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Financial Aid: Parent Resources

Welcome, Parents and Guardians!

We understand that parents and guardians play a crucial role in supporting their students through their educational journey. We value your involvement and want to provide you with the tools and information you need to navigate the financial aid process alongside your student.

Understanding Financial Aid: Your Role as a Parent

The financial aid process can be complex, but we are here to help. As a parent or guardian, your role is vital in ensuring that your student completes their financial aid applications accurately and on time. Here’s how you can support your student:

  • Assist in Completing the FAFSA/CADAA: The first step in securing financial aid is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for eligible students. While the application must be completed by the student, parental information may be required, especially for dependent students.
  • Gather Necessary Documentation: Your student may need your tax and income information when completing their application. Be prepared to provide these documents to help them submit their application accurately.
  • Encourage Early Submission: Financial aid applications open on December 1st. Encourage your student to submit their application as early as possible and before the priority deadline (March 2) to maximize their eligibility for aid.

FERPA: Understanding Privacy Laws

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of your student’s educational records, including financial aid information. Under FERPA:

  • Students Control Their Information: Your student must authorize access for you to view their financial aid records. Without their permission, we cannot discuss specific details of their financial aid file.
  • FERPA Release Authorization: If your student would like you to have access, they can complete a FERPA Release Authorization form. This allows you to discuss their financial aid status with our office.
  • Empowering Your Student: We encourage you to support your student in taking ownership of their financial aid responsibilities. Although your guidance is invaluable, most tasks and communications will need to be completed by the student directly.

For more information about FERPA, click here.

Chabot College Promise Free Tuition Program

We are excited to offer the Chabot College Promise Program, which provides free tuition to eligible students for the 1st and 2nd year. This program is designed to remove financial barriers and increase access to higher education. Here’s how it works:

  • Who Is Eligible? The program is available to first-time, full-time students who are California residents or AB 540 students. Your student must enroll in a minimum of 12 units per semester and pass at least 12 units by the end of each semester to qualify for the free tuition waiver.
  • How to Apply: Your student must complete the FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for the program. Be sure to submit all applications by the priority deadline (March 2) to maximize eligibility.

By taking advantage of the Chabot College Promise Program, your student can significantly reduce their financial burden, allowing them to focus on their studies and long-term goals.

Resources for Parents

To assist you further, we’ve compiled a list of helpful resources and tools:

  • Financial Aid Guide for Parents: Explore our resources to help guide your student through the financial aid process. We offer two helpful guides:
    • FAFSA Guide for Parents: This guide walks you through the steps to support your student in completeing the FAFSA. It covers gathering necessary documents, creating an FSA ID, assisting with the application, and exploring additional aid opportunities, such as Cal Grants and scholarships.
    • California Dream Act Guide for Parents: Designed for parents of AB540 students, this guide outlines the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) process. It includes steps for gathering documents, setting up a Dream Act account, entering financial information, and monitoring application status, as well as exploring additional support through the California College Promise and scholarships.
  • Financial Aid Glossary: Familiarize yourself with important terms and concepts to understand the financial aid language and better support your student. Click here to visit the Financial Aid Glossary.

FAQs for Parents

While you can assist in gathering information and documentation, the application must be completed and submitted by the student. Financial aid is awarded based on their information, and they must take responsibility for the process.
Due to FERPA, we cannot share your student’s financial information without their consent. If your student wants to grant you access, they can complete a FERPA Release Authorization form. Encourage them to submit this form if you want to have discussions directly with our office.
If there are significant changes in your family’s financial situation (e.g., loss of income, medical expenses), encourage your student to speak with our financial aid office. We may be able to adjust their aid package based on special circumstances.
The priority deadline for both the FAFSA and CADAA is March 2. We encourage students to apply as early as possible to maximize their eligibility for grants and scholarships. Applications open on December 1.
Yes, students must complete the FAFSA or CADAA every academic year to remain eligible for financial aid. We recommend starting the renewal process as soon as applications open on December 1.
If a student does not meet the SAP requirements (e.g., maintaining a certain GPA or course completion rate), they may lose eligibility for financial aid. However, they can work with the financial aid office to submit an appeal if extenuating circumstances impacted their performance.
Yes, financial aid can be used for tuition, books, supplies, and other educational expenses. If your student qualifies for aid beyond the cost of tuition, the remaining funds may be available as a refund to cover these additional costs.
If selected for verification, your student will need to provide additional documentation to verify the information submitted on their FAFSA or CADAA. Encourage your student to check their Zonemail regularly for instructions from our financial aid office and to submit any required documents promptly to avoid delays.
Financial aid funds are first applied directly to tuition and fees. Any remaining balance is disbursed to the student via Bankmobile, Chabot College's disbursement partner. Your student will need to select their preferred disbursement method through the Bankmobile system, which may include options like direct deposit into their bank account or a BankMobile Vibe account. It's important for your student to set up their disbursement preference as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving their funds. Encourage them to watch for instructions sent to their email on how to activate their Bankmobile account.
Yes, Chabot College offers various scholarships for students. We encourage your student to explore scholarship opportunities through the Chabot College Scholarships Webpage and to apply for as many scholarships as possible to reduce their financial burden.
If your student drops or withdraws from a class, it may affect their financial aid eligibility. Depending on when they withdraw, they may be required to repay a portion of the aid received. Additionally, dropping or withdrawing from classes can impact their Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). To maintain eligibility for financial aid, students must meet SAP requirements, which include maintaining a minimum GPA and completing a certain percentage of attempted units. Failure to meet SAP standards may result in the loss of financial aid eligibility. It is important for your student to consult with the financial aid office before making any changes to their schedule to understand the potential impact on their aid and SAP standing.
Yes, part-time students may still be eligible for financial aid, although the amount may be prorated based on the number of enrolled units. Encourage your student to discuss their enrollment status with the financial aid office to understand how it impacts their aid.

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need additional support, please reach out to the Chabot College Financial Aid Office. 

  • Email: financialaid@chabotcollege.edu
  • Phone: (510) 723-6748