Consumer Information

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Information about Cerro Coso Community College

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Student records are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, state law, and Kern Community College District Board Policy from access by casual or unauthorized persons. Access to records is provided to the student, appropriate college staff members, persons having written consent of the student, or by court order or subpoena.

The Privacy Act affords Cerro Coso Community College the right to release such "Directory Information" as the student's name, address, email address, photographs, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. If a student does not want this information released, the student must check the confidentiality requested box on the admission/update forms.

Present and former Cerro Coso Community College students are given the right to inspect, review, and challenge the contents of all educational records related to them. No information contained in their educational records may be released without their consent, except to those agencies or individuals authorized by the Act.

Students wishing to inspect, review, or challenge any of their educational records must contact Admissions and Records (760) 384-6357.

Programs and Services Available to Students with Disabilities

Cerro Coso Community College will make reasonable accommodations and/or academic adjustments to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in the college's courses, programs, and activities, including extracurricular activities. Students with disabilities who are requesting academic accommodations or auxiliary aids should contact the Special Services Office at (760) 384-6250. Participation by students with disabilities in Special Services is voluntary. Any student choosing not to participate in the program may elect an alternate path for services through the Office of Student Learning. See the Vice President of Student Services for options or alternatives to services otherwise provided by the Special Services Office.

The Disabled Student Program and Services provides assistance for students with various types of disabilities (visual and hearing impairments, speech and communication problems, physical and brain injuries, learning disabilities, psychological problems, etc.) as well as for persons referred for training by rehabilitation agencies.

Student Body Diversity
Attendance Status
Full-time19%
Part-time81%
Student Gender
Female2%
Male38%
Student Age
24 and under43%
25 and over57%
Age unknown0%
Student Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaska Native3%
Asian4%
Black or African American6%
Hispanic/Latino25%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander0%
White57%
Two or more races4%
Race/ethnicity unknown1%
Student Residence
In-state95%
Out-of-state0%
Foreign countries0%
Unknown5%

Source: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=CA&zc=93555&zd=0&of=3&id=111896 on July 10, 2012

Textbook Information

Students may need to buy textbooks, laboratory manuals, notebooks, writing materials, and miscellaneous supplies as determined by their instructors. It is estimated that the cost of books and supplies will be $550 to $650 per semester for a 15-unit schedule. Books may be purchased or rented at Barnes & Noble college bookstore (760) 384-6352 which is open year-round except during college holidays.

Voter Registration Information

Cerro Coso encourages eligible students to register to vote. Students may access the California Voter Registration through the Update Form when registering for classes, or directly at the California Secretary of State's Voter Registration page.

Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreement

Credits Transferred from Other Institutions

Credit earned from other accredited institutions may be transferred to Cerro Coso Community College upon admission. Students will provide official transcripts in a sealed envelope from the institution or electronically through e-transcripts California. Transcripts submitted become the property of Cerro Coso Community College and cannot be returned to the student nor be forwarded to another institution. When a student has three consecutive years of non-attendance at Cerro Coso Community College, transcripts from other institutions will be purged from the student's record. Students planning to graduate or transfer with certification from Cerro Coso Community College, or needing to use courses from another college/university as a prerequisite, must submit all official transcripts to Cerro Coso Community College. Transcripts should be sent to:

Cerro Coso Community College
c/o Admissions and Records Office
3000 College Heights Blvd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555

An evaluation of submitted transcripts can be requested at the counseling office of the student's local campus or online.

General Education Options to Transfer

Universities and colleges prescribe their standards of eligibility for transfer. Students expecting to transfer to a four year institution should carefully check entrance requirements. Cerro Coso Community College students who maintain high scholarship and who complete the required pattern of courses may expect to make a satisfactory transfer to the institution of their choice and achieve junior standing. Students planning to eventually transfer to a four-year institution should make an appointment with a college counselor at the earliest possible date to plan an appropriate course of study.

Associate Degrees for Transfer

California Community Colleges are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. These may include Associate in Arts (AA-T) or Associate in Science (AS-T) degrees. These degrees are designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. California Community College students who are awarded an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and given priority admission consideration to their local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to their community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses.

Students who have been awarded an AA-T or AS-T are able to complete their remaining requirements for the 120-unit baccalaureate degree within 60 semester or 90 quarter units.

Current and prospective community college students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.

Independent California Colleges and Universities

Students who transfer to independent colleges or universities find that they are given academic credit for most, if not all, of their community college courses. Virtually all institutions give full credit for general education courses and usually for other courses designed for transfer by the community college.

Some colleges and universities stipulate a certain number of completed units before considering students eligible for transfer. Others do not and will accept students at any time.

The requirements are outlined in the respective college catalogs available online and in the Career and Transfer Center at the IWV campus.

University of California (UC)

Transfer students may fulfill the lower division breadth and general education requirements for the University of California by completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).

Students who were ineligible for the University of California on the basis of their high school records may be admitted by achieving a grade point average of 2.40 in a minimum of 60 units of community college work designated as baccalaureate level including making up any missing college preparatory subject requirements. Students who were eligible on the basis of their high school record may transfer at any time so long as the community college grade point average is 2.40 or higher.

Students may transfer a maximum of 70 community college units to a UC. After 70 units of transferable credit have been earned, no further unit credit will be granted for community college courses, although courses may still be used to satisfy subject matter requirements.

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)—The Intersegmental Committee of the Academic Senates approved the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). The IGETC is a series of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements at any CSU or UC campus.

Prior to transferring, the student must request that the Cerro Coso Community College's Office of Admissions and Records send an IGETC Certification to the appropriate campus. This Certification is subject to change if the student does not maintain continuous enrollment at Cerro Coso Community College.

California State University (CSU)

Students who were ineligible for the California State University on the basis of their high school record may be admitted by achieving a grade point average of 2.0 in a minimum of 60 units of community college work designated as baccalaureate level including making up any missing college preparatory subject requirements. Students who were eligible on the basis of their high school record may transfer at any time so long as the community college grade point average is 2.0 or higher.

Students may transfer a maximum of 70 community college units to a state university. After 70 units of transferable credits have been earned, no further unit credit will be granted for community college courses, although courses may still be used to satisfy subject matter requirements.

California State University Certification Requirement—Students desiring transfer to the California State University system may conform to either (1) the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or (2) CSU General Education Certification. A course taken at another participating institution may be included on Cerro Coso Community College's certification list if the course would have been certified at the other institution. Students should consult the catalog of the state university of their choice for specific general education information. In some instances, courses required for a given major may not be used for general education purposes even though they are included in the general education list of acceptable courses. Students preparing for a teaching career should become aware of the general education requirements for specific credentials. Students are advised to consult with their counselors for additional information.

ASSIST

ASSIST is a web-based articulation and transfer planning system that can be accessed at http://www.assist.org/. It describes how course credits earned at one California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California's colleges and universities and, therefore, provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available about student transfer in California. For further information, see a counselor.

Information on the level and transfer applicability of each course can be can be found in the College Catalog starting on page 90.

Cost of Attendance
Estimated expenses for academic year 2008-20092009-20102010-20112011-2012 % change 2010-2011 to 2011-2012
Tuition and fees
In-state$560$728$728$1,01038.7%
Out-of-state$6,076$6,366$6,808$6,694-1.7%
Books and supplies$1,500$1,638$1,638$1,6380.0%
Living arrangement
Off Campus
Room and board$6,500$8,500$8,500$8,5000.0%
Other$3,150$3,996$3,996$3,9960.0%
Off Campus with Family
Other$3,150$3,194$3,194$3,1940.0%
Total Expenses 2008-20092009-20102010-20112011-2012 % change 2010-2011 to 2011-2012
In-state
Off Campus$11,710$14,862$14,862$15,1441.9%
Off Campus with Family$5,210$5,560$5,560$5,8425.1%
Out-of-state
Off Campus$17,226$20,500$20,942$20,828-0.5%
Off Campus with Family$10,726$11,198$11,640$11,526-1.0%

Source: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=CA&zc=93555&zd=0&of=3&id=111896 on July 10, 2012

Net Price Calculator

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Refund Policies

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Withdrawal Procedures

Withdrawing from Courses

Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from any course or courses in which they no longer wish to be enrolled. After registration has been completed, and within the withdrawal date guidelines, students may drop from a course or courses through the web registration system, InsideCC. Non-attendance or non-payment does not release the student from this responsibility and may result in a failing grade being awarded and fees owed.

A student may drop a course and receive a "W" up to and including the last day of the 10th week of instruction or the first 60% of the term, whichever is less.

