Student at Campus

How to Apply for Financial Aid?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early each year. Los Angeles Valley College's Federal School Code is 001228.

What happens after I apply?

After you submit your FAFSA, online you can expect the following:

  • You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) and the college will receive your record electronically.
  • Upon the college's receipt of your FAFSA information, you may be selected for verification and required to submit additional documents.

During your application process, you will be introduced to the following terms:

  • Cost of Attendance (COA)
  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • Financial Need.

Cost of Attendance (COA) includes the estimated cost of college fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and personal/miscellaneous expenses.

The EFC is the amount you (and if applicable your family) can contribute toward the cost of attendance. The federal processor calculates the EFC using the information you reported on your FAFSA. Sometimes corrections are required and may result in a change of the EFC.

Financial Need is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution from the cost of attendance. Need is the maximum amount of need-based aid you can receive in a given academic year.

If you filed a FAFSA and are eligible for financial aid, you will receive an Offer Letter. This letter will detail what types of aid you could receive once enrolled for classes. The way financial aid award amounts are determined is summarized below.

Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

COA - EFC = FN

Disbursement Process

You may view your award status and disbursement schedule on the Los Angeles Community College District Student Information System (SIS). Financial Aid awards listed on your Offer Letter are based on the assumption that students will enroll full-time. Students do not have to enroll full-time to receive financial aid. The disbursement amount will reflect your approved active units at the time of disbursement.

Office Hours

Mondays to Thursdays: 8:00AM - 7:00PM
Fridays: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Saturdays to Sundays: Closed

Contact

Contact us via Cranium Cafe during office hours for help & online services.