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.

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 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 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.

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 $5350 per academic year. Student may only receive Pell grant from one institution per term.
Effective summer 2010 students will be eligible to receive a full-time Pell award for summer full-time enrollment. If you wish to be paid an award for the summer, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for further information and calculation of you award.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG):
The Federal ACG grant is a need based program available to high school students who completed an A-G curriculum required for admission to UC or CSU while attending high school and graduated from high school since 2007. Students can receive up to $1300 depending upon their year in school. The 2010-2011 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 advantages of work-study job are the convenience of working on campus and the opportunity to become part of campus community. Awards are based on unmet need and availability of funds. Awards range 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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AB540 Students

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 (FFELP)

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 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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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.ed.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.

Please Note: If the Admissions and Records Officedetermines 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:

2009-2010 Board of Governors Fee Waiver

2009-2010 Board of Governors Fee Waiver (SPANISH)

2. Apply online through CCCApply:

Electronic 2009-2010 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 2009-2010 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)

 

2009-2010 Income Standards

Family Size	2008 Income
1	$15,600
2	$21,000
3	$26,400
4	$31,800
5	$37,200
6	$42,600
7	$48,000
8	$53,400
Each Additional Family Member	Add $5,400

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 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 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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What if I get deneid Financial Aid?

All students are entitled to an appeals process. Students who are denied financial aid are, 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 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, student cannot exceed 150% of units 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 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 Responsibilities

• 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  

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 2009-2010 FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for the Fall 2009 thru Spring 2010 academic year at LMC.
• Grants are disbursed to you by check on the designated disbursement dates (please check Web Advisor for awards 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.
• BOGs are waivers of your enrollment and health fees and are only refunded in cash 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, and transfer program or cumulative if your GPA falls below 2.0.
• If you feel you have circumstance which may impact your eligibility make an appointment with your Financial Aid Coordinator to discuss special circumstance options.

Disclaimer: