Types of Financial Aid

Students may be eligible for many different types of aid that help pay for college and other costs. There are many types of financial aid programs offered at Chaffey College that are funded by federal and state agencies and private organizations. Some programs are need-based or non-need based.  Learn more about each program below. 

Dollar symbols next to a federal or state building. Video poster of Differences Between Federal and State Financial Aid Programs

State Financial Aid Programs:

Panther Promise

Chaffey College’s Panther Promise Program provides two years of FREE tuition to all first-time full-time (enrolled in 12 units) college students (you may be eligible even if you are not eligible for financial aid). To apply visit www.chaffey.edu/financialaid/panther-promise.php for eligibility requirements.

Need Based

California College Promise Grant (Formerly Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver)

 

What does the California Promise Grant (CCPG) cover?  What does the Panther Promise cover?
The California College Promise Grant waives your tuition ($46 per unit) costs for all units you enroll in. 

Chaffey College's Panther Promise Program provides two years of free tuition to all first-time full-time college students. Students with qualifying disabilities may qualify for the Panther Promise with less than 12 units if certified by Disability Programs and Services Department (DPS).

Who is Eligible?

Any California resident and verified AB540 who meets the CCPG criteria may receive the CCPG waiver.

There are three methods used to determine your eligibility for the CCPG:

  • Demonstrated need form the FAFSA/CADAA
  • Earning under the state mandated income ceiling 
  • Receiving TANF/CalWORKs or SSI

Who is Eligible? 

  • A full-time, degree-seeking college student;
  • Must be a First Time college student, and not have attended any other institution of higher education. Excludes prior concurrent enrollment while in high school, dual enrollment and immediate prior summer enrollment, i.e. Summer 2023.

  • A successful FAFSA or CADAA applicant;
  • Be a California Resident or qualify as  AB540
  • There is no income requirements
  • Enrolled in 12 units or more per semester. Students with qualifying disabilities may qualify for the Panther Promise with less than 12 units if certified by Disability Programs and Services Department (DPS) . For more information contact DPS at 909-652-6379 or DPS.staff@chaffey.edu

To Apply:

Or 

To Apply:

2023-2024 Application Period: Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024; deadline to apply May 16, 2024

2023-2024 CCPG Application

 

Apply for the CCPG application (en Español) for the 2023-2024 academic year. This application will apply for the following semesters: Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024. Deadline to apply is May 16, 2024

Students, or their family if applicable, must be currently 

  • receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (CalWORKs, TANF),
  • receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/SSP) or General Relief

 

To Apply: Complete the online CCPG application. Submit verification of your benefits, dated within the last 60 days to the Financial Aid Office

Special Classification

  • are a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient (or dependent); 
  • are a dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack; 
  • have certification from the California Department of Veteran Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General; or 
  • are a dependent of a deceased law enforcement/fire suppression personnel killed in the line of duty that you are eligible for this waiver.
  • have been exonerated of a crime by writ of habeas corpus or pardon.
  • are dependent/ spouse/ Registered Domestic Partner of a deceased
    physician, nurse, or first responder who died of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency in California.

Submit verification from the appropriate agency and add the form we have established online.

Students or, your parents (if applicable), must meet the following income standards established by the state of California for the school year. Your income must be equal to or less than the amount indicated based upon your family household size, as indicated in the table below.

Number in Family Household (including the student) 2022-2023 CCPG Income Standards
Total 2020 Family Income
2023-2024 CCPG Income Standards
Total 2021 Family Income
1 family member $19,320 $20,385
2 family members $26,130 $27,465
3 family members $32,940 $34,545
4 family members $39,750 $41,625
5 family members $46,560 $48,705
6 family members $53,370 $55,785
7 family members $60,180 $62,865
8 family members $66,990 $69,945
Each additional family member $6,810 $7,080


Apply:
Complete the online CCPG application. Students should be prepared to submit previous federal tax return(s), or other income verification. These amounts are estimated at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Chaffey College will use the information from your FAFSA to determine eligibility and will award those students who demonstrate to have minimum $1104 of financial need. No California College Promise application is required for a CCPG Method C.

Apply: Complete the FAFSA (or FAFSA en Español) or the California Dream Act application

Students are required to meet academic/progress standards to maintain eligibility for CCPG. Students who are placed on academic and/or progress probation or disqualified  in two consecutive primary terms (Fall/Spring) will lose eligibility for CCPG at the next registration opportunity.

Academic - Sustain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 for two consecutive primary terms (fall/spring semesters, or fall/winter/spring quarters), you may lose your eligibility.

