What is Financial Aid
Financial aid consists of funds awarded to students to help meet their educational expenses. It can also provide students with the opportunity to earn money to help cover their expenses.
There are several types of aid offered at Cerro Coso College which are funded from federal and state agencies and private organizations. The major categories are:
- SCHOLARSHIPS - Awards based on scholastic achievement and other criteria. These awards do not require repayment.
- GRANTS - Awards based upon financial need. They do not require repayment.
- LOANS - Awards which must be repaid, usually after leaving school. Most loans have low interest rates.
- WORK STUDY - Opportunity to earn money for school through part-time employment.
2015-2016 Terms of Agreement for all financial aid funding.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov – for US citizens or eligible non-citizens
There are many opportunities for funding your education. All students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal Application at FAFSA on the Web every year. Applying online is fast and easy.
DREAM ACT APPLICATIONS: For eligible AB540 students (attended 3 years and graduated from CA High School, is not eligible to fill out FAFSA) – Considered for Cal Grants and Board of Governor’s Fee waiver pending income eligibility.
Before you begin to apply - Important things to remember:
- The Cerro Coso Title IV Federal School Code (010111) must be entered on your FAFSA so that your information will be transmitted to us electronically.
- Apply for a pin at www.pin.ed.gov to sign electronically. Note parents of dependent students must also apply for a pin.
Apply for the Board of Governors Grant Fee Waiver (BOGW)
Financial Aid Timelines
Below is information to better understand the Financial Aid process and the current challenges that are affecting timelines for students to receive funding:
- Priority filing for Financial Aid begins in January. If you completed your FAFSA or Dream Act Application before June 30th and have submitted all paperwork, you should be processed for the first fall disbursement the Friday before the semester begins. If you have corrections to make on your FAFSA or incomplete paperwork, your disbursement will be delayed.
- If you applied after July 1st, you are a "late applicant" and will not be reviewed until after the semester begins with an expected payment in September or November. You should be prepared to purchase books with personal funds.
These timelines assume that no errors were made on the FAFSA and that all necessary paperwork has been submitted in a timely manner. Any errors and/or missing paperwork will extend these timelines.
Why these timelines in awarding funds?
The Financial Aid Office continues to see an increase in the volume of applicants each year. The Financial Aid Office processes students on a first come basis according to the application date or the date verification was satisfied if chosen for verification. Since all FA students have a financial need, the FA Office does not make exceptions for individual students.
Remember: To receive your financial aid in a timely manner:
- Complete FAFSA/Dream Act before June 30th before the Fall semester.
- Submit all paperwork requested by June 30th before the Fall semester.
Why do I have to bring in more paperwork?
Of the applications received, approximately 30% are selected by the Department of Education to be verified. If your application is selected for verification, you will be required to provide additional information and documents to confirm information on your FAFSA application. Depending on the review of the information received, the FA Office may request additional information as needed to satisfy verification.
If the information on your FAFSA is not accurate and corrections are required, your financial aid will be delayed until corrections come in and information is correct. This takes approximately 4-6 weeks additional processing time.
Will I be dropped from my classes?
It is the student’s responsibility to check their student account and ensure all fees are paid. Once classes begin students are not dropped for non-payment. If you submitted a FAFSA and your record has been accepted electronically by the college AND if YOU are eligible for a fee waiver, one will be issued. If your account has fees due and you feel you are entitled to receive a fee waiver, you need to contact the Financial Aid office BEFORE you are dropped from classes. Once a student is dropped from classes, the student will have to re-register in the class. There is no guarantee that the class will still be available and the student may be put on a waitlist for the class.
How do I check on the status of the fee waiver and financial aid?
Log on to your InsideCC account for all college matters including your campus email address. Go to Banner Self Service's financial aid link and check the status of your Award Package. You will see that a Board of Governor's Waiver C (fee waiver) has been issued for California residents only. Please view this site to monitor the status of your record. When funds have been awarded you will see the payment listed under the "Award" status.
Please use "Banner self service" of InsideCC to monitor the status of your financial aid.
Contact Information
