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The Financial Aid Office administers a variety of federal and state grant programs to assist students with their education costs at Ventura College. To be considered for these grant programs, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Ventura College must receive a valid FAFSA and any requested documentation by your last day of enrollment for the academic year to be considered for aid.
Federal Pell Grant Program
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree.
Amounts can change yearly. The amount you get will depend on:
- your financial need,
- your cost of attendance,
- your status as a full-time or part-time student, and
- your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
You can receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent (roughly six years). You’ll receive a notice if you’re getting close to your limit. If you have any questions, contact your financial aid office.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)
To get an FSEOG, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) so your college can determine how much financial need you have. Students who will receive Federal Pell Grants and have the most financial need will receive FSEOGs first. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid.
The FSEOG program is administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school and is therefore called “campus-based” aid. Not all schools participate. Check with your school's financial aid office to find out if the school offers the FSEOG.
Cal Grants
Cal Grant Recipients are selected by the California Student Aid Commission. To apply for the Cal Grant Program, you must submit the FAFSA and a Cal Grant GPA Verification form by March 2nd. If you do not meet the March 2nd priority filing deadline, you may have a second chance to compete for a Cal Grant by filing the FAFSA and GPA Verification form by September 2nd.
There are two types of Cal Grant B awards: Entitlement and Competitive
* Cal Grant B Entitlement Award
Every graduating high school senior who has at least a 2.0 GPA, meets the financial and academic requirements, and files the FAFSA and GPA Verification form by the March 2nd deadline will receive a Cal Grant B Entitlement award.
* Cal Grant B Competitive Award
Other eligible students who have at least a 2.0 GPA may apply for a Cal Grant B Competitive award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration your family’s income, assets, parents’ educational level, GPA, and other factors.
Cal Grant C
Cal Grant C is is a competitive grant award available to eligible students who are pursuing a vocational degree program. Cal Grant C recipients are selected by the California Student Aid Commission.
Login to the WebGrants for Students portal for more information regarding your Cal Grant eligibility status from the CA Student Aid Commission.
Student Success Completion Grant
Students can now receive up to $4,000 in free financial aid if they are enrolled full-time at a California community college and meet eligibility requirements. To determine eligibility, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed online at fafsa.ed.gov.
What is the Student Success Completion Grant?
- The new Student Success Completion Grant offers more financial aid to eligible California community college students who are recipients of a Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C and are enrolled full-time. A full-time study load is 12 or more units per term.
- Students can now earn their associate degree faster with more financial aid through the Student Success Completion Grant, which offers up to $4,000 a year in free money to help cover the cost of books, supplies, transportation, and living expenses. The goal of the Student Success Completion Grant is to encourage students to enroll full-time, focus on their education and stay on track to complete their degree or certificate on time.
Who is eligible?
- Full-time students who are enrolled in at least 12 units and receive a Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C, are eligible for the Student Success Completion Grant. If a student takes 15 units or more, the grant award can be as high as $4,000 ($2,000 a semester). Full-time students who completed a California Dream Act application and qualified for a Cal Grant are also eligible for the Student Success Completion Grant. All students must meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to be eligible for the Student Success Completion Grant. Students should check with the financial aid office to find out what is required for SAP at their college.
How does the Student Success Completion Grant work?
- Starting in the 2018-19 academic year, the more units a student takes, the more financial aid they will be eligible to receive. In addition to the Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C, Cal Grant recipients can get an additional $1,298 if they are enrolled in at least 12 units, or $4,000 if they are enrolled in at least 15 units a semester.
- Like the Cal Grant, the Student Success Completion Grant is a form of financial aid that does not need to be paid back – it is free money for college.
- The Student Success Completion Grant replaces the Full-Time Student Success Grant and the California Completion Grant. Returning California community college students should not be alarmed by this change and should know this new grant offers a larger financial aid package.
- The Student Success Completion Grant helps students reach their academic goals faster by making college more affordable for students enrolled full-time. The additional grant money allows students to focus on earning their degree or certificate while helping to cover the cost of books, supplies, transportation, and living expenses.
How do students apply?
- Students can apply for the Student Success Completion Grant by:
- Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Application by March 2;
- Submitting their Grade Point Average (GPA) to the California Student Aid Commission for verification.
Students can visit icanaffordcollege.com for helpful information and tips on completing the FASFA and the California Dream Application.
- Students who miss the March 2 Cal Grant deadline may still be eligible for some financial assistance. To qualify for a competitive Cal Grant, students can complete their FAFSA up to September 2.
- California Dream Act students are not eligible for a competitive grant and must submit their application by the Cal Grant March 2 deadline in order to receive financial aid.
- The FAFSA and California Dream Application for the academic year 2019-2020 are available now and can be submitted immediately. And, it’s not too late to apply for the current academic year (2018-2019). Just be sure to fill out the 2018-2019 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application as soon as possibly to determine what you are quality for and get your financial aid in time to help you with expenses this year.
- If a student misses the deadline for the Cal Grant and the Student Success Completion Grant, they can always apply year-round for the California College Promise Grant (formerly the Board of Governors Fee Waiver) or Pell Grants or other types of state and federal aid to get their tuition fees waived.
- There are many forms of financial assistance available at the California community colleges. We encourage current and prospective students to visit icanaffordcollege.com to learn more about what is available and how to apply.
What else do students need to know?
- Full-time attendance means taking 12 units or more per semester at a California community college. Some colleges are on a quarter system, so students need to check with their college to see how much is available per quarter.
- It is important to remember, to earn an associate degree in two years, students must take at least 15 units each semester. Students should schedule an appointment with a college counselor in their Academic Advising department to set up an education plan that fits their goals. An education plan will help students choose classes carefully and avoid taking unnecessary courses.
- By 2020, it is estimated that 60 percent of all jobs will require a college degree. Students who earn a degree from a California community college will nearly double their earnings within three years. And, graduating from a community college will double an individual’s chance of finding a job.
- The longer a student stays in college, the more money it will cost them in tuition, housing, and other education related expenses. The goal of this grant is to help students avoid spending money on unnecessary costs by earning their degree faster so they get their dream job and future.
Chafee Grant Program
The California CHAFEE Grant Program awards up to $5,000 annually to eligible foster youth and former foster youth to use for college courses or vocational school training. The Financial Aid Office certifies the student’s need and enrollment status on the CHAFEE website and disburses CHAFEE grants in accordance with the regulatory statutes of this program. Click here for more information on this grant and opportunities for foster youth.
