FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Cal Grant
Your most important (and first step) in the financial aid process is the FAFSA. Through the FAFSA you will have access to several forms of money, including grants (do not need to be paid back) Work Study (a job on campus that puts money in your pocket) and student and/or parent loans. Please scroll through the brochures below for more information on FAFSA and Cal Grant.
If you plan on applying to at least one California school, please list that school first. This will trigger the Cal Grant application automatically. You do not have to complete a separate application!
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** Many parents believe they will not qualify for FAFSA and so they DO NOT fill it out. Please DO so anyway! While you may not qualify for a grant at the federal level, many colleges and universities use the FAFSA information to determine financial need, and they have a different threshold for need!
Cal Grant Information
There are several Cal Grants students can qualify for, Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, Cal Grant C and Middle Class Scholarship. Please review the brochures below for more information.
Students should make an account at California Student Aid Commission (aka WebGrants for Students) to track Cal Grant.
Students should make an account at California Student Aid Commission (aka WebGrants for Students) to track Cal Grant.
California College Promise Grant
Financial Aid for California Community Colleges:
Who Qualifies for the California College Promise Grant?The California College Promise Grant waives your course enrollment fee if you are a California resident, and if one of the following conditions applies to you when you enroll:
How does the California College Promise Grant work?You do not receive an electronic funds transfer or a debit card; instead your enrollment fees are waived after registration activity. You are responsible for paying any and all fees remaining which include the Health Fee, College Service Charge, material fees, and parking permit.
Your California College Promise Grant will be posted on the college’s registration fee screen and will be valid for Coastline Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College. If you paid your enrollment fees before the California College Promise Grant was applied to your account, the Enrollment Center / Registration Office will complete a refund of those fees.
Who Qualifies for the California College Promise Grant?The California College Promise Grant waives your course enrollment fee if you are a California resident, and if one of the following conditions applies to you when you enroll:
- You are qualified for federal student financial aid through the FAFSA (complete the FAFSA!) during the same academic year for which you are seeking the California College Promise Grant and have a need of $1,104.
OR - You or your parents are receiving TANF/Cal WORKS benefits, SSI or General Assistance at the time that you apply for the California College Promise Grant. You will be required to provide documentation to show participation in one of these programs.
OR - You fall into the qualifying income bracket as determined by filling out a California College Promise Grant application. The Financial Aid Office will process your application and notify you if you qualify.
OR - You qualify according to one of these groups:
- Certification from the CA Department of Veterans Affairs that you are eligible for a dependent's California College Promise Grant?
- Certification from the National Guard Adjutant General that you are eligible for a dependent's California College Promise Grant?
- Certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs that you are eligible as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor or as a child of a recipient?
- Certification form the CA Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board that you are eligible as a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack?
- Certification from a public agency employer that you are eligible as a dependent of a deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty?
How does the California College Promise Grant work?You do not receive an electronic funds transfer or a debit card; instead your enrollment fees are waived after registration activity. You are responsible for paying any and all fees remaining which include the Health Fee, College Service Charge, material fees, and parking permit.
Your California College Promise Grant will be posted on the college’s registration fee screen and will be valid for Coastline Community College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College. If you paid your enrollment fees before the California College Promise Grant was applied to your account, the Enrollment Center / Registration Office will complete a refund of those fees.
Chafee Scholarship for Foster Youth
Students who have been in or are in the foster care system qualify for the Chafee Scholarship. This application is separate from FAFSA and Cal Grant.