Financial Aid Information - UCLA Center for Prehospital Care

CENTER FOR PREHOSPITAL CAREat the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLAOctober 18, 2010Re: Financial AidFinancial Aid is not an easyprocess and is different herethan what you may haveexperienced before so be sure toread everything in thispacket!Dear Prospective Student for the UCLA-Daniel Freeman Paramedic Program,We applaud the commitment to your education and your future and sincerely appreciate yourinterest in our Program!Through our relationship with West Los Angeles College (WLAC), our Center is able to offer tooffer federal financial aid as one possible option to assist eligible students of the UCLA-DanielFreeman Paramedic Program.Financial aid is made available by federal and state governments in the form of grants and loans.The basis for such assistance from Financial Aid is the belief that students and their families havethe primary responsibility to meet educational costs. Therefore you are strongly encouraged tosecure other funding either prior to or when applying to the Program as your eligibility forreceiving Federal Financial Aid, the amount received, and the schedule of payments to youwill vary.Applying for financial aid is a lengthy and complex process because there are many stepsrequired by Federal and Academic institutions in order to ensure that you are eligible andcommitted to this significant financial obligation that could impact you for many years to come.The attached checklist is designed to help guide you through this complex process.You will need the on-line application (FAFSA) in order to apply for federaland private lender loans. You should apply for financial aid at the same timethat you apply for the paramedic program. If you waited until you have beenaccepted into the program to apply for a loan, this may additionally delay theprocess further for you.As an accepted student into the Program are expected and required to meet deposit andtuition deadlines without exception. Please note that the tuition deadlines established by theProgram are firm and do not necessarily coincide with the distribution of financial aid funds.If you have questions, please see the contacts listed on the last page of the checklist.Thank you once again for your interest in our Program! We look forward to helping you in thisprocess.Rosa CalvaClient Services Manager1 | P a g e

CENTER FOR PREHOSPITAL CAREat the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLAAPPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID CHECKLIST SUMMARYThis is a quick summary of your “to do” list.Important Notes: You will need an on-line application in order to apply for federal and private loans. Apply for financial aid at the same time that you apply for the paramedic program. DO NOT WAIT until you have been accepted into the program to apply for a loan. You may still be eligible for financial aid even if you already have a degree or had a higherincome in the last year(s).What to do Before or When Applying to Paramedic Program(If you haven’t started these steps, it’s time to get going!!):1. Obtain your Personal Identification Number (PIN) so you can sign the Free application forFederal Student Aid2. Apply for federal financial aid on-line3. Receive an e-mail from FAFSA acknowledging receipt of your on-line application4. Register as a student with West Los Angeles College (WLAC) in order to be eligible to receivefederal financial funds.5. Turn in Supporting Application Documents to the WLAC Financial Aid Office6. Complete Income Reduction Form, if applicable7. Complete Student Education Plan, if applicableFor ACCEPTED Paramedic Students:8. Enroll into Paramedic classes through WLAC (wait for formal notification from UCLA)9. Receive Financial Aid Award Letter10. Meet with Financial Aid Counselor at WLAC11. Complete Promissory Note for Loan, if applicable12. Apply for Other Loans, if applicable13. Receive First Disbursement of Funds14. Enroll for Academic Credit through WLAC for the Paramedic ProgramThese are the general steps you will need to complete when applying forfinancial aid. The steps with detailed instructions begin on the next page.2 | P a g e

#3 ONLY For Students ACCEPTED to the Paramedic Program Enroll into Paramedic classes through WLACOnly if you have received an ACCEPTANCE LETTER from the Paramedic Program can you enroll into theparamedic courses through WLAC for financial aid purposes. You will need to add the first three coursesby filling out the necessary WLAC Enrollment Application and Add Permits ("add slips").You may only contact Ms. Virginia "Ginny" Williams at West Los Angeles College tocomplete the “add slips” ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO DO SO so by arepresentative from UCLA Center for Prehospital Care. Receive Financial Aid Award LetterOnly if you have completed all of the necessary previous steps and if you have beenapproved will you then receive your official Financial Aid Award Letter notifying you of theloans and amounts you have been approved to receive. Please note that it can take 8weeks from the time you completed the FAFSA on-line to the time you receive yourFinancial Aid Award letter. Meet with Financial Aid Counselor at WLACOnce you have received your Financial Aid Award Letter, please contact the WLAC Financial Aid Office toschedule a meeting with Francine Sanz, Financial Aid Technician at WLAC. Please e-mail Ms. Sanz atsanzfg@wlac.edu at least 2 working days in advance to schedule your appointment to complete thenecessary loan counseling and questionnaire. Complete Promissory Note for Loan (if applicable)After WLAC certifies your loan, you will be notified by e-mail to complete the promissory note for yourloan. This process includes WLAC confirming your eligibility as a student.Keep reading … there’s more!5 | P a g e