Courses dropped prior to the third week or first 20% of the term will not be included as part of the student's permanent record. For courses dropped from the third week to the withdrawal deadline date, a "W" will be recorded. After the withdrawal deadline, a grade symbol other than a "W" will be recorded. It is not appropriate to use an "I" (incomplete) as a withdrawal grade.

Although a "W" will not be used to calculate grade point average, excessive "W's" shall be used as factors in progress probation and disqualification.

  • It is the student's responsibility to drop courses prior to the 10% date of enrolled courses and to apply for a refund.
  • It is the student's responsibility to drop courses prior to the 20% date of enrolled courses in order to avoid notation of the courses on the student's permanent record.
  • It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from courses prior to the 60% date to receive a "W" in these courses and to avoid substandard grades on the student's permanent record.

While it is the final responsibility of students to drop a course that they are no longer attending, instructors may, at their discretion, drop a student without consultation with the student when unexcused absences number the equivalent of two weeks or exceed 10% of the total hours of the course. Under these circumstances, this instructor-initiated drop can occur up to the 10th week of the semester or the 60% date of the course. No student may be dropped from any course after the 10th week of a course; after the 10th week the student will be assigned the appropriate letter grade.

Drop dates for short-term and summer courses vary. Check with the instructor for specific dates.

Official withdrawal from a course is accomplished through logging on to the web registration system, InsideCC, and dropping the course. Simply ceasing to attend a course does not constitute withdrawal.

Withdrawal after Deadline

A student may contact the Office of Admissions and Records regarding the procedure to drop or withdraw after the final withdrawal date deadline if there are verifiable extenuating circumstances. Examples of verifiable extenuating circumstances may be: accidents, illness, death of an immediate family member, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student. This must be done by the last day of courses and prior to the beginning of the final examination period for the term in which the withdrawal will apply. A withdrawal petition must be signed by the student, instructor, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Documentation of extenuating circumstance will be required. In the case of students who are members of an active or reserve military service, and who received orders compelling a withdrawal from courses, the college shall permit withdrawal at any time during the term with no adverse impact on a student's academic record or enrollment status.

Students in any other situations will be required to keep their grade, meet the contract of their incomplete grades if appropriate, and pay their fees.

Withdrawing from the College

Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the college are required to return all checked-out supplies, equipment, and library books, and pay all fines and debts owed the college.

Any account balance older than 120 days may be subject to the collections process.

Description of Academic Programs

Information on Academic Programs can be found in the College Catalog starting on page 47 or on the Programs Offered webpage.

Instructional Facilities and Labs

Cerro Coso Community College provides instructional facilities and laboratories at Ridgecrest/Indian Wells Valley, Lake Isabella/Kern River Valley, Edwards AFB/South Kern, and ESCC Bishop and Mammoth Lakes sites to support each site's academic programs. Please see the department chair or the site director for specific information. Department chairs and site directors are listed in the alphabetical directory.

Faculty

Information on Faculty can be found in the College Catalog starting on page 154.

Accreditation Information

Cerro Coso Community College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204, Novato, California, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. It meets all standards of the California State Department of Education. The college and its programs are also approved by the California Community College Board of Governors, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, and the California Department of Education for the enrollment of veterans. The University of California, the California State University System, and other universities and colleges give full credit for appropriate courses completed at Cerro Coso Community College.

Copyright Infringement

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Constitution Day Information

In order to comply with the federal regulation requiring the development of educational programming to celebrate Constitution Day on September 17th of each year, Cerro Coso Community College's Student Activities Office provides faculty, students and staff with access to U.S. Constitution Day educational resources, guest lectures and free pocket size U.S. Constitution books.

Standards of Student Conduct

The Board of Trustees of the Kern Community College District, in support of public education and the exercise of general supervision of the campuses of the district, believes that student conduct must reflect the standards of good behavior expected by society. Since public education is furnished by the people of the district, it becomes a privilege for students to have this opportunity to further their education.

Students shall respect constituted authority. This shall include conformance to state laws, board regulations, college regulations, and applicable provisions of civil law.

Students are expected to observe high personal standards of decency, morality, honesty, and social relationships. Student conduct should reflect consideration for the rights of others, and students are expected to cooperate with all members of the Cerro Coso Community College community. (KCCD Board Policy 4F8B)

Failure to respect the standards as set forth by Cerro Coso Community College may be cause for disciplinary action.

