Financial Aid - FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid



2 ENGLISH College Process and Financial Aid.pptx

Financial Aid 101 is brought to you by:

Yesenia A. Mercado

Financial Aid Technician/Financial Coach

650-306-3280

Mercadoy@smccd.edu


This is a great resource that answers many of the questions students have about financial aid; it will also help you get started in the financial aid process.

You can do it!

Financial Aid Types and Definitions:

  • Promise Scholarship - Community College tuition, student fees, books, supplies, parking, etc. completely free for two years.

  • Grants - Pell (Federal) and Cal (California State) money given to student based on financial need; students do not pay back but need to maintain a minimum grade point average each grading period.

  • Scholarships - financial support (cash) from foundations based on several factors, in addition to financial need.

  • Work Study - working at college to pay for student fees.

  • Student Loans - money the US Government loans students to attend school; loans are a low interest rates but must be paid back over time (discouraged and only should be used as a last resort and paid back as soon as reasonably possible).


All Financial Aid requests are generated through FAFSA:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid