It's time to apply for 2008-09!

click on the graphic below to apply

Financial aid timelines and deadlines:

ALL students must apply for aid each school year. Cabrillo's school year begins with the Fall semester and ends with the Summer session.

Students should apply during the Spring for the following Fall semester.

The priority funding filing deadline each year is March 2nd for the next school year. Applications come out in January.

Complete both of the following before March 2nd to be considered for all aid available through Cabrillo:

To be apply for a Cal Grant, students must also file a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form before March 2nd.

After March 2nd
If you missed the March 2nd priority filing deadline, you may STILL APPLY!

Complete the following application:

• FAFSA (Click here for how to file.)
  

If you want to be considered for a Cal Grant and missed the March 2nd priority deadline, file your FAFSA and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by September 2.

How to apply for financial aid:

Step One: Getting Started
Step Two: Completing a file
Step Three: Receiving your aid

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Step One: Getting Started

Filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All students applying for financial aid must complete the FAFSA. Be sure to list Cabrillo College Federal School Code 001124, in Step 6 of the FAFSA so we will receive your information electronically from the federal processor. The FAFSA results are sent to you in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR).

Methods Of Filing A FAFSA

Online:
Complete a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA on-line using FAFSA on the Web. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, or click on graphic below to apply. New applicants print a copy of the signature page, sign it and mail it to the federal processor. The signature page is matched with your electronic application and processed in two-three weeks. You will receive your SAR (by email if you provided an email address on your FAFSA application) in about 2-3 weeks.

For additional tips for filing the FAFSA online click here.

By mail:
Complete a paper FAFSA and mail it in the envelope provided to the federal processor. You will receive your SAR by mail in 4-6 weeks.

Application materials are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Request a FAFSA to be mailed.
Additional tips for filing the FAFSA by mail.

All students applying for financial aid must complete a FAFSA each school year.

Once the federal processor receives your FAFSA, an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined. The results are mailed to you in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR). The EFC is located on the top right corner of the SAR. Please note that the SAR is mailed to the address listed on the FAFSA. The Financial Aid Office will send correspondence to this address as well. Keep your address current with our office.

Student Aid Report (SAR)
As soon as you receive your SAR, look it over carefully to make sure your information is correct. Check the following:

• spelling of your name (this should identically match the name on your social security card)
• social security number
• birth date
• income information
• academic level/goal

If no corrections are necessary, keep the SAR for your records. If you need to make corrections, either do them online or correct and sign of your paper SAR and mail Part Two back to the Federal Processor. If you have questions, call or stop by the Financial Aid Office.

The Federal Government expects students and their families to contribute toward educational expenses. Students are considered dependent and are required to provide parent(s) information on the FAFSA unless:

• You are or will be 24 years old by January 1st of the calendar year; or
• You are married; or
• You have children who receive more than half their support from you; or
• You have dependents (other than your spouse or children) that live with you and receive more than half their support from you; or
• You parents are deceased or you were a ward of the court until age 18; or
  
• You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; or
• You are enrolled in a masters or doctorate program.

Students who meet one of the above criteria are considered independent and, if married, are required to also provide spouse's information on the FAFSA.

Exceptions
Students with adverse or unusual circumstances may be considered for a dependency status change by filing a Dependency Status Petition with the Financial Aid Office. If you have any questions, please make an appointment with your Financial Aid Advisor.

Dependency Status Petition

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You will be required to submit additional form(s) or documents to complete your file. You will be notified by mail which additional documents or form(s) are required. The Financial Aid Office must have your current address. If you do not receive or respond to correspondence, you financial aid will not be processed.

Cabrillo College Supplemental Form
All financial aid applicants must complete the Cabrillo College Supplemental Form and return it directly to the Financial Aid Office. Information on the Supplemental Form supersedes the information on the FAFSA.

Student Account Billing Authorization Form
All financial aid applicants will receive this form which authorizes the College to deduct current school year charges from their financial aid.

Verification Worksheet
Some student applications are selected by the federal government for mandatory verification of information reported on the FAFSA. If you are selected for verification, you will be required to provide the Financial Aid Office with documentation of all sources of income for the previous tax year. This must match the information on your SAR; if not, it must be corrected before we can determine your eligibility for aid.

Tax Forms
Always keep copies of the federal tax returns and W-2s that you and your family submit to the Internal Revenue Service. If we request a copy of your tax return or W-2, be sure to give us a signed copy and not your originals.

Ability To Benefit Test
Students who do not have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, must take and pass an Ability to Benefit Test in order to be considered for financial aid. This test does not qualify current high school students for aid. If you are required to take the Ability to Benefit Test, contact the Assessment Center (831) 479-6267 for testing arrangements. Please note: The Ability to Benefit Test is different than the Assessment tests for English and math placement.

