Financial Aid
http://financialaid.fullcoll.edu
Financial Aid Office Mission: The mission of the Financial Aid Department is to provide information and financial aid support to all eligible students attending Fullerton College. Staff members are devoted to the educational needs of all individuals in the community and the varying specific educational needs of our students. Whatever the student’s major or career goal, Financial Aid helps the students know more about Financial Aid and the application process at Fullerton College. Their motto is “Financial Aid and You: Working Together for Student Success.”
CONTACT US
https://financialaid.fullcoll.edu/qless/
100 Bldg - Room 115
Website
Financial Aid
Application Procedure: To apply for financial aid at Fullerton College, a student must complete either the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the CADAA (California Dream Act Application), whichever is applicable. The Fullerton College school code (001201) must be included on the application. Students who are unsure which application to complete may refer to the resource: Which is the Correct Financial Aid Application – FAFSA or CA Dream Act? for guidance. The 2025–2026 financial aid application will be available beginning December 1, 2024, and must be submitted no later than June 30, 2026. Approximately one week after submitting the application, students are encouraged to log in to myGateway, navigate to Student Tools, and select Financial Aid to review their financial aid status, including any outstanding requirements and available aid offers.
Eligibility: Specific eligibility requirements may be found in the Financial Aid Consumer Brochure here: Financial Aid.
Basic Federal grant eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Demonstrates a financial need according to a recognized Federal system on need analysis
- Does not owe a repayment on any previously-received Federal grants
- Does not yet possess a Bachelor’s Degree
- Enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program
- Maintains satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
- May not be in default on any Perkins, Stafford, Plus or Direct Loan
- Possesses a high school diploma, GED certificate
- Student must be a U.S. citizen, or eligible non-citizen
- Working toward an eligible degree or certificate program
Basic Loan eligibility criteria are:
- Demonstrates a financial need
- Enrolled in at least 6 active units (half time)
- Maintains satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
- Prior loan aggregate amounts are considered to determine loan eligibility
Programs
Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is a form of need-based financial aid awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to help eligible undergraduate students pay for college. Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. The maximum Pell Grant amount for the 2025-2026 school year is $7,395. The amount disbursed to students will depend on the number of enrolled units.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a type of need-based federal financial aid awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are eligible for Pell Grant. The award amounts will vary based on financial need, amount of other aid received, and availability of funds.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program
Provides students with low-interest loans for educational expenses (which are subsidized by the government as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time in college courses). The interest rate may vary from year to year.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Program
The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Program is a type of federal student loan offered to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled in at least half-time. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program is a federal student loan available to both undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of financial need. Unlike subsidized loans, interest begins accruing immediately after disbursement, even while the student is in school. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment.
Cal Grants
Cal Grant is a grant offered by the State of California and is open to California residents and Dream Act students attending a college or university in California. The grant has an annual application deadline of March 2 for the following academic year, and is based upon need, income, and GPA. There is an additional deadline of September 2 for California Community College only. Students must file both a completed FAFSA or Dream Act application, and a GPA Verification Form prior to the deadline, to be considered. NOTE: Our office will automatically send the GPA Verification for students who have completed 24 units or more at Fullerton College. Those who qualify for either a regular GPA (24 or more units) or a re-established GPA (16–23 units) will have their GPA automatically transmitted to the state, provided they have enrollment history at Fullerton College within the past five years. Students who have not been enrolled for five years but have completed the required units may request the Fullerton College Financial Aid Office to send their GPA verification to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Full-Time Student Success Grant
The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a financial aid program that helps you afford full-time enrollment so you can graduate, begin your career and start earning money sooner. If you’re a current California community college student or are planning to enroll, you now can receive more financial aid as a full-time student. Students enrolled in 12-14.99 units can receive $1,298 per semester. Students enrolled in 15 or more units can receive $4,000 per semester. NOTE: Only Cal Grant recipients can qualify for SSCG.
