Financial Aid 101

Presentation with  Lien Pham 

West Valley College

Welcome

Financial Aid 101

Educational Systems

CCC

CSU

UC

Privates

Estimated Cost of Attendance 

• Cal Poly $28,926
• UC Berkeley $37,468   
• UC Santa Cruz $39,243
• Boston University $78,083
• Stanford University $78,218

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2020-2021  Average cost of attendance as reported by institution above.

Federal Philosophy

• Family is responsible to pay for student’s education
• To the extent they are financially able

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Santa Clara

COA $74,829

- EFC 1,000

= Need $73,829

San Jose State

COA $30,065

- EFC 1,000

= Need $29,065

West Valley

COA $13,073

- EFC 1,000

= Need $12,073

FEDERAL 

AID

STATE AID

Click to add text

INSTITUTIONAL AID

Types of Financial Aid

**Financial Aid is any money given, paid or loaned to help pay for education.**

Federal Work Study

• Campus-based aid
• Must be earned through work
• Current availability varies
• Job may be on or off campus
• Undergraduate and graduate students
• May have annual maximum
• funding levels vary at each institution
• Need-based

Loans

• Subsidized- Need based.  Interest is paid by the federal government while you are in school. Repayment starts six months after you graduate or drop below half-time.
• Unsubsidized- Not need based.  You pay the interest or add it to the principle balance and begins to accrue at the time you receive 1^st check.  Repayment starts six months after you graduate or drop below half-time.

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• PLUS- Unsubsidized loan for parents of undergrads.  Can borrow up to the COA – any financial aid. Fixed  and begins to accrue at the time funds are released.

*Interest rates may vary year to year and are set by Congress.

Types of Financial Aid

STATE

• CAL GRANTS (A,B,or C)

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• Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

*if attending a CA Community College &

eligible for Cal Grant

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• Middle Class Scholarship

*if attending a UC or CSU

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• Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan

*if attending a UC

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• California College Promise Grant (CCPG)

*if attending a CA Community College

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• California College Promise Program (First Year/Second Year Free)

*if attending a CA Community College

*If successfully complete the first year can receive second year free

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**awarding varies at each school**

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Types of Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

INSTITUTIONAL

• San Jose Promise at EVC/SJCC

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• Mission First at Mission College

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• De Anza College Promise

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• Foothill College Promise

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• Community Grant at West Valley College

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WVC Community Grant

Requirements:

• Class of 2020 Graduate from CA high school or equivalent
• Completion of 2021-2022 FAFSA or CA DREAM Act
• Complete Community Grant Online Form (April 1 – August 6, 2021)
• Comple a WVC Self-guided Placement 
• Complete an Early Admissions or Counseling Orientation course
• Attendance at Convocation 
• Enroll and complete 12 units each semester

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Benefits:

• $1,000/semester (up to $2,000/year)*
• Note: this grant is NOT need based

• Academic Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Personal Counseling
• Transfer Assistance
• Tutoring
• Money for books
• Transportation

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�Extended Opportunity Program And Services

EOPS has been a California state funded program. They provide an accessible and rewarding college experience to low income and educational disadvantaged students. You must apply for the FAFSA/CADAA to be considered for this program.

• Priority Registration
• CARE Program for SINGLE PARENTS
• Monthly gas/food coupons
• School supplies

Scholarships

• Additional FREE money to help pay for educational expenses.
• May come from various organizations
• Community
• Parents Employer
• Government
• College or University
• May be merit-based or need-based 

www.westvalley.edu/financialaid

https://immigrantsrising.org/financial-support/scholarship-fund/�www.scholarships.com

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• Search: Free Scholarships California
• Avoid Scams!!!

The Application Process

Important Reminders

• Opens:
• October 1st, 2021
• Priority deadline:
• March 2nd, 2022
• Parents taxes (2020)
• Student taxes (2020)
• List all colleges you plan to attend

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The Applications

FAFSA

Dream Act

• US Citizen​  / Legal Permanent Resident ​
• Eligible Noncitizen​
• Valid SSN​
• High School Diploma or GED​

• Meets AB 540​ Criteria 
• (3 years or schooling AND HS grad in CA)
• No SSN (DACA SSN ok)​
• High School Diploma or GED​

CSS FINANCIAL AID PROFILE

https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

• $25 online registration/$16 per school
• Not used for awarding federal financial aid
• Not all schools require the Profile
• Filing starts October 1st
• Assistance is available:
• Phone (305) 829-9793
• E-mail: help@cssprofile.org
• Complete the Application Online
• Most Private College request the Profile

• Tutorial is available at the website

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FSA ID �www.fsaid.ed.gov

• The student will create one
• Professional email
• Legal Name
• The parent will create one
• No duplicates 
• Valid SSN
• Signature Page

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• Check “Yes” and you will be automatically registered
• Not yet 18, check “Yes” and SSS will register you on birth date
• May also register using Web site
• www.sss.gov
• Inactive Draft

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What is an investment?

• Investments Are:
• Real Estate
• Trust Funds
• Money Market Funds
• Mutual Funds
• Certificates of Deposit
• Stocks
• Stock Options
• Bonds
• Coverdell Savings
• College Saving Plans-Prepaid Tuition Plans (529)

If owned by someone other than the parents or student (i.e.., grandparents, aunts, and uncles) are included as untaxed income to the student /“money received or paid on your behalf.”

• Installment and Land Sale
• Commodities

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• Investments Are Not:
• Home You Live In
• Value of Life Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• UGMA and UTMA if you are the custodian but not owner

https://dream.csac.ca.gov/�

AB540 

AFFIDAVIT

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If attending:

•UC 

•CSU

•CCC

•Check with Privates

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Awarding & Packaging 

What Happens After Applying?

Step 1: Email Confirmation

Step 2: Meet Deadlines

Step 3: Accept or Deny 

Step 4:  Receive $

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Sample Award Offer

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Budget (COA) $21,119 (Dependent/Living on or off campus)

EFC $ 0

NEED $21,119

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AWARD PROGRAMS AWARD TOTAL FALL SPRING

CC Promise Grant $1,380.00 $690.00 $690.00

WVC Community Grant $2,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00

GRANTS

Pell Grant $6,345.00 $3,173.00 $3,172.00

SEOG Grant $600.00 $300.00 $300.00

Cal Grant B $1,672.00 $836.00 $836.00

SSC Grant $4,000.00 $2,000.00 $2,000.00

EOPS Grant $500.00 $250.00 $250.00

SELF-HELP

Federal Work Study $4,500.00 $2,250.00 $2,250.00

Fed Sub Stafford Loan $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

Award Total $20,997 $10,499.00 $10,498

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Special Circumstances 

Professional Judgment

• If you have a change in:
• Dependency Status
• Income and Assets
• Child Support (starts/ends)
• Number in Household or College
• Private elementary/secondary school tuition
• Medical or dental expenses (not covered by insurance)

*Contact your Financial Aid office for more details

Questions?

Elizabeth Ochoa

Financial Aid, Outreach Specialist 

elizabeth.ochoa@westvalley.edu

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**Vietnamese-speaking

Lien Pham**

Financial Aid, Assistant Director

lien.pham@westvalley.edu

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