Financial Aid Timelines
Below is information to better understand the Financial Aid process and the current challenges that are affecting timelines for students to receive funding:
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Priority Financial Aid applications open in December of this year. If you have successfully submitted your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) before June 30th and all required documentation, your processing should be completed in time for the initial fall disbursement, which occurs on the Friday just before the semester commences. However, if there are corrections to be made on your FAFSA or you have outstanding paperwork, your disbursement will experience delays.
On the other hand, if you submitted your application after July 1st, you are considered a "late applicant," and your review will not commence until after the semester has begun, with expected payments in September or November. In this case, please be prepared to cover book expenses using personal funds.
- If you applied after July 1st, you are a "late applicant" and will not be reviewed until after the semester begins with an expected payment in September or November. You should be prepared to purchase books with personal funds. In order to potentially receive priority consideration for the Cal Grant, the FAFSA/CADAA must be submitted by March 2nd of each year.
These timeframes are based on the assumption that there are no errors in the FAFSA/CADAA, no additional documentation is required, and that all essential documents have been submitted and processed promptly. Any errors or missing paperwork will result in an extension of these timelines.
Why these timelines in awarding funds?
The Financial Aid Office continues to see an increase in the volume of applicants each year. The Financial Aid Office processes students on a first come basis according to the application date or the date verification was satisfied if chosen for verification. Since all FA students have a financial need, the FA Office does not make exceptions for individual students.
Don't forget, to receive your aid in a timely manner:
- Fill out the FAFSA/CADAA before June 30th for the upcoming Fall semester.
- Ensure all required paperwork is submitted by June 30th for the Fall semester.
Why do I have to submit more documentation?
Of the applications received, approximately 30% are selected by the Department of Education to be verified. If your application is selected for verification, you will be required to provide additional information and documents to confirm information on your FAFSA application. Depending on the review of the information received, the FA Office may request additional information as needed to satisfy verification.
If the information on your FAFSA is not accurate and corrections are required, your financial aid will be delayed until corrections come in and information is correct. This takes approximately 2-3 weeks during peek times (beginning of the semester), 1-2 weeks a month after the semester.
Will I be dropped from my classes?
Students are responsible for monitoring their student accounts and ensuring that all enrollment and tuition fees are paid. While we currently do not drop students for non-payment, if you have an outstanding balance of $200 or more by the following deadlines, there is a risk of holds being placed on your account:
- Fall semester: October
- Spring semester: March
- Summer semester: July
Having holds on your account will hinder your ability to register for future semesters and will prevent you from receiving your printed diplomas and certificates.
If you have submitted a FAFSA and the college has electronically accepted your record, and you are eligible for a fee waiver, one will be issued to you. However, if your account still has outstanding fees and you believe you qualify for a fee waiver, it is crucial to contact the Financial Aid office before you face holds being placed on your account.
How do I check on the status of the fee waiver and financial aid?
Access your InsideCC portal for all college-related matters, including your campus email address. To check the status of your financial aid, which includes the California College Promise Grant (tuition fee waiver), follow these steps:
- Click on the financial aid link located in the top right-hand corner.
- Select "Award."
- From there, you can choose to view your awards by term, aid year, payment schedule, and award history.
If eligible, you'll find that a California College Promise Grant has been issued, and please note that this grant is exclusively for California residents. Once awarded, any additional funding awarded to your account will also be visible.
We recommend checking this information each semester to keep track of your record.
Please use MyBanWeb of InsideCC to monitor the status of your financial aid.
