- What is the Cerro Coso Community College Federal Title IV code?
- Who can assist me with any FAFSA questions I might have?
- Why does the Department of Education ask for income information from the year before I go to school?
- What should I (the student) do if my family has special circumstances that aren't mentioned in the application?
- What's the difference between cash support and in-kind support?
- I'm going to get married this summer. How do I answer the question that asks if I am married?
- If my parents are divorced, whose information do I need?
- My parents separated four months ago. I live with my mother. My parents filed a joint tax return and claimed me as an exemption. Do I report both their incomes, or just my mother's?
- If I (the student) am separated but filed a joint tax return, how is the information reported?
- How do I know if I am dependent or independent?
- I am a foster youth. Is there a special program for me?
- What are Cal Grants?
- What is the Cerro Coso Community College Federal Title IV code?
- The Federal Title IV code for Cerro Coso College is: 010111
- Who can assist me with any FAFSA questions I might have?
- The Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) can assist you with questions about the FAFSA on the Web or paper application process or about federal student financial aid in general. In addition, FAFSA on the Web filers can get help at studentaid.gov
- Why does the Department of Education ask for income information from the year before I go to school?
- The Department of Education has done studies which have determined time and time again that verifiable income tax information from the base year (For example, 2020 for the 2021-2022 aid year OR 2021 for the 2022-2023 aid year) is more accurate than projected information when determining and calculating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- What should I (the student) do if my family has special circumstances that aren't mentioned in the application?
- You should file the FAFSA using the base year's information that is required. However if you or your family has unusual circumstances (such as loss of employment, loss of benefits, death, or divorce) you should talk to the financial aid administrator (FAA) at the school you plan to attend. If your family's circumstances have changed from the base year, you may file a Petition for Special Circumstances form and submit it to the FAA at your Financial Aid Office. The FAA may decide on a case-by-case basis to adjust data elements used to calculate your EFC. Any adjustment the FAA makes must relate only to your individual circumstances, and not to any conditions that exist for a whole class of students. The FAA's decision is final, and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.
- What's the difference between cash support and in-kind support?
- A person that did not work during the base year and has no untaxed income to report but received help from family and/or friends must determine the value of that support in a dollar amount. Cash support is support given either in the form of money or money that is paid on your (the student's) behalf. You must report cash support as untaxed income. For example if a friend or relative gives you grocery money, it must be reported as untaxed income on Worksheet B. If the friend or relative pays your electric bill or part of your rent, you must also report those payments. Examples of in-kind support are free food or housing that a person receives, usually in exchange for work or services. You usually don't report such support.
- I'm going to get married this summer. How do I answer the question that asks if I am married?
- You must answer Question 50 based on your status the day that you have completed and signed your FAFSA. If you indicate on Question 50 of the FAFSA that you are single by answering "No" and then marry after you originally file, you cannot change your answer to Question 50 for that academic year.
- If my parents are divorced, whose information do I need?
- Report the information of the parent with whom you lived the most during the 12 months preceding the date you completed the FAFSA. It does not make a difference which parent claims you as a dependent for tax purposes. If you did not live with either parent or lived equally with each parent, the parental information must be provided for the parent from whom you received the most financial support during the preceding 12 months or the parent from whom you received the most support the last time support was given.
- My parents separated four months ago. I live with my mother. My parents filed a joint tax return and claimed me as an exemption. Do I report both their incomes, or just my mother's?
- Report only your mother's income and asset information because you lived with her the most during the past 12 months. Use a W-2 Form or other record(s) to determine her share of the income reported and taxes paid on the tax return.
- If I (the student) am separated but filed a joint tax return, how is the information reported?
- You should give only your portion of the exemptions, income, and taxes paid.
- How do I know if I am dependent or independent?
- You must be able to answer "yes" to one of the seven questions in Step 3 of the FAFSA to be considered independent.
- I am a foster youth. Is there a special program for me?
- Yes, the California Chafee Grant program could provide you with free money to learn a trade or go to college. Just log onto https://chafee.csac.ca.gov .
- What are Cal Grants?
- Cal Grants are free money for college awarded to students who meet eligibility, income and academic requirements. They can be used for any UC, CSU, private or California Community College as well as most vocational schools in the state. Cal Grants do not have to be paid back.
