For more information on SAP click here

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

Our primary objective is to provide adequate financial assistance to the maximum pool of eligible students through the coordination of both state and federal funding. The Office of Financial Aid at LMC strives to provide fast courteous customer service to all financial aid recipients and the LMC community throughout the Financial Aid process.

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 States Department of Education, the 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/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 do I 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 Office of Financial Aid at Los Medanos College encourages students to complete their FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. You will need to enter a school code. The school code for Los Medanos College is: 010340. Students who do not possess a pin number may apply for a pin online at www.fafsa.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.

What types of Financial Aid are available to LMC students?
The Title IV program consists of grants and loans. Federal grants do not have to be repaid.

Federal Pell Grants:
The Pell Grant program is an entitlement award and the largest federal grant program available for college students. Awards are based upon students need as determined by the Department of Education. Students may receive up to $5550 per academic year. Students may only receive a Pell grant from one institution per term.

Summer Pell

Students who attend the Summer 2010 semester at Los Medanos College (LMC) may qualify for assistance to help pay for educational expenses. A recent change to federal regulations considers the Summer term as a “cross-over” period, which means that the term begins in one academic year but course work taken crosses over into another academic year therefore allowing financial aid administrators to pay a second scheduled award. To be considered for a Summer 2010 Federal Pell Grant, students must have applied for the 2009 - 2010 academic year and complete the following steps.

1. Be enrolled in Summer 2010 classes at LMC at least half time (6 units).
2. Have on file or submit the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 28, 2010 and have been deemed eligible to receive Pell Grant.
3. Submit all documents to complete your financial aid file by July 1, 2010.
4. Be Pell eligible enrolled in at least 6 units or greater and have remaining eligibility which exceeds your remaining eligibility.
5. Be Pell eligible enrolled in at least 6 units or greater and have exhausted all Pell eligibility.
6. Students who are on suspension or excess units must have appeals approved prior to review of eligibility.

Note: Students who have remaining eligibility and are enrolled less than half time will only be paid the award amount of the remaining eligibility.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG):

A Federal grant of up to $750 is available to students who have graduated from high school since 2007 and completed the A-G curriculum required for admission to UC or CSU while in high school. You must also apply for financial aid and qualify for a Federal Pell grant to be eligible for an ACG grant and be enrolled in at least 6 units each semester. The 2010-11 academic year will be the last year this program will be available.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG):
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded to students who receive a Pell grant and demonstrate the highest need. Due to limited funding from the Department of Education, priority is given to full-time students who meet the March 2nd deadline. Awards range from $600 - $1000 per academic year.

Federal Work-Study (FWS):
The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time employment on campus to eligible students. Priority is given to students who demonstrate the highest need as defined by the Department of Education and who meet the March 2nd deadline date. The advantage of a work-study job is the convenience of working on campus and the opportunity to become a part of the campus community. Awards are based on unmet need and availability of funds. An award ranges up to $2500 per academic year.  Interested students should contact the Federal Work-Study Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid for further consideration.  

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Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP)

Federal Direct loans are funds you must repay; they are available to eligible students who experience exceptional financial need and hardship. There are two types of Federal Direct loans, Subsidized Federal Direct loans, funds for which the federal government pays the interest while you are attending school at least half-time at an accredited institution and Unsubsidized Federal Direct loans are loans which are 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. For questions about the Federal Direct Loan Program go to http://www.direct.ed.gov/dlq-a.html.

Federal Direct 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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Return to Title IV (R2T4)

Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that they will attend school for the entire period for which the financial aid is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.

If a recipient of Title IV grant or loan funds withdraws from a school after beginning attendance, the amount of Title IV grant or loan assistance earned by the student must be determined. If the amount disbursed to you is greater than the amount you earned, unearned funds must be returned to the school. If the amount disbursed to you is less than the amount you earned, and for which you are otherwise eligible, you are eligible to receive a Post-withdrawal disbursement of the earned aid that was not received. The Office of Financial Aid will contact you if you meet one of the R2T4 situations above.

