Financial Aid Policies
Your financial aid is based on the number of units you’re enrolled in on Census Day—typically the 3rd Monday of the semester (unless you’re awarded after that day—more on that below).
If you already have a financial aid award:
If you’re awarded after Census Day:
Late-Start Classes
If you're taking a class that starts later in the semester:
Here are examples of school-related errors (called institutional errors) that might allow us to update your award:
NOT considered school error:
If you're taking classes at both Cuyamaca College and Grossmont College, you may be able to get financial aid for all your units—but only if you submit a Consortium Agreement.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Apply at Your “Home” College
You need to apply for financial aid at the college where you officially declared your major. This means that you must add your home college to your financial aid application. That college is your home school.
Step 2: Complete a Consortium Agreement with your Academic Counselor
Step 3: Submit Through CampusLogic
What Happens After You Submit?
Your form will be reviewed in the order it was received. A financial aid advisor will:
What the Decision Could Be:
Fully Approved
Partially Approved
Denied
At Cuyamaca College, your financial aid information is private and protected under a federal law called FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). That means we can’t share your information with anyone—not even your parents—unless you give us permission.
Want Someone Else to Talk to Us About Your Financial Aid?
If you’d like someone (like a parent, spouse, or another trusted person) to be able to talk to the Financial Aid Office about your account, you’ll need to:
Once your release is on file, we’ll mark your account so approved individuals can discuss your financial aid with us for the rest of that year.
What We Can’t Do:
Changing Your Mind?
You can cancel (revoke) your FERPA release at any time—just come to the Financial Aid Office in person with your photo ID and let us know in writing.
Even though you can take classes at both schools, you have to pick one as your home college—either Grossmont or Cuyamaca.
Your major/program of study must be declared at your home college.
Your home college is in charge of handling everything related to your financial aid, including:
Can You Change Your Home College?
Here’s how:
If you drop all your classes—or just stop showing up—you might have to pay back some of your financial aid. Here’s how it works:
When Are You Considered Withdrawn?
You’re considered withdrawn if you:
How Your Withdrawal Date Is Decided
What Happens to Your Financial Aid?
If you withdraw before completing 60% of the semester, you may have to pay back a portion of your financial aid.
If you attend more than 60% of the semester, you keep all of your aid.
If you didn’t earn all of your aid, the government requires us to return unearned aid in this order:
How We Track This
Every two weeks, we run a report that shows students who may have stopped academically engaging or withdrawn.
If you're flagged:
If You Owe Money
You’ll get an email telling you if you have a balance due because of a withdrawal. It’s important to take care of it right away so you don’t lose eligibility for future aid or get sent to collections.
Need Help?
If you’re thinking about dropping classes, talk to the Financial Aid Office first! We can explain how it might affect your aid—and help you plan your next steps.