1. What is Financial Aid?
2. What is the application procedure?
3. When and how often should I apply?
4. What is LAVC's Federal Title IV school code?
5. Why does the FAFSA ask for last year's income and not the current year?
6. How should I fill out the FAFSA if I have not yet filed a tax return?
7. I don't live with my parents and they don't give me any money for school. Why do I have to include their income on the FAFSA?
8. What if the information I am required to provide on my FAFSA does not reflect my family's present situation?
9. How do I fill out the FAFSA if I am separated but filed a joint tax return?
10. My parents are separated. I live with my mother. My parents filed a joint tax return and claimed me as an exemption. Do I report both their incomes?
11. If my parents are divorced, whose information do I need to report on the FAFSA?
12. What should I do if the parent with whom I live with remarried?
13. If I had a BOGFW last semester will I have it again for this semester?
14. How do I maintain financial aid eligibility?
15. What happens if I have to drop all of my classes after I've received financial aid?
16. Why does it sometimes take so long to process a financial aid application?
17. What can I do to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of my financial aid application?
18. When will I find out if I am eligible for financial aid?
19. How and when can I receive my funds?
20. Why isn't my check ready?
21. I am now a U.S. Citizen but have an Alien Registration Number (ARN). Which box do I check?
22. I'm going to get married next month. How do I answer the question that asks if I am married?
23. What if I live with a girlfriend or boyfriend who pays the rent?
24. am enrolled at two colleges. Can I receive financial aid from two different schools at the same time?
25. I plan to go to Los Angeles Valley College in the Fall and transfer to a different college in the Spring. Will my financial aid transfer with me?
26. I'm still enrolled in high school, but I'm taking classes at LAVC. Can I receive financial aid?
27. I'm a foreign student with a student visa, am I eligible for financial aid at LAVC?
28. What is the minimum number of units I have to enroll in to be eligible to receive financial aid?
29. Why does the LAVC Financial Aid Office limit the scope of information it provides over the telephone?

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1.  What is financial aid?

Financial aid is funding made available by federal and state governments and private sources in the form of grants, scholarships, employment and loans. The basis for such assistance is the belief that students and their families have the responsibility to assist in meeting educational costs. Financial aid is available only to fill the gap between a family contribution and the student's yearly expenses.

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2.  What is the application procedure?

Before you apply online, be sure to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by accessing www.pin.ed.gov for yourself; this will allow you to electronically (e-sign) your FAFSA. Parents of dependent students may also apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Then go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to download the Pre-Application Worksheet. This worksheet will give you an idea of what type of information you will need to provide to complete FAFSA. Once you have completed the worksheet, go online at www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply.

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3. When and how often should I apply?

You need to apply for financial aid every academic year. Apply on or after January 1 for the upcoming academic year with the FAFSA.

Students who wish to be considered as first priority applicants at LAVC must have their valid FAFSA processed by March 2 and submit all requested documents to the LAVC Financial Aid Office by May 1.

California residents are highly encouraged to file their FAFSA and the Cal Grant Grade Point Average Verification by March 2 so they may be considered for Cal Grant funding.

California Resident Community College students have a second opportunity to apply for Cal Grants by September 2nd, but the awards are limited, so we encourage you to file by March 2. If you miss the Cal Grant deadlines, you can still apply for other types of financial aid throughout the year.

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4. What is LAVC's Federal Title IV school code?

001228. You may access http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw0506/fslookup.htm to find out other school codes.

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5. Why does the FAFSA ask for last year's income and not the current year?

Verifiable income information from the base year is more reliable and accurate than "projected income."

If you are applying early (as recommended), we suggest that you also complete your tax return as early as possible. If you are not able to complete your tax return early, you should estimate the prior year's income, taxes paid, and current assets (using your W-2s or last paycheck stub and business/investment records) as accurately as possible in order to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. Once the tax return has been filed, you must make corrections to your FAFSA.

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6. How should I fill out the FAFSA if I have not yet filed a tax return?

