Eligibility

There are three basic steps used to determine the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive.

• Step One: Determining Your Student Budget
• Step Two: Determining Your Eligibility
• Step Three: Determing Your Financial Aid Package
• Important Things You Should Know

Step One: Determining Your Student Budget

A student budget that includes standard fees and costs is assigned to all financial aid recipients. The budget is based on data provided by the California Student Aid Commission and the Chancellor's Office for California Community Colleges. You may also use the college Net Price Calculator to receive an estimate of how much students similar to you paid to attend Cabrillo College.

Standard student budgets are constructed recognizing the different costs for students living at home or living away from home. An additional $200/unit for enrollment fees is added to the budget for out-of-state students.

Budget Adjustments

If you have additional expenses such as childcare, elder care, disability related expenses (which are not paid by an outside funding agency), or uninsured medical or dental expenses, please let us know. Also, if you must purchase a computer, or supplies required for programs that are in excess of the standard budget allowance, you may request adjustments to your budget

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Step Two: Determining Your Eligibility

Eligiblity is based on both your financial need and academic progress.

Financial Need

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC-located on the upper right hand corner of your SAR) is the amount of money you and your family are expected to contribute toward your educational costs. Your EFC is calculated based on the information you reported on your FAFSA. Your financial aid need is the difference between your student budget and your EFC. Funds are limited and often it is not possible to meet students' full financial aid need.

Academic Progress

To receive financial aid, you must maintain academic progress according to our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Federal regulations require that academic progress be monitored for all periods of enrollment whether or not you have received financial aid. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA, meet the unit completion requirements for their enrollment status, and not reach the maximum time frame for their program. Financial aid funds will not be disbursed for students who do not maintain academic progress. Please read our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.

Step Three: Determining Your Financial Aid Package

Awards are based on student eligibility, enrollment status, and application deadlines. Once your file has been reviewed and your eligibility has been determined, the Financial Aid Office will award you any grant and work-study funds you are eligible to receive. If you need to borrow student loan funds, you must complete the loan application process.

What If my Financial Situation Has Changed?

The Financial Aid Office recognizes that your circumstances can change. If you or your family's financial situation has changed, you are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office.

Important Things You Should Know

• Academic Requirements and (SAP) & Maintaining Eligibility
• Fraud
• Your Rights & Responsibilities

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Fraud

Any individual who fraudulently manipulates the financial aid programs or process for personal gain will be reported to the Department of Education any individual committing fraud on an application for financial aid.

Cases of suspected fraud, including knowingly misrepresenting family or financial application information, purposeful certification of false statements as true and correct, or intentional falsification or misrepresentation on, or alteration of documents used in the financial aid process that results in the receipt of aid, will be reported for possible collection of funds and/or prosecution.

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Your Rights and Responsibilities

You Have The Right To:

• Know what financial aid programs are available;
• Know the deadline for submitting applications for each of the programs available;
• Be informed of financial aid policies and procedures;
• Know how your financial eligibility was determined and what resources (such as your income, assets, parental contribution and other resources) were considered in the calculation of need;
• Know what portion of your financial aid must be repaid, and what portion is gift or aid received from work;
• Know how the Financial Aid Office determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress and what the consequences are if you are not;
• Request an explanation of the various programs in your financial aid package;
• Know the terms of any loans you receive, and your deferment, cancellation and forbearance rights.

You Have The Responsibility To:

• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time;
• Provide correct information. Misrepresentation of information on financial aid applications is a violation of federal law and may be a criminal offense (see section on Fraud);
• Report any change in the information used to determine your eligibility, including name, family size, or financial resources;
• Return all documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which you submitted your application, in a timely manner;
• Read and understand all forms that you are asked to sign and keep copies of them;
• Accept responsibility for all agreements that you sign;
• Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Federal Work-Study award in a satisfactory manner;
• Notify the Financial Aid Office immediately if you withdraw from school or reduce enrollment below six units.
• Be aware of repayment procedures;
• Attend an Entrance Loan Workshop prior to applying for a loan and an Exit Interview prior to receiving your second disbursement, graduation, dropping below 6 units, or leaving Cabrillo;
• If you are a recipient of a student loan, notify your lender and the Financial Aid Office of changes in your enrollment status;
• Repay all loans including the interest on those loans;
• File all required student loan deferment or cancellation forms on time.

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