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To apply for all programs listed, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
(for information on filing the FAFSA, see the General Information page)
Be sure to list the CR FAFSA code in Step 6: 001185
Note: award amounts and eligibility determination are subject to change.
BOG (Board of Governors Fee Waiver)
This California state funded fee waiver program was established to assist low to middle income California residents with the enrollment fees. Eligible students do not receive a check from this program, but enrollment and health fees are waived. The BOG fee waiver does not pay for material fees or books. There are no unit (minimum or maximum) requirements to receive the BOG fee waiver.
Students completing the FAFSA will have their BOG fee waiver eligibility automatically determined. If you have not completed a FAFSA, you may download a BOG application PDF Here or pick up an application from the Student Assistance Center (Eureka), EOPS, or DSPS Offices. You should apply prior to registering for classes.
Federal Pell Grant
This Pell Grant is a federally funded grant program which provides awards to undergraduate students. Eligibility is automatically determined through the FAFSA.
Awards range from $400 - $4,050 per year.
SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
This is a Federal grant program. CR has limited funding in this program, so students should apply early. SEOG is awarded on a first come first serve basis to eligible students. Eligibility is automatically determined through the FAFSA.
Awards range from $100 - $600 per year.
Cal Grants
These grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission; only California residents are eligible. The Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C programs are available to students enrolled at CR. (Cal Grant A is available only at four-year colleges and universities.)
Students must complete the FAFSA to apply. GPA verification is also required for this program. If you have been enrolled only at CR and meet the unit requirements, your GPA will be electronically submitted to the California Student Aid Commission. The initial processing deadline for the Cal Grant program is March 2. There is a September 2 supplemental processing deadline for California Community College students only.
Awards range from $300 - $1,551 per year.
BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) Grant
These grants are available to qualified Native American students through tribal or federal BIA funding. To apply, students should contact their tribal office or the BIA for application forms. In addition, the FASFA must be completed.
Awards vary per year, depending upon tribal and BIA resources.
Federal Work-Study
This program provides on-campus jobs to students. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA and students must also meet District student worker requirements.
Interested students should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility. Available jobs are posted in the Student Career Center.
Awards range from $500 - $4,000 per year. The hourly wage rate depends on the position.
ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant)
This new Federal grant requires students to enrolled full-time, be a U.S. citizen and a Pell Grant recipient. To qualify for this grant, students must also have completed, with passing grades, a rigorous secondary school program of study (defined below) after January 1, 2006 for the first-year award of $750.
Second year awards are $1,300. To qualify, students must have completed the rigorous program after January 1, 2005 and must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Students must provide proof from their high school that they meet the rigorous program definition.
Federal Stafford Loan
The Stafford Loan program is a federally-funded loan program available to students who need additional resources to pay for educationally related expenses. This loan program should be considered only as a last resort after all other options have been considered. All students interested in a federal student loan must apply using the loan process through CR.
What do I need to do to apply for a student loan?
Complete the 2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); list the CR code number: 001185 in Step 6 and submit additional paperwork requested by the Financial Aid Office.
Apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) if you do not have one @ www.pin.ed.gov.
Complete loan counseling by logging onto www.edfund.org. Complete the Entrance Exam on the Ed Test Loan Counseling link; print the results and submit them to your campus Financial Aid Office.
AFTER you have completed the steps above, you may request the Loan Request Form from your CR Financial Aid Office. Complete this form and submit it to your campus Financial Aid Office as soon as possible, but no later than April 7, 2008.
Once the Financial Aid Office has determined your loan eligibility you may need to sign your Promissory Note. If you are a new borrower, or are using a different lender, you will receive an email (or a letter by mail if you did not provide an email address) with a link to the site to sign your promissory note. If you are required to sign a promissory note and do not do so in a timely manner, your loan will NOT be processed. Make sure you fully understand the terms of the promissory note before you sign – this is your promise to repay the loan!
Why do I have to do all this to get a student loan?
~Taking out a loan is a big responsibility, and should not be taken lightly. A student oan, like any other loan, is a debt that must be repaid, with interest. You will owe this money back even if you withdraw without completing your degree or are unable to find work.
~The process is to help educate you about student loans and provide you with enough information to help you make an informed decision.
~To make sure you apply for all ‘gift aid’ (grants, scholarships) FIRST which does not need to repaid.
~The cost of attendance at CR is low (especially if you are a California resident). Loans are not encouraged unless needed for educational costs.
~To urge you to save your loan eligibility for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The cost of education is higher and you will most likely need to take out loans to cover your costs. There is a federal limit on how much you can borrow in student loans, so you should be careful not to reach that limit before you are able to complete your educational goal. Do you know how much your total student loan debt is? Check it out: www.nslds.ed.gov
How much money can I borrow?
