Apply for Financial Aid

Choose the correct application based on your eligibility:

Apply Using the FAFSA	Apply Using the CADAA
You are eligible to complete the FAFSA if you are a: U.S. Citizen Permanent Resident Eligible non-citizen T Visa holder	Undocumented Have a valid or expired DACA U Visa Holders Have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Meet AB 540, SB 2000, SB 68

Priority Deadlines

The Cal Grant priority deadline is March 2 each year, but students can still apply after the deadline.

What You Need to Complete the FAFSA or CADAA:

• FSA ID (If you already created an account) or CSAC ID
• Personal Info: Full name, Date of Birth, Email, Phone #, Social Security Number (if applicable)
• Alien Registration Number (for eligible non-U.S. citizens)
• Income tax returns (1040 forms, W-2, & other income records IF no SSN)
• Dependent students must also provide your parent/guardian personal info: Name, DOB, Email, SSN (if applicable)

Important Reminders:

• Include the Federal School Code: 030357 (Las Positas College).
• Electronically sign & submit your FAFSA using an FSA ID
• If you do not consent & approve of the retreival & disclosure of your Federal Tax Info, you will not be eligible for federal aid
• For CA Dream Act applicants, a parent must sign using a Parent PIN
• Students must reapply EVERY year before the March 2 Cal Grant deadline to be eligible for aid that academic year. 

After submitting your FAFSA, review your Student Aid Report (FSS) for accuracy.

• If corrections are needed, update your FAFSA or CADAA application before submitting additional documents.

Check your MyPortal account to view and submit any required documents.

Once your financial aid application is processed, you will receive email notifications via Zonemail.

How to Check Your Requirements & Award Status:

1. Log in to MyPortal
2. Select CLASS-Web
3. Select the Financial Aid tab
4. Click My Eligibility
5. Select Student Requirements
6. Choose the appropriate Aid Year
7. Click FinAid Terms & Conditions

If you need assistance uploading forms, email our office or visit during drop-in hours.

Processing time for verification documents is four to six weeks.

Make sure to review all financial aid policies and requirements to maintain eligibility.

• FAFSA applicants will receive instructions on selecting a refund preference through BankMobile Disbursements.
• Returning students will receive funds according to their previous refund preference.
• CA Dream Act applicants will receive refund checks from the District Office (if eligible).

If you have trouble setting up your refund preference, visit the BankMobile Disbursements page.

To remain eligible for financial aid, students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, including:

• Maintaining the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Completing at least 67% of attempted coursework

SAP Warnings & Disqualification

• Students who do not meet SAP requirements for the first time will be placed on Warning Status for one term.
• Students who fail to meet SAP after the warning term will be placed on Financial Aid Disqualification.

How to Check Your SAP Status:

1. Log in to MyPortal
2. Select CLASS-Web
3. Select the Financial Aid tab
4. Click My Eligibility
5. Select Academic Progress
6. Choose the appropriate Aid Year

If you do not see your financial aid application in the system, possible reasons include:

• You have not completed your FAFSA or CADAA for the correct aid year.
• You did not enter the Federal School Code: 030357 on your application.
• Your FAFSA was submitted, but Las Positas College has not received it yet (processing takes 7-10 days).
• Your CADAA submission is still being processed (longer processing times apply).
• Your application was not submitted by using your FSA ID for FAFSA

For further assistance, please contact our office or visit FAFSA's Help Center/CADAA's Help Center. 

To qualify for federal and most state financial aid, you must meet several requirements:

1. Citizenship or Eligible Non-Citizen Status

• You Must Be:

  • A U.S. citizen, OR
  • An eligible non-citizen (such as a permanent resident, resident alien, refugee, or asylee).
    
    

• Important Notes:

  • Some California aid programs may have less strict rules for non-U.S. citizens.
  • Not Eligible:
    • Non-immigrants on temporary visas (for example, F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, and others such as A, B-1, B-2, C, D-1, D-2, E, G, H series, K, L, M series, N, O series, P series, Q, R, S, TN, TD, V, TWOV, and NATO visas).
    • Individuals with only a “Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence” (Form I-171 or I-464).
    • Holders of G series visas (for international organizations).
    • Undocumented students or those with only temporary statuses like certain DACA cases (note: DACA recipients may be eligible for state or college aid; they should complete the FAFSA and check with the Financial Aid Office).
      
      

• Documentation:
  Social Security cards or driver’s licenses are not enough to prove citizenship or eligible non-citizen status. You must provide the specific documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office.

For more details on non-U.S. citizens’ eligibility, visit the studentaid.gov webpage:
Non-U.S. Citizens Eligibility.

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2. Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Enrollment:

  • You must apply to and be enrolled at Las Positas College.
  • You need to be officially enrolled in a degree, certificate, or eligible transfer program in a declared major.
    
    

• Academic Progress:

  • You must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the college’s financial aid policy.
    
    

• Financial Need:

  • Demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application.
    
    

• Loan/Grant Standing:

  • You must not be in default on any Federal student loans or owe a repayment on a Federal student grant.
    
    

• Educational Background:

  • You must have a high school diploma, GED, or a state-approved equivalent.
    
    

• Documentation:

  • Provide all documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office (check MyPORTAL for details).

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By meeting these criteria, you can be considered for federal and most state financial aid. Make sure to review all requirements and submit the proper documentation to the Financial Aid Office. Please confirm with our office on your eligibility and send all information with your 'Zonemail' email acccount & include your W#.

