General Questions
Eligibility
Deadlines/Timeline
Expected Family Contribution
FAFSA / Cal Dream Act Application
Taxes
Scholarships
Resources/Additional Questions
Terminology
You can also watch Financial Aid videos online on our FA TV and get your questions answered by clicking on FATV.
General Questions
Q. When will I receive my financial aid refund?
A. Refunds will be processed once we determine your award eligiblity. Once we are ready to process a refund for you, you will receive an email from our office usually on the Tuesday prior to your refund date. Here’s a link to the refund dates: https://mjc.edu/studentservices/finaid/refunddates.php
Q. If I receive an EW, will it impact my financial aid academic progress evaluation (SAP)?
A. Grades of EW (Excused Withdraw) do not affect your financial aid academic progress evaluation.
Q. If I receive an EW, do I need to return funds?
A. In accordance with Federal Regulations students who receive federal financial assistance and withdraw from classes before completing more than 60% of the semester will be required to return any unearned federal funds (such as the federal Pell grant). This is true for any EW’s. We encourage you to consult with a financial aid representative before dropping from class.
Q. How can I submit my documents to Financial Aid?
A. Financial Aid documents can be submitted in person, by FAX at 209-575-7719 or to the MJC Financial Aid e-mail at mjc_finaid@mjc.edu
Q. How can I check the status of my Financial Aid?
A. Students can visit us in person on east or west campus, use the Chat Feature available on our website at mjc.edu, e-mail Financial Aid at mjc_finaid@mjc.edu or give us a call at (209)575-7700. Please be sure to include your W#.
Q. What if I need to do my ID Verification? How can this be done ?
A. You will be required to visit our office in person to present your ID verification. We are available on west campus in Yosemite Hall or on east campus in the Student Services Building. If you are unable to appear in person, you have the option to have your valid government-issued ID notarized. Be sure to follow the instructions provided on the Notary form.
Q. Do online classes count towards full time status?
A. Yes
Q. When will I receive notification that MJC has received my 22/23 FAFSA?
A. We are currently uploading the 22/23 FAFSA’s by the date they were submitted. Once we upload your 22/23 FAFSA we process the CCPG (California College Promise Grant) fee waiver and send an e-mail to the student’s MJC e-mail account.
Q. What is student financial aid?
A.Financial aid is money from federal, state, and private institutions used to pay college costs. There are two general types of aid: gift aid and self-help aid.
- Gift aid: The two types of gift aid are grants and scholarships. Grants and scholarships are similar- aid given to a student for which the student does not have to work or have an obligation to repay.
- Self-help aid: There are also two kinds of self-help aid, employment and loans. Employment- part time campus or off campus job. Loans-money used to pay current expenses with an obligation for repayment at some future time, usually with interest.
Q. How do I apply for financial aid?
A. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Cal Dream Act Application.
FAFSA filers: Apply online at www.fafsa.gov. You will need an FSA ID so you can electronically sign the FAFSA. An FSA ID can be obtained at Federal Student Aid website. If you are a dependent student, also get an FSA ID for your parent. Alternatively, you can complete a PDF FAFSA (Note: PDF FAFSA's must be mailed for processing) or request a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). If you are hearing impaired, please contact the TTY line at 1-800-730-8913. You will then need to mail the completed application in the envelope provided. Whether you apply online or with a paper application, use the appropriate FAFSA School Code for all of the schools you are considering. MJC's federal school code is 001240.
Dream Act filers: You may apply online at www.caldreamact.org. You will need a User ID and Password so you can electronically sign the Cal Dream application. If you are a dependent student, also get a PIN number for your parent. MJC's school code for the Cal Dream application is 00124000.
In addition to the FAFSA or Cal Dream Act application, a separate form may be required to apply for a Cal Grant, called the GPA Verification Form. A GPA Verification Form may be completed and mailed to the California Student Aid Commission. The form is available by accessing the Cal Grant website. The MJC Student Financial Services Office submits GPA's electronically for students who have completed a minimum of 16 degree-applicable units and have attended MJC within the last five years. You may log on to Pirates Net to verify your GPA has been submitted.
Q. What are college costs?
A. College costs vary widely. Most of the difference is in tuition and fees, which are lower at public institutions. Other costs are much the same at public or private institutions. Costs that are generally considered are: tuition, fees, books and supplies, room, meals, personal expenses and transportation.