Progress Complete more than 50% of your coursework
If the cumulative number of units you complete is not more than 50% in two consecutive primary terms (fall/spring semesters, or fall/winter/spring quarters), you may lose your eligibility.

Combination of Academic and Progress Standards
Any combination of two consecutive terms of cumulative GPA below 2.0, and/or cumulative unit completion of not more than 50% may result in loss of California College Promise Grant (BOGW)eligibility.

How will I know?
Students will be notified within 30 days of the end of each term if you are being placed on either Academic (GPA) and/or Progress (Course Completion) probation. Your notification will include the information that a second term of probation will result in loss of fee waiver eligibility. After the second consecutive term of probation, you may lose eligibility for the fee waiver at your next registration opportunity.

How to regain eligibility?
If you lose eligibility for the California College Promise Grant, there are a few ways that you can have it reinstated:

  • Improve your GPA or Course Completion measures to meet the academic and progress standards
  • Successful appeal regarding extenuating circumstances
  • Not attending your school district for two consecutive primary terms (fall/spring semesters, or fall/winter/spring quarters)

The appeals process for extenuating circumstances includes:

  • Verified accidents, illness or other circumstances beyond your control
  • Changes in economic situation
  • Evidence of inability to obtain essential support services
  • Special consideration factors for CalWORKs, EOPS, DPS and veteran students
  • Disability accommodations not received in a timely manner

To appeal, please complete this form

Please note that foster youth and former foster youth (age 24 years and younger) are not subject to loss of the California College Promise Grant under these regulations. 

 

Cal Grants

Cal Grants are state funds awarded in addition to the Federal Pell Grant. Cal Grant recipients are selected by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). To apply for the Cal Grant Program, you must meet the requirements for the federal Pell Grants, submit the FAFSA and a Cal Grant GPA Verification form to CSAC by March 2nd. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive this award. Amount may vary for students and is awarded based on enrollment.

Cal Grant B provides assistance for educational expenses to students from disadvantaged and low-income families. A FAFSA/Dream Act application and a GPA verification form must be submitted by March 2nd. Award amounts are $1,648 per academic year.  Cal Grant B-Students with Dependents (SWD) award is up to $6,000 per academic year.

Cal Grant C provides assistance to students who are enrolled in vocational/technical programs. Programs pre-requisites or general education classes do not qualify. Cal Grant C awards are a maximum of $1094 per academic year. Cal Grant B-Students with Dependents (SWD) award is up to $4,000 per academic year.

If you missed the March 2nd filing deadline, you may still qualify by meeting a September 2nd competitive Cal Grant deadline for California Community College students only. Manage your Cal Grant, at Web Grants 4 Students.

At the time funds are ordered, a student’s units will be verified and the student will be funded according to the number of units they are enrolled in.  No students will be paid for enrollment below 6 units.  For those students who are paid as halftime or three-quarter time, then subsequently add units, we will verify and confirm if a differential check needs to be issued.

Cal Grant SWD awards are for students with dependent children.  Students must certify eligibility on their Web Grants 4 Students account.   

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) 

The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a new California Community College financial aid program for students who receive a Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C and are enrolled at least full time (12+ units). Student Success Completion Grants will be awarded based on financial need according to your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and Cost of Attendance (COA). To receive the SSCG, a student must have received a Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C payment and enrolled in at least full time. The SSCG grant will provide students with additional financial aid assistance and encourage successful on-time completion. The total award amount may vary, if a student is enrolled in 12-14.99 units for a term or 15 units or more per term.
Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive this award.

AWARD AMOUNTS

With the Student Success Completion Grant, the more classes you take, the more money you’re eligible to receive. You can get up to $8,000 a year to help cover education and living expenses. That means you can work less, take more classes, and stay on track to get your degree faster. 

Units Enrolled Per Semester

Award Amount Per Semester

12 - 14.99 Units

$1298

15 or more units

$4,000

 

 

CHAFEE Grant

The Chafee Grant assists current and former foster youth up to their 26th birthday to help pay for educational expenses. The California CHAFEE Grant Program awards up to $5,000 annually per academic year and must be enrolled at least 6 units.

Golden State Education and Training Grant (GSETG) Program

The Golden State Education and Training Grant (GSETG) Program supports Californians who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a one-time grant for re-skilling, up-skilling, and accessing educational programs to get back into the workforce.  For additional information and to apply, visit https://gsetg.csac.ca.gov/.

Federal Financial Aid Programs:

Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is federal money awarded to students based on financial need to qualified undergraduate students, and in most cases, does not have to be paid back. The amount of your Pell Grant is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the Cost of Attendance at Chaffey College, your enrollment status (i.e. half-time, three-quarter time, or full-time), and whether you attend part or all of the academic year. The actual amount a student receives will be prorated based on actual units of enrollment for the term and will be adjusted for changes in enrollment per the disbursement schedule.

