The 2011 - 2013 General Catalog - East Los Angeles College

Student Information
Student
Information
• Passed an independently administered test that is approved by the
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education provided the student
is a least eighteen (18) years old.
• Successfully completed six (6) degree-applicable units prior to the
2011-2012 academic year.
Student Status
In order to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA), you will need to determine if you are a DEPENDENT or
INDEPENDENT student. You are an INDEPENDENT student if
you meet any one of the following criteria:
• I was born before January 1, 1988.
• I am married.
• I will be working on a master’s or doctorate program (e.g., M.A.,
M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D, Ed.D, graduate certificate).
• I am serving on active durty in U.S. Armed Forces.
• I am a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• I have children and I provide more than half of their support.
• Since I turned 13, both of my parents were deceased.
• I was in foster care since turning age 13.
• I have dependents (other than children or my spouse) who live with
me and I provide more than half of their support.
• I was a dependent or ward of the court since turning the age 13.
• I am currently or I was an emancipated minor.
• I am currently or I was in legal guardianship.
• I am homeless or I am at risk of being homeless.
If you meet one of the criteria above, complete the FAFSA with your
(and your spouse, if applicable) income and asset information.
If you do NOT meet any of the criteria above, you are a Dependent
student and must provide your and your parents’ income and asset
information on the FAFSA.
HOW TO APPLY
Prior to applying online, visit www.pin.ed.gov to obtain a Personal
Identification Number (PIN) so that you may electronically sign
your FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, your parent(s) may
also apply for a PIN.
Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA
online at www.fafsa.gov. As instructed on the website, if you do not
have a PIN for an electronic signature, be sure to print and mail the
signature page when you transmit your application.
Paper FAFSAs are no longer available at the Financial Aid and Scholarship
Office, high schools and libraries. Contact Federal Student Aid
Information Center (FSAIC) at 800-4FED-AID (800-433-3243) to
request a spare FAFSA.
Students applying for Federal Stafford Loans and scholarships must
complete additional applications.
WHEN TO APPLY
FIRST PRIORITY DATE FOR 2011-2012:
March 2, 2011 – FAFSA first priority
May 1, 2011 submit all required documents to the Financial Aid and
Scholarship Office.
The priority date is established to encourage early application for
financial aid. Students who have missed the priority date may still
apply for the remaining funds available. If in doubt, call or visit your
Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. Staff members are available to
answer your questions and help you complete any of the forms.
Deadlines
Failure to meet the following deadlines will result in denial of aid for
the entire award year.
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – paper and electronic
applications will be accepted by the federal processor until
June 30, 2011. Do not wait until the last minute to apply for financial
aid; however, the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office must
receive your application by the last date of your enrollment.
Pell Grant Deadline
For Pell Grants, a valid electronically processed FAFSA must be
received by the college from the U.S. Department of Education before
the last date of the semester for which you are enrolled.
Cal Grant Deadline
March 2, 2011 – Cal Grant A, B Entitlement and Competitive awards
and Cal Grant C award.
September 2, 2011 – Second chance deadline for community colleges
students to apply for Cal Grant B. Since the number of awards available
in September is limited, it is best to apply by March 2, 2011.
Federal Stafford Loan Deadline
Please check with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
VERIFICATION POLICY
The school must have received a valid electronically processed FAFSA
from the Department of Education and verification documents from
a student whose application is selected for verification before the last
date of the semester for which he or she was enrolled.
Federal verification requirements apply to the following programs:
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
• Federal Perkins Loan Program
• Federal Direct Loan Program
If your application has been selected for verification by the federal
processor, you will be required to provide additional documentation
with a specific deadline. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the
denial of financial aid.
The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office may request additional documentation
based on the information submitted on your financial aid
application such as:
• Tax Returns
• Verification of Untaxed Income Benefits
• Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet
• Other documentation as needed to verify your application or situation
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