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Financial Aid
Students at West Valley College receive financial assistance
in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment
(called work-study). To qualify for financial aid benefits, you must
meet federal, state, and/or institutional requirements. The first
step in applying for financial aid is to fill out both a Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Board of Governors Fee Waiver
(BOGW). Both are available in the financial aid office. The FAFSA
can also be accessed online at FAFSA Online; the BOGW application
can also be found in the schedule of classes.
TYPES
OF FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE
Grants Financial
aid money that does not have to be repaid. Common grants include the
Cal Grants A, B, and C and the federal Pell Grant. Most grants are
based on financial need, but some also require meeting certain academic
criteria. For example, the Cal Grant A requires a minimum of a 3.0
GPA. To receive the most money for grants, you need to enroll in 12
or more units.
Educational Loans
Money loaned to students to help pay their college expenses. Typically,
no payments are required until 6 months after a student stops attending
school at least half-time. Interest rates are usually very low, and
some loans don't accrue interest until after you finish your education.
Work-Study Part-time jobs on
campus allowing students to earn money to pay for college. Students
must qualify for financial aid to be eligible for these jobs.
BOG Fee Waiver A waiver of
all enrollment fees for eligible California residents. Complete a
BOGW application prior to registration.
Emergency Book Loans No interest
loans of $50 to $100 provided by West Valley College to students.
The loans are available at the start of each semester and must be
repaid in two months.
Scholarships Funds made available
by sources generally other than the government, such as private businesses,
organizations, clubs, or colleges, to help students with the costs
of their education. Generally, students must compete for scholarships.
Awards are based on many different criteria; they may or may not depend
on financial need, be aimed toward a specific major or type of student,
or require a high GPA.
Resources:
West Valley College Financial Aid Office: (408) 741- 2024
WVC
Financial Aid web site
FAFSA
Online
Scholarships: Please see a counselor or visit FASTWEB
online.
Tip Apply early each year
for the FAFSA. Although you can apply for Federal financial aid at
any time, it is best to apply between January 1 and March 2 to receive
priority consideration for the next school year.
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West Valley College. All Rights Reserved.
