Rules and Limits
All financial aid programs have limits that dictate when you are no longer eligible to receive aid. Life changes, or failure to meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress can affect your eligibility for financial aid. Federal regulations also prohibit students from receiving the same kind of aid at two different institutions for the same period of enrollment.
Federal Pell Grant
Federal regulations limit the receipt of the Federal Pell Grant to a total of 6 years (18 full time quarters/12 full time semesters).
Federal Loan Limits
There are limits to what can be borrowed annually as well as a limit of what can be borrowed in total.
Undergraduates and Credential Programs
| Loan Limits | Dependent | Independent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | ||
| 1st Year (0-44 units) | $5500 (up to $3500 subsidized) | $9500 (up to $3500 subsidized) |
| 2nd Year (45-89 units) | $6500 (up to $4500 subsidized) | $10,500 (up to $4500 subsidized) |
| 3rd year (90+ units) | $7500 (up to $5500 subsidized) | $12,500 (up to $5500 subsidized) |
| Credential | $5500 (up to $5500 subsidized) | $12,500 (up to $5500 subsidized) |
| Aggregate (Total Borrowing) Limit | $31,000 (up to $23,000 subsidized) | $57,500 |
Graduate (Master's Degree)
| Annual | $20,500 |
|---|---|
| Aggregate (total borrowing limit) | $138,500 (includes undergraduate borrowing) |
State University Grant
Undergraduate students who have earned more than 225 units are not eligible to receive the State University Grant (SUG). Credential students who have earned more than 45 units and Master’s level students who have completed 125% of the program requirements are not eligible to receive the State University Grant. Second degree or second credential students are also not eligible for the SUG.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Students with federal work-study are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week. FWS can be earned from the first day of classes in the fall to the last day of finals in the spring. It is not available for summer employment, nor can it be earned any quarter the student is not enrolled at least half time.
Repeat Courses
Courses repeated for a third time are not eligible for financial aid unless they are repeated as part of program requirements (such as art or music studio classes).
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
All Federal and State financial aid programs are subject to Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Unit completion, grade point average and number of terms enrolled are checked annually at the end of spring quarter for all terms of enrollment, even if a student is not currently receiving financial aid.