The Cerro Coso Community College Student Conduct Policy may also be found in the Cerro Coso Community College Student Handbook.

Overview of Financial Aid Programs

Overview of Financial Aid Program

The Financial Aid Office has multiple programs available to students. Below is a brief description of the various sources of financial aid available:

  • Part-time Student Employment—applicants must complete and submit the FAFSA and an Application for Student Employment to the Financial Aid Office at the IWV campus.
  • Federal Work Study (FWS)—is a federally-funded program that provides part-time employment for students from low-income families. To be eligible, the student must complete the FAFSA and submit a Cerro Coso Community College Work-study application packet.
  • Cerro Coso Community College Work Study—is an institutionally funded program that provides part-time employment for students. To be eligible, the student must complete the FAFSA and submit a Cerro Coso Community College Work-study application packet.

    Note: All forms of student employment are subject to the following eligibility requirements:
    • Enrollment in a minimum of 6 units
    • Maintenance of a minimum 2.0 GPA
    • Completion of less than 90 units
  • The Federal Pell Grant—is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution.
  • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)—is available to a limited number of students who require grants in order to go to college. Funds are awarded on a "first-come, first-served" basis.
  • CARE Grants—are grants funded through the State of California and are available to students meeting a specific academic and economic need.
  • Board of Governors Waiver (BOGW)—is a state-funded program designed to assist students who are California residents in meeting the cost of the enrollment fee charged at California community colleges.
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant (BIA)—provides financial assistance to Native American students who enroll in full-time college programs. In order to qualify, a student must be at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut. Those who believe that they qualify should contact the appropriate BIA area or agency office maintaining tribal records.
  • CAL Grants—the State of California sponsors the following awards under the Cal Grant Program:
    • Cal Grant A provides tuition for students from low- and middle-income families with financial need and academic ability. Cal Grant A recipients attending a California community college will have their awards reserved until they transfer to a 4-year college or university.
    • Cal Grant B is intended to aid high potential students from low-income families. The student must be enrolled in a course of study which lasts at least nine months and be taking at least six units of course work.
    • Cal Grant C is to help students from low- and middle-income families to attend vocational programs and schools. Students may apply if enrolled in vocational programs or designated manpower shortage occupations if such programs last between four months and two years.
    A student can receive only one Cal Grant award.
  • Short-Term Emergency Loans—Small short-term, no-interest loans are available to eligible students for emergency purposes throughout the year. This loan fund is maintained through donations from the Associated Students of Cerro Coso Community College and various community clubs and organizations.
  • Scholarships—Community individuals and organizations have contributed monies to develop various college scholarships. Please visit the Cerro Coso Community College Financial Aid scholarships page for more information on applying for scholarships.
Contact Information for Obtaining Financial Aid Assistance

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How to Apply for Financial Aid

This information can be found online:

Eligibility for Financial Aid

To be eligible, you must:

  • be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • be registered with Selective Services (if required)
  • be attending a participating school
  • be working towards a degree or certificate
  • be making satisfactory academic progress
  • not owe a refund on a Federal grant or be in default on a federal education loan
  • have a financial need
  • have a Social Security Number (SSN)

In addition:

  • Students enrolled in school less than half time may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants.
  • Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) For Financial Aid Programs

Federal regulations require that all students who receive federal financial aid make Satisfactory Academic Progress (also referred to as SAP throughout this policy and the Office of Financial Aid website) toward achieving a certificate or a degree. For financial aid purposes, progress is measured by the student's cumulative grade point average, percentage of units earned in relation to those attempted, and the length of the academic program.

SAP will be checked for all students after every semester, regardless of whether financial aid was received. Progress is evaluated based on all courses taken at Porterville College, Bakersfield College, and Cerro Coso College plus transfer units from prior colleges/universities.

In order to assure that students make progress toward earning a certificate or degree both in terms of number of units completed and cumulative GPA, our school employs the following financial aid satisfactory progress policy:

  1. Academic Requirements
    Students meeting all of the following requirements are considered to be acceptable for SAP and can be considered for financial aid or reinstatement of financial aid:
    1. Qualitative Measure - Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00. A, B, C, D, and F grades are used to calculate a student's GPA.
    2. Quantitative Measure (Pace of Progression) - Receive credit for at least 67 % of the total units attempted. Withdrawals (W), Incompletes (I or IP), No Credit (N, NC, or NP), Report Delay (RD) and Failing (F) grades are considered units attempted. Transferable units accepted by the institution from prior colleges or universities will be included when determining a student's pace of progression.
    3. Maximum Timeframe - Have attempted less than 150% of the maximum cumulative units required for completion of their program, for example: Most certificate programs require 30 units to graduate; the maximum timeframe to complete the program would be 45 units. Most degree or transfer programs require 60 units or more to graduate; the maximum timeframe to complete the program would be 90 attempted units.
      1. Up to 30 units of remedial coursework may be excluded from the student's cumulative units attempted.
      2. Repeated coursework and courses disregarded under Academic Renewal/Grade Forgiveness will be excluded from units attempted. Students may only receive federal financial aid funding for one repeat of a previously taken course.
      3. All transferred units accepted by the institution from prior colleges or universities will be included when determining a student's maximum timeframe.
      4. If, at any point in time, it is determined that the student cannot complete their course of study within the maximum timeframe, the student will be immediately disqualified from future financial aid for the remainder of his or her program, even if he or she is meeting the current SAP standards outlined above.
  2. Financial Aid Warning
    If a student does not meet all cumulative academic requirements outlined in Section I at the end of a graded semester, the student will be placed on WARNING status. Students who are placed on WARNING status may continue to receive financial aid for one semester, after which the student must meet the requirements outlined in Section I. Students who complete a semester on WARNING must have their academic progress reviewed before their financial aid eligibility for the following semester is determined. Due to the short time period between semesters, there will be at least a three week delay in the notification of eligibility. If eligible, any disbursement of student aid will also be delayed.
  3. Financial Aid Suspension
    If a student does not meet all cumulative academic requirements outlined in Section I at the end of the FINANCIAL AID WARNING semester, or it is determined that the student will not be able to graduate within 150% maximum time frame limit, the student will be placed on financial aid SUSPENSION. Generally, a student who is suspended from financial aid may reestablish financial aid eligibility by meeting all cumulative SAP criteria outlined in Section I.

    Students placed on SUSPENSION status are not eligible to receive financial aid except for a BOG fee waiver, if eligible. Students who complete a semester on SUSPENSION must have their academic progress reviewed before their financial aid eligibility is determined for the following semester. Due to the short time period between semesters, there will be at least a three week delay in the notification of eligibility. If eligible, any disbursements of student aid will also be delayed.
  4. Appealing Financial Aid/Reinstatement of Financial Aid
    Under certain conditions, students placed on SUSPENSION may file an appeal for consideration of reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. The following are examples of reasons a student may file an appeal:
    • Unable to complete their course of study within the maximum timeframe because of a change of academic major
    • Documented serious injury, illness, or medical condition requiring doctor's care
    • Death of an immediate family member (copy of death certificate required)
    • Documented extenuating circumstances that were beyond the student's control
    The following are not considered extenuating circumstances beyond a student's control:
    • Personal problems not requiring professional intervention
    • Poor time management
    • Transportation problems
    • Unaware of academic progress policies or other college requirements
    • Not following assessment test recommendations
    • Not following an Academic Counselor's recommendations
    • Child care problems
    To file an appeal, the student must submit a Petition for Reinstatement of Financial Aid with a statement indicating the circumstance(s) that prevented the student from making SAP and what has changed to allow the student to make SAP during or by the next evaluation period, and an approved Educational Plan. Supporting documentation must be submitted for any semesters where there was a lack of progress.

    The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to limit the number of academic appeals a student may file to one appeal per semester. Once denied, the student may not be allowed to submit another appeal until the next semester. All decisions made by the Financial Aid Committee or Director are final and there is no higher appeal process.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Process

Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated when a student raises their cumulative GPA to a 2.00 and achieve a cumulative completion rate of 67% of all units attempted. Reinstatement of financial aid eligibility may also occur upon approval of a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal.

Financial Aid Probation status is only granted upon the approval of a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal. Students may receive financial aid for one term. Students on PROBATION must meet the following requirements each semester to maintain financial aid eligibility:

  • meet SAP standards by the end of that semester to remain eligible for subsequent financial aid
  • be enrolled in and attending an eligible program for the purpose of completing a certificate program, an AA/AS degree, or transfer requirements
  • follow an approved Educational Plan

Appeals may result in any one of the following actions:

  • Reinstatement on Probation
  • Denial of Reinstatement

Maximum Time Frame Extension Appeal Process

Students have the right to request an extension of their financial aid eligibility if they exceed or expect to exceed the maximum units allowed for their degree or certificate. Students will need to complete an appeal form and include an Educational Plan. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval.

If an appeal is approved, coursework will be limited to courses required for the completion of the certificate or degree. In addition, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and successfully complete all courses listed on their Educational Plan. Failure to meet the requirements of the approved maximum time frame appeal will result in suspension of financial aid eligibility.

If a Maximum Time Frame Appeal is denied, the decision made by the Financial Aid Committee or Director is final and there is no higher appeal process.

Need Based and Non Need Based Federal and State Financial Aid

Cerro Coso has a full array of aid programs. Some are need based and some are non need based as determined by the information provided and verified on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Cerro Coso Scholarship Application.

How Eligibility for Need Based Aid is Determined and How Need Based Aid is Awarded

A student's need is the difference between the student's budget and the Expected Family Contribution. If a student has need, all attempts should be made to meet need with available funds. Need should be first met with any outside grant or scholarship funds, student qualified for (i.e., PELL, BOGG, CAL Grant). Exception: Policy on BIA for eligible Native Americans is to award all other possible aid before sending funding request to BIA. After all possible outside sources of aid have been considered and the student still has remaining need campus based aid (if available) should be awarded in the following order until full need is met or allowable maximums on each program has been met:

  1. SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT (SEOG)
  2. COLLEGE WORK STUDY (CWS)
  3. CARE GRANT (If eligible per CARE regulations)
How and When Financial Aid Will be Distributed

PELL Grant: Disbursements are made two times per semester.

Disbursements for summer semester Pell are made in one lump sum on or about June 1st.

  • SEOG Grant: Twice per semester.
  • CARE Grant: Twice per semester.
  • CWS: Monthly on or about the 15th.
  • CAL GRANT: Twice per semester.
  • BIA Grant: Once per semester.
Rights and Responsibilities of Aid Recipients

Student Responsibilities

It is YOUR responsibility to:

  • Review and consider all information about the school's program before you enroll
  • Complete all application forms accurately, including your application for student financial aid.
  • Accurately report all information on your documents. Errors can result in delayed receipt of your financial aid. Intentional misreported information on your application forms for Federal Financial Aid is a violation of the law, and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
  • Return all documentation, verification, corrections, and /or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office.
  • Read and understand all forms that you are asked to sign.
  • Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Federal Work Study award.
  • Know and comply with the deadlines for application or renewal.
  • Know and comply with the school's refund procedure.
  • Make satisfactory academic progress.

Student Rights

You have the right to:

  • Know what financial assistance is available, including information on all Federal, State and institutional financial aid programs.
  • Know the deadlines for submitting applications.
Financial Aid Fraud

Every year, millions of prospective college students seek creative ways to finance the markedly rising costs of a college education. In the process, they sometimes fall prey to scholarship and financial aid scams. On November 5, 2000, Congress passed the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000 (CSFPA). The CSFPA enhances protection against fraud in student financial assistance by establishing stricter sentencing guidelines for criminal financial aid fraud. It also charged the Department, working in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with implementing national awareness activities, including a scholarship fraud awareness site on the ED Web site.

According to the FTC, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use these telltale lines:

  • The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.
  • You can't get this information anywhere else.
  • I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.
  • We'll do all the work.
  • The scholarship will cost some money.
  • "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship" or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

To file a complaint, or for free information, students or parents should call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)or visit http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.

Return to Title IV

Return to Title IV Funds Policy for Kern Community College District (Bakersfield, Porterville, and Cerro Coso Colleges) effective January 2005:

The Financial Aid Offices have implemented the following procedures in accordance with the regulations related to the Return to Title IV Funds:

The Financial Aid Offices will run a report (RWRTIL4) every two weeks to identify students who were paid Title IV funds and have completely withdrawn from school prior to the 60% enrollment period.

  • Utilizing Title IV software, the Financial Aid Offices will determine the treatment of Title IV funds the student did not earn and the amount of unearned Title IV aid due from the institution.

