The Los Medanos College Financial Aid Office, is committed to adhering to all Federal, State and Institutional policies and procedure in providing the administration of Title IV funding. In compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, P.L. 89-329, as amended and the Rehabilitation Act of 2005 (HERA) does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, mental or physical handicaps, age, or sex in any of its policies, practices or procedures.

The Financial Aid Office at LMC is committed to empowering our students by providing them with access and education of all state and federal funding, thus providing them with the tools to make educated decision in the pursuit of their educational goal(s).

Our primary objective is to provide adequate financial assistance to the maximum pool of eligible students through the coordination of all state and federal funding. The financial aid office at LMC strives to provide fast courteous customer service to all financial aid recipients and the LMC community. To ensure that we provide this service we will provide our students and community with individualized attention throughout the Financial Aid process.

Our staff is committed to funding students to the greatest possible extent within the framework all state and federal regulations and policies

What is Financial Aid

Student financial aid programs were created to assist students in paying for their college education. Funding for these programs comes from a variety of sources including the United State Department of Education, State of California and several other private sources. Federal, State and Private funds awarded to students can be used to pay for fees, books, supplies, room and board and transportation costs. Although Financial Aid is generally provided to assist with the costs of attending college it is not intended in any way to supplant a students income or the parents ability to pay for their students college cost.

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How to Apply for Financial Aid?

1. Students must complete a Free Application for federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning January 1.  Renewal students (students reapplying for financial aid) must also apply for aid beginning January 1 of each year. The Financial Aid Office at Los Medanos College encourages students to complete their FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students who do not possess a pin number may apply for a pin online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. **note: Renewal students who do not receive notification of their renewal by Jan 15 should complete a new FAFSA online.
   
   
2. LMC strongly encourages all students to complete a GPA (Grade Point Average) verification form. (Non California residents may delete this step). Although the priority deadline is March 2 we will continue to accept applications until June 30, depending on availability of funding.

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What are Federal Financial Aid Programs?

The Title IV program consists of Grants and loans. Federal Grants do not have to be repaid. The Federal Grant Programs consist of:

Federal Pell Grant: are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need (as determined by the financial aid office). Pell grants range from $400 – 4731 per academic year. Students may only receive Pell grant form one institution per term.

 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate student who receive Pell grant and demonstrate a high need. FSEOG range from $500 - $1000. Student must be enrolled full-time.

 

Federal work-Study (FWS): are awarded to students who demonstrate a high need. Federal work-study allows students to work and be paid earnings for other educational expenses. FWS also enable student to gain skills that will enhance their careers in the future.

 

Academic Achievement Grant (ACG): The Federal ACG grant is a need based program for first and second year students enrolled in a qualifying program of study and who:

1. Is a U.S. citizen
2. Is enrolled full-time
3. Is a Pell Grant recipient
4. Has completed a rigorous course of study in high school
5. Is under 20 yrs of age

First year students may receive a maximum award of $750. Second year student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to receive the maximum award of $1300.

 

Federal Stafford Loan Program:  Federal Stafford loans are aid you must repay; they are available to eligible students who experience exceptional financial need and hardship. There are two types of Stafford loans, Subsidized, for which the federal government pays the interest while you are in attendance at least half-time at an accredited institution and Unsubsidized loans are loans very similar to the subsidized loan with the exception that the student pays both principal and interest. Both loans during repayment are at a fixed rate of 6.8% for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006.

Federal Stafford Loan Limits:           Subsidized                  Unsubsidized

Freshman                                              $3500                 $4000 (Independent students)

Sophomore                                           $4500                 $4000 (Independent students)

Federal PLUS Loans are loans offered to parents of dependent students. Parents may borrow up to cost of attendance minus any other aid awarded to the student. Plus loans are assessed with an origination fee of 3.5% and are repaid with a fixed interest rate of 8.5%.

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What are the California Grant Programs?

Cal Grant awards are state funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses. The awards do not have to be paid back.

To find out more about the Cal Grant Programs, please click on the links below.

http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?ID=20

How awards are disbursed:

Initial disbursement is based on number of units you are enrolled at the time disbursements are run. Your first disbursement will be at 25 percent of the awarded amount and will be disbursed the first week of classes. The second disbursement 75 percent of the awarded amount four weeks later. Awards are based on attendance at the time check disbursement are run. A schedule of disbursements is available on Web Advisor under “Student Forms”. 

Please be sure that your correct address is on file with the Admissions and Records Office. Incorrect address will result in a delay of receiving your disbursement.

Students who are less than full-time will receive a prorated award. Most financial aid programs require that your award be reduced based on your enrollment status. Please review the enrollment status below:

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Financial Aid Appeals

All students are entitled to an appeals process. Students who are denied financial aid are, therefore, entitled to an explanation for the denial. The first step for a student, who is denied aid, is to make an appointment to attend an suspension workshop. This workshop will provide information on the Satisfactory Academic and appeals process.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Each student receiving financial aid in the District is expected to maintain satisfactory and measurable academic progress.

Satisfactory and measurable academic progress is defined within the District as successfully maintaining a semester and cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 (C or greater) and complete 67% (or more) units attempted each and every semester. Also, student can not exceed 150% of units as stated in the student educational objective.

In the event a financial aid recipient fail to maintain satisfactory and measurable academic progress (as defined above) in any one semester he/she will be placed on financial aid probation the following semester. Students on probation who fails to maintain satisfactory and measurable academic progress (as defined above); will be suspended from financial aid the following semester.

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Student Rights and Responsiblities

• As a student at LMC you have the right:
• Know what financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.
• Know the cost of attending LMC, its refund policies and academic requirements.
• Know the deadlines for submitting application for all financial aid programs.
• Know the criteria used by the Financial Aid Office to award financial aid funds and how your financial need is determined.
• Know the Financial Aid policies on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and implications of not making SAP.
• To request a re-evaluation of your income based on