General Eligibility
There are some general requirements that must be met to be eligible for federal student aid:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the
FASFA on-line at www.fafsa.gov
- Demonstrate financial need. Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending
Cerritos College and the amount of resources you expect to contribute toward your
education as determined by the Federal Methodology
- Be a Citizen/Eligible Non-citizen: You must be one of the following to receive student
aid:
- U.S. Citizen
- U.S. National (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island
- U.S. Permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551c (Alien Registration receipt card) If you're not in one of these categories, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS showing one of the following designations in order to be eligible: Refugee, Asylum Granted, Indefinite Parole and/or Humanitarian Parole, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending)
- If you're in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa only, or on a J1 or J2
exchange visitor visa only, you cannot get student aid. Also, persons with G series
visas (pertaining to international organizations) are not eligible for student aid
- Have a valid social security number
- Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program. A regular student is defined
as a person who enrolls for the purpose of obtaining a degree, certificate of achievement,
or a transfer program
- Declare an eligible major at the Office of Admissions and Records, and be taking courses towards a Certificate of Achievement, Associate of Arts (AA)
degree, or a Transfer program. It is your responsibility to meet with a Counselor
and know your major and the requirements to meet your educational goal. List of ineligible majors for financial aid purposes.
- Have a high school diploma or has the recognized equivalent. The recognized equivalent
may include the following:
- GED certificate
- Certificate demonstrating the passing of the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or state-authorized examination
- Completion of homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law
- An academic transcript showing completion of at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree
- Passing the Ability-To-Benefit test or completion of 6-degree applicable college units
if eligible. Only students who enrolled prior to July 1st, 2012, will have this option.
- Have resolved any drug conviction issue
- Have resolved any default on a FSA loan or overpayment
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Submit some or all of the following documentation:
- You and/or your parents’ IRS 1040 tax return transcript for the prior year. If they or you did not file, you may be required to submit W2's
- Social Security Card or proof of birthdate
- Default or overpayment clearance letter
- Academic transcripts from other institutions
- Other information may be requested by the Financial Aid Office
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