Financial Aid Process

How do I apply for financial aid?

1.)  Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov and list the Federal School Code for Cerritos College 001161.  Within 2-3 weeks, our office will receive your information electronically if you listed our school code.

2.) A Missing Information Letter (MIL) will be mailed to you requesting required documents to process your file.  You may download the required forms.  It is important to submit these required documents in a timely manner.

Once the Financial Aid Office reviews all required documentation and completes the verification process if required, the file will be completed. 

3.) An award letter will be mailed to you.  You may also view your awards on MyCerritos. Awards are based on you meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

Once you receive your award letter, you can apply for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or the Federal Work-Study program if you are interested. (See Loans for requirements and application process)

4.)  You will receive a Cerritos Falcon card which you must activate online at www.cerritosfalconcard.com.  A disbursement will be processed for eligible students according to the disbursement schedule.  You can check the status of your disbursements online at MyCerritos. 

*This entire process can take a few weeks or several months depending on the required documentation needed to complete and review the file and how quickly you turn in the required documentation.

**Please note if you need an immediate fee waiver, you can print out the signature page, confirmation page, and summary to submit to the Financial Aid Office during office hours.  The other option is to submit a Board of Governors Grant Fee Waiver application to the Financial Aid Office. 
 

To contact the Financial Aid Office, call  (562) 860-2451 Ext. 2399 or e-mail us at finaid@cerritos.edu.