Award amounts may vary based on eligibility determined by FAFSA and enrollment. The maximum award a student is eligible to receive for the academic year will be posted to the students’ account. The maximum Pell grant award is $6,895 for the 2022-2023 academic year. All programs at Chaffey College are Formula 1.

FSEOG

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a need-based Federal Grant available to undergraduate students with the highest need based on the lowest EFC with priority for those who are Pell Grant eligible. Because funds are limited, priority is given to students who meet the FAFSA priority deadline March 2nd. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive this award. To receive FSEOG, a student must meet the “exceptional need” criteria. The FSEOG award amount is up to a minimum of $700 and maximum of $1,000 per academic year.  Students must be enrolled in at least 6 units to receive the award.  Award amounts are subject to change based on the availability of funds.

Federal Work Study (FWS)

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a need-based federally funded part-time employment program, which allows eligible students to earn money to help pay for education expenses. Students may work up to 20 hours per week and earn a monthly paycheck. The FWS award amount is up to a maximum of $4,000 per academic year. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive this award.
Students must be enrolled and maintain a minimum of six units

For more information click on the FWS sheet.

Non-Need Based

Direct Loan Program

Chaffey College participates in the Direct Loan Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education.  Direct student loans are low interest loans to help pay for the cost of a student’s education.  The lender is the U.S. Department of Education, which assigns loans to one of its contracted loan servicers throughout the country after a loan is originated by a school for a student. 

Federal student loans are long-term obligations. Accepting a loan means accepting the responsibility for repaying the money you borrow including interest costs and fees. Before you request a loan, make sure you find out the true costs, interest rates, and how long it will take to repay the loan. To get answers to these questions and more, go to https://studentaid.gov.

Understand your current loan amounts - All federal student loans obtained by a student or parent are reported to and tracked on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).  This information will be accessible to guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. For student loan information published by the U.S. Department of Education, go to: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans  Student and parent loan borrowers may view their federal loan information at StudentAid.gov, by logging in using their FSA ID.

Direct Subsidized Loan

A subsidized loan on the basis of financial need. Unmet "need" is determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and all other forms of financial aid from the Cost of Attendance (COA), or budget. Interest is paid by the federal government while you are in school as at least a half-time student (taking 6 units), during your grace period, and during your deferment periods Interest begins to accrue once you enter repayment.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Direct Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need and is available to you regardless of income. The interest begins to accrue after your first disbursement. Interest is accrued from the time the loan is disbursed until is paid in full.

Loan Repayment

Federal student loans are long-term obligations. Accepting a loan means accepting the responsibility for repaying the money you borrow including interest costs and fees. Before you request a loan, make sure you find out the true costs, interest rates, and how long it will take to repay the loan. To get answers to these questions and more, go to https://studentaid.gov.

StudentAid.gov offers an online Repayment Estimator, that allows students to view repayment estimates based on actual loan amounts or on potential loan amount. 

Cohort Default Rate

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's student borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the next fiscal year. Please refer to the Cohort Default Rate Guide for a more in-depth description of cohort default rates and how the rates are calculated.

Students who default on their student loans affect Chaffey College’s ability to participate in the financial aid programs once the institution’s default rate reaches certain levels. The U.S. Department of Education announced that the current national federal student loan cohort default rate at Default Management website (also referred to as the CDR) is 7.3 percent. Schools who exceed 30% may have to take additional steps to continue to process federal and state financial aid.

Cohort Fiscal Year 2018 Calculation

Borrowers who entered repayment in 2018 and defaulted in 2018, 2019, or 2020
Borrowers who entered repayment in 2018

Chaffey College Cohort Default Rate (CDR)

2018

2017

2016

3.7

5.3

10.1

 

  • Submit a request to stacy.sanchez@chaffey.edu. Include your name and Chaffey College student ID number
  • The Financial Aid Office will review your financial aid file to ensure you are meeting the minimum qualifications and are eligible to receive and complete a Federal Direct Loan request form
    • If you are eligible- You will receive an email in your panther student email account with the link to complete the online ‘Chaffey College Financial Aid Direct Loan Request ’
    • If you are not eligible at this time- you will receive an email with information with the reason for not currently meeting the minimum qualifications and what, if any, steps you must take in the future.

Private Loans

Private loans are alternative loans students or parents/guardians may apply to assist in meeting school related expenses-tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, housing. For more information visit Private Loans

Scholarships

Scholarships are usually, but not always, based on a combination of need and merit. Students may contact Student Life and the Chaffey College Foundation for available scholarships.