Federal and State Financial Aid

Federal and state financial aid are available to assist students enrolled in eligible programs (a four-year or two-year public or private educational institution, a career school or trade school) to cover the cost of their educational expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Most aid is need-based, and require enrollment in six or more credits.

WHAT type of financial aid is available?

• Grants - financial aid that does not have to be repaid
• Loans - (PC does not participate in the loan programs)
• Workstudy - lets you earn money
• Scholarship - awarded to students for academic achievement

In order to qualify for Federal Student Aid, you must:

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen with a valid Social Security Number;
• have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate or pass an approved ability-to-benefit (ATB) test;
• enroll in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate; and
• register (or have registered) with the Selective Service if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25.

In order to be eligible, you must:

• have financial need.
• have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education. (See the financial aid administrator for more information).
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (except for students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of Palau).
• have a valid Social Security Number.
• meet satisfactory academic progress standards set by the postsecondary school you are or will be attending.
• certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
• certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money on a federal student grant.
• register with the Selective Service, if required.

In addition:

• Students who have received an associate's or bachelor's degree must appeal for financial aid funds.
• Students CANNOT receive financial aid at two institutions in the same academic period.
• If you have been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs, you may not be eligible for federal financial aid. You can regain your eligibility early by completing a drug rehabilitation program or by having a conviction overturned or set aside. To learn more, call 1-800-433-3243.

HOW do you apply for federal student aid?

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available in the Financial Aid Office.
• Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Special Alert! Return of Title IV Funds

Federal regulation regarding repayment of money under the Return of Title IV Funds mandates if you receive a GRANT and then withdraw from all your classes prior to the 60% point, you may owe a repayment to the federal program.

Board of Governors Waiver (BOGW)

The BOGW is a FEE WAIVER for California residents only. If eligible, the BOGW will cover the cost of the California enrollment and health fee for the academic year. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office (AC-103).

California residents who meet the following criteria may be eligible for a BOGW:

Students who have already qualified for financial aid, such as a Pell Grant or Cal Grant;

Student or student's family is receiving AFDC, SSI, or general assistance/general relief; or meets the following income standards:

Total Family
No. in Household    Income in
(including yourself)      2007
        1       $14,355 or less
        2       $19,245 or less
        3       $24,135 or less
        4       $29,025 or less
        5       $33,915 or less
        6       $38,805 or less
        7       $43,695 or less
        8       $48,585 or less
Add $4,890 for each additional dependent.

These standards are based upon the federal poverty guidelines as published each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Under Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, the income standards for the BOGFW program equal 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the base year. These standards are for the 2006-07 academic year and are to be used to determine BOGFW-B eligibility effective July 1, 2006.

If you have enrolled, paid cash for your fees, and are eligible for a BOGW, please bring your receipt to the Office of Admission and Records for a refund request. Deadline for refunds is the end of each academic year.

Cal Grant

Cal Grant awards are state funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses. The awards do not have to be paid back.

How to apply for a Cal Grant B Entitlement or Competitive Award:

• Step One: Fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  The FAFSA form is a federal form that must be filed by any student who wants to be considered for college financial aid. For a Cal Grant, the FAFSA must be completed and filed with the federal processor by March 2 of each year.
  A paper form can also be used. If you use a paper form, remember to make a copy before you mail it and obtain a ninety-cent certificate of mailing from the post office so that you can verify the date you mailed the form.
• Step Two: File a verified grade point average (GPA) with the California Student Aid Commission . If you plan to attend a California Community College in the fall, you should still try to meet the March 2 deadline, even though you have a second deadline of September 2. That is because there are only a limited number of Competitive Cal Grant awards available in the fall.

Some high schools and colleges automatically file their students' verified GPAs with the commission. Some do not. You must confirm whether your school will file your GPA for you, or obtain a GPA Verification Form, get it certified by a school official and mail it yourself.

Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOPS)

EOPS provides services to students who are educationally and economically disadvantaged. The program is funded through the State of California and the local community college district.

To be eligible for the program, a student must:

• be a resident of California
• be a full-time student (12 credits) at Porterville College
• qualify for the Board of Governors Wavier A or B
• be educational disadvantaged as determined by the state regulations
• not have completed more than 70 credits of college-level course work
• be working toward a certificate or degree
• be making satisfactory academic progress with an Educational Study Plan on file

Services students may be eligible for:

• Book awards
• Counseling
• Grants
• Meal cards
• Peer advising
• School supplies
• Transfer assistance
• Workshops

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)

CARE participants must meet EOPS eligibility, have a child under the age of fourteen at the time of admission, receive CalWORKs (formally AFDC), and be a single head of household who is 18 years of age.

CARE eligible students may receive assistance through grants, book awards, meal cards, supplies and special interest workshops.

For additional information on the EOPS or CARE Programs, contact the staff in AC-126.

Transfer Center

The PC Transfer Center, located in AC-126, provides assistance in all aspects of the transfer process. The center is regularly staffed by an experienced advisor. Services include information on course articulation, a catalog library, admissions applications, computerized searches and visitations from four-year colleges and universities.

Disability Resource Center

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides services for students with disabilities. This may include physical, learning and other types of disabilities.

The DRC is located in AC-115. Students may be interested in improving job skills, getting a vocational certificate, wanting personal enrichments or planning to transfer to a four-year college. Services will be based on the level of disability and the academic needs of each student.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandate that students with learning, physical or other types of disabilities receive services to allow an equal experience in education. The DRC is in the central area for these free services.

Students with a print disability, a visual limitation or reading difficulty that limits access to traditional print material may request printed materials in alternate media. Examples of alternate media formats include electronic format (e.g., text on CD), Braille, audio tape, and large print. Students can make alternate media requests through the DRC.

Anyone interested may contact the Center office at 791-2215.

Bookstore

The bookstore is located in the Student Center. In addition to textbooks, many items are available including notebooks, pencils, stationery, greeting cards, art supplies, tote bags, pennants, patches, and an excellent selection of sportswear.

Check Cashing: The PC Bookstore personnel will cash your personal check in an amount not less than $5 or more than $10. If you have a PC Student Body Card, financial aid checks can be cashed IF the office has sufficient cash on hand.

Summer Hours:

MTWR         7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Fall Hours:     

MTWR 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

F    7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

When classes are not in session:

MTWR 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Food Service

The PC Cafeteria is located in the Student Center. Its purpose is to serve good food at very reasonable prices and at a convenient time. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. The potato bar and salad bar are open from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The grill is also open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Summer Hours:

MTWR         7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Fall Hours:

MTWR         7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

F 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Lost and Found

If you have lost your notes, books, keys, or even a billfold, check with the Information Center in the Academic Center where the lost-and-found service is located. If you have found an item, please turn it into the Information Center at the same location.

Wellness Center

The Wellness Center, located in SM-102 A&B, adjacent the Forum, provides health services to currently enrolled full- and part-time students. The purpose of the Wellness Center is to further the educational opportunity and success for all Porterville College students by providing access to health services which promote the physical, emotional and social well being of students. The Wellness Center maintains high quality health care services by establishing procedures, treatments, activities, and referral systems designed to meet student needs.

The student health fee gives students full access to a full-time Registered Public Health Nurse available Monday through Friday and during evening hours as well.

Services included, but not limited to, campus emergency care, first aid, nursing assessment and treatment of common acute illnesses , TB tests, vision and hearing screening, blood pressure screening, selected immunizations and pregnancy tests. If further off-campus medical evaluation or treatment is needed for injuries or ailments, students will be referred. Referral for individual counseling is available for students expressing the need for personal counseling. A rest area and some over-the-counter medications are available. First aid supplies are also located in strategic areas throughout the campus. Appointments are available, but not necessary.

