The Financial Aid Office offers a variety of programs to assist students with meeting the costs of higher education. Some awards consist of two or three types of aid put together as a financial aid package. You must complete and file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for any of these programs.

FEDERAL AID
Many types of Federal Aid are grants, which is free money that does not need to be repaid as long as you complete your classes while receiving aid.

Federal Pell Grant
This grant provides federal money for non-tuition and tuition paying students. The federal government determines who is eligible and how much each student is eligible to receive.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This federal program is designed to assist students with exceptional need by supplementing other financial aid sources.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)
This program provides part-time employment at the College so that students can earn money while gaining work experience for employment after graduation.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant (BIA)
This grant is available to students of at least one-quarter Native American heritage. Students must fill out additional agency forms in order to qualify for these funds. For information call (916) 978-6000.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS
In order to qualify for any student loan you must file a FAFSA and be enrolled in at least 6 units per term toward your educational goal. See below for a summary of federal student loan programs.

Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans
There are two kinds of Federal Student Loans. Stafford Subsidized Loans are generally preferred because the interest is paid, or subsidized, by the federal government while you are enrolled at least half time in college. Subsidized loans may potentially save you many hundreds of dollars. To qualify for a Stafford Subsidized Loan, you must file a FAFSA and have remaining "unmet financial need" after grants, Federal Work Study, and scholarships are subtracted from your estimated educational expenses.

With Stafford Unsubsidized Loans the interest is not subsidized; you must either pay the interest monthly or you may elect to have it added to your loan principal ("capitalized"). Students whose income is too high to qualify for a Pell Grant or a Subsidized Stafford Loan may be eligible for a Stafford Unsubsidized Loan.

Students who are not eligible for grants may be eligible for both Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans to pay for their educational expenses. However, it is advisable for students to keep borrowing to a minimum at the community college level, as many students will need to borrow more when they continue their education at a university.

For additional student loan information please visit More Information About Student Loans.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA
(State-Sponsored Assistance for Residents of California)

BOG Fee Waiver
The Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOG) waives the per unit fees charged for enrollment for an eligible student. It also waives any parking permit fee in excess of $20 per term. Applications and information are available in the Financial Aid Office, as well as other Student Services offices. Students are encouraged to also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because many are eligible for other types of aid. Online you can apply at www.santarosa.edu/BOG.

Cal Grant A — Cal grant A pays tuition at a university. For students who plan to transfer, it can be held on reserve while the student attends community college.

Cal Grant B — For students from disadvantaged backgrounds, this grant pays a stipend to assist with college costs. For university transfer students, Cal B pays tuition and stipend.

Cal Grant C — Specifically to assist students in certificate programs for up to two years.

Chafee Grant - This grant is for current or former foster youth only. Awards are up to $5000 per year. To apply for the Chafee grant, link to the online application: www.chafee.csac.ca.gov.

Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS)
This state-funded program provides aid to students who are both educationally and economically disadvantaged. Students must contact the EOPS Office to get additional forms needed to determine eligibility: www.santarosa.edu/app/paying-for-college/eops/.