Fee Waiver Program - Financial Aid Office

Board of Governor's Fee Waiver Program (BOGW)

The California Community Colleges offer a Board of Governors Waiver (BOGW) to help low income students pay the Enrollment Fee. The BOGW is a grant program and may require repayment. BOGW applicants are not required to be enrolled in a specific number of units. The BOGW pays the Enrollment Fees for the academic year and Summer term.

This program is available to California residents only. Students can contact the Financial Aid Office at (510) 659-6150 for more information.

To obtain an Enrollment Fee Waiver, students must file a BOGW Application or a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both of these forms are available at the Financial Aid Office or students may file a FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

California residents (those who have lived in California for at least one year and one day) must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible:

• Qualify for Financial Aid, such as a Pell Grant, a Cal Grant, or assistance from EOPS;
• Receive AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income), or General Relief. Students must show proof (i.e., copy of a CA-7 with current or last month’s date, agency verification,etc.);
• Be certified by the California Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General for eligibility for a dependent's fee waiver;
• Be eligible as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor or as a child of a recipient,or a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
• Be eligible as a dependent of a deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty.
• Meet the income standards listed in the Total Family Income table below. Students should be prepared to show previous federal tax return(s) or other income verification. These amounts are estimated at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Once you are awarded a fee waiver, it will be applicable for the entire Financial Aid year (Fall, Spring and Summer).

BOGW Application Forms

2010-2011 Financial Aid Year

• 2010-2011 BOG Fee Waiver Application (PDF)

2009-2010 Financial Aid Year

• 2009-2010 BOG Fee Waiver Application (PDF)

BOGW Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be a California resident, as determined by the Office of Admissions & Records, and qualify under one of the following areas:

1. Determined to be qualified for financial aid according to your Student Aid Report (SAR).
2. A current recipient of TANF, or SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income), or General Assistance/General Relief. You must submit proof, i.e. CR-7, agency verification, etc.
3. Have a letter of authorization by the California Department Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General stating that you are eligible for a dependent's fee waiver. (Submit copy of letter.)
4. Meet the following income standards. You must submit a signed 2009 Federal Tax Return with all W2s and attachments and/or other income verification.

Total Family Income
2010-2011 BOG Fee Waiver

Number in Household (including yourself)	2009 Income (and/or Untaxed Income)
1	$16,245
2	$21,855
3	$27,465
4	$33,075
5	$38,685
6	$44,295
7	$49,905
Each additional family member	$5,400

These standards are based upon the federal poverty guidelines as published each year by the US Department of Health and Human Services.  Under Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, the income standards for the BOGFW program equal 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for the base year.

These standards are for the 2010-2011 academic year and are to be used to determine BOGFW-B eligibility effective July 1, 2010.

Note: If a student retroactively demonstrates eligibility for a fee waiver at any time during the academic year, the College may reimburse the students for the fees paid, even if one or more terms have been completed. Reimbursements may be paid to students only within the current academic year. There shall be no reimbursements after June 30 of the academic year. If a student becomes ineligible after receiving a BOG Fee Waiver, the college has the option of pursuing recovery of the ineligible fees.

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