Financial Aid
Are You Eligible for Financial Aid?
Don’t let the cost of tuition scare you. The U.S. government offers low interest loans as well as grants and scholarships to help you pay for attending school.
To qualify for Federal Student Aid, you must:
- Demonstrate financial need. (Except for Unsubsidized and PLUS (Parent) loan programs.)
- Certify that you’ll use Federal Student Aid only for educational purposes.
- Have a high school diploma, a General Education Development (GED), or meet Ability-To-Benefit (ATB) guidelines.
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment.
- Be a citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe money on a federal student grant (or have made satisfactory arrangements to repay it.)
- Be making satisfactory academic progress.
- If you do not have a high school diploma or GED, you may qualify under the ATB, inquire with your Admissions or Financial Aid Officer.
Financial Aid Options
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. Maximum amounts vary by year, but the amount awarded is based on individual need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG funds are limited and are awarded only to students who have exceptional financial need. Students with exceptional need are those who have an expected family contribution (EFC) of zero toward their education (based on automated analysis of the FAFSA application), and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant program during the same award year.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study provides part-time jobs for students who are in need of additional earnings to meet education expenses. Earnings from a Work Study job do not have to be repaid.
Student Loans
CET participates in the Direct Loan Program (both subsidized and unsubsidized). Interest rates are fixed for the life of the loans and are not awarded based on personal credit history. A Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. The federal government “subsidizes” the interest during the time the student attends school and during grace and deferment periods.
PLUS – (Parent) Loan
The PLUS (Parent) Loans are for parents of dependent students to help pay education expenses. The maximum loan amount is the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.
Cal Grant C Award
The Cal Grant C program provides FREE MONEY to students pursuing an occupational or technical program. Students must apply for FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application to apply. No GPA requirement.
Chafee Foster Youth Grant Award
The Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program is a federal and state funded grant subject to yearly availability of funds. This program is administered by the Commission through an interagency agreement with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). Chafee provides current or former California foster youth up to $5,000 per year for education expenses at an eligible California or out of state college. Awards may be used for postsecondary education including career and technical training.
Access Cal Grant and Chafee information and manage your account 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.webgrants4students.org. You can also update your e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number, or school of attendance.
You can also call the Commission at (888) 224-7268, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (PST)
Additional Resources
CET provides the following resources and links for students to explore different avenues for paying for school. These represent only a small portion of the opportunities that exist. Be sure to check out all your local resources!
Federal Financial Aid Links:
www.studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus
Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid application online as well as information about eligibility and deadlines for applying.
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about nearly 7,000 postsecondary institutions in the United States – such as programs offered, retention and graduation rates, prices, aid available, degrees awarded, campus safety, and accreditation.