    If a student withdraws from all courses prior to the freeze date, the "Amount of Aid Disbursed" and the "Amount of Aid that could have been Disbursed" will be based on the aid that was disbursed at the time of the last disbursement was made to the student. Note: If a student drops to less than six (6) units and then withdraws completely we must recalculate their Pell Grant eligibility at less-than-half-time first and then proceed with the Return to Title IV calculation.

    If a student withdraws from all courses after the enrollment freeze date and prior to the 60% date of the semester, then the Return to Title IV calculation will be based on the aid the student received and no adjustments to the payment amount will be processed to reflect the student's final enrollment.
  • The college will notify the student of the overpayment and the student must repay or make satisfactory payment arrangements with the Financial Aid Office within the allowable 45 days.
  • Upon notification of the overpayment to the student, the institutional amount will be immediately recouped from the student's financial aid record and returned to the appropriate Title IV program via the COD reporting process to ensure that funds are returned within the required 45 days.
  • If the student overpayment is paid within 45 days, the Financial Aid Office will back out the amount from the financial aid record reducing the amount of aid paid to the student. The funds will be returned to the appropriate Title IV program via the COD reporting process.
  • If the student overpayment is not paid within 45 days, the Financial Aid Office will forward a Student Overpayment Referral to the U.S. Department of Education and NSLDS will be updated to reflect the "Overpayment Status".

The institution's understand their responsibility to make a timely calculation of the Return to Title IV Funds and will adhere to the procedures developed ensuring the compliance with federal regulations.

Terms and Conditions of Federal Work Study Employment

General Requirements For All Student Workers

To work at Cerro Coso College, student workers must fill out the Student Employment Hiring Packet. Supervisors must fill out and submit a Student Employment Authorization form for each student that is hired to work in your office. This form must be signed by the area Administrator and submitted to the Financial Aid Office (FAO).

You will also receive an e-mail from Human Resources (HR) confirming that the student has been approved. Do not allow the any student worker to report to work until you receive this approval.

Financial Aid Student Work Programs

College Work-Study (CWS) student workers are funded through the Cerro Coso College Work-Study Program, a program that requires that the student apply for federal financial aid, meet specific eligibility requirements as outlined on the CWS application packet. The applicants will be reviewed and awarded by the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) student workers are funded through the Federal Work-Study Program, a federal financial aid program that requires that the student apply for federal financial aid, meet specific eligibility requirements and be awarded FWS funds by the Financial Aid Office. The student must have received a Financial Aid Award Letter to be considered for FWS.

Enrollment Requirement And Academic Progress For All Student Workers

To be eligible to work as a student worker, enrollment requirements at Cerro Coso College for the Fall and Spring semesters, is 6 or more units. For the Summer session a student worker must be enrolled in 3 or more units. All student workers must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The standard for maintaining SAP is a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater.

Student Loan Information

This information can be found online:

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's central database for student financial aid records. Federal loans disbursed to students or parents will be submitted to NSLDS and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Student and parent borrowers can track and manage their federal student loans and grants online at http://www.nslds.ed.gov/. The secured site displays information on loans and grants, including amounts, outstanding balances and status. Student and parent borrowers can also find contact information for their loan servicer.

Information Regarding Student Outcomes

Graduation, Transfer and Retention Rates

In compliance with the Student Right-To-Know (SRTK) Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), it is the policy of the Kern Community College District and Cerro Coso Community College to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students. These rates are based on a limited cohort (or group) of students which are tracked for a three-year period. The cohort is limited because it includes only students who entered Cerro Coso Community College in the fall term as first-time, full-time students seeking a degree, certificate or transfer. Students included in the 2007 SRTK Cohort were tracked from Fall 2008 through Spring 2010 to determine their academic outcomes during the time period.

A student is included in the Completion Rate if they attained a certificate or degree or became "transfer prepared" within the three-year period. Transfer-prepared is defined as having completed 60 transferable units with a GPA of 2.0 or better.

A student is included in the Transfer Rate if, within the three-year tracking period, they transferred to another postsecondary institution prior to receiving a certificate or degree or becoming "transfer-prepared".

The table below compares Cerro Coso Community College's Completion and Transfer Rates to the statewide community college average.