Apply for Other Loans (if applicable)Students are encouraged to contact their own local credit union or bank and inquire about what privateloan services they offer to members. Please note that each lender has individual criteria that interestedapplicants are required to meet prior to approval for financial aid.Remember that you will still need to complete the FAFSA on-line and be registered andenrolled at WLAC in order to be approved for private lender loans. You must use theWLAC Federal School Code 008596 when applying for private loans.A complete list of all approved lenders for private loans can be obtained athttp://www.edfund.org/wps/portal/FFELLenderList or when visiting the WLAC Federal FinancialOffice.We do not endorse nor promote any lender so this information is provided to you as a courtesy. Someprevious students have used:Wells Fargo Collegiate Loanhttps://www.wellsfargo.com/student/undergrad/collegiate/Sallie Mae Smart Option Loanhttp://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/find_student_loan/smart-option-student-loan.htmSallie Mae Career Training Loanhttp://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/find_student_loan/training_loans/career_training_loans/Currently, there are no other grants or scholarship resources available. Receive First Disbursement of FundsRemember that you are required to meet the deposit and tuitionTuition balance deadlines as set by the paramedic program. Thesedeadlines cannot be changed as a result of pending financial aidDueawards. Please note that the tuition deadlines established by theProgram are firm and do not necessarily coincide with the distribution of financial aid funds.It typically takes 8-12 weeks from the time you submit your FAFSA on-line AND completeall of the required steps to the time you receive your FIRST payment from financial aid (ittypically takes about 5-10 working days from the day you signed the promissory note toreceive the first disbursement).Federal financial aid awards are typically disbursed in FOUR (4) payments during theduration of the entire program. Private loan disbursements are typically released by WLAC to eligiblestudents in two installments during their attendance in the Program.Keep reading … there’s just a little more!6 | P a g e

Enroll for Academic Credit through WLAC for the Paramedic ProgramOnly Paramedic Program students that enroll for college credit at WLAC are eligible to apply for FederalFinancial Aid through the WLAC Financial Aid Office.If you are enrolled in the Paramedic Program through WLAC and successfully complete it, you will beeligible to receive academic credit (up to 36 units). To be eligible for academic credit, you must beenrolled into WLAC. For our accepted Paramedic students, enrollment is accomplished by completing aWLAC Enrollment Application and Add Permit.Paramedic students are generally enrolled into WLAC while in attendance at the Paramedic Program notat the WLAC campus unless you are applying for Financial Aid. Designated enrollment and payment dateswill be announced on the first day of the Paramedic course. You must not miss the enrollment date asstudents have only one (1) opportunity to complete the Enrollment Application and Course Card in class.The cost for this service is $280.00 for the total program ($35 per each of the 8 courses that make up theParamedic Program), which is in addition to the course fees you pay to UCLA (UC Regents). The feesrepresent WLAC’s cost to offer this academic service to students.ACCEPTED Students to the ParamSee the last page for a helpful list of contacts and web sites.7 | P a g e

Who to ContactFor additional details including specific application deadlines and additional eligibility criteria please refer tothe 2009-2010 WLAC Financial Aid Quick Reference Guide or call the WLAC Financial Aid Office at 310-287-4532.West LA College Financial Aid Office:Questions about applying for Federal Financial Aid should be directed to the WLAC Federal Financial AidOffice. Due to the high call volume for the WLAC Financial Aid Office, prospective and current students arestrongly encouraged to visit the WLAC Financial Aid Office in person. Their office is located at West Los AngelesCollege, 9000 Overland Avenue, Building A-12, Culver City, CA 90230. Their phone number is (310) 287-4532.The office hours for the WLAC Financial Aid Office are Mondays & Thursdays 0830-1700; Tuesdays &Wednesdays 0830-1900; Fridays 0830-1200.West LA College Contacts for a Student Education Plan IF you need one:Counseling Office (Room A13): 310-287-4520Assessment Office (Room A12): 310-287-4462UCLA-Daniel Freeman Paramedic ProgramFor general information about the Paramedic Program and the program’s application process please visit us at333 N. Prairie Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 or call Michael Gudger, Registration Coordinator, at (310) 680-1100.For more information on the federal financial aid process as it relates to the Paramedic Program you arestrongly encouraged to read the Financial Resources, College Credit, and Tuition sections of the ParamedicProgram Information and Application Packet available on-line at www.cpc.mednet.ucla.edu. For questions,please call Rosa Calva, Client Services Manager, at (310) 312-9318.Veterans Assistance Benefits (“GI Bill”):The Paramedic Program is approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to certify enrollment foreligible veterans. Please note that veterans must follow and meet the Program’s established eligibility,enrollment, and tuition payment requirements. If you are a veteran and are eligible to receive VeteransBenefits, please visit the DVA web site at http://gibill.va.gov or call the DVA nationwide toll free number at 1-888-GI-Bill-1(1-888-442-4551) for questions about eligibility, processing your benefits, obtaining a Certificateof Eligibility, etc. For assistance with program enrollment/certification questions, please contact Rosa Calva,UCLA Client Services Manager, at 310-312-9318.WEB SITES:EdFund: EdFund is the guarantor for federal financial aid. For a variety of resources including tools on learningabout loans, loan repayment options, and much more please visit www.edfund.org.FAFSA: Apply for federal financial aid on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You must use the WLAC Federal SchoolCode 008596.PIN: Obtain your Personal Identification Number (PIN) from www.pin.ed.gov. You will need this PIN to signthe on-line Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).West Los Angeles College: www.wlac.eduUCLA Center for Prehospital Care: www.cpc.mednet.ucla.eduVeteran’s Benefits: http://gibill.va.gov8 | P a g e