City College of San Francisco
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SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Question: What is financial aid ? Answer:
Financial aid helps you meet your college expenses. Although your family
and you have the primary
responsibility to pay these expenses, financial aid helps you meet the
costs you cannot pay.
Aid comes from federal, state and local programs.
2. Question: How do I apply for financial aid? Answer:
Feel out a Free Federal Application for Financial Aid (FASFA) on the web
www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up the
FAFSA from the Financial Aid Office, any public high school, public library, or
other higher education institutions.
Complete the application according to the instructions. Be sure to list all the colleges which
should receive your application in "Step Six" of the FASFA. 3. Question: Who determines my dependency status ? Answer:
The Federal Government determines your dependency status, based on the
questions in "Step Three" of
the FASFA application.
4. Question: What is a Board of Governors Fee Waiver ?
Answer:
The California Board of Governors provides funds to pay the mandatory
enrollment fee for all eligible California residents. These funds are offered in
the form of fee waivers to students who have already qualified for financial
aid, to students who are currently receiving TANF/CALWORKS,
SSI/SSP, or GA, or to needy students who meet certain income standards.
5. Question: Do I make too much money to apply for federal financial aid?
Answer:
There is no income limit that excludes students from
applying
for federal aid. Furthermore, most colleges and universities require
their students to apply for federal aid and will not consider them for
school-based aid unless there is a federal
application on file. This is also true of many privately-sponsored
programs, even the ones based solely on merit. So all students, no
matter what their income is, are advised to file a Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
6. Question: My parents are not helping me pay for my college education. Can I declare myself an "independent student" so their income will not be taken into consideration when my financial need is calculated?
Answer: It is understandable why you'd want to declare yourself as an
"independent" rather than "dependent" student. Dependent students are
viewed as at least partially dependent on their parents for support and,
therefore, the income of both the parents and the
student is used to
determine the amount a family must contribute to the
student's education. For independent students, only their own income and
assets - and those of their spouses - are considered. However,
you
can't simply decide to declare yourself independent. The federal government is very strict on this point.
To be considered independent under federal regulations, you must generally
meet at least one of the following requirements:
7. Question: My parents are divorced. Which income should I report on my FAFSA?
Answer: If your parents are divorced or have separated before you
apply
for aid, you must report the income of the parent with whom you have been
living for the greatest amount of time during the past 12 months. If you
didn't live with either of them (or lived with them equally), then you must report the income of the parent
who has provided the greater amount of financial support (cash, food,
clothing, housing, medical care, contribution to college costs, etc.)
during the
past 12 months.
8. Question: I live with my mother and she recently remarried. My stepfather is not going to pay for any of my college education. Do I have to declare his income?
Answer: There's no flexibility on this one. Your stepparent's
income
and asset information must be reported, even if he is not supporting you.
There are no exceptions to this rule (even if your stepparent submits in
writing that he is not going to support you).
9. Question: My parents refuse to provide the information requested on FAFSA. What can I do?
Answer: Unfortunately, if your parents refuse to supply this
information, you will not be able to apply for aid. Try explaining the
situation again to your parents. Hopefully, when they understand the
importance, they will reconsider.
10. Question: Has the federal government reduced its commitment to student aid?
Answer: While it is true that federal aid has not kept up with annual
tuition increases (which sometimes exceed twice the inflation rate), it is
not true that the federal government is backing away from funding student
aid. The federal government continues to be the largest provider of
college aid.
11. Question: Is there any way that I can negotiate with my financial aid administrator? Answer: Yes. There are three kinds of adjustments your FAA can make, using documentation that you provide:
12. Question: What should I do if, after I graduate, I cannot meet my payments on my federal loan?
Answer: Whatever you do, don't default. Defaulting could seriously
affect your credit rating for many years. If you find yourself in a
precarious financial position, discuss the situation with your lender.
More than likely, some arrangement can be made. Often, lenders will permit you to stop making payments temporarily or
reduce the amount of each of your payments. This is called "forbearance".
13. Question: What is the maximum number of semester/units I can receive financial aid at City College ?
Answer: You can receive financial aid at City College for and up to 90 units of
academic course work. Therefore, it is extremely important that you meet
with an academic counselor to develop your educational plan and to
determine your course load each semester. Please remember that all the
credits that you have earned, whether you receive aid or not, including
non-credit (NC), repeats (R), and withdrawals (W) will count toward the
maximum 90 units. You must complete ALL of the units you were enrolled in
and funded for during the semester.
14. Question: If denied financial aid based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria, how can I appeal ?
Answer: If you are denied financial aid or wish to request a waiver of the
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Policy, you have the right to appeal. Appeals are submitted to and
reviewed by Financial Aid Academic Counselors. |
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