CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, CSU, AND UC SYSTEM ...

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, CSU, AND UC SYSTEM: LOCATIONS AND PROGRAMS EDUCATION PATHWAY

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THIS MODULE INCLUDES

APPLYING FOR ADMISSION PAYING FOR SCHOOL VETERAN RESOURCE CENTERS AND OTHER CAMPUS SUPPORT CALIFORNIA VETERAN EDUCATION BENEFITS ENSURING SUCCESS PAYING FOR SCHOOL FINANCIAL AID VETERAN RESOURCE CENTERS AND OTHER CAMPUS SUPPORT ENSURING SUCCESS SUCCESS AND INNOVATION APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND PRIORITY REGISTRATION VETERAN RESOURCE CENTERS AND OTHER CAMPUS SUPPORT ENSURING SUCCESS RESOURCES SOURCES

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Making the decision of where to go to college is no easy task. The application process, considerations for veterans, and resources on campus are important considerations.

SUGGESTED MATERIAL FOR REVIEW:

See Education Pathway Modules 1 and 2 for more information.

APPLYING FOR ADMISSION

To apply for regular admission to a California community college, begin by selecting a community college from the dropdown menu in the Apply Today tool. After selecting your college, click Apply and you will be directed to that college's admission application process. Be sure to read through the admission application requirements carefully. Each college sets its own requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

California community colleges are required to admit any California resident possessing a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, California community colleges may admit any nonresident possessing a high school diploma or equivalent or anyone (resident or non-resident) over the age of 18 without a high school diploma or equivalent who, in the judgment of the board, is capable of profiting from the instruction offered. Community colleges may admit minors who do not hold high school diplomas, or equivalent, to its credit courses as special part-time or special full-time students. Most community colleges have established requirements for K-12th grade concurrently enrolled students. Interested students should contact the college's admission office.

EARLY REGISTRATION FOR COURSES

Priority registration allows students to register early so they can get into courses before they fill up. Many colleges allow veterans priority enrollment, but this is often up to the colleges to decide. The process for sign up is the same, although colleges often find it easier to enroll new students at a veteran-specific orientation.

First, students must:

(1) Participate in a general orientation or a veteran-specific orientation (2) Complete the assessment process (3) Develop an Education Plan with a counselor or advisor

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Beyond the material benefits of priority registration, a veteran-specific orientation gives veterans an opportunity to meet other veterans at their college. Veteran counselors often get involved and use this time to inform students of other services available to them as veterans. Achieving and maintaining priority registration helps student veterans get into the courses they need to reach their goals and will help them stay on track and take the most direct route from start to finish. Find out more at cccco.edu.

EXPLORE COLLEGES: SEARCH AND COMPARE

CCC Apply offers several tools to help you find the educational program and college that is right for you.

Locate and Compare Colleges - Find the California community college that is right for you based on location or the programs offered.

A Degree with a Guarantee - Associate Degree for Transfer - Get a degree at CCC and streamline transfer to CSU.

ASSIST - See how courses you've taken will transfer to other colleges and universities in California.

UC Transfer Pathways - Explore UC's streamlined paths to prepare for 10 top majors at any UC campus.

California Virtual Campus - Find online courses offered by California colleges. CalAbroad - Check out opportunities to study abroad through the California Community

Colleges. California CareerZone - An interactive tool for exploring exciting jobs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ATTENDING A COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Please visit the following information pages to learn more about the California Community Colleges and what they offer:

Reasons to Attend a Community College Explore Colleges: Search and Compare

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 Admission Requirements

PAYING FOR SCHOOL

You can afford college at a California community college. There are several ways to get financial assistance if you need it, including federal financial aid, fee waivers, loans, grants, and scholarships. Veterans are eligible for special programs to help pay for school.

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM (SFAP)

The Student Financial Assistance Programs Unit provides coordination, technical assistance and policy leadership for the California Community Colleges with respect to locally administered federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. These programs totaled more than $2.8 billion and served over 1 million students in 2012/13. In addition, the unit administers the Board Financial Assistance Programs - Student Financial Aid Administration (BFAP/SFAA), the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the Board of Governors' Fee Waiver Program), the Chancellor's Office Tax Offset Program (COTOP) and the Real Estate Scholarship Program.

WHERE CAN I GET AID?

You can explore your options before applying for assistance at three popular websites for financial aid information below. You can also contact the financial aid office of the college you wish to attend for more information. When you've seen enough to get started, go ahead and apply for the two most popular forms of financial assistance below, the FAFSA and the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver).