Students with chronic health problems of a serious nature (diabetes, seizure disorder, cardiac problems) are advised to inform the Wellness Center so that the best possible help can be rendered in case of an emergency.

Throughout the year, the Wellness Center coordinates campaigns for better health such as Red Ribbon Week, Great American Smoke Out, HIV/AIDs Awareness, Cancer Awareness and an annual Health and Career Faire. Health educational information and materials are also available on many topics.

When you visit the Wellness Center you have the right to privacy, confidentiality, and to be treated with dignity. All records are confidential and cannot be released to anyone without written authorization. The only exception is when subpoenaed by court or when information is required by public health law.

Information on the Wellness Center may be obtained by calling 791-2212 or the information desk.

California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids Program

The CalWORKs Program provides services to students who receive TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy Families, formally known as AFDC) and who have been referred by their TulareWORKs caseworker at the welfare office. CalWORKs serves as a liaison between the student and caseworker and monitors academic progress.

Other services include:

• CalWorks workstudy (on and off campus),
• Job placement, job search skills, resume writing, interviewing techniques,
• Academic advising,
• Books,
• Funding for child care,
• Mileage reimbursement
• Job readiness workshops.

Through the TANF-CDC Grant, students who are interested in Preschool Teacher and Associate Teacher will receive additional services which include payment of the state license fees. For further information , please contact the staff in AC-126 or call 791-2303.

What is LISTO?

The LISTO (Liberal and Integral Studies for Transfer Opportunity) Program has been active at the College of the Sequoias for five years and, thanks to a second round of funding, has been implemented at Porterville College as of fall of 2005. The program is dedicated to academic achievement to facilitate transferring successfully to a four-year university. LISTO is a word that can be translated as "ready" or "smart" in Spanish-a fitting acronym to represent the goals of the program.

The program is targeted toward low-income students who may need assistance transitioning to post-secondary education. Participating in LISTO involves enrolling in specific learning communities that help build academic and social networks between students, faculty and staff. Students also enroll in concurrent courses designed to accelerate the transfer process to a four-year university.

Because LISTO students are part of a learning community, they become part of a powerful peer network, part of a team where they are valued as they go through challenging classes together. LISTO assists students in developing the motivation to learn by making a commitment to academic success and provides a supportive atmosphere designed to make them feel at home on our campus.

Activities throughout the year include an orientation which gives them a chance to interact

with each other and with their teachers plus the LISTO Program staff before school begins.

LISTO eligibility requirements are:

1.     Eligibility for classes by PC placement or by completion of prior classes.

2.     Interest in participation in linked classes and learning communities.

3.     Meet any of the following: parent/guardian/student receiving AFDC or other public assistance; need-based financial aid recipient; recipient of a Board of Governor's Fee Waiver or otherwise demonstrate low-income or at-risk status.

4.     Desire to continue studies toward a Bachelor's Degree at a four-year university.

For more information, contact Michelle Hart (791-2219), Program Coordinator, or Erin Cruz, (791-2207), Educational Advisor/Financial Aid Technician.

LISTO Advised Courses

These are courses that have been identified as part of a linked set, meant to aid students in their comprehension of the course material as well as in successfully completing the course. Students particiating in the LISTO program are encouraged to take these linked sets. Other services offered through the LISTO Program are: individual educational advising, on- and off-campus activities (including four-year university visits, field trips, speakers), textbook lending library, free printing and more!

SMART Classes

Shared Multimedia Access Resources for Teaching or SMART classes serves students from both Porterville College and the College of Sequoias (COS) by way of an interactive television system. The classes are broadcast from the originating college, allowing students to attend the class at either campus. To register for a Porterville College SMART course go to

www.portervillecollege.edu and click on the SMART Class link. For COS courses, go to www.cos.edu to complete an online application and the registration process. For further ifnormation or registration assistance, contact Carrie Stinson at (559) 791-2389. No health fee or student center fee will be charged for the PC courses.