Financial Aid | Policies and Guidelines

Email is the standard method of communication used by the Financial Aid Office, we will contact you through your MSJC email account or preferred email on file.  Therefore, we encourage students to check their email regularly.   

We will also provide financial aid information to you on your student portal. You are responsible for checking your financial aid status regularly on the My Apps portal.  We regularly post additional student requirements, resolution of data conflicts, SAP status and status of financial aid awards on the portal.  

We will communicate with you and not your parents.  The FAFSA is your application and—in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)—your account will not be discussed with anyone else (including application contributors, other family members and/or friends) unless you provide explicit authorization to speak with them.  You can find the Consent to Release Form on the Financial Aid Forms page. 

For need-based aid programs, the amount of financial assistance that you can receive is limited to your cost of attendance (COA) minus your student aid index (SAI).  As a result, your COA is an important part of your award calculation, and it is influenced by your residency status and level of enrollment.  

Budget Components 

Budgets are based on the California Student Aid Commission's (CSAC) annual student expense budgets which use figures from a student expenses survey that have been adjusted for inflation or deflation. 

CSAC provides figures for the following categories: 

• Books and supplies (understood to include course material fees); 
• Room and Board; 
• Transportation; and 
• Personal / Miscellaneous charges; 

Three categories are left for MSJC to determine: tuition/fees and out-of-state tuition.  We assign students a housing status that aligns with their dependency status. If this is incorrect, students may submit the Housing Change Form. Changes may impact their financial aid eligibility, resulting in an increase/decrease of their financial aid awards. 

Tuition and Fees 

Tuition and fees are calculated for each enrollment category on the basis of the average student enrollment in the fall semester of the prior aid year.  

Additional mandatory fees, such as health fees, are also included.  

Prior to the aid year, we assume all students are coming full-time. We will continuously check units throughout the academic year and adjust the award amounts based on the number of units for which they are registered.  

Out of State Tuition 

Out-of-state students will pay an additional out-of-state tuition amount that is based on the average enrollment in the fall semester of the prior aid year. 

Other Term Lengths 

If a student attends term combinations other than the standard Fall/Spring, our system will use a multiplier to adjust budget components that aren't related to your level of enrollment. Tuition and out-of-state fees which are calculated by unit load will continue to use the values posted above.  

Less-than-Half-Time Enrollment 

If a student enrolls in less than six units, the cost of attendance used to calculate Pell amounts is the standard nine-month Pell cost of attendance minus the budget components for room/board and miscellaneous expenses.  

Cost of Attendance Appeal

The Cost of Attendance (COA) serves as an estimation of the expenses related to enrolling at Mt. San Jacinto College.  If your educational costs exceed this amount and you wish to request an adjustment to your COA, you may submit this appeal for review.  The Financial Aid Office offers limited opportunities for increases to the COA depending on individual circumstances. 

Childcare Expenses - Parenting students are eligible to add the out-of-pocket cost for childcare expenses. Expenses may be split between a two-parent household. Private school tuition is not covered.	Please provide evidence of licensed childcare or dependent care costs along with proof of payment
	Note: For childcare expenses exceeding $2,500 per month, we will require proof of payment for a full month’s cost before we can process for the entire academic year.
Medical/Dental Expenses - Expenses incurred and paid out of pocket (not covered by insurance) for the student during the enrollment period will be considered.  Estimates of procedures will not be accepted. Additionally, cosmetic surgery or procedures such as braces will not be covered.	Itemized statement by date and amount paid. Proof of payment, such as copies of receipts, credit card statements, or cleared bank checks, are required (front and back copy).
	Some procedures may require an explanation from a physician indicating that the procedure is required.
Computer Purchase - This expense will be allowed only once during a student's enrollment.  A maximum of $2000 can be considered.	Submit a copy of a receipt verifying proof of purchase for the computer. The receipt must be in students' names, or credit cards may be used to verify purchases. If purchased by a parent, you will need to provide a statement from the parent indicating aid will be used to reimburse them for the cost of the computer.
Licenses and Certificates - Request allowance for one-time direct costs associated with obtaining their first professional license or certificate, provided they are enrolled in a program that requires such licensure or certification. This allowance is only available twice per eligible academic program per student. Allowable costs include fees associated with licensing exams and the costs of applying for and obtaining the license or certification. The cost must be incurred during the period of enrollment, even if the exam or certification is obtained after the period has ended. While costs for multiple licenses or credential test attempts may be included, they are limited to a maximum of two repeats.	Submit an itemized budget, signed by a professor/Department Chair on department letterhead, that lists individual expenses and verifies that those expenses are reasonable and necessary AND not paid for directly by your department.

Dependency status refers to whether a financial aid applicant is dependent or independent. The federal government sets guidelines for determining whether a student is dependent or independent. This will determine whose information you include on the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application. If you're a dependent student, you will report your and your parents' information. If you are at least 24 years old, you are considered an independent student and do not have to provide parental income and asset information. 

If you are younger than 24, you may still qualify for independent status if you are:  

• Legally married on the day the FAFSA was filed;  
• The parent of a child for whom you provide more than half of the support they receive;  
• Living with dependents for whom you provide more than half of the support they receive;  
• An orphan (both natural parents are deceased);  
• A ward or dependent of the court (or were until age 18);  
• A member of the U.S. Armed Forces currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training;  
• A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces;  
• A foster youth (in a foster youth program sometime after the age of 13);  
• An emancipated child as determined by a court judge; OR  
• Homeless or at risk of homelessness as determined by the director of a HUD approved homeless shelter, transitional program, or high school liaison.  

