Skip to the main content.

Financial Aid

about-hero-banner
 

cet-financial-aid-programs

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.
cet-apply-financial-aid

How to apply for financial aid

 

Each CET location has a Financial Aid Officer who will help you and your family identify sources of financial aid and fill out the required forms.

Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid https://www.fafsa.ed.gov or come in to your local CET and speak with your Financial Aid Officer.

 

cet-financial-aid-options

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.

Learn more

 

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.

Learn more

 

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.

Learn more

 

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.

Learn more

 

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.

Learn more

 

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.

Learn more

 

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.

Learn more

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)

 

FAQ

CET is here to help you through the process from the beginning to end! Come in today and we’ll walk you through it. Most students’ questions about Federal Student Aid fall into two main categories:

  • Eligibility and Application
  • FAFSA forms and Federal Student Aid Payments
  • Prior student/parent (PLUS) loan balance before borrowing additional loans to pay for training.
  • Explain loan concepts such as interest accrual and capitalization on principal balance.
  • Understanding the borrower’s obligation on the monthly repayment amount and the median salary expected after graduation.
More Financial Aid FAQ
 

cet-financial-aid-resources

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.

More Federal Financial Aid Links

California Financial Aid Links

www.calgrants.org
Provides information about California State grants. Ask the CET Financial Aid Officer whether or not Cal Grant is currently available at CET California branches.

www.cash4college.csac.ca.gov
Cash for College – Provides dates and locations of free workshops that provide line-by-line hands-on help to complete the FAFSA.

www.sbscholarship.org
The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara inspires, encourages, and supports Santa Barbara County students in their pursuit of college, graduate, and vocational school education through financial aid advising and the granting of scholarships.

 

If you have any questions, or require additional information on Federal Student Aid assistance, you may contact the CET Financial Aid Officer at the center that you plan to attend, or the Federal Student Aid Information Center.

 

Federal Student Aid Information Center

1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

This is a toll-free number.
 

Get the job training you need today

Schedule a call with one of our admissions advisors.