Ideally, you should complete a FAFSA after you have filed your (and your family's, if applicable) tax return. If your tax returns are not done early, estimate as accurately as possible the prior year's income and taxes paid using W-2s, paycheck stub, untaxed income statements, etc. You must correct your FAFSA once tax returns have been filed. Failure to make corrections to your FAFSA will cause delays in the processing of your file.

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7. I don't live with my parents and they don't give me any money for school. Why do I have to include their income on the FAFSA?

For financial aid purposes, the U.S. Department of Education classifies all aid applicants in two categories: Dependent or Independent. Dependent students must provide parents' income information on their FAFSA. Dependency status is determined by the FAFSA. Whether or not you live with your parents, whether or not they claimed you on their tax return, or whether or not they give you any money are NOT factors in determining dependency status. These are not reasons to have your dependency status overridden. If you are truly unable to obtain your parents' information or have unusual circumstances, you may wish to speak to a Financial Aid Technician to discuss your specific situation.

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8. What if the information I am required to provide on my FAFSA does not reflect my family's present situation?

The first step is always to complete the FAFSA accurately, providing the information asked for on the form and to submit it. The information on the FAFSA is a "snapshot" in time and is used to measure your household's ability to pay for your education. If you or your family have recently experienced unusual, unexpected circumstances that may affect your ability to pay for your education, contact the Financial Aid Office.

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9. How do I fill out the FAFSA if I am separated but filed a joint tax return?

If you are separated at the time you are filing your FAFSA, you should only provide your portion of the exemptions, income, taxes paid, assets, etc.

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10. My parents are separated. I live with my mother. My parents filed a joint tax return and claimed me as an

exemption. Do I report both their incomes?

Report only the income and assets of the parent whom you lived with the most during the past 12 months. Use a W-2 form or other record(s) that indicate the parent's share of the reported income and taxes paid on the tax return or other documents that provide the parent's share of the resources.

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11. If my parents are divorced, whose information do I need to report on the FAFSA?

Report the income and assets of the parent whom you have lived with the most during the past year. It does not make a difference which parent claims you as a dependent for tax purposes. If you did not live with either parent or lived equally with each parent, the parental information must be provided for the parent whom you received the most financial support or the parent from whom you received the most support the last time support was given.

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12. Why should I do if the parent with whom I live remarried?

If you are a dependent student and your parent remarried, the stepparent's information must be included or you will not be considered for federal student aid.

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13. If I had a Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW) last semester will I have it again for this semester?

BOGFW applications must be renewed every academic year starting with the Summer term. The waiver covers Summer (if enrolled), Fall, Winter, and Spring. June 30th of the Award Year is the deadline to apply.

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14. How do I maintain financial aid eligibility?

You must reapply for financial aid each year and supply all requested documents. For best results, apply early. In addition, you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. For more information, refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress section on our web site or you may stop by the financial aid office to pick up a copy of the policy.

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15. What happens if I have to drop all of my classes after I've received financial aid?

If you withdraw or are excluded from all of your classes before the 60% point of the semester, you will most likely have to repay a portion of your "unearned" financial aid back to the U.S. Department of Education, excluding any Federal Work-Study earnings and the Board of Governors Fee Waiver.

You will be notified by our office of the amount you must repay. Failure to repay will prevent you from receiving financial aid at all institutions within the United States.

In addition, to repayment, you may not meet the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

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16. Why does it sometimes take so long to process a financial aid application?

The Los Angeles Valley College Financial Aid Office is committed to processing financial aid files as quickly as possible. However, sometimes the following situations occur:

· Applications with conflicting or inaccurate information cause delays and may require corrections;

· Additional documents may be required after the corrected application is received from the processor;

· Documents may not have been submitted; and

· Late submission of applications causes delay.

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17. What can I do to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of my financial aid application?

Complete the FAFSA early and accurately to avoid future corrections. Respond promptly to all document requests.

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18. When will I find out if I am eligible for financial aid?

Usually, if you meet the LAVC first priority deadline, you will know by the beginning of the Fall semester. Files are reviewed "on the spot" so we encourage students to submit their required documents in-person. A photo ID is required for all in-person services.

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19. How and when can I receive my funds?

Funds will be sent to the address on file in the Admissions Office or visit the Business Office to sign up for the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).

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20. Why isn't my check ready?

