When it comes to paying for school there are many ways to flip the bill.
You can pay for it yourself, ask your parents to help, or maybe even take a big withdrawal from that college fund your grandparents left for you.
However, for those that lack those luxuries there is always the help of student aid. There are many types of student aid available.
According to the Bakersfield College Web site, “there are federal and state aid programs, which include grants, loans, and work study opportunities,” as well as “scholarships . offered each year for continuing/transferring students and for high school seniors.”
The types of federal aid available include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Stafford Loan, and the Academic Competitiveness Grant.
The types of state aid available include Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver, Cal Grants A, B or C, Cooperative Agencies and Resources for Education and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services.
With so many options for students, a little research in what these programs are all about may be useful.
According to the BC Web site, “Grants are gift aid awarded on the basis of financial need.” This aid comes from the federal government, the state of California, and the California Student Aid Commission.
Pell Grant is a federally funded program that gives annual awards that range from $400 to $4050, do not need to be repaid, and are awarded based on financial need. According to the Web site, “All BC financial aid applicants are required to apply for a Pell Grant as a condition for receiving campus-based financial aid.”
SEOG is a federally funded program for students who have exceptional financial need, according to the Web site. “Yearly awards for California residents are $400 and $2,000 for non-resident students and do not need to be repaid.”
ACG is a grant for recent high school graduates, who according to the Web site, “may be eligible for an additional grant for up to $750 for the first year of college and $1300 for the second year.” However, students must “attend college full-time and must be a U.S. citizen.”
One of the state programs is the CARE program, which provides financial aid as well as counseling services, according to the Web site. This program is “specifically designed for students who are single parents, with a need for child care, transportation and/or books and supplies.” This grant ranges from $200 to $1500 per academic year and does not need to be repaid.
Another state funded program is the BOGW, which is not a cash reward. The BOGW is, according to the Web site, “implemented to waive the per unit enrollment fee at community colleges.”
Cal Grants A, B, and C are all state funded grants.
The Cal Grant A program is for low and middle-income students to help with tuition costs at a four-year university in California. Even though “this grant can only be used at a four-year college, students are encouraged to apply while attending Bakersfield College because awards can be held on reserve until the student transfers,” urges the Web site.
Cal Grant B provides “assistance for educational expenses to students from disadvantaged and low-income families,” according to the Web site. “There are also a limited number of Community College Transfer Cal Grant B awards given to community college students transferring to a four-year college.” This grant ranges from $100 to $1551.
Cal Grant C “provides tuition and training allowance for students enrolled in a vocational program,” and “are a maximum of $576 and do not need to be repaid.”
Lastly, there is the EOP&S program, “which provides a wide range of services including books, peer mentoring and academic, career and personal counseling.”
For all of these programs, eligibility is determined in part by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA can be completed and submitted at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
The Web site also mentions different loans that are available. However, they say that “loans should be used as a last resort to meet educational expenses,” because loans are borrowed and must be repaid with interest. There are several places to apply for loans, such as banks, credit unions, and even some credit card companies are offering student loans.
The Web site mentions the Federal Stafford Loan, which is a low-interest student loan with repayment beginning “six months after leaving school or ceasing to be at least a half-time student.”
With the Stafford Loan, “the federal government pays the interest on the subsidized Stafford Loan while the student is in school, during the six-month grace period and during any eligible period of loan deferment,” but “the student is responsible for the interest on the unsubsidized Stafford Loan from the date of the first disbursement.”
A FAFSA form must be submitted in order to be considered for this type of a loan.
BC also offers the Bakersfield College Emergency Loan Program, which is “a limited number of short-term loans . available to help students with book expenses and unexpected emergencies,” according to the Web site. Repayment for these loans is due on a short-term basis with no interest. To apply for these loans students must visit the BC Financial Aid Office for an application.
There is also a Work Study program and a Federal Work Study program available for students.
The Work Study program “allows students to earn money to meet educational expenses while gaining valuable work experience. Jobs are typically available on campus, but positions may be available at select non-profit locations.”
Similarly, the Federal Work Study program “provides students with an opportunity to earn money for college expenses through part-time jobs on campus. The student’s skills, available hours for work and financial needs are used to refer the student for placement in one of the various offices or other areas on campus.”
There are also many scholarships available for students to apply for. Eligibility varies from scholarship to scholarship. They can be awarded based on “academic excellence, athletic abilities . major, class level, or even graduation from a particular high school.”
According to the Web site, “Over 300 scholarships are awarded each year to students who file scholarship applications with the Office of Financial Aid. The Bakersfield College Foundation, as well as community organizations and individuals, offer scholarships based upon financial need and academic merit.”
Students can find notices regarding scholarships posted in the Office of Financial Aid, and students may even find assistance in the library regarding scholarship opportunities.
For a list of outside scholarships, and information on eligibility and how to apply, you can visit the BC financial aid Web site at www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/finaid, or contact the Financial Aid department.