2007 SRTK Cohort
Cerro CosoState Wide
Completion Rate16.36%24.42%
Transfer Rate14.49%15.24%

These rates do not represent the completion and transfer rates of the entire student population at Cerro Coso Community College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this three-year tracking period. For more information on SRTK methodology, interpretation, and rates at other community colleges, you can visit the College Chancellor's Office website.

Graduation and Retention Rates for Student Athletes

Information to come.

Equity in Athletic Disclosure
Reporting Year:7/1/2010 - 6/30/2011
Reporting Official:Kimberlee Kelly
Title:Athletic Director
Phone:760-384-6353
Sanctioning Body:Other (CCCAA)
Number of Full-time Undergraduates:1,218
Men:502
Women:716

Athletics Participation

Number of participants as of the day of the first scheduled contest
Varsity TeamsMen's TeamsWomen's Teams
Baseball24
Basketball11
Total Participants Men's and Women's Teams2411
Unduplicated Count of Participants
(Number of individuals who participated on at least one varsity team.)		2411

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Head Coaches - Men's Teams

Male Head CoachesFemale Head Coaches
Varsity TeamsAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerTotal Head Coaches
Baseball11 1
Coaching Position Totals010100001

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Head Coaches - Women's Teams

Male Head CoachesFemale Head Coaches
Varsity TeamsAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerTotal Head Coaches
Basketball11 1
Coaching Position Totals011000001

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Head Coaches' Salaries

Men's TeamsWomen's Teams
Average Annual Institutional Salary per Head Coach$9,564$9,273
Number of Head Coaches Included in Average11
Average Annual Institutional Salary per FTE$28,982$28,100
Number of FTEs Included in Average0.330.33

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Assistant Coaches - Men's Teams

Male Assistant CoachesFemale Assistant Coaches
Varsity TeamsAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerTotal Assistant Coaches
Baseball11 1
Coaching Position Totals010100001

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Assistant Coaches - Women's Teams

Male Assistant CoachesFemale Assistant Coaches
Varsity TeamsAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerAssigned to Team on a Full-Time BasisAssigned to Team on a Part-Time BasisFull-Time Institution EmployeePart-Time Institution Employee or VolunteerTotal Assistant Coaches
Basketball11 1
Coaching Position Totals010100001

Coaching Staff and Salaries: Assistant Coaches' Salaries

Men's TeamsWomen's Teams
Average Annual Institutional Salary per Head Coach$2,500$2,500
Number of Head Coaches Included in Average11
Average Annual Institutional Salary per FTE$16,667$16,667
Number of FTEs Included in Average0.150.15

Source: The Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool, July 11, 2012.

Information Regarding Health and Safety

Campus Safety and Security

This information can be found online:

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Substance Abuse Policy

In accordance with Public Law 101-226, "Drug Free Schools and Communities Acts Amendment of 1989" Cerro Coso Community College prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students, faculty, or staff on the premises of the college property. Any student or employee in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the college or termination from employment. In addition, persons that are not students or employees of the college, while they are on college property, are required to adhere to the standards of conduct applicable to the Cerro Coso students and to abide by all Kern Community College District Board Policies.

Financial Aid Ineligibility Due to a Drug Offense

A conviction for any drug related offense, during the period of enrollment for which a student is receiving funding under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any federal and or state grant, loan, or work-study assistance. Students with a conviction for any drug related offense may petition to have Financial Aid eligibility reinstated pending verification of satisfactory completion of an approved rehabilitation program that meets the standards set by Congress and the Department of Education. You will regain eligibility effective on the date that you successfully complete the program.

Alcohol Abuse and Violations

From the Student Conduct Policy: The use, sale, possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance prohibited by law, on campus or at any function sponsored or supervised by the College.

Need Help?

If you are experiencing problems with substance abuse or need some preventative assistance, counseling, or a referral of a treatment center, please contact the Cerro Coso Counseling Office at 760-384-6219, or the College Community Services Center, 1400 Norma St. Suite 133, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.

Regaining Eligibility after a Drug Violation

Students with a conviction for any drug related offense may petition to have Financial Aid eligibility reinstated pending verification of satisfactory completion of an approved rehabilitation program that meets the standards set by Congress and the Department of Education. Suggested programs are listed below, but verify with the Vice President of Student Services (760-384-6249) before starting the program. You will regain eligibility effective on the date that you successfully complete the program.

More information can be found online at:

Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

This information can be found online:

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