Eligible Programs of Study for Financial Aid

To receive federal financial aid at Ventura College, you must be enrolled in a program of study that is approved as eligible for federal financial aid.

Eligible programs generally include:

• Associate degree programs
• Approved Certificate of Achievement programs
• Approved bachelor’s degree programs

Not all programs, certificates, or educational goals offered by Ventura College are eligible for federal financial aid. Undecided/Undeclared programs, Proficiency Awards, and other programs that are not approved for federal financial aid are not eligible.

Your declared program of study must be reflected in your Ventura College student record. You must also meet all other applicable federal financial aid eligibility requirements.

Review the eligible program lists below to confirm whether your program of study qualifies for federal financial aid.

Important

Being enrolled in an eligible program of study does not guarantee financial aid eligibility or payment. Your eligibility also depends on meeting all applicable federal financial aid requirements.

The following Ventura College associate degree programs are currently eligible for federal financial aid.

• Accounting — A.S.
• Accounting Technician — A.S.
• Administration of Justice — A.S.-T
• Advanced Manufacturing — A.S.
• Agriculture Animal Science — A.S.-T
• Agriculture Business — A.S.-T
• Agriculture Plant Science — A.S.-T
• Anthropology — A.A.-T
• Architectural Design — A.S.
• Architectural Science — A.S.
• Art History — A.A.-T
• Automotive Career Education — A.S.
• Biology 2.0 — A.S.-T
• Business Administration 2.0 — A.S.-T
• Business Finance — A.S.
• Business Management — A.S.
• Ceramics — A.A.
• Chemistry — A.S.
• Chicana/o Studies — A.A.
• Chicana/o Studies — A.A.-T
• Child and Adolescent Development — A.A.-T
• Child Development — A.S.
• Communication Studies 2.0 — A.A.-T
• Computer Science — A.S.-T
• Construction Technology—Building Inspection Option — A.S.
• Construction Technology—Construction Management Option — A.S.
• Criminal Justice — A.S.
• Dance — A.A.
• Diesel Mechanics — A.S.
• Digital Marketing — A.S.
• Drafting Technology: Industrial Design & Manufacturing — A.S.
• Early Childhood Education — A.S.-T
• Economics — A.A.-T
• Elementary Teacher Education: Integrated Programs — A.A.-T
• Emergency Medical Services—Paramedic Studies* — A.S.
• Engineering — A.S.
• English — A.A.-T
• Environmental Science — A.A.
• Environmental Science — A.S.-T
• Film Studies — A.A.
• Film, Television, and Electronic Media — A.S.-T
• Fine Art — A.A.
• Food Safety — A.S.
• Forensic Science — A.S.
• General Studies—Arts and Humanities — A.A.
• General Studies—Liberal Studies — A.A.
• General Studies—Natural Sciences and Mathematics — A.A.
• General Studies—Social and Behavioral Sciences — A.A.
• Geography — A.A.-T
• Geology — A.S.-T
• History — A.A.-T
• Kinesiology — A.A.-T
• Law, Public Policy, and Society — A.A.-T
• Mathematics 2.0 — A.S.-T
• Medical Assistant - Administrative — A.S.
• Medical Assistant - Multi-Skilled — A.S.
• Modern Policing — A.S.
• Music — A.A.
• Music — A.A.-T
• Nursing* — A.S.
• Nutrition and Dietetics — A.S.-T
• Philosophy — A.A.-T
• Photography — A.A.
• Physics 2.0 — A.S.-T
• Political Science — A.A.-T
• Psychology — A.A.-T
• Public Health — A.S.-T
• Public Health Science — A.S.-T
• Small Business Management — A.S.
• Social Work and Human Services — A.A.-T
• Social Work/Human Services — A.A.
• Sociology — A.A.-T
• Spanish — A.A.-T
• Speech-Language Pathology Assistant — A.S.
• Sports Management — A.A.
• Studio Arts — A.A.-T
• Theatre Arts — A.A.-T
• Veterinary Technology* — A.S.
• Wastewater Science — A.S.
• Water Science — A.S.
• Welding Technology — A.S.

*Special Admission Programs: Students selecting Emergency Medical Services—Paramedic Studies (A.S.), Nursing (A.S.), or Veterinary Technology (A.S.) must be officially admitted into the program and enrolled in the required program coursework. Simply declaring one of these programs does not establish eligibility for federal financial aid under that program.

Eligible Certificate Programs

Certificate of Achievement programs at Ventura College provide specialized education and training in specific career fields. Not all Ventura College certificate programs are eligible for federal financial aid.

