Financial Aid

Location: AD/SS 106
Phone Number: (909) 384-4403
Website

The Financial Aid Office provides help in obtaining financial assistance from various federal and state programs. Please see the section on Financial Aid, call, or visit the Financial Aid website for more information.

If a student needs financial assistance to pay for the costs of attending San Bernardino Valley College, the Financial Aid Office can help. While the primary responsibility for meeting college costs rests with the student and the student’s family, the college recognizes that many students are not able to meet the full cost of a college education. Therefore, San Bernardino Valley College offers programs to provide assistance for students with documented need who might not otherwise be able to attend.

It is important that students apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the priority deadline of March 2nd of each year. The average application can take eight weeks or longer to completely process. Financial aid awards are limited to availability of funds and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to students with the greatest need who apply by the priority deadline of March 2nd. Students may still apply after March 2nd; however processing of the financial aid applications may take significantly longer the later the application is submitted. 

More information about Financial Aid programs is available on the Financial Aid website. After reading through this information, if you still have questions, visit the Financial Aid Office in AD/SS 106. The Financial Aid Office may not give information about your financial aid application status over the phone, in accordance with FERPA regulations. To check the status of your financial aid application you must visit Self-Service or come in to speak to a Financial Aid representative.

Eligibility Requirements

Effective July 1, 2012 students must possess either a high school diploma or a GED in order to receive financial assistance. In addition, a student receiving aid must have a stated qualifying educational objective and maintain satisfactory academic progress towards that objective. Federal programs require students to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. In addition, California grant programs require recipients to be residents of the State of California.

Effective January 1, 2013 AB540 students are eligible to apply for California Financial Aid. AB540 students will need to complete the CA Dream Act Application to determine BOG and/or Cal Grant eligibility. Additionally, AB540 students need to be confirmed AB540 status through the Admissions and Records Office. Please visit the office for additional information regarding eligibility requirements.

Application Procedure

For most student aid programs described in this section, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). This FAFSA application is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and the CADAA is available at https://dream.csac.ca.gov. The Financial Aid Office recommends that students apply online, which can expedite the process by as much as two weeks. Students may use computers in any of the computer labs on campus to access the FAFSA or CADAA if they do not have access to the Internet at home. Make sure you list San Bernardino Valley College, federal code # 001272 on your FAFSA or CADAA  to ensure your financial aid information is sent to the SBVC Financial Aid Office. We cannot process applications that do not list the correct federal school code. 

Applications for each new academic year will be available in October. Financial aid is not continued from one year to the next, therefore students must complete the FAFSA or CADAA each school year to apply for financial aid. Deadlines for the various programs may vary; therefore, students are encouraged to visit the Financial Aid website early each January for updated information and changes in regulations, policies or procedures.

Financial Aid Programs

San Bernardino Valley College participates in various financial aid programs, which are summarized below. Additional information regarding each of the programs is available on the Financial Aid website.

California College Promise Grant (CCPG)

Formerly The Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOG)

The California College Promise Grant program is available to qualifying California residents. The California Promise Grant waives mandatory enrollment fees and a portion of the parking permit fee. The California College Promise Grant does not apply to class material fees or College Service fees. Students are responsible for making sure all fees have been paid. To apply for the California College Promise Grant, fill out the FAFSA application (Dream Act application, if applicable) online. The Financial Aid Office will receive the results of the FAFSA and Dream Act Applications and award the California College Promise Grant automatically to eligible students. Receipt of the FAFSA application results will also determine eligibility of other types of financial assistance. Students may be eligible for a fee waiver, even when determined not eligible for other types of financial aid. Applicants only need to apply once to have fees waived for the entire academic award year.

New California College Promise Grant Changes – Effective Fall 2016

New regulations from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office will affect the student CA College Promise Grant program and Priority Enrollment.

