The following financial aid programs are available at Foothill College. We understand and recognize the financial undertaking involved with your education and the importance of the right combination of resources to enable you to study at Foothill College. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit the Financial Aid Office to discuss or submit information about your financial aid needs with our friendly staff.
Grants
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students based on need. Grants are expected to range from $400 to $4,731 at Foothill College. The enrollment status of the student, i.e. full time, three-quarter time, half time or less than half time will have a proportional effect on the amount of money a student will receive. The Federal Pell Grant is money that a student does not need to repay.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This federal SEPG is designed for undergraduate students of exceptional financial need who without the grant would be unable to continue their education. Students with Pell Grants are eligible. At Foothill College, the FSEOG award amount is up to $600 per academic year. The Federal SEOG is also a program that does not need to be repaid.
Cal Grants
To qualify for Cal Grants, a student must be a California resident, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, obtain a social security number and be attending (or plan to attend) an eligible institution in California.
A student may receive only one Cal Grant, either Cal Grant A, B or C. The three grants are targeted to assist three distinct groups of applicants and are mutually exclusive. In short, Cal Grant A provides tuition assistance for a student attending a four-year institution, Cal Grant B is subsistence assistance for entering community college students and Cal Grant C is awarded to community college students majoring in vocational programs. The enrollment status of the student i.e . full time, three-quarter time or half-time will proportionately affect the amount of money received by eligible students.
Chafee Grant
This federal program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. It offers college and vocational school financial aid to youth who are aging out of foster care programs. For up to $5,000, the student must demonstrate financial need, meet basic eligibility requirements, and complete the FAFSA and the Chafee Grant Application at www.csac.ca.gov
Student Employment
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for students who have financial need and want to earn a part of their educational expenses through employment. Students can work up to 25 hours per week while classes are in session and 40 hours during school vacation breaks. Students may earn $8 to $14 per hour. Community service work opportunities are also available through the Federal Work-Study Program. Students cannot work over the award amount allocated for a work-study assignment. When a work-study award is made, the student is responsible for arranging an interview with the Financial Aid Work-Study Placement assistant for job placement.
Loans
Federal Perkins Loans
Administered through Foothill College, the Federal Perkins Loan Program assists students in paying their educational expenses with long-term deferred repayment loans at a 5-percent interest rate. Borrowers must complete entrance counseling prior to receiving the loan. Priority is given to students who demonstrate the greatest need for financial assistance. At Foothill College, the average Perkins award is up to $2400 with higher cost programs possibly receiving a higher dollar amount. Loan repayment begins nine months after you finish school or drop below half-time enrollment status. Repayment schedules and interest charges are based on the amount to be repaid and are given to each student borrower during the required exit interview. The student is responsible for repaying this loan.
Federal Stafford Loan
The Federal Stafford Loan assists students from both low- and middle-income families. Students who demonstrate need for a portion or all of the annual limit will receive a subsidized loan and the federal government will pay the interest due to the lender for the period of time in which the student is eligible for an in-school deferment and for the duration of any grace period. Students who do not demonstrate need for part or all of the annual borrowing limit may still receive an unsubsidized loan and pay their own interest during the time they are in-school. Effective July 1, 2008, the annual limit for a student in the first year of undergraduate study is $9,500, prorated for the program length. The annual limit for a student in the second year of study is $10,500. Repayment begins six months after the borrower graduates, withdraws from college, or drops below half-time status.
Federal PLUS
The Federal PLUS loan is available to parents of dependent students wishing to borrow on behalf of their dependent in order to meet the cost of attendance. The annual borrowing limit is the difference between the cost of attendance and the estimated financial assistance.