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Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW)

For eligible California residents, the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW) assists students with mandatory enrollment fees for the entire academic year (Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters) and does not waive any optional fees like the student union fee. There is no limit to the number of units that are covered by the BOGFW. (Assistance for the purchase of books and supplies must be applied for separately at www.fafsa.gov and with the EOPS Office). If you have applied for and are eligible to receive the BOGFW after you have paid your enrollment fees, you will receive a refund of those enrollment fees.

AB540 Students

Please Note: If the Admissions and Records Office determines you have AB540 status, this status does not grant residency, it simply exempts you from paying nonresident fees. This exemption will not allow you eligibility for a Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW). For more information regarding AB540, click the following link: AB540

There are three ways to apply for a Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW):

1. Download and print the paper application:

2010-2011 Board of Governors Fee Waiver

2010-2011 Board of Governors Fee Waiver (SPANISH)

2. Apply online through CCCApply:

Electronic 2010-2011 Board of Governors Fee Waiver

3. Apply in person at the LMC Office of Financial Aid CC3-431

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered eligible for a Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW), you must be determined a California resident by the Admissions and Records Office AND qualify for one of the following methods:

1. Method A

• You must be a recipient of TANF, CalWORKS, SSI/SSP or General Assistance, or
• Be a dependent of a recipient of TANF, CalWorks, SSI/SSP, or General Assistance

Please Note: Current proof (dated within the last 30 days showing you have received any of the above mentioned benefits within the last 30 days from the date you submit the BOGFW application) must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid

2. Method B

• You or your parent(s) (if you are a dependent student) must meet the income guidelines set by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. (See 2010-2011 Income Standards)

 

3. Method C

• If you are not eligible for a fee waiver based on Method A or B, you may still be eligible through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

4. Special Classifications

• Veterans dependent fee waiver (Submit certification from the CA Department of Veterans Affairs)
• National Guard dependent fee waiver (Submit certification from the National Guard Adjutant General)
• Child of a Congressional Medal of Honor (Submit certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Dependent of a victim of September 11, 2001 (Submit documentation from the CA Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board)
• Dependent of a deceased law enforcement /fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty (Submit documentation from the public agency employer of record)

 

2010-2011 Income Standards

Family Size	2009 Income
1	$16,245
2	$21,855
3	$27,465
4	$33,075
5	$38,685
6	$44,295
7	$49,905
8	$55,515
Each Additional Family Member	Add $5,610

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 repaid.

To find out more about the Cal Grant Programs, please click on the link 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 % of the awarded amount and will be disbursed the first week of classes. The second disbursement 75 % of the awarded amount four weeks later. Awards are based on attendance at the time check disbursements 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 addresses will result in a delay of receiving your disbursement.

Enrollment Status

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What if I get denied Financial Aid?

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

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Each student receiving financial aid in the CCCCD 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, a student cannot exceed 150% of the maximum time frame as stated in the student educational objective.

In the event a financial aid recipient fails 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 fail 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 Responsibilities

Student Rights

As a student at LMC you have the right to:

• 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.
• Request a re-evaluation of your income based on special circumstances.  

Student Responsibilities

Things you should know as a financial aid recipient:

• If you withdraw from all of your classes before you have completed 60% of the semester, you will be required to repay some or all of the financial aid you have received for that semester.
• You must reapply for financial aid each year. The 2010-2011 FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for the Summer 2010, and Fall 2010 thru Spring 2011 academic year at LMC.
• Grants are disbursed to you by check on the designated disbursement dates (please check Web Advisor for the award and disbursement schedule). Work-study funds must be earned and are paid monthly according to your hourly rate of pay and the number of hours you work.
• BOGFWs are waivers of your enrollment and if eligible your health fees and are only refunded in a check or debit back to the student's account if you have already paid these fees and are eligible for a refund from the College.
• Familiarize yourself with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. You may potentially lose eligibility if you do not successfully complete all of your courses; exceed the total number of units allowed for your degree, certificate, or transfer program; or if your GPA falls below a 2.0.
• If you feel you have circumstances which may impact your eligibility make an appointment with your Financial Aid Coordinator to discuss special circumstance options.

Disclaimer: