Financial Aid
How to apply for Federal Financial Aid and when?
In early January pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your high school counselor or any college or University. You may also apply online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov . Complete your application and send it in the preaddressed envelope provided to you with the instructions or electronically by the March 2nd priority deadline.
What happens after I apply?
Approximately four to six weeks after you mail in your completed application, you will receive a Federal Student Aid Report (SAR) from the processing center. The Financial Aid Office will receive an electronic copy from which your financial award will be determined. Within a few weeks of receiving this electronic copy, we will notify you by letter of any additional documents that may be required to complete your application. After you have submitted all documents, you will receive an Award Letter.
What if I miss the March 2nd priority deadline?
If you did not complete and send a FAFSA before the March 2nd deadline, you are still encouraged to apply. Students who submit an application after the priority deadline may still be eligible for some types of federal assistance. Students who apply after March 2nd will be processed after priority students in the order in which they applied.
Can I apply before I complete and turn in my admissions application?
Yes. You may apply for federal financial aid even if you have not submitted your admissions application. However, you must be enrolled in school before any funds can be disbursed.
What if I only want to apply for a student loan?
To apply for a federal student loan you must still complete and mail the FAFSA. Once your file is reviewed and an award letter is sent from the Financial Aid Office, you may request a Loan Request Form and sign up for a loan workshop by contacting the Financial Aid Office on the Rocklin campus at (916) 660-7310.
Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes. You must reapply for financial aid each year by completing the FAFSA or Renewal application. If you do not receive a renewal application before the application deadline, complete a new FAFSA application.
Who is eligible for financial aid at Sierra College?
Any student may apply for financial assistance. A student must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program and making Satisfactory Academic Progress to be considered for financial assistance. Some financial aid programs may require 12 units of enrollment.
Board of Governors Fee Waver (BOGW)
What is a BOGW?
The Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver (.pdf) (BOGW) is available to California residents who meet income eligibility requirements. The program waives the $20 per unit enrollment fee, the $2 PASS telephone registration fee, the $15 health fee, and also reduces the semester parking fee from $40 to $20. There is no minimum unit requirement.
How do I apply for a BOGW?
Applications are available at the Rocklin campus Financial Aid Office, and in the class schedule. An application may also be downloaded from this Internet site from the FORMS area. Return your completed application to the Financial Aid Office. You will be told if you qualify for the BOGW on the spot. If you are attending two different schools, a BOGW application will need to be submitted at each institution.
Do I need to apply every year for the BOGW?
The BOGW is effective for one academic school year (Fall/ Spring/ Summer). Students should apply once every school year using the BOGW application.
Scholarships
Where can I find out about scholarships?
Scholarship information can be found in three distinct areas.
- Our December Scholarship Booklet. These scholarships are for use during the following academic school year. Scholarship booklets and applications may be obtained in the Financial Aid Office between December and February only. The scholarship book and application can also be downloaded from this web page.
- The Financial Aid Scholarship Board is located in the Campus Center (Building J) on the Rocklin campus. Information is updated continuously throughout the school year. Interested applicants may obtain copies of scholarship applications in the Financial Aid Office.
- The Financial Aid website.
When and how do I apply for Scholarships?
Scholarship applications are available all year. Each scholarship has a specific deadline, different criteria and a separate application unless otherwise specified. Applications for the Scholarship Book and postings on the scholarship board can be obtained at the Financial Aid Office unless otherwise stated on the scholarship. The number of scholarships available fluctuates during the academic school year, therefore, we recommend that you periodically inquire about new scholarships.