Financial Aid at Cypress College

Financial Aid at Cypress College A guide to funding your education.

What is Financial Aid and why should I apply?

Financial Aid is designed to help students pay for college expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous costs.

At Cypress College we offer several types of financial aid, such as grants, work study, loans, enrollment fee waiver, and scholarships. The amount of financial aid a student receives is determined through federal, state, and institutional guidelines. The first step to getting financial assistance to pay for college is to submit a financial aid application.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) For students who are U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens, the FAFSA is the first step toward getting federal and state aid for college.

The U.S. Department of Education uses the FAFSA to determine student eligibility for Federal Student Aid. The State of California also uses the FAFSA to determine student eligibility for state aid such as the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) and Cal Grant.

Students can complete the FAFSA online by going to fafsa.gov. Applications will be accepted beginning October 1st the year prior.

California Dream Act Application (CADAA) For AB 540 students, the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) is the first step toward getting state aid for college. The State of California uses the CADAA to determine student eligibility for state aid such as the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) and Cal Grant.

Students can complete the CADAA online by going to dream.csac.ca.gov.

Applications will be accepted beginning October 1st the year prior.

To be considered for a Cal Grant, the CADAA must be submitted by the California state priority deadline (March 2nd) of the upcoming academic year.

Need help applying for aid?

Contact the Financial Aid Office! We can assist you on the computers in our lobby, we also hold financial aid labs throughout the year.

FSA ID The FSA ID - a username and password - must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites, including FAFSA. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents.

If you do not already have an FSA ID, you can create one when logging in to fafsa.gov, or visit fsaid.ed.gov directly to create one prior to applying for the FAFSA. If you are a parent of a dependent student you will need your own FSA ID if you want to sign your child’s FAFSA electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications.

Parents without Social Security Numbers may submit a signature page via mail.

In most cases, a student is considered independent if he/she is 24 years or older, is married, or has a child. For more information regarding dependency status, see Step Three (Student) on the FAFSA. Please note: each FSA ID user must have a unique e-mail address; a parent and student may not use the same e-mail address to set up their account.

Steps to create an FSA ID: 1. Visit fsaid.ed.gov,.

tact information, h, Social Security number, con 2. Enter your name, date of birt a username and answers. You will also create and challenge questions and ce to refer back to t down this info in a safe pla passord (make sure you righ in case you forget!) s and conditions. and read and accept the term 3. Review your information, is sent to the s using the secure code that 4. Confirm your e-mail addres ID. Once you verify when you created your FSA e-mail address you entered me to log in to use it instead of your userna your e-mail address, you can the websites.

Federal Pell Grant A Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are available for undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. You may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one college at a time.

How do I qualify for a Pell Grant?

To qualify, you must meet the general federal student aid eligibility requirements: For a full list of requirements, visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements.

• Obtain a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or by completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program • Have a valid Social Security number unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau • Sign certifying statements on the FAFSA stating that: you are not in default on a student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant and you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in college • In addition, you must: be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National, have a green card, or qualify as an eligible non-citizen (refer to link above for more information).

How much money can I get?

The amount you get will depend on: your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your cost of attendance, and your enrollment status. The award amount can vary each year and is determined by the Department of Education.

How will I be paid?

Financial aid disbursements at Cypress College are issued through BankMobile. First-time Cypress College students will need to set up their profile with BankMobile and select a refund preference. Students can select their refund preference directly via myGateway through the “Student Refund Disbursements Channel”. Most students will be paid twice per semester — half at the beginning of the semester, and the other half in the middle of the semester. Refer to the disbursement schedules on the financial aid website for more information.

Federal Work Study The Federal Work Study Program provides on-campus jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education expenses.

Your hourly pay will be at least the current federal minimum wage, but may be higher depending on the type of work you do. Your total Work Study award depends on when you apply, your level of need, and the funding level of your school. To be eligible, you must have unmet need (amount may vary by year), be enrolled in at least 6 units, and must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) The FSEOG is a grant available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid.

Who is eligible?

Students who will receive Pell Grant and have the most financial need will receive the FSEOG first.

How much can I get?

The amount depends on your financial need, when you apply, the amount of other aid you get, and the availability of funds at Cypress College.

When will I receive it?

At Cypress College, the FSEOG is disbursed once per semester.

Federal Direct Loans Federal Direct Loans are low-interest loans borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education to help pay for college. They are available for undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 units).

What loans are available at Cypress College?

Cypress College offers two types of Direct Loans: Subsidized: for students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal regulations. No interest is charged while a student is in school at least half-time (6 units), during the grace period, and during deferment periods.

Unsubsidized: not based on financial need; interest is charged during all periods, even during the time a student is in school and during grace and deferment periods.

When do I have to pay back my loan?

Student borrowers are not required to begin making payments until after they drop below half-time attendance. Students are allowed a one-time 6 month grace period once they drop below half-time, withdraw, or transfer (not including the summer and winter breaks as long as you are returning after the break at least half-time).

How do I get a loan at Cypress College?

