Financial Aid, EOP&S, Scholarship,

Overview

Financial Aid is money that helps needy students pay for the costs of going to college, such as tuition, fees, books, housing, food, transportation and personal items. It comes from several sources: the Federal and State governments, lending institutions (e.g. banks), and sometimes the College itself. Aid is available as grants (awards that need not be repaid), loans (awards that must be repaid after you stop attending college), scholarships and part-time employment (work-study). Students who are eligible for aid are generally offered a combination of grants and work-study. Loans are considered a source of last resort.

To determine whether or not you are eligible for financial aid, YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR IT -- by completing the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available in the counseling offices of the high schools and the financial aid offices of the participating colleges throughout the nation. It may be submitted to the processing center as early as January 1 for the following school year.

Some schools have priority filing dates and/or deadlines for submitting the FAFSA. You should contact each school you are contemplating attending to learn this information and to request the additional forms they require. Even if "your" school doesn't have a deadline, you should complete the forms early since aid is usually offered on a first come - first served basis.

The Financial Aid Office needs to know whether you are dependent or independent which is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, your age, marital status, veterans status, if you are an orphan or if you have legal dependents.

Being dependent does not necessarily mean that you may not receive financial aid; it means that your eligibility is based on you AND your parent's financial situation which takes into consideration such items as income, assets, age, family size, number in college, etc.

The processed FAFSA report states the amount your family and/or you can contribute towards your education, regardless of what college you attend. For example, if it is determined that you can contribute $2,000 and you attend a college of which the cost of education is $4,500, you would have a need for $2,500 of financial aid. If you attend a college that costs $12,000, you would need $10,000.

Each financial aid office has its own set of rules and procedures. Consequently in order that you know exactly what is required of you, it is very important that throughout the entire application process you work closely with the office of the school you plan to attend.

In compliance with Federal Regulations, a detailed Financial Aid Consumer Information pamphlet is available in the Financial Aid Office.

To obtain additional information, send Email to Cass Larkin, Financial Aid Manager, or call (209) 588-5105.

Federal and State Assistance Programs

The College Financial Aid Office administers the following Federal and State assistance programs:

Federal Pell Grant	$400 - $4,050 per academic year for full-time status, prorated for 3/4 and less than 1/2 time students.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant	*$200- $400 per academic year, available to 1/2 time students.**
Federal Work Study	$200 - $2,350 per academic year earnings from part-time jobs on campus, average 5- 10 hours/week @ 7.25/hour.
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services	Up to $600 per academic year including a cash grant and book grant. Must be enrolled full-time initially.
California Board of Governors Waiver	Credit to the community college enrollment fees (no cash award.)
Federal Cal Grant A	$1428 - $9,708 per academic year as tuition to a 4-year institution, put on reserve while you attend a community college. Must not have completed more than 6 semesters by date of enrollment.
Federal Cal Grant B	$1,551 - $9,708 per academic year, must not have completed more than 16 semester units by date of enrollment.
Federal Cal Grant C	$576 - $2,592 per academic year as assistance for vocational program training for 4 months to 2 years duration.
California Guaranteed Student Loan Programs	(Stafford, unsubsidized, PLUS) Columbia College no longer participates in these loan programs.
Columbia College Scholarships	$50 - $3,000. One application used for most any scholarships for which you may be eligible. Apply during fall semester.

*1/2 time students = 1/2 time or more status.

                 Students, who have completed a minimum of 24 college units and filing the
                 Federal Application for Financial Aid by the deadline date of March 2nd,
                 will have their GPAs sent via diskette to the California Student Aid Commission.

Students can log onto http://columbia.yosemite.cc.ca.us to check the status of the filing of their GPAs by selecting Columbia as their school and following the instructions.

For any further questions, contact the Columbia College Financial Aid Office.


Overview	Federal & State Assistance
EOP&S	CARE Program
Student Loans	Scholarship Applications
Scholarships & Awards	Financial Aid Forms

Business Services

Overview

Federal and State Assistance Programs

Additional Financial Aid / Student Loan Information