Financial Aid

Awards
Awards take the form of a "package" of financial aid, usually consisting of grant money and work-study, depending on the financial need of the applicant and the available funds. Awards may be adjusted at any time upon notice of receipt of resources not previously reported or a change in enrollment status. Revisions to awards are always possible because personal financial circumstances are so unpredictable. If funding is available, aid for valid educational expenses not already covered in the student cost budget may be increased.

Financial aid checks are usually ready for disbursement approximately four or five weeks after the start of classes. Pell Grant disbursements are based on enrollment levels at time of payment and will not be adjusted. However, SEOG and Cal Grant payments will be adjusted according to enrollment status. If you withdraw from classes after aid has been disbursed to you, you may be required to repay all or part of this aid. An automated system is available in the college bookstores to allow students to use a portion of their Pell Grant to purchase books and supplies two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Funds will be set aside from each student's Pell Grant and placed in a special account in the bookstore. This account may be used for the purchase of books and supplies until the funds are exhausted. The account is valid at the City, Mesa, and Miramar College and ECC bookstores, regardless of where students are taking classes. Back to Top

Students who elect not to purchase books from the college bookstore, or have any funds remaining on account, will receive the funds in the mail with the remainder of their Pell Grant award.

Students must be making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients. Copies are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Return of Title IV Funds
Beginning 2000-2001, Federal law requires that if a student receives a grant and then drops/withdraws from all his/her classes, he/she will owe money back to the Federal Government. Note that the earlier a student drops/withdraws, the more money he/she will have to pay back.

• If a student receives LOAN money and withdraws, he/she must pay back the money according to the normal rules of the loan program.

• If a student receives WORKSTUDY money and withdraws, he/she does not owe anything back and may keep the salary earned.

For more detailed information, contact the Financial Aid Office. Back to Top