Cosumnes River College's Financial Aid Office, located in L-107, provides a wide range of financial assistance to students in the form of part-time employment, grants, and loans. All awards are contingent upon availability of funds.
The basic premise for all need-based financial aid programs is that the primary responsibility for financing a student's post-secondary education rests with the student and his/her family. Student financial aid is intended to assist with those educational costs that remain after the student's resources and an expected contribution from the family have been taken into account. To be considered for financial aid, a student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. The FAFSA is available on the Internet for those students who wish to apply for financial aid electronically.
- The website address is: www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- The school code for Cosumnes River College is: 007536.
Cosumnes River College participates in the following programs:
EMPLOYMENT
FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM (FWS)
The Federal Work Study program allows students to earn money for their educational expenses while in school. Students are encouraged to find jobs relating to their program of study. Work study wages are based on federal minimum wage guidelines. Students may qualify by virtue of their need, satisfactory academic standing, availability and feasible work skills.
GRANTS
BOGW (Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver)
- BOGW is for California residents only.
- BOGW does not require repayment.
- BOGW is a simple, quick process that is not connected to other Federal aid programs.
- BOGW applicants will be required to complete a simple application form available in the Financial Aid Office. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of eligibility. There are three methods by which you may qualify::
- Method A: TANF/CalWorks, SSI, General Assistance or General Relief recipients must bring a photo identification and an Aid Verification Summary or provide a copy of their last voucher or check when completing the application.
- Special Eligibility: Eligible dependents of veterans and recipents (or a child of a recipient) of the Congressional Medal of Honor must submit certification from the local county Veterans Sevices Office, California Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General. Dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack must submit documention from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, (916) 322‑4426. Eligible dependents of deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty must submit documentation from the public agency that employed the decedent.
- Method B: If you meet household (low) income standards.
- Method C: If you have been determined to have any financial need based on Federal calculation.
- BOGW pays enrollment fees for one fiscal year: summer session and fall/spring semester. Only one application a year is necessary, and you must reapply each fiscal year, starting with the summer session.
CAL GRANTS
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a GPA Verification form must be completed by March 2 prior to the award year. The completed GPA Verification must be received by the California Student Aid Commission for consideration.
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CAL GRANT A
Cal Grant A helps low- and middle-income students with tuition costs at 4-year colleges and universities. Grant recipients are selected on the basis of financial need and grade point average.The California Student Aid Commission will hold tuition fee awards, for those who qualify, until the student transfers to a fouryear college. Students must maintain eligibility each year.
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CAL GRANT B
Cal Grant B is administered and processed by the California Student Aid Commission and aids high-potential students from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants must be a new freshman in college, completed no more than 16 units or a full-time semester of college, or have completed 4.5 months at a vocational/technical college by June 30 of the prior school year. -
CAL GRANT C
Cal Grant C is administered and processed by the California Student Aid Commission and provides assistance for low- and middle-income students who are formally enrolled in and pursuing a vocational training program at Cosumnes River College.
FEDERAL PELL GRANT
The Federal PELL Grant program is an aid program designed to provide financial assistance to students who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree from any institution. The Federal PELL Grant is intended to be the "foundation" of a student’s financial aid package with other sources of aid to supplement it.
In order to determine a student's eligibility, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed and mailed to a federal processor.
A Student Aid Report (SAR)
Eligibility will vary according to enrollment status and federally determined Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) program is limited to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who, for lack of financial means, would be unable to enter or remain in college. Funding for this program is limited; therefore, students are encouraged to apply early.
LOANS
FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN PROGRAM (Subsidized)
To apply for a federally insured loan, institutional policy requires that a student must:
- Apply for other forms of federal financial aid
- Attend a loan management/default prevention workshop
- Satisfactorily complete a student loan pre-test
Applications for the Federal Stafford Loan Program are available in the Financial Aid Office. The amount is based on current Federal guidelines. Interest charged on this loan is variable, not to exceed 8.25 percent.
FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN PROGRAM (Unsubsidized)
The unsubsidized Stafford Loan is offered for middle and higher income borrowers and is available at Cosumnes River College. With the exception of demonstrating financial need, the unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan has the same eligibility criteria as the regular Federal Stafford Loan. This means that family income will not affect loan eligibility or disqualify a student from receiving an Unsubsidized loan. Loan limits and interest rates are also based on current Federal guidelines.
Accepting any federal student loan is accepting a responsibility. Defaulting on any federal student loans will result in disqualification from all financial aid, adverse credit and severe legal action. By accepting a Federal Stafford Student Loan, the student accepts the responsibility to repay it.
SHORT-TERM STUDENT LOAN (STSL)
(30 Day Maximum Repayment Loan)
Emergency short-term loans are available through the Financial Aid Office and are contingent upon availability of funds. Generally, these funds are available to students who have unanticipated financial difficulties. Short term book loans are given to students who need assistance in purchasing books during the first four weeks of a semester. Eligible students may obtain a maximum of three loans per school year with a maximum of one loan given in any one semester. Loan requests will not be considered from students with outstanding loans. Students must also be enrolled in at least 6 units and must have visible means of repayment within thirty (30) days. The funds are established and supported by contributions from CRC staff, community groups and individuals.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL/STATE FINANCIAL AID
Ability to Benefit: Applies to students who are admitted to college but do not have a high school diploma or the equivalent. To receive Federal student aid, a student must pass a standardized placement test which measures the student's ability to complete the course of study.
Eligibilty for financial assistance is determined by:
- Demonstrated financial need: Financial need exists when the cost of education exceeds all of the resources available to a student. This need must be determined each academic year for which a student applies.
- Being a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or status as a resident alien with the appropriate visa.
- Making satisfactory academic progress: Academic progress will be monitored periodically to continue eligibility status. The Financial Aid Office must ascertain satisfactory progress and may deny aid to any student who fails to meet the minimum stated academic progress guidelines.
Satisfactory Progress Policy:
Satisfactory academic progress is defined by the Federal Department of Education as 150 percent of normal length of time for a student to achieve an educational objective. Congress and the Federal Department of Education want funds awarded only to students who are making satisfactory progress toward their educational objective. Therefore, the Financial Aid Office is required to monitor this progress and deny aid to any student who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress policies. Please check with the Financial Aid Office for specific details.
Basis for Denial of Financial Aid:
Financial Aid may be denied for the following reasons:
- Default on Stafford Loans.
- Owing a refund or repayment on PELL or FSEOG.
- Failure to meet the satisfactory progress standard adopted by Cosumnes River College for financial aid recipients. (Specific details are available in the Financial Aid Office.)
- Completion of an AA or AS Degree or 72 or more units (whichever comes first) unless a special petition has been approved by the Financial Aid Office.
- Falsification of information that affects the determination of eligibility or aid.
- Failure to provide necessary verification/documentation of income and resources.
A student may be placed on financial aid probation for one semester. If the student fails to make satisfactory academic progress during the probationary semester, financial aid will be denied. The student may file a Financial Aid Petition to reinstate financial aid if there are extenuating circumstances that caused the dismissal.
Selective Service Notice to Men: Federal and state laws require that men must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for school Financial Aid (50 U.S.C. App. 451, et seq.)
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
The Student Support Center maintains a list of local and national scholarships available to students. This Scholarship information is available at the CRC website where you will find an online scholarship application process.
The Student Support Center staff, located in L106, can assist you with any questions about scholarships.