SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For information, visit the Financial Aid office in Plover Hall on the Santa Rosa Campus or room 116 Jacobs Hall on the Petaluma Campus.

www.santarosa.edu/finaid or call (707) 527-4471

SRJC Financial Aid Office

To find out more about the SRJC Financial Aid Programs or to speak with a member of our staff, look us up online or come by our offices on the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses.

Santa Rosa Campus Bernard C. Plover Hall

Phone: (707) 527-4471 financialaid.santarosa.edu

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Petaluma Campus Jacobs Hall Room 116

Phone: (707) 778-2461

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Both offices closed on Friday during June and July

The Sonoma County Junior College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic condition, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices; nor does the District discriminate against any employees or applicants for employment on the basis of their age. This non-discrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in District programs and activities--including but not limited to academic admissions, financial aid, educational services and athletics--and application for District employment.

State AidSome undocumented students may qualify for state aid in California. For more information contact our office or visit financialaid.santarosa.edu/dream-act

Get BOG Fee Waiver!The Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOG) waives per-unit enrollment fees at California community colleges and all but $30 of parking fees per term.

Cal GrantsStudents must apply by the stated deadlines and meet academic and financial guidelines.

Cal Grant A Cal Grant A pays tuition at public four-year post secondary schools in California. These awards are limited. *Note: Cal Grant A cannot be used at SRJC. If you are awarded a Cal Grant A and attend community college, your grant can be held in reserve for two years until you transfer to a four-year school. If students have circumstances beyond their control that cause them to take a third year to transfer, they will need to request an extension.

Cal Grant B This grant gives disadvantaged students $1648 per academic year to help pay for living expenses for college. If a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student has a Cal Grant B award and is at a four-year school, it also pays tuition. Like the Cal Grant A, it can be held in reserve to be used later at a four-year school.

Cal Grant C Pays $547 at SRJC per academic year toward books and supplies for students in enrolled at least half-time in certain short-term vocational programs.

Federal AidPell Grant

These grants are Gift aid or free money to help pay for tuition and other college expenses for low income students. Award amounts vary, up to $5775 per year based on enrollment and Estimated Family Contribution.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity GrantGrants offer up to an additional $750 per year to help pay college expenses for the most needy students. Limited funds are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

Federal Work StudyThis program offers part-time employment on campus. Work flexible hours and gain valuable experience.

Direct Subsidized LoanDon’t ever borrow more than you need. Loans must be repaid. No interest builds until six months after you graduate or drop below 6 units. Maximum = $3500 for first-year students; $4500 for second-year students. Subsidized eligibility for new borrowers is limited to 150% of your program/goal length. If you do not complete your goal within this time, you will lose your interest subsidy and your loan balance will increase.

Direct Unsubsidized LoanThis is money that must be repaid, it’s not need based aid. Despite high EFCs, students may borrow up to $3500 in their first year and up to $4500 in their second year. Independent students may borrow up to an additional $6000 per year. Dependent students may borrow up to an additional $2000 per year. Interest accrues while in school. It is a good idea to pay interest while in school, but you are not required to do so. The interest rate is determined each year on July 1st and is fixed for the life of the loan. Interest rates cannot exceed 8.25%. The interest rate for the 14/15 year was 4.66%.

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Step One – ApplyFill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a single application for all federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and Federal Work Study. You should fill out the FAFSA even if you think you won’t qualify for aid. You may need to request a student loan. You must also fill out a FAFSA to be considered for state aid, such as Cal Grant. To apply for Cal Grant you must also have your GPA verified. Some students qualify to have their GPA certified electronically and automatically. Contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if you need to complete a paper GPA verification form.

You can apply online at fafsa.gov. Both English and Spanish FAFSAs are available online. If you apply before March 2, you will meet the state deadline to be

For information, visit the Financial Aid Office in Plover Hall on the Santa Rosa Campus or room 116 Jacobs Hall on the Petaluma Campus.

www.santarosa.edu/finaid or call (707) 527-4471

Carefully read this brochure and keep it with your important school records.

considered for a Cal Grant. March 2 is the priority deadline for financial aid at SRJC. You can still apply after the priority deadline, however, it is important to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible. This will help you resolve any issues, budget and plan for the semester, and receive aid when you need it.

Step Two – Sign ItRemember to sign your FAFSA! Create a FSA ID to sign your FAFSA. The FSA ID is a username and password combination that serves as a student’s or parent’s digital signature. If you have applied for financial aid in the past, you probably have a PIN. If you have a PIN, you can link your information to your new FSA ID by entering your PIN while registering for your FSA ID. You can create a FSA ID online at fsaid.ed.gov. Unsigned applications are

considered incomplete and no aid can be awarded.

Note: If you are considered a dependent student and must have parent information to complete the FAFSA, your parents must also sign. After a signed application is submitted, the Department of Education uses a complex formula to determine your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is not what you pay, but it will determine what aid you are eligible to receive.

Step Three – Review Your ApplicationNext you get a copy of all the information you supplied on the FAFSA called a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review all the information and make any necessary changes. If you aren’t sure if you need to make changes or how to read the SAR, ask the Financial Aid Office for help. Our office processes financial aid in batches so that more students are paid promptly, however it may be up to 4 weeks before your application is in our system.

Step Four – Turn in Supplemental DocumentsContact the Financial Aid Office to see if your file is in our system. If our office has not imported your FAFSA yet, follow up in a few weeks. Once our office has received your FAFSA, ask if anything is needed to complete your financial aid file. Many students will not need to take any further action.

One third of students are selected for verification to make sure that the information on their FAFSA is correct. If you are selected for verification, you must submit a verification worksheet listing: household members, household members going to college, details regarding child support paid and if anyone has received SNAP benefits for the last two years. You must also verify tax information using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA or an IRS Tax Return Transcript. If you don’t understand what documentation is required or what action you need to take, please contact us. You can’t receive aid if you don’t turn in the requested documents.

After all paperwork is submitted a technician will determine if it is necessary to correct the information listed on your FAFSA. If corrections are necessary, you will receive a new Student Aid Report.

When the college has an accurate application on file and has received all documentation necessary, an Award Package is created. Once the Financial Aid Office has determined your Award Package, we will send you an Award Letter. The letter will tell you about financial aid based on your preferences listed on the FAFSA and on your eligibility. Please come to our office or contact us if you have questions about your award letter.

Note: If you have requested a student loan, you will receive a loan packet that includes instructions on what to do next and a revised award letter.

Step Five – Receiving the MoneyOnce you have received an Award Letter, enrolled in classes, and continued to make satisfactory academic progress, you are ready to receive most financial aid. Remember, loans are evaluated separately.

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