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Myths about Financial Aid
- If you do not live with your parents and/or are not claimed on their income tax return you are an independent student.
- You or your parents cannot receive any financial aid because your family's income is too high.
- If I am not a straight "A" student, I will not qualify for financial aid.
- My chances of receiving financial aid are the same no matter when I apply.
- There is no need for me to complete the FAFSA because I cannot attend college full-time and therefore am ineligible for financial aid.
- I thought I did not have to apply for financial aid every year, so I did not complete a FAFSA this year.
- I will get my financial aid immediately after applying.
- The Financial Aid Office has my FAFSA so nothing else is needed.
- Financial Aid will pay for any course I choose to take.
- Grades do not matter.
- Can only receive aid at one college.
- If I receive financial aid while attending a community college, I won't be able to receive financial aid when I transfer to a four-year university.
- BOGFW is the only type of financial aid available at a community college.
- I must be a U.S. Citizen to receive financial aid.
- If you do not live with your parents and/or are not claimed on their income tax return you are an independent student.
False. Except for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver Application (BOGFW), you are considered to be an independent student only if one of the categories below describes you:
- You are 24 years of age or older.
- You are working on a master's or doctorate degree or graduate certificate.
- You are married as of the date you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- You have children who receive more than half of their support from you.
- You have dependents other than your spouse or children who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you.
- Both of your parents are deceased, or you are a ward or dependent of the court, or were one until age 18.
- You are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or attended a service academy and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.
- You have unusual circumstances documented by your college financial aid administrator.
- You or your parents cannot receive any financial aid because your family's income is too high.
False. Income is only one of the criteria used in the evaluation. If the college's costs exceed your family's means, you will qualify for some form of financial aid as long as you meet the basic eligibility criteria. Also, scholarships are based on both need and merit.
- If I am not a straight "A" student, I will not qualify for financial aid.
False. It is true that many scholarships reward merit, but the vast majority of financial aid is based on need.
- My chances of receiving financial aid are the same no matter when I apply.
False. You are strongly encouraged to submit your FAFSA at the earliest date allowable because some funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
- There is no need for me to complete the FAFSA because I cannot attend college full-time and therefore am ineligible for financial aid.
False. Students do not have to attend full-time to receive financial aid. Awards are adjusted based on your current enrollment status.
- I thought I did not have to apply for financial aid every year, so I did not complete a FAFSA this year.
False. Students must reapply for financial aid every new school year, no matter what. Aid does not carry forward from year to year or from one college to another.
- I will get my financial aid immediately after applying.
False. Financial aid applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The Financial Aid Office has my FAFSA so nothing else is needed.
False. Upon our Office's electronic receipt of your FAFSA, we will let you know what other documents are required to complete your financial aid file.
- Financial Aid will pay for any course I choose to take.
False. If you decide for whatever reason to audit or enroll in a course offered through community services, you are not eligible to receive a Board of Governors Fee Waiver or any other financial aid for this course(s). You are solely responsible for the payment of this course (s). No exceptions to this policy can be made. There may be other instances in which financial aid may not pay for certain courses. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information if you have questions.
- Grades do not matter.
False. All grades are counted for financial aid applicants and recipients regardless of whether or not a student received financial aid previously. Financial aid recipients are monitored on an annual basis for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please refer to the current college catalog or contact the LAVC Financial Aid Office for more information.
- Can only receive aid at one college.
True. You can only receive aid at one college per semester. Refer to Commonly Asked Questions for additional information.
- If I receive financial aid while attending a community college, I won't be able to receive financial aid when I transfer to a four-year university.
It depends. Students may receive financial aid while in attendance at a community college as well as upon transferring to a four-year college, but certain programs do have limited years of funding so contact the LAVC Financial Aid Office for specific information.
- BOGFW is the only type of financial aid available at a community college.
False. Several types of financial aid are available for those who qualify including the Federal Pell Grant, Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
- I must be a U.S. Citizen to receive financial aid.
False. To be considered for financial aid, a student must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen.