Programs and Awards

Programs and Awards
Federal Work Study
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Learn about the different kinds of financial aid programs and awards that could help you pay for your education.

Your disbursement may be delayed if you take late start classes.

Most federal and state funds offered are contingent upon the availability of funds. Financial Aid applications are accepted throughout the school year with a final filing deadline usually the 2nd Saturday in June of each year. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Learn more about Financial Aid and the application process by joining one of our weekly Financial Aid workshop.

Tuesdays from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 997 539 8297

State Programs

California College Promise Grant (formerly BOGW)

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is funded by the State of California to waive the amount of enrollment fees and a portion of the parking permit charged to eligible California residents. The CCPG offers three ways for students to qualify:

CCPG-A

Qualified applicants (or parents, if applicant is dependent) must be currently receiving Temporary Aid For Needy Families (TANF), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or General Assistance/General Relief through the county social services department or have certification from the California Department of Veterans' Affairs. Supporting documentation must be provided. To apply, complete the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) Forms

CCPG-B

Qualified applicants (and parents, if applicant is dependent) do not exceed the State-designated income standards. To apply, complete the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) Forms.

CCPG-C

Qualified applicants filed the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, listing West Valley College, and have financial need.

Important Notice-State regulations as of Fall 2016:

ALL Community Colleges in the state are required to inform students HOW to maximize their CCPG eligibility and maintain PRIORITY ENROLLMENT status.
It is the responsibility of every community college in the state to effectively communicate the ACADEMIC and PROGRESS standards to enrolled students in order to AVOID the possibility of losing CCPG eligibility.
As of FALL 2016, under new state regulations, students will LOSE eligibility for the CCPG if:
They are on probation for NOT maintaining a 2.0 GPA (grade point average) for two (2) consecutive PRIMARY terms.
They have NOT successfully completed more than 50% or more of the units attempted in two (2) consecutive PRIMARY terms.
Only Foster Youth are exempt from this policy.
PRIMARY terms are FALL and SPRING terms at semester-based schools.
Students that are determined INELIGIBLE are also able to regain eligibility or be reinstated by meeting one (1) of the standards below:
Improve GPA and/or COURSE COMPLETION measures to meet the ACADEMIC and PROGRESS standards.
Successful appeal regarding extenuating circumstances.
Not attending his/her community college district for two (2) consecutive PRIMARY terms.

For more information, visit: Student Success

To download an appeal, visit: Admissions & Records

CAL Grant B

CAL Grant B (Entitlement): A state program to assist low income/disadvantaged, first-year college students. This program is for students working towards undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s Degree). Students at a Community College are advised to use no more than two years of Cal grant award to maintain eligibility at a 4-year college. In order to graduate with an undergraduate degree within 4 years, you must take 15 semester units, or 30 semester units per academic year.

Maximum academic year award is approximately $6,000. Criteria such as income and grade point average are factors for eligibility. To apply, complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and submit the GPA Verification form (available from your high school or college Financial Aid office) between October 1-March 2. Cal Grant B (Competitive) is available for students who applied between March 3-September 2 and meet the eligibility criteria.

In accordance with the Institutional Participation Agreement for the Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C Programs, recipients have to either apply the "Access" or "Books and Supplies" portion to outstanding balances on their accounts or request personal receipt of the funds prior to disbursement. To request personal receipt of the funds, you must fill out the Cal Grant B/C refunds confirmation and submit it when your file is completed.

Recipients of Cal Grant B must complete and submit the Cal Grant Acknowledgement Letter to: sonia.nevarezFREEWEST_VALLEY.

Review the FAQ's and how to manage your award.

For more information, visit: csac.ca.gov

CAL Grant C

CAL Grant C: A state grant program to assist low and middle income students enrolled in occupational/career training programs with tuition and training costs. Maximum academic year award is approximately $6,000. Criteria such as income and grade point average are factors for eligibility. To apply, complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and submit the GPA Verification form (available from your high school or college Financial Aid office) between October 1-March 2.

For more information, visit: csac.ca.gov.

CAL Grant Transfer Entitlement Program

Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement: A state grant program for students who were not previously awarded but are now transferring from a California Community College to an eligible bachelor degree granting institution in California. Criteria such as income, graduation from high school after June 30, 2000 and grade point average are factors for eligibility. To apply, complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and submit the GPA Verification form (available from your high school or college Financial Aid office) between October 1 – March 2.

Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG)

Visit Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) to access the program information and the following link to the PDF documents available for this program.

Chafee Grant

Chafee Grant: Awarded to students who are aging out of foster care or emancipated from foster care, eligible for California Independent Living Program services, and between the age of 16-22. Maximum academic year award is approximately $5000. Students must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled at least half-time. To apply, go to: Chafee Grant for Foster Youth.

To manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee account(s) online, view updates, make school changes, make address changes and post leave of absence request, visit: Web Grants for Students.

First Year Viking Promise (AB19)

A state grant program for first year students attending a California Community College. First Year Viking Promise recipients who are enrolled in 12 or more units at West Valley College during the Fall and Spring semesters (or 9 units if participating in the DESP program and submitted an “Eligible for Unit Reduction” form), submitted a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and are first year college students will automatically be considered for the program. The award can be granted up to $2,000 (up to $1,000 per semester).

Second Year Viking Promise (AB2)

A state grant program for second year students attending a California Community College. Second Year Viking Promise recipients who are enrolled in 12 or more units at West Valley College during the Fall and Spring semesters (or 9 units if participating in the DESP program and submitted an “Eligible for Unit Reduction” form), submitted a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and had received the First Year Viking Promise or WVC Community Grant the prior academic year will automatically be considered for the program. The award is $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester). For more information, please contact Elizabeth Ochoa: elizabeth.ochoaFREEWEST_VALLEY.

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C recipients who are enrolled in 12-14.5 units at a California Community College and have remaining unmet need may also be eligible for the SSCG. The SSCG award is $1,298 per year ($649 per semester). Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C recipients who are enrolled in 15+ units and have remaining unmet need may be eligible for $8,000 per year ($4,000 per semester). If funds are available after paying students for fall and spring semesters, the Financial Aid office may award additional students who take sufficient number of units during the summer semester.

To apply, complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and submit the GPA Verification form (available from your high school or college Financial Aid office) between October 1 - March 2. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid office.

Federal Programs

Federal Pell Grant

Pell Grant: Awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor's or professional degree. Awards range from $750-$7,395 based upon the Student Aid Index (SAI) ranging from -1500 to 6656 and units enrolled. To apply, complete the FAFSA.

Effective July 01, 2012: Students are eligible to receive Pell grant for up to 12 full time semesters. This applies to all students regardless of when they received their first Pell grant. A student attending as a half-time (6 units) student is considered as having used half of a semester for purposes of tracking the Pell grant limits.

For example, if your maximum Pell Grant award amount for the 2022-2023 school year was $6,345, but you only received $3,172 because you were only enrolled for one semester, or because you were paid as a half-time student 2 semesters, you would have used 50% of your maximum award for that year.
If in the following school year, you were enrolled only three-quarter time, you would have used 75% of your maximum award for that year. Together, you would have received 125% out of the total 600% lifetime limit.

Tracking Your Lifetime Eligibility Used

You can find your Lifetime Eligibility Used for the Federal Pell Grant by visiting “My Aid” and creating a student account. Your lifetime Pell Grants, loan usage and overpayment status can be viewed and monitored at anytime. If you have loans, you may view how much you owe and to whom.

Step 1: Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is also used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.
Step 2: Access “My Aid” at: studentaid.gov, click on "View Details"
Step 3: Federal Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used will be displayed.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, FSEOG, are provided to the college by the federal government to award to the neediest students. Students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, beginning with the lowest negative SAI are given preference. Funds are allocated for eligible students throughout the academic year, including the summer term.

Students are identified by running a series of queries to identify and rank the need. The normal award is $300 to $600 and awarded equally distributed for the student’s planned enrollment for the academic year. The title and authorized staff reserve the right to make different value awards within federal guidelines based on documented circumstances.

Federal Direct Loans

The William D Ford Direct Loan program is financial aid in the form of a loan from the Department of Education to assist students only to pay for authorized educational expenses at the school that certified their loan eligibility.

First Time Borrowers

New borrowers as of July 1, 2013 may not receive Direct Subsidized Loans for more than 150% of the published length of their academic program.

Direct Loan

West Valley College offers two types of loans - Subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

Subsidized loans are awarded to undergraduate students based on financial need. The federal government pays the interest as long as student is enrolled half-time, during grace period and deferment period. If the loan was/is first disbursed from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014, the federal government will not pay the interest during the grace period.

Unsubsidized loans do not have a need criteria, however, the interest is paid by the student and interest accrues from the date of disbursement.

Steps to apply for a Direct Loan

Must complete the FAFSA and meet all federal eligibility requirements.
Financial Aid file must be completed - all requested documents must have been submitted and reviewed for grant eligibility.
A positive Satisfactory Academic Progress standing.
All potential borrowers need to pick up a Loan Request Packet at the Financial Aid Office starting the first day of fall term if their file is complete.
Per Federal regulations, the institution reserves the right to refuse or reduce a loan application on a case by case basis.

Consequences of Not Repaying a Student Loan

You will be reported to a credit bureau having a negative effect on your credit rating.
The entire unpaid balance of your loan and accrued interest becomes due and payable immediately.
You lose eligibility for deferment.
You lose eligibility for additional federal student financial aid.
Your account is assigned to a collection agency.
The federal government can take all or part of your federal tax refund.
Your employer can garnish part of your wages.

West Valley College is a Direct Lending School and does not offer private loans or participate in private or alternative loan program.

For a more detailed explanation of loans, please visit studentaid.gov

HEERF Emergency Funds

Learn more about the CARES Act/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

Institutional Grant

See Scholarships

* Subject to funding availability. Priority is given to students who apply early.

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS): Provides jobs for students with financial need. Jobs are 10-18 hours per week and students must be enrolled at least half-time. Awards range from $2000 to $6,000. The vast majority of FWS jobs are filled at the beginning of the Fall semester and continue through the academic year. Payroll checks are disbursed once a month. Apply and view job posting NOW so you can start on the first day of school. Jobs are first come, first served so apply early if you want to work. The First students to complete their FWS paperwork will get the jobs.

To find available Federal Work Study jobs, go to Handshake and enter keyword "work study."

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Department of Education and Student Financial Assistance Programs require schools and colleges to develop and apply a consistent standard of academic progress in determining student eligibility. The Government requires that students who apply for financial aid at West Valley adhere to this regulation by meeting Qualitative and Quantitative Standards.

All periods of the student's enrollment count when assessing academic progress, even periods in which the student did not receive financial aid funds.

Financial Aid requires a declared major and enrollment in a Title IV eligible program (minimum 16 semester units). Each Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation includes both the semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA) and pace of progression completion rate.

If a student is enrolled in an educational program of more than two academic years, at the end of the second academic year, the student must have a GPA of at least a "C" or its equivalent, or have academic standing consistent with the West Valley requirements for graduation.

SAP will be evaluated at the end of each term: Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Qualitative Standard

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at each SAP evaluation
Grades for remedial and ESL courses count in the GPA calculation

Quantitative Standard

Pace: Students must complete 67% of the units attempted each semester and overall attempted units. This is to ensure students are making progress towards their goal.

Completion rate is computed by dividing the total number of units completed by the total number of units attempted (including courses with earned "W" grade and units transferred into the institution).

Time Frame: Students must complete their educational objective (graduation, transfer, certificate, etc.) in a period of time that is no longer than 150% of the published length of the declared program of study.

For degree and transfer programs of 60 units, maximum time frame is 90 units
For eligible certificate programs, maximum time frame varies (i.e. 30 unit program = 45 units maximum)

Institutional Policies

Up to 30 remedial units and ALL ESL units will be excluded from Maximum Time Frame calculations. Transfer units will count towards the Maximum Time Frame.
All units attempted including incomplete and withdrawals are counted in the calculation
Repeated courses will count toward attempted units. SAP policy allows for a student to receive Title IV funds for retaking a previously passed course (one time only per passed course).
Academic Renewal is a process through which a student can apply to have credits attempted and grades earned in previous semesters excluded from the calculation of the student’s grade point average. Financial aid regulations make no provision for the concept of academic renewal; therefore, all courses are counted towards the evaluation of SAP.
Students are permitted to submit up to three Financial Aid Appeals within the district.

Good Standing

Students that meet cumulative GPA requirements at the end of the semester, in addition to quantitative-pace of progression, and time frame requirements for SAP.

SAP Standards:

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
Pace – 67% completion
Maximum Time Frame
Institutional Policies

Qualitative –Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at each SAP evaluation
Grades for remedial and ESL courses count in the GPA calculation

Quantitative – Pace

Students must complete 67% of the units attempted each term and overall attempted units
Completion rate is computed by dividing the total number of units completed by the total number of units attempted. Includes courses with earned “W” and units transferred into the institution.

Quantitative – Maximum Time Frame

A period of time that is no longer than 150% of the published length of the academic program in which the student is enrolled

Warning Status

Students not making SAP at the end of a term, will be automatically placed on one term of “Warning” status for the subsequent term. Students may receive aid during a warning payment period. Students not making SAP at the end of a “Warning” semester are determined to be ineligible (disqualification) for federal and state aid until they reestablish eligibility again by meeting SAP standards.

Warning Status:

Unit Completion – At the end of the last semester of enrollment the student did not earn the require number of units (67% of units attempted)
Cumulative GPA – At the end of the last semester of enrollment the student did not earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA
Maximum Time Frame – At the end of the last semester of enrollment the number of degree applicable units that the student attempted is approaching the end of the student’s academic program maximum time frame. If at the end of the semester the student reaches the maximum time frame, he/she will be disqualified.

Probation Status

An approved appeal’s decision will result in the student being placed on SAP probation
Students may receive financial aid during terms of probation
Students can regain eligibility by making SAP at the end of one term of probation
Students must complete 67% of the units attempted along with a cumulative 2.0 GPA while on probation
Students must follow their academic plan while on probation

The school will verify each term that the student is following the academic plan and/or meeting terms of probation; if not, the student becomes ineligible for federal and state student aid until SAP standards are met.

Probation Statuses:

SAP Probation – A status assigned to a student who is failing to make satisfactory academic progress and who submitted an appeal that was successfully approved. Eligibility for aid may be reinstated for one payment period. A student placed on probation who does not meet satisfactory progress requirements will return to disqualified status.
Maximum Time Frame Probation – Additional semesters - A student had previously reached the maximum time frame and submitted an appeal for additional time that was approved for the number of terms indicated on the appeal. Student must meet satisfactory progress requirements each semester in order to count down the additional semesters that have been granted. If the student does not meet satisfactory progress requirements each semester, he/she will be on disqualification.

Disqualification Status

Students not making SAP two semesters in a row will be automatically placed in one term of "Disqualification" status.

Disqualification Statuses

Disqualified – Unit Completion - In the last semester in which the student attempted units, the student did not earn the 67% required number of units for the enrollment status.
Since the student was already on warning or probation status, the student is now disqualified.
Disqualified – GPA - In the last semester in which the student was enrolled, the student did not earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Since the student was already on warning or probation status, the student is now disqualified.
Disqualified – Maximum Time Frame- At the end of the last semester the number of units the student attempted exceeded the maximum time frame of the academic program. If the student did not earned a degree or certificate, and would like to appeal for additional time of aid eligibility, the student must submit an appeal.
Disqualified – BA/BS Degree – Students with a BA/BS Degree are disqualified. Students may submit an appeal and if approved, may be eligible for Federal Work Study and/or Direct Loan for up to one year.

Reestablishing Eligibility

Students may reestablish their eligibility by meeting the Pace of Progression- 67% completion rate standard along with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Students may submit an appeal under the following conditions: (1) death of a student’s relative, (2) student’s injury or illness, (3) other special circumstances.
The student must submit documentation to support the appeal, including why the student failed to make SAP, and what may have changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to demonstrate meeting SAP requirements at the end of next evaluation. The school may choose to request additional documentation when a particular student circumstance warrants it.