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Transfer Financial Aid

Transfer Students and Financial Aid

Getting admitted to the university is a huge achievement and one part of making transfer our reality. Determining how to manage the costs of going to university is likely on your mind, too, and equally important in considering transfer a viable option. 

The information below provides a starting point to learn more, items to possibly take into consideration, and some tips on applying, that it may support you in the discussions and decisions involved to making good use of financial aid throughout your undergraduate career here at Chabot and the university. Money is personal, cultural, and psychological. Poke around, dig deeper, talk out your wonderings and consult with your trusted support network which may include family, Chabot Financial Aid advisor, University Financial Aid advisors, your counselor, and consider what is best for you in the context of your short-term and long-term aspirations. 

We are here to support you!

View our Transfer Center Calendar and register to attend financial aid focused workshops such as:

  • Transfer Students Financial Aid
  • Making Sense of University Financial Aid Offers
  • FAFSA/CADAA How-To Workshops

LEARN & EXPLORE PREPARE & APPLY  DECIDE & TRANSITION 

LEARN & EXPLORE

  • A general definition of financial aid is money to assist students in meeting the cost of a college education. At universities, this includes tuition and fees. University financial aid also covers costs associated with housing, food, health insurance, utilities, transportation, and school supplies.
  • Aid can come from the federal government, the state, the institution, and organization(s).
  • Aid can come in different forms, and the most common ones are:
    • Grants: This is money granted based on need and does not need to be repaid.
    • Loans: This is money that may be borrowed. The most common loans offered are the federal loans, and students would work with the university financial aid office to select a repayment plan 6 months after leaving or graduating from the institution.
    • Work-Study: This is money earned through on-campus jobs under the Work-Study program, a federal financial aid program for FAFSA applicants. Students can choose to work a part-time job with or without a work-study offer.
    • Scholarships: This is money granted based on need or merit, depending on how it is structured, that does not need to be repaid.

 

PREPARE & APPLY 

  • The majority of financial aid (e.g. grants, loans, work-study, some scholarships) is offered through the completion financial aid applications known as the FAFSA and CADAA:
  • Remember to apply for financial aid every year.
  • Identify the financial aid priority consideration deadline(s) for your prospective universities and incorporate into your your Fall Transfer Checklist or Spring Transfer Checklist
    • CSUs and UCs have an April 2, 2024, priority consideration deadline if you plan on attending in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.
  • Some scholarships are automatically awarded by the university when you complete the FAFSA/CADAA; others require a separate application and/or materials.
  • When applying for scholarships offered outside of the institution:
    • Never pay to access information about scholarship opportunities. Finaid.org has a good primer on Scholarship Scams.
    • Consider establishing and using a separate email address to manage all the scholarship emails and opportunities you will receive.
    • Scholarships that may be applied toward any aspect of going to college (versus only to offset tuition & fees) may be more helpful.
    • Some scholarships are renewable if you keep up the gpa and continue to meet the criteria.
    • Inquire with your university if the outside scholarships you win reduce the financial aid you are offered and in what ways (i.e. do outside scholarships reduce the student loan or does it reduce the free moneys originally offered by the school)  

 

  • You can be relieved and excited to know your UC Application is automatically your application to numerous scholarships at the UC. You may be invited by UC to apply for additional scholarships.
  • View university financial aid webpage or inquire with university financial aid offices if their scholarship application portals are for incoming transfer students. 
  • UC Scholarship Portals:
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  • "UC's own need-based grants can help fill in the gaps for California residents" if some transfer students may have used up available state and federal aid. (Source: Paying for UC - Eight Facts).
  • Inquire with your CSUs and other institutions if any of the following limitations impact your ability to receive need-based aid at their campus.
    • For Federal Student Aid such as Pell Grant:
    • The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) offers many different kinds of state aid and learning about its financial aid programs and limits can help you better strategize and plan.
      • The Cal Grant program has a limit of four years. View your CSAC Webgrants 4 You account to monitor usage.
      • If personal finances are the same annually, you may need to think about how to spread the 4 years across the whole of your undergraduate career between the California Community College and the CSU. Please consult with Financial Aid Office experts and partner with your support network to determine what is best for your personal situation.
      • Note: If you were offered CalGrant Transfer Entitlement Award, review enrollment requirements and complete the Transfer Entitlement Certification in Webgrants account, if not already completed.
  • Attend FAFSA/CADAA Workshops provided by our Financial Aid Office or University Financial Aid Office for assistance completing financial aid application(s).
  • Attend the Transfer Application Workshop Series on topics related to:
    • Transfer Student and Financial Aid
    • Applying for Viable Scholarships
    • Interpreting and Evaluating University Financial Aid Offers

 

DECIDE & TRANSITION

  • Evaluate the differences between CCC and University Costs and Financial Aid (content to come)
  • Connect with University Financial Aid Advisor or attend Transfer Center Interpreting Your University Financial Aid Offer workshop to go over sample financial aid offers so you and your family can compare and decide what is best.
  • Make decision comparing offers from admissions, financial aid, housing, and anything else that is important to you and your success.
  • Many university campuses have a Center For Financial Wellness that supports students with the mechanics of navigating through and managing costs related to attending college, including topics like making the most of your financial aid offer, budgeting, how to open a checking account, how do credit cards work, managing debt.
    • Some centers are well connected with student support and free resources to meet basic needs like free and fresh foods and more. This is in addition to the university Financial Aid office that focuses on processing and putting together your financial aid offer.
    • Here is an example from the peer-to-peer UC Berkeley Center for Financial Wellness.
    • Consider inquiring about and connecting with the university financial wellness center and get oriented on the support and coaching available.

Managing the costs associated with attending college can feel abit stressful and managing financial aid rules  can be daunting. For some of us, this may be one of the first times we are making big decisions in the area of finances. You are not alone. We are here to support you!

Partner with your Transfer support network (family, friends, financial aid experts, and us) and let’s help each other through this aspect of your transfer journey!

Questions? Contact Transfer Center Counselor Ms. Frances Fon at ffon@chabotcollege.edu.