We recommend you stop by the Financial Aid Office to speak to a staff person.

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21. I am now a U.S. Citizen but have an Alien Registration Number (ARN). Which box do I check?

Check the U.S. Citizen box; do not check both, as this would cause a problem with your FAFSA. If you have attained U.S. Citizenship status, do not give an ARN.

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22. I'm going to get married next month. How do I answer the question that asks if I am married?

Answer the appropriate response of your marital status as of the day you sign the FAFSA. Answer "Yes" if you are married on the day you sign the FAFSA, otherwise answer "No".

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23. What if I live with a girlfriend or boyfriend who pays the rent?

You should not report any information for a friend or roommate unless the two of you are actually married. You must report any cash support given by a friend as untaxed income but should not report in-kind support (such as food).

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24. I am enrolled at two colleges. Can I receive financial aid from two different schools at the same time?

You may apply for financial aid at any number of schools, but you cannot receive aid from more than one school during the same term. You must decide which school you will receive aid from.

An "automatic" Consortium Agreement exists among the nine campuses of the Los Angeles Community College District (including ITV), and, if eligible for aid, students will be paid for Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, and Cal Grants only based on all units taken within District, as long as you maintain at least one (1) unit enrollment at the home campus. For all other programs, students must be enrolled in a minimum of six units at the campus where they are receiving their financial aid. Los Angeles Valley College does not participate in Consortium Agreements outside of our district.

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25. I plan to go to Los Angeles Valley College in the Fall and transfer to a different college in the Spring. Will my

financial aid transfer with me?

Financial aid doesn't automatically transfer from one college to another. Each institution may participate in different aid programs and sets different packaging policies. It is the responsibility of each college to determine a student's eligibility for the various aid programs the college participates in. It is the responsibility of the student to apply for financial aid at the other college and to comply with all requirements.

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26. I'm still enrolled in high school, but I'm taking classes at LAVC. Can I receive financial aid?

No. Students who are still in high school are not eligible for federal or state financial aid even if they are taking classes at LAVC, whether for high school or college credit. Financial aid is only for post-secondary students, which means you must have already earned a high school diploma, GED, or "demonstrate an ability to benefit" -- satisfy another acceptable high school equivalency.

Students who are California residents and are otherwise eligible may have their enrollment fees waived by the state fee waiver (BOGFW), but this is generally unnecessary as courses taken for high school credit are not charged enrollment fees. Check your status with the Admissions & Records Office.

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27. I'm a foreign student on a student visa, am I eligible for financial aid at LAVC?

No. A foreign national who is in the United States for a temporary purpose (such as studying, tourism, temporary employment, etc.) is not eligible for federal or state government financial aid such as a Pell Grant, Cal Grant, BOGFW, or Direct Loan.

Undocumented immigrants are also ineligible for federal and state financial aid, even if they are exempt from paying non-resident tuition fees under California law (AB 540).

However, a foreign student may be able to compete for private student aid (i.e. a scholarship) if he/she meets the criteria of the scholarship, and the scholarship doesn't specify that an applicant needs to be U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. (Some do specify this.)

In addition, a foreign student should investigate whether his own national or local government, home college or university, or some other non-profit organization from his country offers aid to study abroad.

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28. What is the minimum number of units I have to enroll in to be eligible to receive financial aid?

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of one (1) unit at the home campus to receive a Federal Pell Grant or Board of Governors Fee Waiver. For all other programs a minimum of six (6) units is required.

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29. Why does the LAVC Financial Aid Office limit the scope of information it provides over the telephone?

The Financial Aid Office staff is available to answer general financial aid questions over the telephone; however, it does not release some specific student information over the phone in order to protect the student's right to privacy. The "Family Education Rights and Privacy Act" (FERPA) of 1974 (Buckley Amendments) permits access to student's records only if we can be reasonably sure that the requestor is the student. Therefore you will be asked to provide certain identifying information if calling on the phone. This, however, does not guarantee that all requested information will be released, as it depends on the content and complexity of the inquiry. Some issues are best handled in person and, if this is the case, the caller will be informed of that by the staff member. For all in-person services a photo ID, such as a driver's license, is required.