FAQ's about Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Financial Aid Questions

Q: What is the Title IV School Code for Cuyamaca College?

A: Here are Title IV school codes for some local colleges:

Cuyamaca College - 014435

Grossmont College - 001208

IMPORTANT: for each college you list on your FAFSA, you must specify your housing plans by marking an appropriate "bubble" ("on-campus", "off-campus" or "with parents".)

This information will affect your eligibility and the amount of your award.

Q: I have a job and live away from my parents. Am I considered independent?

A: Being on your own does NOT make you independent for financial aid purposes.
To be considered independent, you have to meet AT LEAST ONE of the following requirements:

be at least 24 years old;

be legally married;

be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces;

active duty military

be an orphan (both parents dead) a ward of court, or you were a ward of the court at age 18;

have legal dependents other than a spouse;

be a postgraduate student (beyond a bachelor’s degree).

Under some extreme circumstances (unknown whereabouts of both parents, abusive situation, etc.) you may apply for dependency override. Documentation of your situation will be required.

Q: Where do I call to find out if my FAFSA was received and processed?
A: Call (319) 337 – 5665 to:

find out if corrections have been processed;

order a copy of your Student Aid Report;

add a new college to your Student Aid Report.

For general information on Federal Student Aid programs, call (800) 433 – 3243.

Q: How can I apply for the work study program?
A: To apply for the work study program, you must:

Complete the FAFSA and turn in all the required documents as early as possible.

Enroll in 12 or more units (per semester.)

There is NO separate application for the work study program.

Work study awards can be given as part of either Federal Aid or State Aid.

You can find more information about the work study program in the Student Guide to Financial Aid.

If you are not awarded either Federal or State work study, there are two more ways to find a job on campus:

Job Placement Center - phone 660-4436;

CalWORKs Program (if you are currently receiving CalWORKs/TANF (formerly known as AFDC)) – phone 660-4344.

Both of these offices are located in the Cuyamaca College Student Services Center- Z Building.

Q: I am currently divorced (or separated) from my spouse. Our last income taxes were filed jointly. Should I still report my spouse's income on my FAFSA?
A: No. If you are currently separated or divorced include only your income.

Q: I am a single parent. Is there any additional assistance available for me?
A: Yes. If you are a single parent with at least one child under age 14, you may qualify for additional assistance from the following State-funded program:

CARE (Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education) - for full-time students currently receiving CalWORKs/TANF (formerly known as AFDC). For this program, you must be a California resident and have completed less than 70 college units. To apply, please come to the EOPS/CARE Office (Room A-103.) For more information, call 660 - 4287 or 660 - 4293.

Q: How do I transfer my financial aid from one college to another?
A: To add another college to your FAFSA application, you should:

Call the Federal Processing Center at (319) 337- 5665. During the phone call, you will be asked to provide your 4-digit PIN/DRN number printed upper right corner of your Student Aid Report. This is usually the fastest way to add another college.

Contact the financial aid office of the college you are transferring to, and submit all the necessary paperwork.

Cancel any outstanding financial award at your previous school (for any given semester, a student may be awarded from only one college.)

Q: I have a defaulted student loan. What should I do to fix this problem?
A: You need to call (800) 367-1589 to arrange repayment. After you’ve made satisfactory repayment arrangements, you may regain eligibility for Federal Financial Aid. Satisfactory repayment arrangements may include:

repaying the loan in full;

making three (3) consecutive, on-time monthly payments and then applying for loan consolidation; or

making six (6) consecutive, on-time monthly payments.

You also may be able to receive a deferment on your loans. For more information, contact Daniel Hernandez at the Financial Aid Office (phone (619) 660-4201 or (619) 660-4342.)

Q: Where should I call to ask questions about my Cal Grant?
A: You can call the California Student Aid Commission at (916) 526 – 7590.

Written requests can be sent to:
CSAC
P.O. Box 419026
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9026

For more information, you can also visit their websites www.csac.ca.gov or www.map-your-future.org.

Question not answered?
E-mail Carrie Valdez or call us at (619) 660-4201

Page footer information