CA Dream Act and AB 540 Details
The Dream Act are two laws that passed in 2011 that allow AB 540 students to apply for and receive state & insitutional financial aid,

• If you are an AB 540 student and meet all of the following criteria, you are exempt from paying non-resident enrollment fees:

  Attendance Requirement	Completion of a Course of Study
  3 years of high school, adult school, community college (credit courses: only 2 Full-time years are considered) or any combination of the above in California OR 3 years of high school coursework and attended a combination of CA elementary, secondary, and high school	CA high school diploma, CA adult school, GED or the equivalent (HiSET, TASC, CHSPE) Degree from a CA Community College Fulfilled minimum transfer requirements to a UC or CSU Campus

• For more information, please view Quick Guide to SB 68 by Immigrants Rising
• You will need to submit documents to Admissions and Records to establish AB 540 status. 
  
  
• If required, complete an AB 540 CALIFORNIA NONRESIDENT TUITION EXEMPTION REQUEST affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for an immigration status. 

Types of Aid Available

Students only need to submit ONE California Dream Application to apply for multiple financial aid programs.

California College Promise Grant (Fee Waiver)

This grant covers the $46 per unit enrollment fee at California community colleges for eligible students.

Support from EOPS, CARE, or CalWORKs

These programs provide services such as tutoring, book vouchers, and additional financial assistance for eligible students.

Apply directly through each program's department:

• EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs & Services)
• CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity & Responsibility to Kids)
• CARE Program (Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education)

Cal Grant A, B, & C

Provides financial assistance for tuition and school expenses when transferring to a four-year university.

• Deadlines:  September 2
• Apply using the California Dream Application and GPA Verification Form
• To qualify for GPA verification from LPC, students must have completed at least 16 college units (excluding basic skills and ESL courses). Otherwise, GPA verification must come from the student’s high school.

California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) 

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG),  is a financial aid program designed to support undocumented students, also known as Dreamers, in achieving their educational goals at our college. This program encourages California Dream Act Application (CADAA) students who have received a Cal Grant A award (and meet Cal Grant B eligibility) or a Cal Grant B award to engage in community service or volunteer work. 

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $2,250 per semester) to eligible students. The grant is available for up to 8 semesters while the student holds an active Cal Grant A or B award.

Resources for undocumented students.

Chafee Grant (Foster Youth)

Financial aid program for current and former foster youth.

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but funds are limited.
• Apply using the California Dream Application and Chafee Grant Application

Tuition Difference After Establishing AB 540 Status

Institution	CA Resident Tuition for Fall & Spring Semester	Non-residents (taking 12 semester units) for Fall and Spring Semester
Las Positas College	$1,104*	$8,064
CSU	$5,742*	$16,812
UC	$12,570*	$47,293

*This is an estimate and the actual amounts are subject to change. 

Resources for Dreamers

• CSAC Resources for California Dream Act Application 
• Undocumented Students
• I Can Afford College 
• TODEC Legal Center

Your dependency status determines whose information is used to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI):

• Independent Student:
  Only your information (and your spouse's, if you are married) is used. You are considered an Independent Student if any of the following apply:

  • You were born before January 1, 2001 (as asked on the 2024–25 FAFSA).
  • You are married.
  • You have legal dependents of your own.
  • You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (having served on active duty).
  • You are a ward of the court or both of your parents are decease

• Dependent Student:
  If none of the above conditions apply, you are considered a Dependent Student, which means you must provide your parents’ income information on your FAFSA.

For more details, visit:
FAFSA Dependency Status Information

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Overriding Dependency Status

In some cases, you can have your dependency status changed through a Dependency Override Petition if you face extenuating circumstances (for example, situations involving abuse or other adverse family circumstances). To be considered for an override:

• You must document your circumstances with support from a professional that is familiar with your situation.
  
  
• You need to file a Request for Professional Judgement of Unusual Circumstances (Dependency Override Petition upon request).

For guidance on this process, please contact a Financial Aid Advisor at lpcfinaid@laspositascollege.edu.

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Additional Support

If you are at risk of homelessness, you may be referred to Amanda Ingold, Homeless Liaison (925-424-1590), who can provide immediate assistance and connect you with additional support services and resources.

Make sure to review your dependency status carefully, as it affects the information you provide and your eligibility for federal financial aid.

It’s not too late! If you have not yet submitted your FAFSA or CADAA for the correct aid year, you may still be eligible for grants for the fall and spring semesters. You can still submit an application and receive retroactive payment.

If you have questions, please:

• Email us from your Zonemail account (include your W#)

Understanding FAFSA Submission Summary & Financial Aid Offers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OUgHGlU8Mg 

Check Your Financial Aid Status

Once you submit your FAFSA or CADAA, you must log in to My Portal to complete any required steps:

1. Go to MyPortal
2. Select the Classic CLASS-Web card
3. Select the Financial Aid Tab
4. Click My Eligibility
5. Select Student Requirements
6. Choose the correct Aid Year

All required documents must be submitted before financial aid funds are released. No funds will be disbursed (except for the LPC Promise Scholarship) until all requirements are met.

If you are required to "Verify My Application", please note that processing may take several weeks.

Additional:

• Double-check that you submitted the correct FAFSA for the right aid year.
• Confirm that you entered our Federal School Code: 030357 in your application.

If you need further assistance, reach out via Zonemail or visit our Office.

If you cannot find your financial aid information, it may be due to the following reasons:

• You did not submit the FAFSA or CADAA.
• You did not enter our Federal School Code (030357) on your FAFSA.
• You submitted your FAFSA, but we have not yet received it (processing takes about 7–10 days)