How much you can borrow each year depends on your cost of attendance, other financial aid received, and grade level. Under the Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan Program, the maximum amount you may borrow for each grade level is:
Freshman (1st year) 0-29 units completed $3,500 per academic year Sophomore (2nd year) 30+ units completed $4,500 per academic year
The amounts listed above are maximum loan limits. Your Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan will be certified based on the amount of actual ‘need’ as defined by federal law, or the amount of your loan request, whichever is less. Do not ask for more than you need. If the above loan amounts, along with other financial aid/resources you are receiving, will not cover your costs, you can ask about eligibility for an unsubsidized loan. Remember the subsidized loan maximum is up to $1,000 higher beginning with the 2007-2008 year, so you may not need to apply for an unsubsidized loan which doesn’t have the cost-saving benefits of the subsidized loan. An additional application and in-depth loan counseling are required prior to applying for an unsubsidized student loan.
Remember:
~This is a loan intended to cover educational costs and must be repaid
~Think about your future and your long-term debt. There are online tools available to help you estimate your loan payments: www.edfund.org and www.finaid.org/calculators
~Carefully review your budget and other financial aid awards before deciding to take on the burden of a loan
How do loans impact my eligibility for other types of financial aid?
Your financial aid awards (including loans) cannot exceed your cost of attendance (budget). If additional resources are added after a loan has been approved, and prior to disbursement, your loan amount will be reduced to accommodate the new award(s), if necessary. You may not be eligible for additional awards (including scholarships) if have already received all loan disbursements.
How do I choose a lender?
Choosing a lender is an important decision. It is your responsibility to ensure you are choosing the best lender for your situation, so we strongly encourage you to compare the benefits of each lender before deciding on the one that’s right for you. You are not required to select a lender from our lender list. We can not recommend or choose a lender for you. Here are some things to look for: Discounted interest rates... On-time payment discounts... Waiver of origination, default fees... Discounts for automatic debit... Payment forgiveness... Late payment... Customer service... Problem solving.
How will my loan funds be disbursed?
~No loans will be disbursed prior to the beginning of classes. Loan disbursements for first-year students will be delayed for 30 days after the beginning of classes, as required by Federal law.
~If you have an outstanding balance on your CR account (for tuition, housing, etc.), your loan funds will first be applied to your outstanding balance. If funds are remaining, a check will be mailed to you.
~All loans are disbursed in two payments (normally ½ each semester).
~Student loans are only disbursed to students attending at least half-time (6 units).
~If you are being paid retroactively, you must have completed a minimum of 6 units to be eligible for the retroactive payment.
What impact do my grades have on my loan eligibility?
~Student loans are financial aid and subject to the same academic progress and other eligibility requirements as all other types of federal financial aid. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the Financial Aid Office.
What else should I know about loans?
All students must complete Loan Entrance Counseling, even if you have done so in a previous year, or at a prior college. The loan counseling process provides in-depth information on your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower.
All students must complete Loan Exit Counseling shortly before graduating or dropping below 6 units. If you plan to drop below 6 units, either due to graduation, transfer or withdrawing from classes, you must complete the Exit Counseling requirement by going to www.edfund.org and completing the Exit Counseling test.
CR does not endorse alternative loan programs. These are private loans that do not have the borrower benefits that government funded loans provide.
Unsubsidized Student Loan Information
Students applying for an unsubsidized student loan are required to attend an additional workshop. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest while students are in school and do not offer the same cost saving benefits as subsidized loans.
If you attend a branch campus, you are also required to attend a workshop. Please check with your campus Financial Aid office for workshop dates.
PLUS (Loan for Parents)
Federal PLUS loans are available to parents of undergraduate students. Loan limits vary with the cost of the student's educational program and the amount of other financial aid received. The interest rate is variable and a credit check is required. Interested parents may request pre-approval by applying online; some lender options are:
www.wachovia.com/education www.usbank.com/studentloans
www.studentloan.com
YOU MAY CHOOSE ANY LENDER, you are not required to choose from the list above.
The pre-approval process only determines if you will be eligible for the loan.
The PLUS award amount varies with cost of attendance and amount of other aid received.
Students must have a completed FAFSA on file.
Veterans' Services
The Veterans' staff assists eligible veterans and their dependents in applying for educational benefits through the Veterans' Administration. Eligibility and benefits vary according to date of enlistment, disability (if applicable), or whether the student applicant is a survivor or dependent of a veteran who was disabled or deceased while serving in the military. For information and assistance in applying for benefits, contact the Veterans Affairs Office, or the nearest County Veterans ' Service Office.
NEW: Beginning with the Spring 2008 term, recently discharged veterans (within the past two years) may be eligible for priority registration. Bring a copy of your DD-214 to the Veterans Affairs Office on your campus to determine if you are eligible.
The Veterans Administration Education Service maintains is a "One Stop" website at www.gibill.va.gov that has links to just about everything of interest to veterans.
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