Brought to you by the California Community Colleges. is the national student aid website, which also offers a list of online resources in

Spanish. CaliforniaColleges.edu provides financial information for all colleges in California. Contact a California community college directly. The college you want to attend may have

additional aid available and can help you find the financial aid available to you.

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HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Everyone interested in getting financial assistance to attend a California community college should look at submitting applications for FAFSA and the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver). The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) makes available several types of loans and grants from the federal government, while the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver) can waive enrollment fees for qualified students.

1. Are you eligible for federal financial aid? Learn the eligibility requirements. 2. Financial aid applications can seem overwhelming, but there are tools and information to

help you get organized. 3. Ready to start your applications? Apply for the California College Promise Grant (formerly

known as the BOG Fee Waiver) and complete a FAFSA application. 4. If you want to get help right now, or even if you just want to ask a question, use the

financial aid office locator to find contact information for the financial aid offices closest to you. 5. What can you expect after you've filed for financial aid? Find out what's next. These are just the two most common forms of assistance; there may be more options at the college of your choice. You can apply for financial assistance either before applying for admission to college or after... but the sooner, the better.

IMPORTANT!

You should always apply for financial aid, but this doesn't mean you should always take out a loan. It's important for you to make responsible decisions when paying for college, and this means utilizing as many grants and other benefits as possible to avoid using your GI funds too early. It's easy to spend a lot of time in community college, and you could end up with a shortfall of funds toward the end of your degree program.

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CALIFORNIA COLLEGE PROMISE GRANT (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE BOG FEE WAIVER)

Veterans and members of the National Guard are strongly encouraged to apply for the California College Promise Grant. Members of these groups are qualified for this benefit while attending community college.

For eligible California residents, the California Community Colleges Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived. (Assistance for the purchase of books and supplies must be applied for separately.)

Many California community colleges offer online California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver) applications through CCCApply.

When you use these financial aid online applications, the data you've entered in CCCApply will be transferred automatically, making your financial aid application much easier and faster. In addition, the form for applying for the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the BOG Fee Waiver) is available via PDF from the website.

College Fee Waiver Program for Veteran Dependents

The College Fee Waiver Program for veteran dependents is intended to help dependents afford to pay for college. This provision is available to dependents whose veteran spouse, living or deceased, meets eligibility requirements as determined by CalVet. Residency in the state is a key requirement. The veteran must also have a 100 percent service-connected disability and served during wartime. Other criteria may be necessary. This waiver applies to UCs, State schools, Maritime academies, and community colleges.

CAL GRANT PROGRAMS

A Cal Grant is money for college you don't have to pay back. To qualify, you must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.

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Eligibility Requirements

Cal Grants are for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training, and do not have to be repaid. In addition to meeting the financial criteria and Cal Grant requirements, you must:

Submit the FAFSA or CADAA application and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria Be a California resident for one year Attend a qualifying California college Not have a bachelor's or professional degree Have financial need at the college of your choice Have family income and assets below the minimum levels Be enrolled or plan to enroll in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half time Have registered with the U.S. Selective Service, if required to do so Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan Not be incarcerated Maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school.

Recipients who do not meet the standards are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment. For a list of Cal Grant eligible schools, go to: csac.post/cal-grant-eligible-school-list-0.

REASONS TO ATTEND A COMMUNITY COLLEGE

There are lots of reasons to begin, continue, or complete your college education at a California community college. Here are some that may apply to you.

INCREASE YOUR EARNING POWER

College graduates make more money on average than high school graduates. In fact, many employers now hire only college graduates, even for entry-level positions. But that doesn't mean

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you need four years at a major university. Even if you plan to get a bachelor's degree, starting out at a community college may be your best choice. Salary Surfer displays median annual incomes for those who complete 179 of the most widely enrolled program areas and do not transfer to a four-year institution. The data show the median earnings for community college graduates two years prior to earning the award, then two years and five years after earning either a certificate or degree. An analysis of the data contained on Salary Surfer shows that students who complete an associate degree more than double their annual pre-degree earnings after two years in the workforce and nearly triple their pre-degree earnings after five years in the workforce. Among veterans specifically, the higher the education, the less likely you are to be unemployed. And employed veterans earn more than civilians, on average.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2019. Figures are for CY 2018. .

SPEND A LOT LESS

Everyone knows that costs at four-year colleges are high and going higher. On the other hand, California Community Colleges have the lowest fees in the nation. Even if you can afford the cost of a four-year college, you've probably got other things you could spend that money on.

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