About Financial Aid
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is money made available by federal, state, institutional and private sources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and wages. Such aid makes it possible for you to continue your education beyond high school, even if you and your family cannot meet the full costs of the college/university you choose to attend. All programs are based on the premise that parents have the primary responsibility of assisting their dependents in meeting educational costs. Financial aid is available only to fill the gap between a family's contribution and your annual educational expenses.
Who Can Apply for Financial Aid?
To be considered for financial aid, you must meet all the following minimum requirements:
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Be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible Non-Citizen.
An eligible Non-Citizen is a U.S. permanent resident who has a document
such as an I-151, I-94, I-688 or I-551 (Alien Registration Receipt) from
the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly the Immigration and
Naturalization Service) verifying that your stay in the U.S. is for other
than a temporary purpose.
If you are in the United States on an F-1 or F-2 student Visa only, or on a J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitor Visa only, you cannot receive federal student aid. Also, persons with G Series Visas (pertaining to international organizations) are not eligible for federal student aid.
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Demonstrate financial need.
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You are enrolled in at least 6.0 units (half-time).
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Show satisfactory progress in a course of study. See Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
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You are not in "default" status on a Federal Direct Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, California Loans to Assist Students (CLAS), or Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS).
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You do not owe a repayment on the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), or the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs.
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You are registered with the Selective Service if required to do so.
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If you do not have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, you must take
an ATB placement test and qualify as having the "ability to benefit"
from college.
When to Apply for Financial Aid?
Every year the FAFSA and the GPA Verification forms are made available beginning January 1st for the next Fall and Spring semesters.
Cal Grant Program Deadline for 2008-2009: March 2 (Entitlement) September 2 (Competitive)
You must have the FAFSA and the GPA Verification forms completed and already mailed off by March 2, 2007 for entitlement consideration and by September 2, 2007 for competitive consideration.
Financial Aid Priority Deadline: June 28, 2008
You must have a completed financial aid file by June 28, 2008 for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters.
If you have missed the priority deadline date...
After the priority deadline, it is first come-first serve. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible since any surplus funds that become available will be awarded. In addition, you can continue to apply for the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Stafford Loan until May 2009. If you have any questions, call or come to the Financial Aid Office. Staff members are available to answer your questions and help you complete the forms.
Please keep in mind that it may take up to two (2) months from the time you apply for aid to the time your award is completely processed.
How to Apply for Financial Aid?
Step 1: Requirements
Find out the Ohlone College's requirements for enrollment, placement testing, fee waivers, financial aid, etc. Read the catalog and class schedule. Make an appointment to see a counselor. Pay attention to deadlines.
You can also visit the Ohlone College website:
http://www.ohlone.edu/
Step 2: The Application
In California, you may apply for aid from several sources by completing a single application - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to include the following information on the FAFSA:
- Ohlone College Title IV Code: 004481
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Ohlone College Address: 43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, California 94539
We strong recommend that students complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. t would be wise to bring your completed online applications, your Federal tax forms, and any other pertinent income information to our office to be sure you filled out the FAFSA correctly. Our team will be happy to review your application and documentation for you. Or attend a FAFSA Workshop for assistance.
When you complete the FAFSA online, you will receive an email to link to your Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few business days. If you complete the paper FAFSA application and do not provide an email address, you will receive your SAR by mail in four to six weeks after you send in your application.
Step 3: Fee Waiver *
If you have not yet registered for classes, you must obtain a fee waiver before registering. You can complete the Board of Governors Fee Waiver Application or the FAFSA to determine eligibility. After your fee waiver is entered in the system, don't forget to ask for the Reduced Parking Fee Voucher.
* If you have already registered, you are NOT eligible for a waiver.