California College Promise Grant
The California College Promise Grant (CCPG), formerly Board of Governor’s Waiver, is a State-sponsored program that waives enrollment fees for qualifying students who are California residents. CCPG does not have a unit requirement – eligible students may receive CCPG whether the student takes .5 units or 26 units. CCPG applicants must apply every academic year. The CCPG waives fees for eligible students for the academic year: fall, spring, and summer.
How Do Students Apply?
Students may apply for the CCPG by submitting a financial aid application (FAFSA or CADAA) or by completing the CCPG application on myGateway (Student Tools > Financial Aid > General Links). There are five methods under which students may qualify. Students only need to qualify for one method to have their fees waived.
- METHOD A: Method A is for students on public assistance programs such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)/CalWORKs, SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Program), or General Assistance. Certification must be obtained from the appropriate agency and documentation will be required to verify your eligibility. Most documentation must be dated within the last 30 days.
- METHOD B: Method B is for low-income students whose previous year income was within qualifying income guidelines. Federal Tax Returns may be required.
- METHOD C: Method C is awarded to students who applied through the FAFSA or CADAA and were eligible according to Federal Guidelines. Students who qualify under Method C do not need to complete a separate CCPG Application.
- METHOD D: Method D is awarded to students who are homeless or at risk of being a homeless youth under 25 years of age.
- METHOD F: Method F is for dependents of disabled or deceased California Veterans or National Guard; recipients or dependents of recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor; dependents of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack; dependent of a decease law enforcement/fire suppression personnel; students exonerated of a crime; and dependents of a deceased physician, nurse, or first responder who died of COVID-19 in California. Certification must be obtained from the appropriate agency and documentation will be required to verify your eligibility. Most documentation must be dated within the last 30 days.
Return to Title IV funds is a federal law regarding a student’s responsibility in paying money back if the student leaves school. If a student receives a grant and then withdraws from all of their classes, that student may owe money back to the Federal Program. According to the date of withdrawal, the Financial Aid Office will calculate the part of the grant the student earned and what is owed. NOTE: If the withdrawal was after earning 60% of the grant, the student will not owe any repayment. More information about Return to Title IV may be found in the 2025-2026 Consumer Brochure on the Financial Aid website.
More information about Return to Title IV may be found in the 2025-2026 Consumer Brochure on the Financial Aid website (https://financialaid.fullcoll.edu/resources/#publications).
Financial Wellness
Fullerton College is committed to supporting student success–both academically and financially. To empower students with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions, the college offers access to several free financial wellness resources. These programs are designed to help students build smart money habits, manage student loans, and plan for a financially healthy future
-
ECMC Learning
-
Interactive Financial Education for Students: Fullerton College proudly offers students free access to ECMC Learning, an online platform provided by the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC). This interactive, self-paced resource helps students develop essential financial skills that support lifelong financial independence.
Topics include:- Budgeting and saving
- Managing student loans
- Credit and debt basics
- Identity protection
- Preparing for life after college
Accessible anytime, anywhere–students can get started with just a Fullerton College email address.
-
ECMC Solutions
One-on-One Student Loan Support
To support students in managing federal student loans, Fullerton College partners with ECMC Solutions, a free and confidential service. Whether in school, in grace, or in repayment, ECMC Solutions provides expert guidance on:
- Understanding repayment options
- Avoiding delinquency or default
- Setting up income-driven repayment plans
- Resolving loan-related questions
ECMC Solutions is committed to helping students maintain good loan standing and make informed decisions.
- CashCourse
- Financial Planning Tools and Real-Life Money Skills
- CashCourse is a free online financial education platform designed for college students. It offers a wide range of tools and lessons to help students make smart financial decisions now and in the future.
- Features include:
- Self-paced or instructor-assigned lessons
- Budget Wizard, financial calculators, worksheets, and quizzes
- A personalized dashboard to track progress
- Articles on real-life topics such as saving, credit, and long-term financial planning
CashCourse equips students with practical, real-world financial knowledge.
For more information and direct links, visit the Financial Wellness section of the Fullerton College Financial Aid website.