Grants are gift aid that do not need to be repaid as long as you do not completely withdraw after receiving a grant payment. Grant programs available at Skyline include:

BOARD OF GOVERNOR'S FEE WAIVER (BOGFW):

The State of California offers a BOGFW for students who are residents of the State of California, attend a Community College, and who are eligible for need-based financial aid. The BOGFW pays the enrollment and health fee for the student for the academic year when eligibility has been determined. Other fees, such as parking (at a reduced rate of $20 for BOGFW students) and student activities, must be paid by the student.

It is strongly recommended that you complete the FAFSA for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver to determine eligibility for cash aid to help with books. BOGFW only applications are available on-line in WebSMART. Eligibility for a BOGFW can be determined under less strict dependency criteria than federal funding requires. You may be required to submit documentation of 2003 income (1040 tax return). State regulations require documentation of current state assistance recipient status (i.e. Notice of Action letter) for a BOGFW-A application. There are three types of BOGFW Grants:
•BOGFW-A: The student (if independent) or the parent of the student (if the student is dependent) must be a current recipient of •TANF (AFDC), General Assistance, SSI/SSP, or have certification from the California Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Guard Adjutant General that you are eligible for a dependents fee waiver.
•BOGFW-B: Meet the State defined income standard. The income standards listed below are based on income for the 2003 tax year. If you are independent, use your income only from 2003. If you are dependent, use your parent(s) income only from 2003: Applications: FAFSA | BOG

FEDERAL PELL GRANT:

You are automatically considered for a Federal Pell Grant when you file the FAFSA. If you receive an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 4,050 or less on the Student Aid Report (ESAR/SAR), you are eligible for a Federal Pell award. Less than half-time students have a much lower EFC cut-off to be eligible for a grant. Awards for students are prorated based on enrollment status:

CAL GRANT A, B, AND C -- DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MARCH 2 or September 3: Cal Grants are for California residents only. They are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission for attendance in schools in California only. Awards are based on financial need and, for the Cal Grant A, academic performance. If eligible for a Cal Grant A, this grant is put on reserve while attending a California community college since a Cal Grant eligible resident of this State is not charged tuition. Cal Grant A will pay for tuition charges only. The Cal Grant B is awarded to new college students attending as recent high school graduates (Cal Grant B entitlement-only available in the March 2 cycle) or as competitive B grants to students who have completed 24 units or more college level work. Cal Grant C is awarded to students enrolled in vocational/certificate programs. Students who appear to be eligible to receive Cal Grant C will receive a supplemental form to complete. You must file the FAFSA AND submit a GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2 or by September 3 to be considered for a Cal Grant. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 units) to receive Cal Grants. Awards for less than full-time (12 units) are prorated based on enrollment level.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER ENTITLEMENT AWARD:

High School students who graduate after June 30, 2000, and go to a California community college may receive a Cal Grant A or B award to attend a four-year college. You must have at least a 2.4 grade point average at the community college; meet the admission requirements for the qualifying four-year college; meet the Cal Grant eligibility and financial requirements; apply by March 2 of the award year; and are under 24 years old as of December 31 of the award year. These awards are offered to California community college students who weren’t awarded a Cal Grant within a year of graduating from high school, but who meet certain requirements at the time they transfer to a four-year college.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG):

FSEOG is a grant awarded to students with exceptional need (EFC of 0 through 1,000). Because funds are limited, students who apply early and are eligible for Federal Pell Grant receive first priority consideration for FSEOG. Students are automatically considered for FSEOG when they complete the FAFSA or the Skyline Supplemental Application by the May 2 priority date. Awards for less than full-time (12 units) are prorated based on enrollment level. Awards are subject to change pending availability of funding.

EXTENDED OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES (EOPS):

EOPS is a State-funded program that provides book vouchers, grants, support services, and limited transportation services to high-need, educationally disadvantaged students who are California residents. Students must complete the FAFSA and/or a BOGFW application to apply. Students must be enrolled full-time at the time of application. Final eligibility for EOPS and CARE is determined and coordinated through the EOPS Office.

Maximum Annual Award: $4,000
Priority application date: May 2, 2004

Loans are financial aid funds that the student repays after s/he completes a program of study or stops going to school. Educational loans have a low interest rate (4-9%) and an extended repayment period, which makes them easier to repay than most non-educational loans. Because loans must be repaid from future earnings, students should seek all other possible resources first and borrow only when it is absolutely necessary. Students who are planning to transfer to four year colleges should be aware that loans may be necessary at those colleges to meet higher costs and should consider future educational indebtedness before borrowing at Skyline. Loans are made through lending institutions such as banks and credit unions but the loan must be certified as an eligible loan by Skyline College before it is processed by the lender. These loans may have an origination and/or insurance fee of 1-4% deducted from the loan proceeds before the loan is received. These fees are included in repayment of the loan.

To ensure students are aware of all the provisions and responsibilities of borrowing from the educational loan programs, all loan applicants must attend a loan entrance interview before receiving an initial loan check disbursement, and a loan exit interview before receiving the second disbursement. First-time borrowers must wait thirty (30) days after the term begins before receiving a loan disbursement.

A student on Financial Aid probation is not eligible for a Federal Stafford loan.

SUBSIDIZED FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN:
Regularly enrolled students who are at least half-time and who demonstrate financial need through the financial aid application process are eligible to have the interest paid (subsidized) on this type of loan by the Federal government while in school.

UNSUBSIDIZED FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN:
Students must be enrolled at least half-time. This is not a need-based loan but the annual maximum limits apply. There are three options for payment: 1) payment and interest begin immediately after the loan has been disbursed; 2) interest only may be paid while principal payments are deferred; 3) principal AND interest can be deferred until college coursework is finished.

Federal Stafford loan interest changes annually and is based on the Federal Treasury Bill rate. Interest will never exceed 8.25% for new borrowers. Generally, repayment begins six months after enrollment stops or you drop below half-time. Payments are based on the total amount borrowed but will never be less than $50 per month. You must submit a FAFSA and a separate loan application available in the Financial Aid Office. Certification of eligibility is done on a case-by-case basis.

LOAN LIMITS:
Any combination of Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans:

Annual Maximum:	$6,625 until completion of first year of program $7,500 after completion of first year of program
Applications Accepted:	Through December 6, 2004 for Fall term; Through May 6, 2005 for Spring term.

Note: Skyline, as a community college, will only certify loans for the first two years of higher education. Loans may be prorated on programs that are less than a full academic year. Skyline College reserves the right to deny a federal student loan under certain circumstances.

ASSC EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM:

The Financial Aid Office, in conjunction with the Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC), operates a limited emergency loan program. This loan is only available to a student who has a grant award from Skyline College and the check release is delayed. No interest is charged on this short-term loan. Repayment is due upon receipt of Financial Aid funds from the school. These funds are extremely limited.