Q. I probably don't qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?
A. Yes. Many families mistakenly think they don't qualify for aid and prevent themselves from receiving financial aid by failing to apply for it. The financial aid application is free. There is no good excuse for not applying.
Q. Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?
A. Yes you should apply for financial aid every year beginning October 1st for the following academic year. If your financial circ*mstances change, you may get more or less aid. Note that your eligibility for financial aid may change significantly, especially if you have a different number of family members in college. Renewal of your financial aid package also depends on your making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, such as earning a minimum number of credits and achieving a minimum GPA.
Q. How do I know if I am dependent or independent and who’s information I need to provide on the FAFSA or Cal Dream Act application?
A. Answer all questions in this step to determine if you will need to provide parental information for the 2022/2023 FAFSA or CADAA application.
- Were you born before January 1, 1999?
- As of today, are you married? (Also answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)
- At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.)?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
- Do you now have or will you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2023?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
- As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
- Does someone other than your parent or stepparent have legal guardianship of you, as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2021, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2021, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2021, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
If you (the student) answered "No" to every question you are considered dependent and must provide parent information.
If you answered "Yes" to any question you are considered independent and do not have to provide parent information.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for financial aid?
A:You must meet the following criteria:
Federal funds
- Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by an analysis of your FAFSA information
- Be enrolled in a degree, certificate or transfer program at Modesto Junior College
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or pass an "ability to benefit" (ATB) test prior to receipt of Federal funds
State funds
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by an analysis of your FAFSA or Cal Dream Act application information
- Be enrolled in a degree, certificate or transfer program at Modesto Junior College
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or pass an "ability to benefit" (ATB) test prior to receipt of State funds
Q: Must I be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?
A: Depending on your eligibility, you may receive financial aid if you are enrolled in fewer than 12 units. The amount you receive is based on the number of units in which you are enrolled.
Q: Will my fee waiver cover my books? How often do I need to apply?
A: The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) covers the cost of enrollment only. You need to apply for the CCPG once each academic year. You may already have a CCPG Fee Waiver if you filed a 2022-2023 financial aid application.
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Eligibility
Q. Am I Eligible for Financial Aid?
A. A student is eligible for Financial Aid if he/she satisfies the following criteria:
- Have a high school diploma, GED (or equivalency), or have passed an independently administered “Ability to Benefit” test approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Be enrolled in an eligible program leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer to a university.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. (FAFSA filers only)Eligible non-citizens: U.S. Permanent Residents with an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551) or Conditional Permanent Residents (I-551C) or those with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) showing the designations of Refugee, Asylum Granted, Parole or Cuban-Haitian Entrant.
- Submit all required forms and documents requested by the Financial Aid Office.
- Meet and maintain satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid.
- Have financial need, as demonstrated by a financial aid office review of your completed financial aid application.
- Do not owe a refund or a repayment on a federal grant.
- Not be in default on a federal educational loan.
- Have a valid Social Security Number (FAFSA filers only).
- Dependent students must also provide parents’ Social Security numbers if applicable.
Q. What is the income threshold for a family before financial aid is not offered to a student?
A. There is no income threshold for student aid eligibility. All of the questions on the financial aid application are used to determine the Expected Family Contribution which results in the financial aid award put together by the school. A family may have too much income to be awarded a Pell Grant, but this does not mean that they will not be eligible for other types of financial aid.
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Deadlines/Timeline
Q. Financial Aid Deadlines. Are there any?
A. The priority processing period for the FAFSA, Cal Dream Act application and GPA Verification form is October 1 through March 2. You may still submit a FAFSA after March 2nd, however, if you apply after the March 2nd deadline you will not receive priority consideration for a Cal Grant. You can still be considered for other types of financial aid.
Q. Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid at a particular university?
A. No. You can apply for financial aid any time after October 1. To actually receive funds, however, you must be admitted and enrolled at a college or university.
Q. Why can't I submit my financial aid application before October 1?
A. The need analysis process for financial aid uses the family's income and tax information from the most recent tax year (the base year) to judge your eligibility for need-based financial aid during the upcoming academic year (the award year). Since the base year ends December 31, you cannot submit a financial aid application until October 1. After all, your parents might earn a year-end bonus or realize capital gains from selling stocks on December 31. If you submit the financial aid application before October 1, it will be rejected.
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Expected Family Contribution
Q. I am paying for college on my own. Why do I have to submit my parent's information on my financial aid application?
A. Congress, in the law that governs the federal student aid programs, defines when parental information is required. Being claimed on a parent's tax return is not relevant to determining dependency. It is also not relevant if the family's decision is that paying for college is the responsibility of the student. A student becomes independent when they meet one of the conditions described on the financial aid application. Congress' intention is to establish the primary responsibility for a student's education is the student's and student's family for their undergraduate degree.
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FAFSA
Q. Where can I get a copy of the FAFSA? A. It is recommended that you submit your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov
Alternatively, you can complete a PDF FAFSA (Note: PDF FAFSAs must be mailed for processing) or request a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). If you are hearing impaired, please contact the TTY line at 1-800-730-8913.You will then need to mail the completed application in the envelope provided.
Q. Is filing on the Web really faster? A.
TIP: FAFSA on the Web also edits your application before you submit it. This helps ensure that the data you submit is ready to be processed.
Q. How soon after October 1 should the FAFSA/CADAA form be sent in? Is it better to wait until the income tax forms have been completed? A.
Q. I submitted in my FAFSA over four weeks ago but haven't heard anything. What should I do? A.
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Taxes
Q. How do I request my tax return transcript from the IRS?
A. Click on"IRS" for instructions.
Q. Are work-study earnings taxable?
A. The money you earn from Federal Work-Study is generally subject to federal and state income tax, but exempt from FICA taxes (provided you are enrolled full time and work less than half-time).
Federal Work-Study earnings during the calendar year should be included in the totals for Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). The student should also be careful to report amounts based on the calendar year, not the school year. You should receive W-2s at the end of January.
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Scholarships
Q. I got an outside scholarship. Should I report it to the financial aid office?
A. Yes. If you are receiving any kind of financial aid from outside sources, you must report the scholarship to the financial aid office.
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Resources-Additional Questions
Q. Where can I get information about federal student financial aid?
A. Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (if hearing impaired) and ask for a free copy of The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the US Department of Education. This toll free hotline is run by the US Department of Education and can answer questions about federal and state student aid programs and applications.
Q. Where can I get information about state student financial aid?
A. Call the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) toll free at 1-888-224-7268 or visit their website at www.csac.ca.gov for information.
Q. Where do I get financial aid forms?
A. The FAFSA and FAFSA worksheets are available at www.fafsa.gov You can also check with your local high school counselor's office or the financial aid office at a college or university near you.
Q. Where can I get help if I have questions about the financial aid forms?
A. You can contact the Student Financial Services Office if you have questions about the FAFSA or Cal Dream Act application. If you have questions specifically about the FAFSA, you can also call the Federal Student Aid Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Q. Can I use Corrections on the Web to make corrections or updates to an application I have already submitted? A.
You cannot change:
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- Your Social Security Number (SSN). If your SSN is incorrect, you must complete a new application with the correct SSN.
- Your financial information, unless it was incorrect as of the day the FAFSA was submitted.
- Your marital status, unless it was incorrect as of the day the FAFSA was submitted.
If you feel you have unusual circ*mstances that should be considered after your FAFSA is processed, you should contact your school's financial aid office to find out how you might be able to correct your application
Q. I submitted my FAFSA under the wrong Social Security Number (SSN) or name. What should I do? A.
Q. What if my FAFSA application is missing signatures? A.
1. If you have an FSA ID you can electronically sign your application by selecting "Sign Electronically With Your FSA ID" under the "Filling Out a FAFSA" section of the home page.
2. Select "Check Status of a Submitted FAFSA" or "Print Signature Page" under the FAFSA Follow-Up section of the home page to print a signature page, then sign it and mail it in.
3. If you have a paper Student Aid Report (SAR), sign and mail it in.
4. Check with the Student Financial Services Office to see if they are able to apply your signatures electronically.
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Terminology
EFC - Expected Family Contribution
TI - Total Income
ATI - Allowances Against Total Income
STX - State and Other Tax Allowance
EA - Employment Allowance
IPA - Income Protection Allowance
CAI - Contribution from Available Income (Independent Student)
DNW - Discretionary Net Worth
APA - Education Savings and Asset Protection Allowance
PCA - Parents' Contribution from Assets
AAI - Adjusted Available Income
TPC - Total Parents' Contribution
TSC - Total Student's Contribution
PC - Parents' Contribution
SIC - Dependent Student's Income Contribution
SCA - Dependent Student's Contribution from Assets
