Fees & Financial Aid > Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid Programs

 

 

• Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program (BOGFW)
• Cal Grant Programs
• Chafee Grant
• Child Development Teacher Grant
• Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Scholarship

 

 

• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant (BIA)
• Federal Work-Study (FWS)
• William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loans

 

 

• Campus Scholarships
• Other Scholarship sources

Please note: Students cannot receive financial aid for enrollment in audited or community services classes. If you decide for whatever reason to audit or enroll in a community services class or classes, you are not eligible for a BOGFW or any other financial aid for this course(s). You are solely responsible for the payment of this class or classes. No exceptions to this policy can be made.

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The Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program (BOGFW) is offered by the California Community Colleges. Under this program enrollment fees are waived for students who qualify. Applicants do not have to be enrolled in a specific number of units or courses to receive the waiver. You are eligible to apply for a waiver if you are a California resident, enrolled in at least 1 unit, and meet other eligibility criteria. By completing the FAFSA you will automatically be considered for this program.

If you have already registered and paid your fees, you can still apply for a BOGFW provided the academic year has not ended (June 30th of the award year). If you are eligible for the BOGFW, you can then request a refund of your enrollment fees for the current academic year at the Los Angeles Valley College Business Office.

 

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There are six Cal Grant programs: Cal Grant A Entitlement and Competitive awards, Cal Grant B Entitlement and Competitive awards, CA Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant and Cal Grant C.

Students are encouraged to apply for all six of the Cal Grant Programs while in attendance at Los Angeles Valley College. To apply for a Cal Grant, file your FAFSA and GPA Verification* no later than March 2 for maximum consideration. A second Cal Grant deadline of September 2 has also been added for competitive awards, but funding is limited. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) units to receive a Cal Grant and at least one (1) unit at the home campus to receive Cal Grant funding if a consortium agreement exists. LAVC only participates in consortium agreements within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD).

 

*LAVC will automatically transmit your GPA Verification to the CSAC by the deadline for those who meet specific criteria. It is advisable for students to contact the Financial Aid Office to see if they meet the criteria to have their GPA electronically transmitted and for other possible options.

Cal Grant A assists with tuition and fees at qualifying CA public or independent four-year colleges. If you receive a Cal Grant A but choose to attend a community college first, you can reserve your award for up to two years until you transfer. To reserve an award for a third year, a written request must be submitted directly to CSAC. No payment will be issued while in attendance at a community college because a community college is not a tuition-charging institution.

Cal Grant A Entitlement awards are guaranteed for every graduating high school senior who has at least a 3.0 GPA, meets the eligibility requirements, and applies by March 2 of his/her senior year or within one year of graduating high school.

Cal Grant A Competitive awards are for other eligible students who have at least a 3.0 GPA and apply on time. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration many factors.

Cal Grant B provides a living allowance and tuition and fees for low-income and disadvantaged students at qualifying California four-year tuition-charging public or independent colleges. Awards for the first year are usually limited to assist with living expenses. When renewed, or applied for beyond the freshman year, Cal Grant B awards also help with tuition and fees, provided you are attending an eligible CA public or independent four-year tuition-charging institution. Los Angeles Valley College is not a tuition-charging institution therefore the grant awarded is only for living expenses.

Cal Grant B Entitlement awards are guaranteed for every graduating high school senior who has at least a 2.0 GPA, meets the eligibility requirements, and applies by March 2 of his/her senior year or within one year of graduating high school.

Cal Grant B Competitive awards are for other eligible students who have at least a 2.0 GPA and apply on time. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration many factors.

California Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant. If you graduated from high school after June 30, 2000, and attend a community college, you are guaranteed to receive a Cal Grant A or B award to attend a qualifying four-year CA college. You must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA, meet the admission requirements for the four-year college, meet the Cal Grant eligibility and financial requirements and apply by March 2 of the award year. Beginning January 2007, eligible students transferring from a California Community College to a four-year eligible institution in California may be eligible for a Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement award if they are under age 28 by December 31 of the award year and graduated from high school July 1, 2000 or after. Students who receive a Cal Grant within one year of graduating from high school are not eligible.

Cal Grant C awards assist students in occupational or career training programs. The award provides assistance for books, tools and equipment.

For more information about the Cal Grant Programs visit the CA Student Aid Commission (CSAC) web site at www.csac.ca.gov.

 

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Financial assistance is provided to foster youth and former foster youth to use for college or vocational training and expenses subject to the availability of funds. Students must be enrolled at least half-time, six (6) units and have financial need. First time applicants are eligible until their 22nd birthday as of July 1st of the award year. Renewals are eligible until their 23rd birthday. For more information go online to www.chafee.csac.ca.gov.

 

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This grant assists college students who plan to teach or supervise at a licensed children's center. For more information about this program contact the California Student Aid Commission at www.csac.ca.gov. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) units at LAVC; units from other colleges may not be combined.

