Packaging and Awarding
When a student applies for financial aid, funds usually come from more than one source (federal, state, private, etc.) and the combination of financial resources is referred to as packaging. Once your financial need is determined, you will be awarded aid in the following order until your need has been met or until no additional funds are available.
-
California College Promise Grant
-
The California College Promise Grant is a state program that was designed to provide educational assistance for eligible California residents, AB540 or DACA students attending a California community college by waiving enrollment fees. Students can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), California Dream Act Application (CADA) or the CCPG application.
-
CCPG (Method A)
-
The CCPG A is designed for students receiving various forms of government assistance such as TANF, SSI/SSP or General Assistance. Students applying for the CCPG A only and no other financial aid, need to submit a paper CCPG application along with documents as outlined on the form. The form is available at the front counter of the Financial Aid Office.
-
CCPG (Method B)
-
The CCPG B is for students meeting specific income requirements set by the state of California each year.
-
CCPG (Method C)
-
The CCPG C is for students that have applied for financial aid and have been determined to have an unmet need of $1,104.
-
CCPG (Method D)
-
The CCPG D is for students under the age of 25 that have been determined to be homeless within the last 24 months preceding their admission application.
-
Loss of CCPG
-
California community college students receiving the CCPG will have to meet minimum academic and progress standards to remain eligible for the waiver. A student that is no longer eligible for the CCPG will receive an email notification from Admissions and Records of their loss of eligibility and will need to complete an appeal form with Admissions and Records to attempt to reinstate this grant.
-
-
Federal Pell Grant
-
Pell grant is a federal, need based grant that does not need to be paid back. These federal grants are available to assist students in meeting educational costs. Federal Pell Grants are targeted to students with high financial need. Eligibility is determined from the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), a calculation determined on information submitted on your FAFSA. Pell Grant awards are adjusted if you enroll in fewer than 12 units per semester. To remain eligible for Pell Grant, you must be meeting satisfactory academic progress.
Pell Grant Percentage Table
Enrollment Status Units Enrolled Percentage of Grant Disbursement Full Time 12 or more units 100% Three Quarter Time 9.0—11.5 units 75% Half Time 6.0—8.5 units 50% Less Than Half Time 5.5 or less units Eligibility to be determined Lifetime Eligibility
Effective July 1, 2012, you can only receive a maximum of 6 years of full-time grant towards your undergraduate education, including work at a four-year college or university. If you intend on transferring to a 4-year college or university, you should not use more than half of your Pell Grant eligibility at College of the Desert. Once you have reached your 6-year mark, referred to as 600%, you will no longer be eligible for additional Pell funding. There are no exceptions or appeals. To review your current Pell Lifetime Eligibility, you can visit NSLDS Student Access.
-
Cal Grant
-
Cal Grant A, B, and C are state-funded, need-based grants given to California college students and do not need to be repaid. Students must be California residents, attend a qualifying California college, demonstrate financial need, have a high school diploma, meet federal aid requirements, and be enrolled at least half-time (6 units). Cal Grant B and C are the only Cal Grant awards offered at College of the Desert. To review your Cal Grant Eligibility or to learn more information about the program you can visit the California Student Aid Commission. You must be meeting satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for this program.
The state funded grants are available to California residents who apply by March 2nd for the next school year and qualify based on standards set by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). In addition to completing a FAFSA/DACA by March 2nd, you must also complete the “Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.” There is an additional deadline of September 2nd for students completing the FAFSA that are attending a community college.
-
College Grade Point Average (GPA) Information
-
College of the Desert will transmit GPAs electronically every February and September for California residents who have completed at least 16 but less than 24 units called a reestablished GPA or a community college GPA if the student has hit 24 units of transferrable coursework, or its equivalent, regardless of the grade received. Students who have earned less than the required number of units at College of the Desert but have units from another college need to come to the Financial Aid Office to complete the GPA Verification form and attached a copy of their unofficial transcripts.
GPAs for AB540 students are only uploaded by the March 2nd deadline. The September 2nd upload is only provided for students eligible for the Competitive Cal Grant. Legislation within AB131 provides that AB540 (Dreamers) are not eligible to participate in the Competitive Cal Grant.
