Financial Aid from Schools and Colleges
The financial aid office also helps students to qualify for other aid by certifying students’ expense budgets and financial need.
Check with the school for its financial aid deadlines. College financial aid offices provide the following:
- information about all student aid programs and application requirements;
- “packaging” financial aid (a combination of grants, loans and/or work-study);
- an explanation of how much aid a student is eligible to receive;
- advice on financial planning and debt management;
- counseling on how to balance an academic workload and a part-time job;
- reference books on all sources of school funds;
- advice on applying for a student loan, interest rates and payment schedules; and
- help in a financial emergency with short-term loans.
Special Tuition Payment Plans
Some colleges have installment plans with finance charges for parents who can’t afford lump-sum tuition payments. Schools may allow payment that protects students from future tuition increases. There may be tuition discount plans for paying in advance, or if more than one family member attends the school.
Scholarships
Colleges may have scholarships for students with exceptional academic or athletic ability, or for those with other talents. Most schools have scholarships from private donations. Some scholarship awards are restricted by background, talent, academic interest or geographic location. Others are more general. Ask the financial aid office about scholarship applications.
Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
The Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) at the California State University (CSU) and the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) at public community colleges provide grants, counseling and/or tutorial services to low-income disadvantaged students. At University of California (UC) campuses, counseling/tutorial services are provided through the campus EOP program, but grants for students in that program come from the financial aid office.
EOP grants range from $400 to $1,400 (depending on need and availability of funds) and EOPS grants up to $900, depending on the school. Amounts vary by campus. Check with the EOP/EOPS offices for specific eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for the EOP/EOPS program, a student must be disadvantaged according to criteria established by state regulations, and be enrolled full time at a community college or at a CSU campus (if enrolled less than half time, approval of the EOP director is needed).
The Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) is a special support program for EOPS students who are welfare recipients, single parents, and have preschool-aged children. Eligible CARE participants are offered counseling, transportation, grants and services for child care, and textbook supplies. The program operates on 44 public community college campuses.
California Community College Promise Grant
For eligible California residents, the California Community Colleges Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived. (Assistance for the purchase of books and supplies must be applied for separately.)
Many California community colleges offer online California College Promise Grant applications through CCCApply.
When you use these financial aid online applications, the data you’ve entered in CCCApply will be transferred automatically, making your financial aid application much easier and faster.
Listed here are the California community colleges to which you may apply online for the California College Promise Grant. Select a college link to begin your application. If your college is not listed here, please contact the college’s Financial Aid office directly. Or download the California College Promise Grant application (PDF).