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Glossary
Award Notification Letter: A letter notifying financial aid applicants of the types and amounts of aid offered, as well as the responsibilities and conditions of each award. The letter will include the method of payment and dates of payment.
BOG Fee Waiver: California residents who meet certain eligibility requirements may be eligible to have their entire enrollment fees waived by the Board of Governors (BOG fee waiver) Fee Waiver. All California residents should apply for this waiver. The BOG fee waiver is not based on academic performance.
Cal Grants: Cal Grants are state-funded cash grants given to California college students to help pay for college expenses. Cal Grants are the largest source of free money funded by California. The awards do not have to be paid back.
Cost of Attendance (COA): The total cost of college for the school year, also called student budget; includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, food, housing, and personal expenses.
Default Loan: Failure to make loan payments or otherwise honor a loan's terms; reported to credit bureaus and can influence future credit and ability to receive financial aid.
Dependent Student: A student under 24 years old as of January 1, who doesn't qualify as an independent student by federal guidelines is a dependent student. If you are considered dependent, you must report on the FAFSA your parents' income and assets as well as your own. Not living with your parents or not being claimed by them on their tax form does NOT determine your dependency status.
Eligible Noncitizen: An eligible noncitizen is one of the following: a U.S. permanent resident who has an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551 or I-151), a conditional permanent resident (I551C) or a noncitizen with a Departure record (I-94) from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services with one of the following designations: "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Indefinite Parole," "Humanitarian Parole," or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant." Other eligible noncitizens include U.S. nationals who are natives of American Samoa and Swain's Island. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further explanation and assistance.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC): This is a estimate of what a student and his or her family can afford to pay for the students' college education. A federally approved formula is used to calculate is used to calculate EFC.
Eligible Program: Students must be enrolled in an eligible program as defined by federal regulation to receive financial aid. Most programs are eligible, but a few certificate programs are not. Contact the Financial Aid Office for specifics.
Financial Aid Need: The difference between your expected family contribution (EFC) and the cost of attendance (COA) equals your need.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The FAFSA is the official financial aid application used to determine federal and state aid. There is no charge to have your FAFSA processed...it's free.
FAFSA on the Web: The electronic FAFSA on the Internet that allows you to complete and file the application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It's faster and easier.
Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program: Consists of the federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans, which provide low interest loans to qualified students who are enrolled at least half-time.
Federal Work-Study (FWS): This program provides employment opportunities to students who have financial need and want to pay a part of their educational expenses through work. Community service work opportunities are also available through the Federal Work-Study Program.
Grant: A grant is a form of financial aid that does not have to be paid back. It is the best type of aid you can receive. Apply as early as possible since some grant funds are limited.
Independent Student: A student who is 24 years old or older, or who is not 24 but is an orphan; a ward of the court; a veteran; married; or has legal dependents other than a spouse; or has unusual circumstances which must be explained to the Financial Aid Office.
Loan: A loan is a form of financial aid that must be re-paid with interest over a period of years.
Renewal FAFSA: This application simplifies the process of reapplying for financial aid. Some information from the previous application is preprinted on the Renewal FAFSA making the application process faster.
Residency: This is a determination of a student's status as a California Resident or an out-of-state student, or a foreign student. This determination is made by the Admissions Office and will affect which financial aid programs a student may be eligible to apply for.
Return of Title IV Funds: If a student receives federal student aid funds, including grants, and withdraws from all classes or does not successfully complete any of their classes; they could owe money back to the federal government. Contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from classes. See Repayment.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): To be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid at the college, a student must be progressing adequately toward completion of an approved education program. For further explanation, click SAP.
Scholarships: There are numerous local and national scholarship opportunities available in the form of free money. Contact the Scholarship Office.
Selective Service Registration: By law, certain students are required to register, or arrange to register, with the Selective Service in order to receive federal student aid. This includes males born on or after January 1, 1960, who are at least 18 years old, citizen or noncitizen, and not currently on active duty in the Armed Forces.
Student Aid Report (SAR): The report summarizing the information you provided on your FAFSA. The Financial Aid Office will receive this same information electronically and begin the process to determine your eligibility.
Verification: A federal process in which the college checks the accuracy of the information you submitted on the FAFSA. Documents may be requested, such as tax returns. Quick response to any request for documentation will help expedite the process.
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