-
Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)
-
The SSCG is a state funded, need based grant that full-time community college students receiving Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C may receive. The program is designed to encourage students to maintain full-time status throughout their academic career. No additional application needs to be submitted, eligibility with automatically be determined by the college. Funding is limited for this grant and will be awarded to students based on file completion. You must be meeting satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for this program.
-
Chafee Grant
-
The California Chafee Grant Program gives money to current and former Foster Youth to use for vocational training or a degree program. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units to be eligible for the Chaffee Grant. The Chafee Grant Program, also known as the Educational and Training Voucher (ETV), is a federally and state funded program and is subject to the availability of funds each year. For eligibility, the student must have been a Foster Youth between the ages of 16 to 18, have not reached their 26th birthday as of July 1 of the award year and have been eligible to receive services from the Department of Social Services Independent Living Program (ILP). In addition to completing the FAFSA or CADA, students must complete the Chafee Grant Application. Award amounts are based on financial need.
-
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
-
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federally funded program that is provided by the U.S Department of Education for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need and does not need to be repaid. Unlike the Federal Pell Program, FSEOG funding is limited and there is no guarantee that all eligible students will receive FSEOG. FSEOG grants are awarded in the amount of $500 per semester and funds depend on the availability at the school. The FSEOG is administered directly by the Financial Aid Office at College of the Desert. Students must be meeting satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for the program.
FSEOG Selection
To be considered for FSEOG, students must complete the FAFSA that applies to the award year for which they will enroll at the College of the Desert. Eligibility is based on their answers on the FAFSA, and they must meet citizenship and eligibility requirements as required for all Title IV Programs.
Primary consideration for FSEOG is given to students who demonstrate a high financial need, have a zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC), are receiving a Federal Pell Grant and are enrolled in at least 9 units. Students whose financial aid file is completed on or before our first priority deadline of the fall semester (usually the 2nd week in July) will also be the first to be considered.
-
Scholarships
-
Scholarships are funds from a variety of sources that do not need to be repaid. The amounts and eligibility requirements vary by scholarship. Some scholarships are need-based scholarships and others are non-need-based scholarships. The scholarship awarding process takes place throughout the year.
College of the Desert (Desert Community College District) Foundation offers scholarships for continuing and transfer students. To be considered for a Foundation scholarship, you must complete the scholarship application and go through the eligibility and selection process. The scholarship application opens December prior to the start of the following academic year. Scholarships are usually awarded to the student(s) who best fit the criteria as established by the donor and/or organization providing the scholarship funds. Students will receive a notification to their MyCOD email if they are awarded a scholarship with steps to complete the acceptance process. Please visit the scholarship webpage for more information.
-
Federal Work Study (FWS)
-
FWS is federally subsidized employment available to students who demonstrate financial need. The amount of a work-study award depends on the student’s financial need and the availability of funds at College of the Desert, the amount will never exceed $6,000 per award year. FWS funds are disbursed directly to students in the form of a monthly paycheck by the District unless the student has registered for direct deposit with the Payroll Department. Eligible students will receive the same rate as the current minimum wage. To be eligible for FWS, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and remain enrolled in a minimum of 6 units for the semester. Students can review job openings and apply online at Job Hub.
-
Alumni Work Study (AWS)
-
AWS is an institutionally (COD Alumni Foundation) subsidized employment available to students who demonstrate qualifications set forth by the COD Alumni Foundation and the Financial Aid Office. The amount of a work-study award depends on the availability of funds at College of the Desert, the amount will never exceed $6,000 per award year. AWS funds are disbursed directly to students in the form of a monthly paycheck by the District unless the student has registered for direct deposit with the Payroll Department. Eligible students will receive the same rate as the current minimum wage. To be eligible for AWS, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and remain enrolled in a minimum of 12 units for the semester. Students can review job openings and apply online at Job Hub.
-
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
-
EOPS is restricted to low-income, educationally disadvantaged students and provides grants, books and counseling services to eligible students. To learn more about their services, please contact EOPS at (760) 773-2539.
-
Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)
-
CARE is designed to encourage single parents receiving TANF/CalWORKS to enroll in college. CARE provides counseling, financial aid and childcare assistance to eligible students. To learn more about their services, please contact CARE at 760-773-2539.
