student or student's family must have a total income in the prior year (in this case, 2010) that is equal to or less than 150% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines based on family size.

Legislation enacted in late 2009 and early 2010 prohibited publication of 2010 poverty guidelines before May 31, 2010, and required that the 2009 poverty guidelines remain in effect until publication of updated guidelines. Legislation to further delay publication of the 2010 guidelines did not pass. The procedure for updating the 2010 guidelines was then modified to take into account the Consumer Price Index (CPI‐U) for the period for which this publication was delayed. As a result, the poverty guideline figures for the 2010 remained the same as the 2009 poverty guideline figures.

These standards are for the 2011‐2012 academic year and are to be used to determine BOGFW‐B eligibility EFFECTIVE July 1, 2011.

For the 2011-2012 academic year, the maximum Pell Grant is $5,350 based on full-time enrollment for the school year (Fall 11 and Spring 12). Pell Grant awards are adjusted if you enroll in less than 12 units per semester.

For the 2011-2012 academic year, the enrollment status for each semester including summer is:

Your enrollment status will be frozen after the add/drop period each semester and will be the basis for your Pell Grant disbursement. Once your Pell Grant award has been processed and your enrollment status for the semester has been determined it will not be adjusted if you add units after the freeze date. The freeze dates for the Fall and Spring semesters along with the main disbursement dates are posted in the "Forms & Documents" section.

Lifetime Eligibility

If you received a Pell Grant for the first time on or after July 1, 2008, you are limited to receiving a lifetime limit of up to 900% of Pell Grants. This includes community colleges, vocational schools and four year public and private universities.

Regardless of the Pell Grant amount, if you receive the full year amount then you have received 100%. For example, your Pell Grant for the year is for $4,000 and you receive $2,000 in Fall, $1,000 in Spring and the remaining $1,000 in Summer. You have received the entire $4,000 or 100% for the year.

The 900% total eligibility applies at all schools and colleges. However, once you have earned a Bachelor's Degree, you are no longer eligible for a Pell Grant even if you haven't received the entire 900% eligibility. And you must also meet and maintain satisfactory academic progress standards to remain eligible each year.

FWS gives you the opportunity to earn part of your financial aid by working in an assigned job, either on or off campus. The salary received is at least equal to the current minimum wage, but many FWS jobs pay more than minimum wage. Federal Work Study differs from the other programs in that you are allocated a certain amount of money to earn. As you work on the job, you submit time cards for the hours worked, just as you would at a regular job. Once a month you receive a paycheck for the hours worked. Once you have earned the amount allocated in your Federal Work Study award, your job ends. Federal Work Study awards may range from $2,500 to $5,000 per year.

CAL GRANT A

This program, administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), helps low and middle income students with tuition/fee costs. You must be a California resident as of March 2. Grant recipients are selected on the basis of financial need and grade point average (GPA). Cal Grant A funds are not available until you transfer to a four year college. If you enroll at a community college, CSAC will reserve your grant until you transfer. New Cal Grant applicants must have their GPA sent to CSAC by the March 2 deadline. If you have a bachelor's degree, you are not eligible for a Cal Grant. Community college students have an additional opportunity to apply by having their GPA sent by September 2 and enrolling at a community college.

CAL GRANT B

This program, administered by the California Student Aid Commission, helps very low income students attend college. You must be a California resident as of March 2. If you are transferring to a 4-year institution you may be considered for a special Cal Grant B. Grant amounts may be as much as $1551 per year. New Cal Grant applicants must have their GPA sent to CSAC by the March 2 deadline. If you have a bachelor's degree, you are not eligible for a Cal Grant.

CAL GRANT C

Cal Grant C is another program administered by the California Student Aid Commission for California residents who are enrolled in a vocational program and are from a low- or middle-income family. You must be a California resident as of March 2. Grant amounts range up to $576. New Cal Grant applicants must have their GPA sent to CSAC by the March 2 deadline. If you have a bachelor's degree, you are not eligible for a Cal Grant.

The Chafee Grant is a federal program that is administered by the California Student Aid Commission to provide financial assistance to prior Foster Youth. The applicant must be certified by the State Department of Social Services of their Foster Youth status until age 16. The grant has no citizenship requirement; however, non-citizens without a valid Social Security Number must call the CSAC for additional steps and information. The program awards a maximum of $5,000 per academic year. Renewal applicants must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school.

The state funded EOPS program is designed for the recruitment and retention of low-income, educationally challenged students who otherwise may not be able to attend college. A student is required to enroll in and complete at least 12 units a semester. EOPS may also provide many supportive services to eligible students such as: grants, book assistance, individual counseling and educational planning, tutorial assistance, financial aid application assistance, transfer assistance to four year colleges, personal growth and academic success workshops, ASB services, and emergency loans. EOPS eligibility requirements and services are explained in more detail on page 19.

The Federal Direct Loan is a federal loan program where you borrow directly from the Federal Government. The interest rate for new loans is a fixed rate which is currently 3.4% for loans disbursed from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. New Federal regulations require schools to disburse loans only after the signed Promissory Note has been accepted. You are required to pay the Dept. of Education loan processing fees that are currently 1%. The fees are deducted from the proceeds of your loan.

To qualify, a student must be enrolled in at least six units, demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress for aid recipients and must demonstrate financial need through the federal methodology using the FAFSA Application. To apply for a Federal Direct Loan, students must complete a mandatory loan entrance counseling session. The counseling session is required even if a student has attended a Stafford loan workshop in the past. If a student has attended a Direct Loan workshop at San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar Colleges in the past, it will not be necessary to conduct another entrance counseling session. You may complete the entrance counseling session on-line at: http://www.studentloans.gov

The Financial Aid Office will be notified when the session has successfully been completed. In addition, you must fill out a Loan Request Form available from your Financial Aid Office. You must complete an on-line multi-year Master Promissory Note at: http://www.studentloans.gov

You may also be required to submit an Educational Plan and be enrolled at the campus of your declared major. Please ask your Financial Aid Office for more information. The actual loan amount for which you are eligible will be determined by the Financial Aid Office. Checks will be disbursed twice per loan period. If you are a first-time student or borrower, your check will not be disbursed until at least 30 days after the start of the semester. If you have "Late Start" classes, for loan funds to be disbursed, you must be actively attending classes in at least six units.

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is a federal loan program where parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow directly from the Federal Government instead of from a bank or other lending institution. A Federal Direct PLUS loan is an unsubsidized loan that is charged interest during all periods. A parent may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance.

Parent & Student Eligibility Requirements for a Direct PLUS Loan

• Parent must be the student's biological or adoptive parent, or
• Be the student's stepparent, if the biological or adoptive parent has remarried at the time of application
• Student must be a dependent of the parent. For financial aid purposes, a student is considered "dependent" if he or she is under 24, unmarried, and has no legal dependents at the time the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is submitted
• Student must enrolled in and maintain at least half-time at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program
• Student must meet & maintain satisfactory academic progress requirements, per SAP policy for financial aid
• Parent must have a favorable credit history (a credit check will be done)
• Both parent & student must be U.S. citizens or be eligible noncitizens
• Both parent & student must not be in default on any federal education loans and/or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant

Applying for a PLUS Loan and the Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN)

The Application Process

• Student completes a 2011/2012 FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov
• Parent completes the 4-step PLUS Application process electronically online at www.studentloans.gov which will involve:
• Consenting to a credit check
• Signing an eMPN, requiring your Department of Education-issued PIN (not your child's). If you do not have a PIN, you may request one from the official PIN site
• An eMPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the Department. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s)
• If approved, your PLUS request will be provided to the schools you selected during the application process
• The eMPN is a multi-year document. It will be valid for up to 10 years at San Diego City College and you will not have to complete and sign a new eMPN every year
• You'll receive a disclosure statement that gives you specific information about any loan that the school plans to disburse under your MPN, including the loan amount and loan fees, and the expected loan disbursement dates and amounts

Credit Check & Endorser Alternative

• If you are found to have an adverse credit history, you will be provided with several different options. One of these options will allow you to obtain an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Direct PLUS Loan if you do not repay the loan. The endorser may not be the student on whose behalf a parent obtains a Direct PLUS Loan.
• If you choose to obtain an endorser, he/she will need to apply for their own Department of Education-issued PIN and then visit www.studentloans.gov to endorse your PLUS loan. You will need to provide your endorser with the loan reference number provided at the time you complete the PLUS Application process.

Interest Rates

• The interest rate for Direct PLUS Loans is a fixed rate of 7.9%. Interest is charged on Direct PLUS Loans during all periods, beginning on the date of your loan's first disbursement.

How a loan is disbursed (paid out)

• Generally, your loan will be paid out in two disbursements to you, for example, at the beginning of each semester of the academic year.
• Checks will be mailed directly to the parent after the eMPN is signed. Parents must begin repayment within 60 days of receiving full disbursement of the loan.

Using the loan for education expenses

You may use the loan money you receive only to pay for your child's education expenses at the school that is giving you the loan. Education expenses include school charges such as tuition, room and board, fees, and indirect expenses such as books, supplies, equipment, dependent child care expenses, transportation, and rental or purchase of a personal computer.

Important Deadlines

• November 30, 2011—Last day to submit your loan request for the Fall 2011 semester only
• December 17, 2011—Last day of the Fall 2011 semester
• May 4, 2012—Last day to submit your loan request for the 2011-2012 academic year (Fall 2011 & Spring 2012 or Spring 2012 semester only)
• May 21, 2010—Last day of Spring 2012 semester

Alternative loans are private loans through a lending institution and are not part of the federal government programs. Alternative loans are more expensive than federal government Direct Loans or FFEL loans and should only be used when all other options have been exhausted.

You will need to complete a FAFSA application before our office can certify an Alternative Loan application.

Be sure to research all possibilities for scholarships, grants, Work Study, and federal loan programs before borrowing from an alternative loan program.

You are always free to choose the lender of your choice. Choose the loan that best suits your needs and remember to borrow only what you need!

Federal regulations require that if you cease to be enrolled in at least 6 units with the San Diego Community College District you must attend a loan counseling session. It is your responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office if you drop below 6 units during the semester. At the time of the counseling session you will be given information about your loan obligations and repayment options. You may complete the exit counseling session online at www.dlssonline.com.

There are several different ways to repay a Federal Direct Loan.

• Standard repayment plan has a fixed monthly repayment amount for a fixed period of time, usually 10 years.
• All extended repayment plan has a lower fixed monthly payment amount, and loan repayment can be extended from 12 to 30 years depending on the amount borrowed.
• Graduated repayment plan usually begins with lower monthly payments; then payment amounts increase at specified times. Payments may be for the usual 12-year period, or they may be extended up to 30 years depending on the amount borrowed.
• Income-contingent repayment plan sets annual repayment amount based on the borrower's income after leaving school. The loan is repaid over an extended period of time, not to exceed 25 years. Any amounts not repaid after 25 years will be discharged but the amount discharged must be reported on your tax return.

If you have previously borrowed under the FFELP and your school now participates in Direct Loans, you may have a combination of FFELP and Direct Loans. When your loans enter repayment, FFELP and Direct Loans can be consolidated into either a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan or a FFELP Consolidation Loan.