In order to obtain a loan at Cypress College, a student must: • Have a completed file with the Cypress College Financial Aid Office • Be enrolled in at least 6 units • Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Good, Warning, or Probation • Not be in default on any prior student loans • Attend a loan workshop - contact the Financial Aid Office to sign up

California College Promise Grant (CCPG) The CCPG is a state sponsored program that waives enrollment fees for qualifying students who are California residents. The CCPG is only available at California Community Colleges. CCPG applicants do not have to be enrolled in a minimum number of units -whether you take 1 unit or 21 units, your enrollment fees will be waived. CCPG applicants only need to apply once per academic year for the fees to be waived for the academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer).

How do I apply?

There are three ways to apply for the CCPG: • FAFSA* or • CADAA* or • Complete the CCPG Application available through myGateway. *Please note: If you plan on taking classes at BOTH Cypress and Fullerton colleges, you will need to add both schools to your FAFSA or CADAA.

How do I qualify?

The three most common methods of qualifying are: Method A - for students on public assistance programs such as SSI, SSP, TANF/CalWORKs, or General Assistance. Documentation will be required to verify your eligibility and must be dated within the last 60 days.

Method B - for students whose income was within qualifying income guidelines established by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Method C - you must have applied for the FAFSA or CADAA and been determined to have at least $1,104 of financial need. No CCPG Application is required for a Method “C” waiver.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CCPG FEE WAIVER The CCPG requires students to meet Academic and Progress Standards.

Academic Standard: a CCPG recipient must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.

Progress Standard: a student must complete more than 50% of cumulative courses attempted.

All students must maintain both standards to continue to receive the CCPG Fee Waiver.

If these standards are not met for two consecutive semesters, then the student will lose their CCPG eligibility. Current and former foster youth 24 years old or younger are exempt from the Academic and Progress standards.

For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Office or visit our website at cypresscollege.edu/financial-aid. The Financial Aid Office will send emails to remind students of these requirements each semester.

Cal Grant Cal Grant is offered by the State of California and administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Cal Grants do not have to be repaid. Cal Grants are available for undergraduate students who are enrolled in at least 6 units per semester and who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. You may not receive Cal Grant funds from more than one college at a time.

There are 3 types of Cal Grants that a student may receive at Cypress College: 1. Cal Grant A - designed for students transferring to a four-year college/university in California. If you receive a Cal Grant A, you will not receive funds while at Cypress College (it will automatically be placed on reserve until you transfer to a four-year school), unless you are enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program.

2. Cal Grant B - there are 2 types: Entitlement - designed for financially needy students who graduated from high school and who meet the grade point average, family income, and asset requirements as determined by the CSAC. Competitive - designed for students who meet the academic, family income, and disadvantaged background requirements as determined by CSAC. 3. Cal Grant C - designed for students in occupational or career training programs to help with tuition and training costs. The Cal Grant C award is for books, tools, and equipment.

When should I apply for a Cal Grant?

You should submit your financial aid application by the annual March 2nd priority deadline.

Who will send my GPA to the CSAC? Your current high school records office will send your GPA to CSAC. For continuing Cypress College students who have completed 16 or more transferrable units (100-level courses), we will send your GPA electronically to CSAC if you have established a GPA. How will I know if I’m awarded a Cal Grant?

If you file a FAFSA or CADAA and the GPA verification was submitted to CSAC, you will receive a Cal Grant notification letter directly from CSAC. Once Cypress College receives the Cal Grant roster from CSAC, we will confirm your eligibility prior to awarding and disbursing your Cal Grant.

For more information on Cal Grants, please visit csac.ca.gov.

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) The SSCG is a “bonus” grant that Cal Grant recipients may be eligible to receive if they are enrolled full-time (funds are limited). Each semester’s disbursement will be based on the student’s enrollment, which must be at least 12 units (full-time) in order to receive a disbursement.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standard 1: Grade Point Average (GPA) - All Federal financial aid applicants must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA (this includes units attempted at both Cypress and Fullerton College).

Your grade report and financial aid status are available in myGateway.

Standard 2: Pace of Progression & Maximum Timeframe - You must complete at least 67% of the overall units you attempt (including Cypress and Fullerton College) to maintain your eligibility (this is defined as your “Pace of Progression”). Students not meeting GPA and/or Pace of Progression requirements are placed on one semester of financial aid warning or financial aid disqualification.

Maximum Timeframe - All students who reach 90 units attempted (including all other institutions attended) are disqualified from financial aid at Cypress College.

For more information regarding SAP, please visit cypresscollege.edu/financial-aid.

Financial Aid Checklist  Apply for financial aid (submit your FAFSA or CADAA) beginning October 1st.  Once you receive a notification from the Financial Aid Office (via email) regarding the financial aid application that you submitted, log in to myGateway and check the Financial Aid tab for any required documents. Upload and submit your documentation online (cypresscollege.studentforms.com) for the Financial Aid Office to review and complete your financial aid file.  Log on myGateway regularly to check your financial aid status and any other notifications or personal announcements.  If interested in Work Study and/or Student Loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Office Contact Information: Cypress College Complex, 1st Floor, Room 120 Phone: (714) 484-7114 Email: financialaid@cypresscollege.edu Chat: cypress.craniumcafe.com/group/financial-aid-1 Website: www.cypresscollege.edu/financial-aid

Summer Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8 am - 6 pm Friday: CLOSED

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Fall & Spring Semester Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm

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