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This grant program provides educational benefits to the dependents of California Police and other law enforcement officers (Chief of Police, Police Officers, Sheriffs, Marshalls, Deputy Marshalls, etc.) who have been killed or totally disabled in the line of duty.

For more information contact the California Student Aid Commission at www.csac.ca.gov.

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Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a federal grant awarded to first or second year undergraduate students who have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study, are U.S. Citizens, will be enrolled full-time (12 units) and eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Beginning with the 2009-2010 award year, eligibility requirements have been expanded to include students who are eligible non-citizens and the minimum enrollment requirement has been changed to half-time, six (6) units.

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Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. In some cases students may receive a Federal Pell Grant for attending a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program. To apply for a Federal Pell Grant complete the FAFSA. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of one (1) unit at the home campus to receive  Federal Pell Grant funding if a consortium agreement exists. LAVC only participates in consortium agreements within the LACCD.

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FSEOG is an undergraduate federal financial aid program designed to supplement other sources of financial aid for students with exceptional need. Funds do not have to be repaid. When a student applies for financial aid he/she will automatically be considered for this program provided funding is available. Priority will be given to students who are enrolled in a  minimum of six (6) units at LAVC.

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BIA grants provide money to help defray the cost of education for students of American Indian Heritage. For more information call (916) 978-6000 or write to: Bureau's Office of Indian Education, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825.

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The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides part-time job opportunities on and off-campus for students with financial need who are enrolled in at least a half-time basis, six (6) units. When students apply for financial aid, they will automatically be considered for FWS provided part-time work was indicated on the FAFSA and funding is available. Priority will be given to students who are enrolled in a minimum of six (6) units at LAVC.

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Borrower Beware: When you apply for a loan, you are agreeing to repay all the funds you borrowed plus interest and fees. Unlike grants and scholarships, loans must be repaid. Borrow only as much as is absolutely necessary. The more you borrow, the more you will have to pay back. Think about your career choice and make sure it will support your monthly loan payments in addition to your living expenses. If you have defaulted on a student loan, you are ineligible for financial aid with the exception of the Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program. Contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss possible options for resolving your student loan default. All financial aid loan programs require a minimum unit enrollment of six units at Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC).

Students who request a loan are required to attend Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling Sessions. These sessions inform the borrower about his/her rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. Students must have received an Award Notification Letter or No Need Letter prior to signing up to attend an Entrance Loan Counseling Session.

 

Federal Perkins Loan

Federal Perkins Loan is a 5% fixed interest rate loan to help students with exceptional need to meet their educational expenses. Loan amounts will be determined annualy based on funding availability. Priority will be given to students who are enrolled in a minimum of six (6) units at LAVC.

 

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) are loans borrowed from the federal government which serves as the lender and must be repaid.

 

Subsidized Direct Loan: interest does not accrue on a subsidized loan while students are enrolled in school in at least a half-time basis, six (6) units during the six-month grace period after they leave school, and during deferment periods.

Unsubsidized Direct Loan: interest begins accruing on an unsubsidized loan as of the date of disbursement by the lender. Students must pay the interest or allow it to be capitalized (added to the principal or original loan amount) while they are enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis, six (6) units during the grace period, or during deferment periods.

 

The current (2009-2010) interest rate charged on a Direct Subsidized Loan is a fixed 5.60%; the interest rate for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan is 6.8%. These rates are applicable to loans disbursed on or after July 1st, 2009 and are determined on an annual basis. Visit www.dlservicer.ed.gov to obtain the current interest rate, repayment, deferment, cancellation, and consolidation information.

 

Please note: Should a student experience unforeseen circumstances with any of the loan programs discussed above which prevent repayment at the minimum level, please contact the Financial Aid Office or the Loan Serving Center immediately. We do not want you to default on your student loan(s) because there are serious consequences which will negatively affect your future. There may be other options available, so please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

 

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Los Angeles Valley College Programs

Campus Scholarships

Institutional scholarships are available for Los Angeles Valley College students. Both internal and outside scholarship donors/agencies consider multiple criteria when awarding scholarships. Some scholarships are merit based while others are based on financial need. Click on the Patrons Scholarship link for LAVC scholarship information. Students must report all scholarships to the Financial Aid Office. In most instances, students may receive both financial aid and scholarships and are encouraged to apply for both.

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Other Scholarship sources

Throughout the year, the college receives announcements about scholarship opportunities. The Financial Aid Office maintains a list of current and previously offered scholarships from on and off-campus sources. Scholarships are student aid awards that are often funded by private (non-governmental) sources such as corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, foundations, religious entities, colleges or individuals. Some scholarships require applicants to complete the FAFSA while others do not. Be sure to thoroughly follow the specific scholarship application instructions. Visit www.fastweb.com, www.wiredscholar.com and www.fastaid.com for scholarship information. Students must report all scholarship awards to the Financial Aid Office. In most instances, students may receive both financial aid and scholarships and are encouraged to apply for both.