Eligibility For Financial Aid

To be eligible to file the FAFSA, students must:

• Demonstrate financial need for need-based federal student aid programs;

• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;

• have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);

• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;

• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;

• provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly into your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form;

• sign the certification statement on the FAFSA form stating that you’re not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you’ll only use federal student aid for educational purposes; and

• show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education. 

• • You can show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by  

• • • having a high school diploma or a state-recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;

• • • completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law); or

• • • enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives described below.

Any of the following students who meet the requirements for a “non-resident tuition exemption” can apply for the CADAA:

• Undocumented students
• DACA recipients (valid or expired)
• Students with a U visa
• Students with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

U.S. citizens or “green card holders” whose parent(s) or spouse are undocumented (mixed-status families) can also apply for the CADAA if they do not want to submit a FAFSA.

What is the “non-resident tuition exemption” or AB 540?

For more than 20 years, California has provided a pathway to allow undocumented students to attend college. “Non-resident tuition exemption” is often referred to as “AB 540” and is a requirement to apply for CADAA. AB 540 is a status that allows students to be considered a California resident for purposes of paying in-state tuition (instead of out-of-state tuition, which is much higher). To qualify for AB 540, students must submit an AB 540 Affidavit indicating that they have:

• 3 years of coursework and
• 3 years of attendance at a combination of California elementary school, middle school, high school, adult school, or community college

There is a short section in the CADAA that allows you to submit the AB 540 Affidavit. For more information on Non-resident tuition exemption, or AB 540, please visit the Admissions and Records Office.

You must meet at least one of the following conditions:

Financial Need (Method A): Have a minimum financial need based on your FAFSA or CADAA for the award year.

Income Standards (Method B): Have a household income below the maximum income limits for your family size.

Public Assistance (Method C): Receive benefits from TANF/CalWORKs, SSI, or General Assistance at the time of application.

How to Apply

1. Complete an Application:

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), or the CCPG paper application.

2. Provide Documentation:

Submit any required proof to verify your eligibility, such as a Federal Income Tax Return or documentation of public assistance participation.

Maintaining Eligibility

To continue receiving the CCPG fee waiver, you must:

• Academic Standard: Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Progress Standard: Complete more than 50% of your attempted coursework.

Important Notes

• The CCPG only waives the per-unit enrollment fees; it does not cover other fees, such as student health, technology, or parking fees.
• Eligibility for the fee waiver is determined for an entire academic year.

Students may still qualify for Federal Financial Aid through the Ability to Benefit (ATB) rules if you don't have a high school diploma or GED. Students may become eligible for financial aid through the ATB alternatives in one of two ways:

1. If a student first enrolled in an eligible postsecondary program prior to July 1, 2012 (regardless if student received financial aid), the student may enroll in any eligible program and can become eligible through one of the ATB alternatives.
2. If a student first enrolled in an eligible postsecondary program on or after July 1, 2012, the student may only become eligible through one of the ATB alternatives if the student is enrolled in an “eligible career pathway program”.

 

The ATB alternatives include:

• Passing an independently-administered ATB test approved by the Department of Education.
• Completing at least six credit hours, or 225 clock hours, that are applicable toward a Title IV-eligible degree or certificate offered by the postsecondary institution. Neither remedial nor developmental coursework may count toward this requirement.
• Completing a state process approved by the Secretary of Education. Note: Sate processes has been approved for the state of California as of July 31,2024.

 

Please note that the San Bernardino Community College District, which includes Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College, does not currently have any approved Eligible Career Pathway Programs.

Next Steps

If you do not have a high school diploma but would like to apply for financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office to see if you qualify under ATB.