Income Resolution Form / Information Resolution Form
Any discrepancies or inconsistencies found in your file must be resolved before you can be awarded aid.

Social Security, Immigration & Naturalization, & Selective Service Documentation
The Financial Aid Office may need a copy of your Social Security Card, birth certificate, copies of INS documents to verify eligible non-citizen status, or verification of Selective Service registration. The Financial Aid Office will notify you if these or other documents are required to complete your file.

Authorization To Release Information Form
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we cannot release student financial aid information to anyone other than you, the student. If you wish your information to be released to someone else, you must request and submit this form.

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Step Three: Receiving your aid

Processing Timelines

The Financial Aid Office begins processing applications in early June for students who have met the March 2nd priority filing deadline. After you submit all documents required for your financial aid file, it is reviewed and eligibility is determined. Applicants who have met the March 2nd priority filing deadline will receive their first disbursement within the first two weeks of the Fall semester. For applicants who have missed the March 2nd priority deadline, awards will be mailed approximately two to four weeks after your file is reviewed. This process is outlined in the Financial Aid Processing Timelines. Applications received after the March 2nd priority filing deadline are processed after those who have met the deadline.

Award Notification
An Award Letter will be mailed to you after we have reviewed your file and your academic progress. AWARDS ARE BASED ON FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT. The actual amount received will differ if your enrollment status changes. You must maintain a current mailing address with our office. Award letters and checks are mailed to the address on file.

Federal regulations require that all types of financial aid be coordinated. You must inform the Financial Aid Office if you receive any aid not listed on your award notification such as scholarships, stipends, vocational rehabilitation, or veterans benefits. A revision to your financial aid award may be necessary.

Scheduled Disbursements

Check Disbursements/Enrollment Verification
The first half of your Pell and/or Cal Grant awards are mailed to you at the beginning of the semester, and the second half, approximately mid-way through the semester. SEOG awards are not included in the 1st disbursement. Disbursement dates depend on when you are awarded AND will reflect your actual enrollment status at the time of payment. No adjustments are made for special studies, added or dropped units after the second week of the term. The amount of aid on your award letter may differ from what you receive if your enrollment changes and/or if you owe student charges. For Wintersession and Summer, no adjustments are made once you have been awarded.

Students awarded before the midpoint of the semester will be awarded in two disbursements. The second disbursement schedule is below.

If you drop units during the add/drop period before receiving your second-half disbursement for the semester, you may owe an overpayment. This is especially true if you drop below half-time status.

For example:
You are enrolled in 12 units (full time) at the beginning of the semester:

You receive $825 PELL (50% of a full-time award).

If you drop to three-quarters time (9-11.5 units), you would receive $413 for the second-half disbursement (instead of $825) and would not owe an overpayment.

If you drop to half-time (6-8.5 units), you would not receive a second-half disbursement and you would not owe an overpayment.

If you drop to less than half-time (less than 6 units), you may owe all or a portion of what you received.

If you owe an overpayment, you will have 45 days to repay the college in full or the grant overpayment will be reported. You will not be eligible to receive further financial aid from any college until the overpayment has been paid.

Recalculation
If you never attend a class and this results in a change of your enrollment status, then your Pell grant award must be recalculated. This will result in you owing part or all of that award money back to the college.

If you owe an overpayment, you have 45 days to repay the college in full or it will be reported to the Department of Education. You will not be able to receive further financial aid from any college until the overpayment has been paid.

Checks will be mailed by the Cabrillo College Bank, and are not forwarded. Some programs require that the student sign for the receipt of the check. Those checks will be held at the College Bank and you will be notified.

Student Charges
Any student charges for the current semester will be deducted from your financial aid and/or scholarship.

Returned Checks
If your check is returned to the College, it will not be re-mailed; it will be held at the College Bank and you will need to pick it up. Unclaimed checks will be cancelled after 30 days.

Lost Checks/Checks Not Received
If your check is lost or not received, go to the College Bank (Bldg. 100) and initiate a stop payment. Reissued checks can take up to six weeks.

Scholarships
If you have been awarded a scholarship, it will be mailed to you before the start of the semester unless enrollment verification is required. Then it will be mailed within two weeks of the receipt of enrollment verification.

Federal Work-Study Checks
Federal Work-Study checks are disbursed by the College Bank on the 10th of each month based on hours worked the previous month.

Required Identification
You are required to present one type of valid photo ID (such as a California driver's license or California Identification Card) each time you pick up a check at the College Bank.

College Bank Hours (Bldg. 100)
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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