STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

Student Financial Services are available on all three campuses. The hours are as follows:

Monday and Tuesday	8:00-6:00
Wednesday and Thursday	8:00-5:00
Friday	8:00-12:30

Our services are complemented with your support in the following ways:    

1. Scholarships - Financial assistance from various public and/or private organizations that students may apply for. Eligibility is based on a variety of criteria - financial need, GPA, major, club involvement, etc.

What you can do:

• Write recommendation letters for students that may be applying for scholarships
• Serve on the RCC District Scholarship Committee
• Encourage students to apply for scholarships through the RCC Scholarship Brochure, which is available during the fall semester, and our listing of additional scholarships from other sources available year-round in each of our offices and at our Student Financial Services webpage.
  

2. Student Employment - There are two types of Student Employment:

Federal Work Study - This is a federally subsidized award that allows a student to earn money while gaining valuable work experience.

District Employment - On-campus employment opportunities throughout the District that are paid from a department's district budget, allowing students to earn additional income while gaining valualbe work experience.

For more information regarding student employment, please review the Student Employment Handbook.

What you can do:

• Hire student workers in your department to support our students in earning a Federal Work Study Award.

3. Grants and Loans - There are several types of grants and loans:

Pell Grant - This is a federal grant based on Expected Family Contribution and enrollment status. This is money that does not need to be repaid. Funds are disbursed throughout the term based on start date of classes, number of units enrolled in, and the financial need as determined by the Department of Education.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants - This is a federal grant awarded in addition to the Pell Grant. Due to limited funding, only students that meet our priority-filing deadline, have the highest need, and meet satisfactory academic progress will be awarded this grant.

Cal Grants - A grant awarded by the state to low to middle-income students who are California residents and meet the eligibility qualifications as determined first by the state and then by the institution. To apply for a Cal Grant, the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form must be completed and postmarked by March 2, 2004.

Student Loans - Money that a student can borrow in order to pay for educational expenses. This is money that must be paid back with interest. Our institution participates in the Federal Family Educational Loan Program (FFELP) and works on an approved default management plan. Loans are the last type of financial assistance.

What you can do:

• Encourage students to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Know that students must complete all courses with a 2.0 GPA for continued eligibility.
• Students are placed in a financial aid probationary status when a 2.0 GPA is not met. You may be requested by the student to provide additional support in directing them to a tutor.
  

4. Board of Governor's Waiver (BOGW) - This will waive a student's enrollment fees and health service fees. Also, it will reduce their parking sticker fee to $20.00 during the fall and spring semester. Students must be a California resident to be eligible for the BOGW. Students may apply by completing the FAFSA or the BOGW application, which is available on our website and in the schedule of classes. Applying in the Summer assists the student in eligibility for the rest of the academic year.

What you can do:

• Know that students have an opportunity to apply for a waiver to assist them in paying for their classes. This waiver also waives their health fees and reduces their parking fees.

Applications for each of these programs, as well as consumer information for each program, are available on all three campuses and online at our Student Financial Services website. Information may also be provided to you in your mailbox to assist us in marketing each of these programs. When information is given to you, please take a moment to announce the various updates to your classes.