Step 4: Documentation
Within days of receiving the FAFSA from the U.S. Department of Education, the Financial Aid Office will send out a Missing Document Letter. This Request letter will list the required forms as well as other documents you will need to submit to the Financial Aid Office to complete your file. Please provide signed copies when requested. We will not make copies and we will not accept originals in place of copies. Forms in PDF format can be printed from http://www.ohlone.edu/org/finaid/missinginfodocs.html.
The following documents may be requested:
- A signed copy of your and/or your parents' Federal Tax Form 1040/1040A/1040EX, including all attachments, schedules and W-2s for the 2007 calendar year.
- Agency verification of non-taxable income form completed by the Social Services Agency (TANF, CalWORKs, General Assistance); Social Security Office (SSI, SSDI, SSA, etc.); Veterans Benefits, etc.
- Additional data and forms. Requesting additional information may be necessary if further clarification is needed.
Your aid cannot be processed until ALL documents are in and your file is completed.
Step 5: Financial Aid Notification Letter
After completing your financial aid file it will be reviewed for awarding purposes. If you are eligible for aid, your award letter will be posted on WebAdvisor. If a student is ineligible for financial aid, a letter will be mailed. (Please ensure that your mailing address on our files is current.) There are two (2) disbursement dates scheduled for each semester.
Step 6: Federal Stafford Student Loan Program
For students who want to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, students must attend a loan workshop. Loans can only be certified if the student is enrolled in a minimum of 6 units, has met Standard Academic Progress, has completed their financial aid file, is not in default, and are not required to return federal grant funds.
* You Must Re-apply for Financial Aid EACH YEAR *
Every year you must re-apply for financial aid to continue receiving aid for the next academic year. New FAFSA on-line applications are available every January for the next Fall and Spring semesters. Students who need a paper FAFSA will need to contact the Federal Student Aid Programs at 1-800-433-3243 to request the paper FAFSA.
Continuing financial aid students who provide an email address should receive a renewal reminder from the U.S. Department of Education.
How is a Student and/or Parents' Financial Need Determined?
Need and Budget
Most financial aid awards are based on demonstrated financial need, which is the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution (e.g., Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution = Need). Contribution is determined from the information reported on the FAFSA and is verified by a Federal Income Tax Return (1040/1040A/1040EZ) and agencies providing non-taxable income to the family. All awards are subject to availability of funds.
How are Expenses Established?
In order to treat all students equally, standardized budgets have been established and are applied to all applicants. This means that all students with similar circumstances will receive the same allowance for rent, food, personal expenses, books, supplies, transportation, and registration fees. Exceptions may be made to the budget in cases where special need can be shown and documented.
2008-2009 Nine-Month Student Budgets
| Standard Student Budget Allowance |
Dependent and Independent (without dependents) At Home |
All Others Away From Home |
| Tuition* |
$ (If applicable) |
$ (If applicable) |
| Enrollment Fees |
$676 |
$676 |
| Meals and Housing |
$4,050 |
$10,152 |
| Books and Supplies |
$1,972 |
$1,972 |
| Personal/Misc. Expenses |
$3,024 |
$3,024 |
| Transportation |
$1,000 |
$1,500 |
| Total |
$10,722 |
$17,324 |
* Non-Resident Tuition
$173.00 per unit, plus $20.00 per unit enrollment fee.
Additional Mandatory Fees
May be added to Student Budget if required for student's course of study upon submission of appropriate written documentation to the Financial Aid Office.
Dependent/Child Care Expenses
May be added to Student Budget upon submission of appropriate written documentation to the Financial Aid Office.
Disabled Student Expenses
May be added to Student Budget for services and equipment not covered by assisting agencies upon submission of appropriate written documentation to the Financial Aid Office.
How is Financial Aid Packaged?
Once your financial need and eligibility is established, a "package" of aid is provided which may be a combination of different aid programs. This package could consist of a combination of grant, work-study, and loan monies.
Ohlone College most often meets a student's need with a combination of grant and self-help aid. Self-help aid consists of Federal Work-Study or a Federal Stafford Loan.
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