What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is money made available to students in the form of grants, jobs, and loans to assist with educational costs.
top
Who should apply?
If you feel you need help to pay for tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, or living expenses while you attend college you should apply.
top
What is the application procedure?
Obtain and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The applications are available in the Financial Aid Office, the Student Assistance Center, and other student services areas. You may also apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
top
When should I apply?
Apply on or after January 1st for the upcoming academic year using the FAFSA , and if you wish to apply for Cal Grants, the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. The Cal Grant priority filing deadline is usually March 2nd. Community college students have a second Cal Grant filing deadline, September 2nd, but the awards are limited, so we encourage you to file by March 2nd. If you miss the Cal Grant deadlines, you can still apply for other types of financial aid throughout the year.
top
I filed a FAFSA last year, so why do I have to do it again?
Applications are academic year specific. This allows for collection of the most current data, which reflects your aid eligibility on an academic year basis.
top
What is ELAC�s Federal Title IV school code?
ELAC�s school code is 001222. You may access www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/Students/ to find out other school codes.
top
What is a SAR?
A SAR is a Student Aid Report, which serves as your acknowledgement from the central processor that your FAFSA application was received. Please take time to review this information thoroughly.
top
How can I obtain a duplicate SAR?
Call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
top
What does Expected Family Contribution (EFC) mean?
This is the amount you (and your family) are expected to contribute toward your educational expenses.
top
What is the Cost of Attendance (COA)?
Cost of Attendance is the general cost of attending a particular college. Expenses usually include tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, room and board, and miscellaneous costs. The sum total is the student�s budget or cost of attendance (COA).
top
What is Financial Need?
Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA) and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
top
What type of financial aid is available at ELAC?
East Los Angeles College participates in the following financial aid programs:
|
Federal Programs:
|
State Programs: |
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Stafford Loan
Federal Work Study
|
Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW)
Cal Grant B
Cal Grant C
Child Development Grant
Chaffee Grant |
*To qualify for a fee waiver you must be a CA resident and be enrolled in at least 1 unit. To apply, complete the FAFSA and include ELAC�s school code: 001222.
Applicants who meet the fee waiver eligibility criteria will automatically be processed for a fee waiver.
Late applicants may also obtain a Board of Governors Fee Waiver application from the Financial Aid Office (it�s also available in the Schedule of Classes). Complete the application and submit it to the Financial Aid Office for review. The Financial Aid Office staff will evaluate your eligibility and process a fee waiver on the spot.
top
If I had a BOGFW last semester will I have it again this semester?
Fee Waiver applications must be renewed every academic year starting with the summer term. The waiver covers Summer (if enrolled), Fall, Winter, and Spring.
top
Why does it sometimes take so long to process a financial aid application?
The East Los Angeles College Financial Aid Office is committed to processing financial aid applications as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the following situations often prevent the Office from processing an application in a timely manner.
- Applications with conflicting or inaccurate information may require a correction which can mean several days of delay;
- Additional documents may be required after the corrected application is received from the processor;
- Documents may not have been submitted that are needed for file review to occur, and
- Late submission of applications also causes delays.
top
What can I do to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of my financial aid application?
Be sure to complete the FAFSA early and accurately to avoid future corrections , and respond promptly to all documents requested.
top
When will I find out if I am eligible for Financial Aid?
Notification varies, but usually if you meet the ELAC first priority deadline, April 30th, you will know by the beginning of the fall semester. If you miss the April 30th deadline, files are reviewed in the date order received.
top
How and when can I receive my funds?
You funds will be mailed to your home or you may also sign up for Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) if you have a savings or checking account.
top
Why isn�t my check ready?
A few reasons include filing late applications, incomplete files and satisfactory academic progress problems. It is recommended that students come to the ELAC Financial Aid Office to ascertain the specific problem.
top
How do I maintain financial eligibility?
You must reapply for financial aid each year and supply all required 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 website, or you may stop by the Financial Aid Office to pick up a copy of the policy statement.
top
Do grades matter?
Yes. All financial aid students are monitored for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of each academic year. Students will be disqualified if they have one or more of the following deficiencies at the end of the spring semester:
- Total units attempted (excluding ESL and Basic Skill/Remedial classes) are equal to or greater than ninety (90);
- Cumulative GPA is less than 2.0;
- Cumulative Non-Grades are more than 25% (Non-Grades are Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), No Credit (NCR), In Progress (IP), and/or Report Delayed (RD))
- Completion of an A.A/A.S. Degree.
All students will receive copies of the ELAC SAP policy with her Financial Aid Award Letters. Additional copies are available in the Financial Aid Office.
top
Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?
No. Students may receive financial aid if they are enrolled less than full-time and in some instances even less than half-time.
If I receive aid here, will I be able to receive aid when I transfer to another college?
Provided you maintain financial aid eligibility you may receive aid both at our college and upon transferring to another college. Cal Grant Programs do have a limited timeframe for funding, based upon your initial entrance into the program and the number of years of eligibility assigned and loans have cumulative limits. For more information about the Cal Grant Programs and loan eligibility please come to our offices. Under no circumstance may a student receive financial aid at more than one school at a time.
top
Does Financial Aid pay for audit or community services classes?
No. If you decide for whatever reason to audit or take a community services class, you are not eligible to receive a Board of Governors Fee Waiver or any other Financial Aid for this(these) course(s). You are solely responsible for the payment of this class or classes. No exceptions to this policy can be made.
top
What are the hours of operation for the Financial Aid Office?
|
Monday- Thursday
|
8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday |
8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. |
| |
|
| *hours may vary by semester |
top
What is the address and phone number of ELAC�s Financial Aid Office?
East Los Angeles College
Financial Aid Office
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Ph: (323) 265- 8738
*Please note that only limited information may be provided by telephone.
top
|