The Financial Aid Office offers free financial aid assistance with Grants, Loans, California College Promise Grant and other resources. The following information provides an overview of financial aid programs available to Mendocino College students:
Scholarships
The Mendocino College Foundation offers many different scholarships available to our students. Additionally, we have a listing of outside scholarships available.
Grants
Grants are gift assistance awarded to qualified students demonstrating exceptional financial need (i.e., grants are need-based aid). Grants do not have to be repaid as long as enrollment for the semester in which you receive the grant is maintained.
Loans
Loans are a type of financial aid that must be repaid. If other sources of financial aid are not sufficient to cover the costs of attending Mendocino College, you may need to consider loans as an alternative.
California College Promise Grant (formerly the Board of Governors Fee Waiver)
For eligible California residents and AB 540 students, the California College Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived. To obtain a California College Promise Grant, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by visiting fafsa.ed.gov, or complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by visiting dream.csac.ca.gov.
This is a federal program that pays students to work in jobs that are available on the Mendocino College campus. There are limited awards available so students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA process early and contact the Financial Aid Office to be placed on the work study waitlist.
Federal Work Study is a federally funded campus-based program designed to create additional job opportunities for students eligible to participate in need-based financial aid programs. The hiring department pays only a percentage of the student's wages; the federal government subsidizes the remaining portion. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study. A Federal Work Study award is not disbursed in a lump sum, but through paychecks for hours actually worked. Therefore students must meet financial aid eligibility requirements throughout their employment. Once all Federal Work Study funds have been committed, the program closes, regardless of a student's remaining eligibility. Federal Work Study employees are limited to earning the amount of their award. Once they reach their earning limitation, the employer has the option to terminate their employment.
Informational Video on Federal Financial Aid