The following Certificate of Achievement programs are currently eligible for federal financial aid:

• Accounting
• Accounting Technician
• Agriculture Business
• Agriculture Pest Control Adviser Preparation
• Analog Photography
• Architectural Design
• Architectural Science
• Athletic Coaching
• Automotive Career Education
• Automotive Career Education Expert Technician
• Automotive Performance Technician
• Automotive Repair Technician
• Automotive Service Technician
• Business Management
• Ceramics
• Child Development
• CNC Machine Operator
• Community Health and Health Education
• Construction Technology: Building Inspection
• Construction Technology: Construction Management
• Creative Writing
• Criminal Justice
• Diesel Engine Repair
• Digital Marketing
• Drafting Technology: Industrial Design
• Emergency Medical Services: Paramedic Studies*
• Engineering
• Family Child Care Teaching
• Fine Art
• Fine Art – Painting
• Food Safety
• Forensic Science
• Heavy Equipment and Industrial Systems Operation and Maintenance
• Holistic Health
• Infant and Toddler Teaching
• Intercollegiate Athletics: 2-Year
• Medical Assistant: Administrative
• Medical Assistant: Multi-Skilled
• Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Repair
• Music
• Pathway to Law School
• Photography
• Plant Science
• Pre-Allied Health Sciences
• Preschool to Third Grade Teaching
• Public Administration
• Social Work/Human Services
• Veterinary Assistant
• Wastewater Science
• Water Science
• Welding Technology

Students must be enrolled in an eligible program of study and meet all applicable federal financial aid eligibility requirements to receive federal financial aid.

*Students selecting EMS: Paramedic Studies A.S./Certificate must be officially admitted into the program and enrolled in the required coursework to be eligible for federal financial aid under this program.

Ventura College currently offers one bachelor’s degree program that is eligible for federal financial aid:

• Automotive Career Education — B.S.

Special Admission Requirement

The Automotive Career Education Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is a selective admission program. Students must apply and be officially admitted into the bachelor’s degree program to be considered enrolled in the program for federal financial aid purposes.

Simply declaring Automotive Career Education as your program of study does not establish eligibility for federal financial aid under the bachelor’s degree program.

Students must also meet all other applicable federal financial aid eligibility requirements.

View the Automotive Career Education B.S. program in the Ventura College Catalog

If your current program of study or educational goal is Undecided/Undeclared, no longer accurate, or not eligible for federal financial aid, you can update your information through your MyVCCCD student portal.

To update your program of study or educational goal:

1. Log in to your MyVCCCD student portal.
2. Go to My College.
3. Under My Student Records, select Update College, Program and Goal.
4. Select the appropriate term.
5. Review your current program information and select your new program of study and/or educational goal.
6. Submit your changes.

Log in to MyVCCCD

Not Sure Which Program to Select?

If you are unsure which program of study best matches your academic or career goals, meet with a Ventura College counselor before making a change. A counselor can help you select an appropriate program and understand how the change may affect your educational plan.

Important Financial Aid Information

Changing your program of study does not automatically make you eligible for financial aid. Your new program must be an eligible program of study, and you must continue to meet all other applicable financial aid eligibility requirements.

Is every Ventura College degree or certificate eligible for financial aid?
No. Not every degree, certificate, or program offered by Ventura College is eligible for federal financial aid. To receive federal financial aid, you must be enrolled in a program that is approved for financial aid and meet all other applicable eligibility requirements.

What if my certificate program is not listed on this page?
If your certificate program is not listed as an eligible program, contact the Ventura College Financial Aid Office before making changes to your program of study. Some Ventura College certificates, including certain short-term certificates and Proficiency Awards, may not be eligible for federal financial aid.

Can I receive financial aid if my program is Undecided or Undeclared?
No. Students must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program to receive federal financial aid. An Undecided or Undeclared program of study does not meet this requirement.

Does changing my program of study automatically make me eligible for financial aid?
No. Changing your program of study does not automatically establish financial aid eligibility. You must be enrolled in an eligible program and continue to meet all other applicable financial aid requirements.

Can I change my program of study if I am on Financial Aid Probation?

No. If you are currently on Financial Aid Probation as the result of an approved Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal, do not change your program of study without first speaking with both the Ventura College Financial Aid Office and an academic counselor.

A change to your program of study may affect the academic plan or circumstances under which your SAP appeal was approved. If you change your program, you may be required to submit a new SAP appeal and updated academic plan before you can continue receiving financial aid.

What if the program listed in MyVCCCD is not the program I am actually pursuing?
You should update your program of study through MyVCCCD so your student record accurately reflects your educational goal. If you are unsure which program to select, meet with a Ventura College counselor before making the change.

Are all of my classes covered by financial aid if I am in an eligible program?
Not necessarily. Being enrolled in an eligible program does not mean every course you take will count toward your financial aid eligibility. Your enrollment and coursework must meet applicable federal financial aid requirements, including requirements related to your eligible program of study.

Can I receive financial aid for a Proficiency Award?
Generally, Proficiency Awards are not eligible for federal financial aid. If you are pursuing a Proficiency Award and have questions about your eligibility, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Why does EMS: Paramedic Studies have an asterisk?
Students selecting EMS: Paramedic Studies A.S. or Certificate of Achievement must be officially admitted into the Paramedic Studies program and enrolled in the required coursework to be eligible for federal financial aid under that program. Simply selecting Paramedic Studies as your program of study does not establish eligibility.

What if I am interested in Nursing or Veterinary Technology?
Nursing and Veterinary Technology are special-admission programs. Students must be officially admitted into the applicable program and enrolled in the required coursework before financial aid eligibility can be based on that program. Simply declaring Nursing or Veterinary Technology as your program of study does not establish eligibility.

Who should I contact if I am unsure whether my program is eligible?
Contact the Ventura College Financial Aid Office before changing your program or assuming that a degree or certificate qualifies for federal financial aid. We can help you determine whether your program is currently eligible.