  • Loss of Promise Grant/Priority Enrollment will occur if a student has two consecutive semesters (excludes Summer session) of not meeting Academic (2.0 GPA or above) or Progress standards (more than 50% Completion Rate) and placed on Academic Dismissal.
  • Students will have the right to appeal the loss of their Promise Grant and Priority Enrollment.
  • Students will have their Promise Grant/Priority Enrollment reinstated if one of the following applies:
    • Meeting Academic Progress Standards
    • Successful Appeal
    • Sitting out two consecutive primary terms

Meet with your program counselor to review your academic standing!

Cal Grant

The Cal Grants are state funds awarded to selected eligible students. Cal Grant recipients are selected by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). To apply for the Cal Grant Program, a student must submit their FAFSA or Dream Act Application, and a Cal Grant GPA Verification form to CSAC by the March 2nd priority deadline. Valley College participates in the Cal Grant B and C awards. To find out more information, visit www.csac.ca.gov.

California Chafee Grant

The California Chafee Grant provides up to $5,000 per year for eligible students who are current or former foster youth to use for career and technical training or college courses. For more information on the CHAFEE grant program, visit: https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is need-based and awarded to eligible undergraduate students. In most cases, this grant does not need to be paid back. You are automatically considered for the Pell Grant when you apply and file your FAFSA application. The Federal Pell Grant may be used for tuition, fees, books, transportation, and living expenses. Initial awards are estimated based on the results of the FAFSA application. Actual disbursement of the Federal Pell Grant will not be determined until your file is completed and enrollment status has been verified.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG program provides federal grants to supplement the Federal Pell Grant. The average grant for San Bernardino Valley College students is $1,000. Students must be eligible for a Pell Grant and have exceptional need.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study offers students the opportunity to earn funds to help cover their educational expenses through part-time employment during the school year. The average maximum award is $3,000 per year. Federal Work Study awards are determined by financial need and are available to students enrolled in six (6) or more units per semester.

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

The SSCG is awarded to students who have been awarded a Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C award and who are enrolled in 12 or more units. The intent of the program is to support student persistence, retention and success by providing students enrolled in a minimum of 12 units per term additional assistance in order to complete their programs in the "scheduled timeframes" appropriate to the chosen area of study. Due to limited funding, the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is awarded on a first, come first serve basis. To be eligible for the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG), a student must be a Cal Grant B or C recipient in the fall and/or spring semester, be enrolled in at least 12 units per term, maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least a 2.0 and maintain pace, adhere to their qualifying comprehensive Student Education Plan, and demonstrate financial need in their yearly financial aid budget. In addition to the Cal Grant B or C award, the Student Success Completion Grant pays full-time Cal Grant B or C recipients a maximum of $2,596 annually ($1,298 per semester for eligible students who enroll and attend 12 through 14.99 units per term) and a maximum of $8,000 annually ($4,000 per semester for eligible students who enroll and attend 15 units or more per term). Beginning 2023-2024 award year, the Student Success Completion Grant pays Current or Former Foster Youth Cal Grant recipients enrolled full time up to $5250 per semester ($10,500 annually).

Financial Aid Refund Policy (R2T4)

San Bernardino Valley College will determine the amount of federal financial aid that a student has “earned” in accordance with federal regulations. The Financial Aid Office uses a federal formula to determine how much aid a student earned based on his/her last day of attendance. Students who receive federal financial aid and do not begin attendance in any of their classes will be required to repay all of the funds they received. Students who withdraw from classes will have their financial aid eligibility recalculated based on the percentage of the semester completed, and will be required to repay any “unearned” financial aid they received. At San Bernardino Valley College, a student’s withdrawal date is:

  • The date the student officially notified the Admissions Office of his or her intent to withdraw;
  • The midpoint of the semester for a student who leaves without notifying the college;
  • The student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

All students receiving financial aid are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory Academic progress will be monitored at the end of each semester, beginning Fall 2015, for all Financial Aid students based on the SBVC Satisfactory Academic Policy. Per federal regulations, this policy must apply to all students whether or not they were recipients of financial aid previously at SBVC or any other college or university. If a student was awarded financial aid and is later determined ineligible based on not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress, all previously awarded aid will be withdrawn. The Satisfactory Academic Progress policy can be found on the Financial Aid website.