Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
What are the office hours?
Monday - Thu 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is money made available by various sources and can be used for education related expenses.
What types of financial aid are available?
Gavilan College participates in several types of financial aid programs. Grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, fee waivers, and other special programs may be available. Eligibility requirements vary; please check the links for more information.
How is financial aid calculated?
Awards are calculated using the information on the FAFSA or CADAA, including prior year income, assets, and family size.
How do I apply?
A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to apply for most types of financial aid, including federal, state, and institutional aid. Students may apply online at https://studentaid.gov/. Students not eligible to file a FAFSA who meet AB540/SB68 eligibility may fill out a California Dream Act (CADAA) at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/.
What is the school code I need to apply for financial aid?
Gavilan's code is: 001202
What are the eligibility requirements for Federal Aid?
Be accepted for admission at Gavilan College.
Be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree or certificate.
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen.
Have a valid Social Security Number.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Have demonstrated financial need.
Not be in default on any federal student loan and not owe money on a grant (which could happen if you withdraw from school).
I just applied. Why do I have to apply again?
You must reapply for financial aid each year. Personal situations can vary greatly from year to year, so the yearly renewal allows for the most accurate information to be used when making a financial aid determination.
When do I apply?
Financial Aid applications are only valid for one academic year. To ensure maximum awards you should apply by the priority deadline of March 2nd of each year. You may complete a FAFSA or CADAA annually beginning October 1st for the upcoming Fall semester (the next school year).
What information do I need to complete my FAFSA accurately?
Your Social Security number, tax forms from the previous year, any records from untaxed income received (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or Social Security, for example), any investment records, your parents' information (if you're dependent), and your alien registration card (if you're not a US citizen).
I received a letter that said my application could not be processed. What do I do?
Usually, this is something minor. You may submit the necessary corrections by mail, online or bring your Student Aid Report (SAR) to our office for help.
What does EFC mean?
EFC = Expected Family Contribution. As determined by a federal government formula, it is the amount that your family is expected to contribute to your education.
What is the Cost of Attendance?
It's the total amount it will cost you to go to school, usually for a school year (nine months). A federal government formula determines the amounts. See our budget page for additional information and current budgets.
I completed my financial aid application. What do I do now?
Additional forms are sometimes needed to complete your financial aid. First, log into your MyGav account to check for any outstanding documents required to complete your file. You should also regularly monitor your Gavilan College email for notifications from the Financial Aid Office. You will not receive any aid until all outstanding documents are submitted, reviewed and your file is complete. It is your responsibility to return the forms in a timely manner.
How much money will I receive?
Pell grant amounts are based on your financial need, your units in school, and any other forms of aid received. Other grants can vary. Review your award letter for estimated amounts. The amounts listed on your Award Letter are based on full-time status.
What does my award letter mean?
The awards listed on the letter are based on full-time status, so if you attend part-time, your awards will be less than the amounts shown. Awards for the school year are shown, broken down by each aid program.
When will I receive my money?
Generally, financial aid checks are sent out at various times throughout the semester based on when your financial aid file was completed. Check with the Financial Aid Office and visit our dates and deadlines page.
Why doesn't the amount of my check match the amount on the Award Letter?
It could be a couple of reasons: Pell grant checks are divided in half and sent out twice per semester, so the amounts will be smaller than shown on the Award Letter. Also, the awards listed are based on full-time status. If you attend part-time, your awards will be adjusted accordingly.
When will the second checks be sent?
Disbursement of the second Pell Grant check takes place after 60% of the semester (approximately 10 weeks) has been completed. Check with the Financial Aid Office to get the approximate date.
I just received a disqualification notice. What does that mean?
All financial aid recipients are required to maintain standards for satisfactory academic progress in order to receive financial aid funds. If it's determined that you do not meet these standards, you must submit an appeal to reinstate your aid.
I just received a letter stating I was not eligible for grants. What happens now?
First, you should review the Student Aid Report that you receive after you submit your FAFSA application to make sure all the information is accurate. If there are mistakes, submit corrections. If the original information is accurate, you may still be able to participate in work-study or apply for loans and scholarships. Contact the office for further details.
What if I still believe I should be receiving grants?
If you believe that you have a special circumstance that warrants a reevaluation of your aid determination, you should come by the Financial Aid Office to discuss any options you may have. Keep in mind that there must be compelling reasons and adequate documentation for a reevaluation to occur.
How do I apply for a loan?
First, you must meet the eligibility requirements and submit the FAFSA and all necessary forms to the Financial Aid Office. Then, you must complete a Loan Entrance Counseling session. For more loan information, contact the Financial Aid Office.
How will I receive my loan money?
Once you have completed all necessary forms, if eligible, you will receive a letter from us. The Financial Aid Office disburses the loan to your Gavilan student account. Once aid is credited, it will be applied to outstanding balances. If there is a credit on your student account, a refund check will be processed by Student Accounts (Cashier) and mailed by the Business Services Office.
About Taxes
What do I do if I haven't filed my taxes?
You can use estimated income. You will be able to make corrections to your FAFSA, but you want to make sure that you submit the FAFSA as early as possible so that you don't miss out on any early aid deadlines.
I lost my taxes. What do I do now?
If a paid preparer completed your taxes, you can request a copy from them. You are also able to request a tax printout from the IRS. You can print a copy of Form 4506-T from the IRS website to request a transcript.
What is proof of non-filing?
You will need to contact the IRS and request proof from them that you did not file taxes for the year in question. Form 4506-T, if needed, may be used for this purpose. The IRS phone number is 1-800-829-1040.