 If none of the above criteria applies, you are a dependent student even if you live on your own and claim yourself on your own taxes.    

If you are a dependent student and your parents refuse to provide parental information on your FAFSA:  

1. File for an Unusual Circumstances Dependency Appeal in StudentForms. If your eligibility is based on your income alone.  
2. For students without parental support, MSJC does not offer Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. 

How We Disburse Aid 

MSJC awards and disburses financial aid by semester. However, there are different disbursement rules for each type of aid. General disbursement rules are as follows: 

• Financial aid funds are generally not available at the beginning of each semester.  Disbursements usually begin approximately 1 week after classes begin.  However, not all students will receive funds on every disbursement date.  Disbursement dates are determined based on the student's FAFSA/CADAA completion date, the date all required tasks are completed, student enrollment status and eligibility status. Students are encouraged to be prepared to pay for books and supplies with their own resources.  

• Students can only receive financial aid from one school at a time. If you received financial aid elsewhere, your award may be cancelled here, and you will have to pay back the amount you received.   

• We do not permit any advance payments. Application, verification (if the student is selected), and awarding of aid must be completed before we can disburse any funds.  

• Any grants you are eligible for are automatically accepted on your behalf.  As a condition of receipt of any federal or state financial aid funds, you agree and accept the Terms and Conditions.  If you wish to decline any funds, please complete the Financial Aid Cancellation Request and return to the Financial Aid Office.  

• Pell Grants are disbursed in two equal payments, highlighted as major disbursements on the schedule for each term.  Supplemental disbursements are provided if you have not received any funds during the major disbursement dates. 

• Enrollment intensity is the same in all semesters at MSJC.  For financial aid purposes, full-time enrollment in summer is 12 credits just like fall and spring. 

• We disburse aid directly to a student's MSJC account (except work-study payroll checks). The Cashiers Office will pay any eligible charges before refunds are processed. 

• You will only be paid for classes you are actively attending.  Late-start courses may be paid on a later disbursement.  Offer letters reflect the maximum amount of funds available to you and are based on full-time enrollment intensity. 

• If you are enrolled less than full-time, your disbursement will be adjusted in accordance with federal regulations based on your current enrollment intensity.  The disbursement amounts allowed are available in the table below. 

Enrollment Intensity 

Pell Grant awards are based on enrollment intensity.  Students are not necessarily required to enroll in full-time to receive aid. If students are enrolled in less than full-time for the semester, disbursements will be adjusted in accordance with the enrollment intensity. 

Credit Hours	Enrollment Intensity
12 (or more)	100%
11	92%
10	83%
9	75%
8	67%
7	58%
6	50%
5	42%
4	33%
3	25%
2	17%
1	8%

• The funds you receive may differ from award amount due to various reasons, including a change in enrollment status, enrollment in late-courses, and/or a change in financial aid eligibility. 

• Award amounts will fluctuate as you add and drop classes. 

 

Enrollment Status

Cal Grant (other) awards are based on enrollment status. Students must be enrolled in at least half-time status to receive aid. If enrolled in less than fulltime for the semester, disbursements will be adjusted in  accordance with the enrollment status.

Enrollment Status	Credits	Percentage Eligibility
Full Time	12 credits or more	100%
Three-quarter time (3/4)	9-11.5 credits	75%
Half-Time (1/2)	6-8.5 credits	50%
Less than Half-Time (<1/2)	0.5-5.5 credits	0%

 

BankMobile Disbursements 

MSJC delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit this link for more information: Refund Selection.  If you have a BankMobile Disbursements profile at another school, that profile is not valid at MSJC, you will need to create a profile with BankMobile Disbursements for MSJC.   

IMPORTANT: If no refund preference is selected, BankMobile will hold the funds for 30 days before mailing a paper check to the address on file. If the check expires or is returned to MSJC, the funds will automatically be cancelled. Funds will only be reissued when you select a refund preference and notify our office of the change.

To view our third-party servicer contract for refund management, click here.   

For the purposes of financial aid eligibility if you indicate that you have a BA/BS degree you are ineligible for Federal Pell Grant.  

"A student with a baccalaureate or professional degree is ineligible even if the degree is from an unaccredited school or is not recognized by your school. Similarly, a student with a baccalaureate or professional degree from a foreign school usually isn't eligible for a Pell Grant. But because a foreign degree often won't translate neatly into the American classification, the school must judge whether it equates to a U.S. bachelor's degree." 

If you would like to "appeal" your BA/BS status to be eligible for Federal Aid you can have your foreign transcripts evaluated by a NACES.org member. There is a fee associated for a comprehensive report.  

If it is determined that you do not have the equivalent of a BA/BS degree, then you may be Pell eligible (other eligibility requirements are still required). 

MSJC has established guidelines for the prevention, identification of and response to identification of identity theft and financial aid fraud.

Financial Aid Fraud
Students and potential students who enroll in classes and accept financial aid based on enrollment with no intent to complete classes may be considered perpetrators of financial aid fraud. The student's tuition and fees are usually paid by financial aid funds, and the student receives a refund of financial aid funds in excess of those costs.

Students, parents, spouses, college staff and all others are responsible for accurately portraying information submitted on the FAFSA, and in all supporting documents to the financial aid application process. Such documents include, but are not limited to, the FAFSA, California Dream Application, CCPG Application, verification forms, timesheets, signature pages, appeal applications, correspondence, etc. Falsification of financial aid documents is an extremely serious offense. Students and others who fraudulently complete financial aid documents will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include loss of eligibility for all financial assistance, termination from all College employment programs, and referral to the U.S. Department of Education for criminal prosecution.

Response to Financial Aid Fraud or Identify Theft
When a MSJC student is identified as being a potential victim of identity theft or involved in financial aid fraud, their account at the college is placed on hold. This hold prevents students from registering and prevents their financial aid from disbursing to their student account. Financial aid funds for the current semester may also be revoked pending resolution. The hold will remain in place until the student has provided all the documents that MSJC may request. MSJC Financial Aid reserves the right to leave the hold in place until those documents are provided by the student in person to the Financial Aid Office. The student may be asked questions particular to their status in order to positively determine their identity and intent as a student at MSJC. The student may also be asked to submit additional documentation in order to clarify their status as a student.

When the College has credible information that suggests that an individual has engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct, the case will be reported to the Regional Office of the Inspector General and, if applicable, the state or local law enforcement agencies as specified by the U.S. Department of Education under section 668.14(g) of the General Provisions Regulation. In these instances, the College will leave the student account hold in place until instructed by the Department of Education that it is appropriate to lift the hold. Students identified to be involved in financial aid fraud will be referred for possible disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the College. All monies paid to the student that are determined to have been the result of fraud will be immediately due to the College. If not repaid, this debt will be referred to a collection agency for collection and legal action, and may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education. Debts that are referred to a collection agency are subject to fees for the costs associated with collecting the debt, including attorney fees and court costs.

Any fraud that the College refers to the Department of Education may result in criminal prosecution. Criminal prosecution may result in a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Students who are victims of identity theft and/or financial aid fraud are urged to file a police report and seek assistance from appropriate authorities outside of the college. This may include contacting credit bureaus and your banking institution.

Any fraud that the College refers to the Department of Education may result in criminal prosecution. Criminal prosecution may result in a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.  

Victims of Identity Theft 
Individuals who are victims of identity theft and/or financial aid fraud are urged to take the necessary steps below: 

• File a police report.  

• Contact all credit bureaus and your banking institution. 

• Report fraud to Office of Inspector General (OIG) 

U.S. Department of Education  
Office of Inspector General Hotline  
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.  
Washington D.C. 20202-1500  
Phone:  1-800-647-8733  
Fax: (202) 245-7047  

To submit a complaint online at any time, go to  oig.ed.gov/oig-hotline/how-do-i-file-hotline-complaint and click on the appropriate link.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program provides assistance to exceptionally needy undergraduate students.  

Selection Process 

MSJC receives a limited amount of funds for the FSEOG program each year and follows the process below to select students for awarding. 

By regulation, FSEOG grants must first be awarded to the students with the lowest student aid index (SAI) who are also receiving a Federal Pell Grant. This is known as the "FSEOG first selection group." 

MSJC awards FSEOG to those students who have a -1500 SAI and a Federal Pell Grant. If we have more students than funding, we use a random sort in the process. If all eligible students have been awarded and FSEOG funds remain, MSJC will award FSEOG to other Federal Pell Grant recipients until all funds have been awarded.   

Overawards 

An overaward occurs when the total of all aid awarded to the student exceeds the student's cost of attendance budget, thereby requiring the financial aid office to reduce or cancel awards in the student's financial aid package.  Award and cost of attendance budget information is located
in your financial aid section of your Self-Service.

Any overaward that exceeds the cost of attendance beyond the federally allowable tolerance of $300 will require the financial aid office to reduce awards.  

MSJC will not reduce or cancel Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) awards to eliminate an overaward situation.  In most cases, we will accommodate an additional award by reducing or cancelling federal work-study awards. 

These overaward provisions pertain to students who receive funds under any of the following need-based programs: 

• Federal Pell Grant 
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 
• Federal Work-Study  
• Cal Grant 
  

Overpayments 

An overpayment occurs when a student is paid more than that for which they are eligible and may consist of all grants disbursed.  The student is responsible for repaying the overpayment amount that resulted from an
institutional or student error, which may include and not limited to any of the following:

• Failure to report/provide requested information
• Reporting incorrect information
• Dropping courses (refer to the repayment policy)
• Being paid while in an ineligible status
• Being paid at multiple schools concurrently
• Being paid for ineligible courses

The Financial Aid Office may reduce the student's federal award(s) in a subsequent enrollment period during the same award year the overpayment occurred.  If the overpayment amount cannot be satisfied by deducting the amount from a future disbursement, the student is responsible for making direct restitution. 

As required by federal regulations, the Financial Aid Office will report an outstanding overpayment to the Department of Education via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) within 45 days from the date when the overpayment was created and after 90 days, the outstanding overpayment will be referred to the Department of Education for collections.  An indication of an outstanding overpayment will be recorded on future output documents generated by the Department of Education and may prevent the student from receiving certain types of financial aid funding. 

If you have a grant overpayment of $25.00 or less, you do not have to repay the funds and the overpayment will not be reported to NSLDS. This amount is program specific, not cumulative: if you had to return $150.00 in Pell funds and $20.00 in FSEOG, you would have to return the $150.00 but not the $20.00. 

Dropping/withdrawing from courses can be considered Reduced Enrollment and/or Return to TIV Funds (R2T4). Please review both scenarios below

What Happens If I Drop Some of My Courses  and I receive a Pell Grant:

Reduced Enrollment

MSJC does not have a freeze date.  We pay for all unit increases; therefore, we bill for all unit decreases throughout the semester.  If a student drops units the student MAY be required to repay a portion or all of the grant at any time during the semester and their Pell grant has been disbursed
(instructors may drop a student for non-participation, however, it is the student's responsibility if no longer attending). Please refer to the Enrollment Intensity chart.  

For example: 

• If you start the semester with 12 or more units and your first Pell grant disbursement is paid at 50%, and then drop to 6 units, you will not receive ANY additional Pell grant disbursement(s) as you have already received your Pell grant eligibility for 6 units of 50% (refer to the Enrollment Intensity chart).
• If you start the semester with 12 or more units and your first Pell grant disbursement is paid at 50%, and then drop to 9 units, you may receive an adjusted final Pell grant disbursement(s) based on your Pell grant eligibility at 9 units of 75% (refer to the Enrollment Intensity chart).
• If you start the semester with 12 or more units and you were paid 100% ($3698.00) of your Pell grant, and then drop to 6 units, you will owe ($1849.00) back for the reduction in units based on your Pell grant eligibility at 6 units of 50% (refer to the Enrollment Intensity chart).

*If you have to drop courses and you received Pell grant funds to attend those courses, be sure to contact financial aid to see how that reduction in units will affect your financial aid eligibility and if you will owe funds back. 

What Happens If I Drop All of My Courses and I received my Pell Grant:

Return to Title IV Funds  

Students who completely withdraw from MSJC prior to completing more than 60% of the semester may be required to repay all or a portion of any Title IV aid received. 

A complete withdraw can be categorized as an official withdrawal or an unofficial withdrawal: 

• Official Withdrawal: If you completely withdrawal (stop attending) all of your registered classes after the semester as started 
• Unofficial Withdrawal: If you do not successfully complete the semester with at least one passing grade. It is your responsibility to drop your classes, if you stop attending. 

MSJC Financial Aid Office will determine the “earned” and “unearned” amount of the federal aid received. The amounts calculated are based on the percentage of the semester that was completed before the student withdrew from all courses (instructors may drop a student for non-participation, however, it is the student's responsibility if no longer attending).

• Earned Amount: The amount of Title IV funds you can keep based on the percentage of the semester you completed as of the day you withdrew.
• Unearned Amount: The total amount of Title IV funds you did not earn and must be returned to the Department of Education (total disbursed aid minus the amount you can keep determines the unearned amount).
  

According to the day you completely withdraw from all of your classes, the Financial Aid Office will use that day along with your Title IV (federal aid) eligibility based on your credits at that time, and the amount disbursed for the semester. 

Example: Say you receive a grant of $2,114.00. If there are 122 days in the term and you drop out on the 31st day then, you earned 25% of your grant.  The Financial Aid Office will calculate what portion of your grant you earned and did not earn.  $2,114.00 grant x 25% = $528.50 (earned) and; $2,114.00 grant x 75% = $1,585.50 (unearned).  

The college will pay back some of the unearned portion of the withdrawal on your behalf depending on the enrollment fees you were charged (including tuition, transportation fees, health fee, and any other mandatory enrollment fees, if applicable).  You will, however, owe these funds back to the college.  If you enrolled in 12 units at $46/unit, plus $6 transportation fee, and $20 health fee and any other mandatory fees = $578 x 75% (unearned) = $433.50 (college share). 

You will also have to pay back the unearned amount of the grant to the Federal program(s), minus the college share, times 50%.  $1,585.50 (unearned) - $433.50 (college share) = $1,152.00 you must pay the Federal program(s).  However, 50% of the amount of aid you could have been paid is protected, so you may only owe the college the portion paid back on your behalf. 

Don't worry if you don't understand, the Financial Aid Office will calculate the amount for you. 

If you received less of the award than you were eligible for, or that you "earned", you will receive a "post-withdrawal" disbursement. 

If you received Federal Work Study money and withdraw, you do not owe your earnings back. You always get to keep the salary you have earned. 

If you are thinking of withdrawing...

Immediately contact the Financial Aid Office and seek the counsel from one of our MSJC Counselors to discuss your academic and/or personal reasons for leaving. There may be other options such as pursuing a more manageable course load, utilizing tutoring services, and seeking personal support resources. 

Before you go...

Please work with the Financial Aid Office to understand the repayment process.  You will have 90 days (up to 45 days will be applied for overpayments processed towards the end of the academic year) to repay any money you owe to the Federal program(s).  Once 90 days have passed, you will be referred for collection to the Department of Education Defaulted Resolution Group and will have to make repayment arrangements with the Federal government.  During this time, you will not be eligible for Title IV financial aid at any school.  If you make arrangements with the Federal government in a timely manner, you will maintain your student aid eligibility; however, you will still be in the collection process. Also, the debt due to the college for your withdrawal will need to be paid back or a hold will be placed on your account.

Department of Education - Defaulted Resolution Group Contact Information

If you would like to contact the Department of Education-Default Resolution Group after MSJC has reported your debt to collections, please allow 15 business days. You may contact the U.S. Department of Education:

• By phone - 1-800-621-3115
• By mail - U.S. Department of Education, Defaulted Resolution Group, P.O. Box 5609, Greenville, Texas 75403-5609
• Online - studentaid.gov or myeddebt.ed.gov/borrower

Note:  Remember, your withdrawal will also affect a separate policy called Satisfactory Academic Progress. Even after you repay the amount you owe due to your withdrawal and the "Return of Title IV Funds", under the policy stated above, you will still be responsible for meeting the terms of Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive aid at MSJC the following semester.  Please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy or call the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Download the SAP Policy

Federal and State regulations require that students seeking financial aid must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a published degree objective and ensure progress toward the degree for all periods of enrollment whether or not the student has received financial aid.  Students are responsible for submitting official transcripts for all previously attempted coursework to Enrollment Services.  For transfer students, only credits from other institutions that count towards the current program of study will be included. 

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is one of many Federally mandated criteria viewed in determining a student's eligibility for continued receipt of their financial aid.

SAP Frequently Asked Questions

How Your Contribution is Determined

When you fill out the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, we use the income data you provide to calculate your student aid index (SAI).  We calculate your unmet need by subtracting the SAI from your cost of attendance (COA).  Your unmet need forms the basis for eligibility and amount determinations for all grants.  

However, you may find that you (and/or your contributors') income in the current or prior year is lower than what you earned in the base tax year that the FAFSA/CADAA uses.

Special Circumstances 

Special circumstances may include but are not limited to: 

The following events may qualify for reevaluation of financial aid when finalized documentation is available regarding earnings from the prior year:

• Death of student's spouse or parent
• Marital Separation, Pending Divorce or Divorce
• Unemployment or change in employment
• Involuntary Reduction in Work Hours, Wage/Salary reduction
• Mandatory furlough
• Loss of Benefits or Non-recurring Income
• High-cost medical bills not covered by insurance 
• One-time lump sum payment 

When determining financial aid eligibility, the following are not and will not be considered in our analysis, and therefore would not qualify as special circumstances:

Expenses related to:

• Consumer Debt
• Graduate school expenses for siblings and/or other family members
• Unwillingness to contribute to educational expenses*
• Parents voluntarily reducing income
• Parents returning to school

* It is our expectation that families will use all resources available to them to finance the student aid index (SAI) including current salary, savings, investments, and/or payment plans.

Special Consideration for SAI Calculation Appeals

If you've experienced a significant reduction in pay due to one of the qualifying events listed above, we will reevaluate your financial aid once all earnings information from the prior tax year can be assessed. The Professional Judgment:  Special Circumstance -SAI Calculation Appeal should be submitted via Student Forms prior to May 7th, 2025.

We understand this may result in a financial burden and we will work with you to determine the best financing options available until your financial aid award can be reevaluated. Families should be aware that data must be collected from the entire household who wishes to appeal on the basis of income loss (i.e. wage statements must be received for all wage earners) to determine the net change in household income for the current aid year.

To apply for a Student Aid index (SAI) Calculation Appeal student must meet the following:   

• Complete all required actions/tasks requested   
• Log into your  Student Forms account
  • Select the red "Request" button at the top right of the page. A "Requests" window will open where you can add “Professional Judgment:  Special Circumstance – SAI Calculation Appeal”

Please keep in mind not all changes in income will result in additional financial assistance.

Please ALLOW 3-4 WEEKS for the review of this appeal and receipt of the decision notification.

If you are previously borrowed a Federal Direct Loan at MSJC, you must complete Exit Counseling.

If at any time your enrollment drops below 6 units (except summer) or leave MSJC (even if you plan to transfer to another school), you will need to complete Exit Counseling online via your Federal Student Aid account. MSJC will also send you a reminder email within 30 days with information on how to satisfy this requirement, by completing exist counseling and updating your contact information.  

Completing Exit Counseling helps you understand your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower, repayment options and provides you with the necessary information to avoid default. Defaulting on student loans has serious financial consequences such as poor credit scores, loss of financial aid eligibility, wage garnishment, and possible legal action.

If you have any trouble making payments, we strongly encourage you to contact our loan default management partners at ECMC (Educational Credit Management Corporation) as soon as possible. Their trained counselors can work with you to explore solutions tailored to your individual needs, such as loan rehabilitation, consolidation, deferment, or income-driven repayment plans at no cost to you. To get started, please reach out to ECMC at 1-844-782-2333, or visit their website at ecmcsolutions.org for more information.    

 

Financial Aid is year-round. To be considered for both the Federal Pell Grant and the California College Promise Grant, students are encouraged to apply for both the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years.

Summer California College Promise Grant

The California College Promise Grant program is available for qualified California residents and verified AB540 students that meet all eligibility criteria. The CCPG covers tuition for the summer, fall, and spring terms. You will be responsible for paying other student fees at the time of registration or risk being dropped from your courses.

To be considered for Summer 2025 California College Promise Grant, students must submit their 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA or DREAM Act Application CADAA.

Summer Pell Grant

Pell Grant eligible students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Pell award each year. What does this mean for you? Summer is considered a "cross-over" period, which means that it begins in one academic year and crosses over into another.

To be considered for Summer 2025 Pell Grant, students must submit their 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  At Mt. San Jacinto College, Pell Grant eligible students are initially reviewed for remaining eligibility under the 2024-2025 award year. 

To be eligible to receive a Summer 2025 Pell Grant, you must meet all the following criteria:

• You must have a completed financial aid file for the 2024-2025 award year at MSJC.
• Be in an eligible Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status.

If you are a current Pell Grant recipient, and your financial aid file is complete, you will be emailed a Revised Offer Letter. Your financial aid awards will be available to view by logging into your MyMSJC Student Self Service Account. Payment will be adjusted based upon your enrollment intensity.

Enrollment Status

Awards are based on enrollment intensity. If students are enrolled in less than full-time for the semester, disbursements will be adjusted accordingly. 

Credit Hours	Enrollment Intensity
12 (or more)	100%
11	92%
10	83%
9	75%
8	67%
7	58%
6	50%
5	42%
4	33%
3	25%
2	17%
1	8%

Important facts:

• Every student's eligibility is different. Your actual Summer Pell Grant may vary depending on your SAI, your summer enrollment status and your Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU).
• Payment will be adjusted according to enrollment intensity.
• Disbursements will be made in one lump sum.
• Your PELL Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) will also be increased. Please note, LEU is currently set at the equivalent of six full-time (600%) years of Pell Grant funding.
• Failure to make Satisfactory Academic Progress during Summer 2025, could result in a loss of eligibility for Fall 2025.
• Withdrawing from courses can result in an overpayment. Please review our Repayment Policy. Repeatability of coursework policy still apply for the Summer 2025 term.

Summer 2025 Disbursement Schedule

Awarded By	Disbursement Date	Pell Grant Year
Friday July 25, 2025	Wednesday Aug 6, 2025	2024-25 Pell Recipients

*Disbursement Dates are Tentative and subject to change.

As a financial aid recipient at Mt. San Jacinto College, you are responsible for understanding and agreeing to the following terms and conditions of your financial aid award:  

A.  GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As a financial aid recipient, I understand and agree that I must promptly report to the Financial Aid Office any changes in my financial, marital, residency, or academic status.  Any additional earning or funding resources not included in my award offer from any other outside sources may result in changes of my award and/or require repayment of financial aid awards already advanced to me during the academic year.    

B.  REGARDING NOTICE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

I understand that all financial aid awards are contingent upon the availability of funds. This award has been based on the documented information I submitted at the time I applied for aid.  It is my responsibility to inform the Financial Aid Office if that information changes.  If I receive additional resources during the academic year, I am expected to report this to the Financial Aid Office.  By accepting financial aid, I agree to allow the Mt. San Jacinto College Enrollment Services to release system access and/or hard copy of my transcript to the Financial Aid Office, the California Student Aid Commission, and/or any non-university sources aiding me.  

C.  GENERAL CONDITIONS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

1. Revisions: Mt. San Jacinto College reserves the right to revise the student's Financial Aid award.  Modification of this offer may be required due to lack of necessary state or federal funding, satisfactory academic progress, corrections, changes in the data reported to the institution by parents and/or students, unintended error, students change in units, change in residence, or other reasons consistent with MSJC's procedures. You must be enrolled for the completion of each term to receive full financial aid award entitlement and agree that if you withdraw or cease to complete the required number of units you must arrange with the Financial Aid Office to repay any aid advanced for which you are no longer eligible. 

2. Verification: I understand the Financial Aid Office reserves the right to verify all documents submitted for my file and all information provided on my FAFSA at any time. During the review process, it may be determined that more documentation or information is needed to resolve conflicting information. Until additional information is provided, no further processing will be done on my file. The final determination of my eligibility may be delayed if corrections are needed, or other information is required. To the best of my knowledge, the information collected in my student aid application and with the Enrollment Services Office is accurate and complete. 

3. Enrollment: I understand the award amount(s) indicated on my award letter is based upon full-time enrollment (12 units or more). Students enrolled less than full-time may expect a reduction in aid.  Late start classes starting after the first disbursement or any additional classes will be paid on the subsequent disbursement. Payment will be adjusted according to enrollment status.   

4. Overpayment: You will be considered to have received an overpayment of financial aid funds if:
   1. Payments made to you are based on incorrect information on your financial aid application
   2. Payments are made to you, and you already have a bachelor's degree (or the equivalent from a foreign country)
   3. Payments are made to you after you are no longer enrolled in the required number of units (dropping some or all units)
   4. Payments are made to you while you are in default on a student loan, and/or you owe a refund on a federal grant
   5. Payments are made to you when you receive financial aid from Mt. San Jacinto College and from another institution during the same enrollment period

I will not be eligible for aid if I owe a repayment or overpayment on a Pell Grant, SEOG, or any other grant from any college. I may regain eligibility by providing proof that I have paid my overpayment in full or I have provided proof that I have made satisfactory arrangements to repay my overpayment.

5. Satisfactory Academic Progress: I understand that my financial aid eligibility is contingent upon meeting and maintaining satisfactory academic progress according to Mt. San Jacinto College standards. I acknowledge that a copy of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is available on the Financial Aid website. I agree to read these standards and follow the policies outlined within. The school uniformly applies these standards to all aid applicants at the end of each semester to determine eligibility. 

6. Loan Default: I will not be eligible for any Federal aid if I am in “Default” on a Stafford, Direct, PLUS, SLS, or Perkins Loan or other loans from any institution.  

7. Federal Work-Study:  If you have been awarded Federal Work-Study, you must find a job placement within 4 weeks of being awarded. You MUST work to receive the dollar amounts awarded.  The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to cancel your Federal Work-Study award if you drop below the required units, your cost of attendance no longer displays financial need, or you are no longer meeting Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). 

8. Disbursements: Eligible MSJC students will receive their financial aid disbursements via BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.  The Office of Financial aid reserves the right to review, modify, and/or cancel financial aid awarded at any time during the year due to changes in your financial status, including but not limited to, eligibility for financial aid and/or Satisfactory Academic Progress.  In addition, your financial aid awarded may be void, cancelled or modified if the aid awarded was based on any error in determining eligibility or the amount of financial aid awarded, whether or not the error was made by you or the Mt. San Jacinto College Office of Financial Aid.  Students who fail to cash financial aid refunds that were issued as a paper check by the check's expiration date, will have the funds returned to the aid program in which the refund was created.

9. Return of Title IV Funds:Federal aid recipients who withdraw or are dropped from all classes are subject to federal regulations regarding the Return of Title IV funds. Students who withdraw or are dropped from all classes prior to completing more than 60% of the enrollment period are subject to these rules. Based on the date of complete withdrawals or drop, the Mt. San Jacinto Financial Aid Office will determine the amount, if any, of “unearned” federal financial aid received by the student. If the student received more financial aid than the amount earned, the student will be billed for the overpayment. In accordance with Federal Refunds & Repayment Regulations, if you withdraw from your classes and you received financial aid funds, you may be required to repay all or a portion of the financial aid you received. Please check with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes. If you do not attend your classes, you will need to repay all or part of the financial aid you have received.  You may not receive federal aid at more than one school during the same semester.   

If you have been awarded a Federal Pell Grant, or any other type of aid, it will be automatically accepted in the award letter. If you do not want to accept the award(s), you may contact the Financial Aid office to cancel it.   

YOU MUST INFORM THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY TO YOU:  

1. Address – Enrollment Services has an address/email on file that was indicated at the time of application to the college.  If your email or mailing address changes be sure to update your contact information by logging into Self-Service.
2. Increase in resources – If you receive any additional resources during the academic year, you are obligated to inform the financial aid office so that the financial aid office may perform a reevaluation of your aid eligibility. 
3. Scholarships - You must report scholarships received to the Financial Aid Office. Please submit a copy of your outside scholarship award letter and check to:

Mt. San Jacinto College
Attn: Cashier Office
41888 Motor Car Parkway
Temecula, CA  92591

I have read and understand the terms and conditions of receiving Financial Aid.  Acceptance of all or part of the aid listed on my award letter demonstrates student access to this information and acknowledgement of the rights and responsibilities described herein.  This award has been made based on the FAFSA application information I have provided to the college.  If there are any changes in my situation, my financial aid package may be modified accordingly. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT 

I declare that I will use any Federal and/or State financial aid funds I for expenses connected with my education only. By receiving financial aid, I am accepting these terms and conditions. 

YOUR RIGHTS

• You have the right to know the correct procedures for applying for student financial aid, your cost of attendance, and the types of aid available
• You have the right to know how financial need is determined, what the criteria are for awarding aid, how academic progress is determined, and what you must do to continue receiving aid
• You have the right to know the type(s) and amount(s) of assistance you will receive, how much of your need has been met, and how and when you will receive your aid funds
• You have the right to request a reevaluation of your financial aid eligibility for unusual circumstances, not reported on the initial Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), that you feel might affect your eligibility
• You have the right to review your financial aid records and the contents of your student financial aid file, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (link)
• You have the right to request a reevaluation of any decision concerning your financial aid award
• You have the right to request that the Financial Aid Office correct any records that you believe are inaccurate
• You have the right to be notified by the Financial Aid Office about your eligibility for financial aid
• You have the right to be informed of any changes made to your financial aid award
• You have the right to know the method by which financial aid disbursements will be made to students and the frequency of those disbursements
• You have the right to know the method the school provides for eligible students to obtain, or purchase required books and supplies
• You have the right to know the general terms and conditions that are applicable to any federal work-study employment provided to a student as part of the student's financial aid package 

MSJC is required to monitor transfer students through the National Student Loan Data System NSLDS). NSLDS is a federal database that contains information regarding all loans and grants awarded to students under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. 

Once a student is added to the monitoring list, we must wait 7 days before any funds can be disbursed. This process must be done even if you did not receive financial aid at another institution. No action is required from you during this period.  

Please note, students cannot receive Title IV Aid at two institutions for the same enrollment period.  

• You must have any pending aid disbursements canceled at your other institution to ensure an accurate award package at MSJC.
• If you were disbursed aid at another institution, you will be notified via email and be required to resolve any overpayment with that institution before MSJC can disburse any further payment.

When a student completes the FAFSA/CADAA, they are asked a series of questions to determine their dependency status.  Your answers to these questions will determine if you are considered a “dependent student” or an “independent student” for financial aid purposes and whether or not you will need to include parental or spousal (if applicable) information on your application. 

If you are younger than 24, you may still qualify for independent status if you are:  

• Legally married on the day the FAFSA was filed;  
• The parent of a child for whom you provide more than half of the support they receive;  
• Living with dependents for whom you provide more than half of the support they receive;  
• An orphan (both natural parents are deceased);  
• A ward or dependent of the court (or were until age 18);  
• A member of the U.S. Armed Forces currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training;  
• A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces;  
• A foster youth (in a foster youth program sometime after the age of 13);  
• An emancipated child as determined by a court judge; OR  
• Homeless or at risk of homelessness as determined by the director of a HUD approved homeless shelter, transitional program, or high school liaison.  

Professional Judgment:  Unusual Circumstance Appeal Request 

 Most students entering a postsecondary school straight from high school are considered financial dependent on their parents.  This means their parent(s) (biological or adoptive) must provide information on the FAFSA/CADAA. 

A student cannot be determined to be independent based on: 

1. Parents refusing to contribute to the student's education, as they do not feel it is their responsibility; 
2. Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or CADAA or for verification due to privacy concerns; 
3. Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes; 
4. Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency and/or no longer live with parents. 

USE OF PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT  

The Higher Education Act allows a Financial Aid Administrator to exercise professional judgment to give an otherwise dependent student independent status if unusual circumstances can be documented. This determination is made on a case-by-case basis and must be supported by documentation provided by the student.  

In some cases, the financial aid office may be able to use professional judgment to override your dependency status if you can prove that unusual circumstances exist in the family such as: 

• Abandonment by parents
• An abusive family environment that threatens the student's well-being and have left home
• The student being unable to locate their parents
• Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents; 
• Parents lacking the physical or mental capacity to raise the child; 
• Parents hospitalized for an extended period; 
• Unsuitable household (e.g., child removed by court action) AND/OR 
• Any other situation that the Financial Aid Office deems worthy of independent status, see those excluded by regulation (see below). 

STUDENT PROCEDURES 
If you have unusual circumstances and are unable to complete the parent(s) section on the FAFSA/CADAA application, follow these steps:  

• Log into your Student Forms account, select the red "Request" button at the top right of the page.  A "Requests" window will open where you can add a "Professional Judgment: Unusual Circumstance Appeal”.  
  • A detailed statement from the student explaining the extraordinary circumstance(s) detailing
    • The relationship with both biological or adoptive parents to include why you are unable to provide parental information
    • Last time you lived with parent(s)
    • Last time you had contact with parent(s)
    • Last time you were supported by parent(s)
    • How you support yourself 
  • Two (2) signed letters of support from independent sources who can attest first-hand to the extenuating circumstances (at least 1 letter must be from a neutral 3rd party in a professional capacity)  
    • The signed statement should be submitted on letterhead from the person's place of employment and include their full address and phone number  
    • You may submit police reports and/or court documents in place of one of the letters, if applicable

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIRD PARTY DOCUMENTATION

• The information stated in the Professional Judgment: Unusual Circumstance Appeal must be verified by a disinterested, professional third party who is aware of the student's home situation and can verify the information the student has provided.  Examples of such a person include, but are not limited to: employer, clergy, social worker, attorney, court official, teacher, counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, medical professional, law enforcement agent, etc.
• Third party documentation must be a SEPARATE statement on official letterhead. Please include any information of which you have first-hand knowledge and that you feel best describes the student's situation.  The following is a list of information to include in the letter:
• How long you have known the student
• Your relationship to the student
• The last time the student lived with and/or received financial support from their parents
• State your direct knowledge of when the student last had contact of any type with their parents (please include information regarding both parents)
• Any knowledge of the student's current relationship with their parents
• The steps that the student has taken to establish independence from their parents
• Please include your professional title, name and type of business, business address, telephone number, and where to contact you should any additional information be required

HOW YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED

Please ALLOW 2-3 WEEKS for the review of this appeal and receipt of the decision notification to your student email. If your appeal is approved, the decision notification will outline the conditions of your appeal.  

Verification is the process by which the Financial Aid Office confirms the information on the financial aid application (FAFSA or CADAA) with source documents provided by the student to verify the accuracy of the application's information.  These policies are to be used in conjunction with the Department of Education and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) verification guidelines.  Mt. San Jacinto College will verify the information on the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) or ISIR for all students who complete the application process for federal and state financial aid and who are selected for verification by the Department of Education or the California Student Aid Commission edits.  In addition, MSJC may select files for verification to resolve conflicting information or institutional edits.

The U.S. Department of Education selects students for verification based on several undisclosed factors, including random selection.  The purpose of verification is to make sure that the data on the FAFSA used to calculate eligibility are correct. It does not mean that you have done anything wrong; it just means that the government would like to double-check the information you provided.  The Financial Aid Office will perform additional verifications on all students who have conflicting information on the file. 

The Verification Process: 
In order to confirm the information on the FAFSA, we will ask you to provide specific types of documentation that supports your responses.  This documentation may include tax information, personal statements, benefits summaries, and other information necessary to calculate your financial need properly.  If you are a dependent student, we may also request information from your parents. 

If we find differences between the data on your FAFSA and the documentation you provide, we may use the latter to make corrections to your FAFSA.  Once the federal government has received and processed those corrections, we will finish awarding and packaging your file.  If no corrections are required, we will finish awarding and packaging your file.

Note: Students may be selected for verification by the Department after they have already been paid financial aid. If that happens, we will give you 30 days to provide documentation, otherwise you will be responsible for returning all Title IV financial aid you received to the government. 

Verification Deadlines for 2025-2026

The key application deadline, regulated by the U.S. Department of Education, will be followed at MSJC and can be located in the Department of Education Verification Guide.

Deadline for 2025-2026: Students who fail to turn in all documents required to complete verification by the last day of instruction for the semester of attendance, may be ineligible for 2024-2025 financial aid.

• Fall 2025 – December 5, 2025
• Spring 2026- May 13, 2026
• Fall 2025 & Spring 2026- May 13, 2026

*The deadline is extended for Summer 2026 attendance to July 30, 2026. MSJC reserves the right to cut off applications earlier based on workload.

Notice of Verification Requirements

Students will be notified of the documents that must be submitted through their Student Forms portal to complete the verification process.  Financial Aid's Acknowledgement and Missing Information Letters are generated to their MSJC student email account and will direct students to view their Financial Aid Checklist onSelf-Servicefor required documentation and any other actions required to complete the verification process.  *Note:  Students who have not previously utilized Student Forms will be required to register their account .

Subsequent ISIR transaction

If the Financial Aid Office receives another ISIR transaction after the student's file has already been awarded, the new ISIR transaction must be verified.  Any changes to data elements that result in a change in SAI must be verified by requesting additional documentation and placing a hold on the financial aid disbursement until resolved.

Updating marital status

A student's dependency status may be updated based on a change in the student's marital status if it is determined the update is necessary to address an inequity or to reflect more accurately the student's ability to pay.  The deadline to appeal for consideration of change in dependency status due to change in marital status is August 8, 2025.

Professional Judgment

The Financial Aid Administrator may make exceptions to the above guidelines for unusual/extenuating circumstances of the student and/or parent.  All verification requirements must be met before applying professional judgment. Professional judgment cannot be used to waive general student eligibility requirements or to circumvent the intent of the law or regulations.  

After conducting the review of a financial aid applicant, if there is any indication of fraud or criminal misconduct with his or her application, the financial aid office must refer to the appropriate agencies.  The type of information that an institution must refer the applicant to Department of Education for assistance are: 

1. False claims of independent student status;
2. False claims of citizenship;
3. Use of false identifies;
4. Forgery of signatures or certifications; and
5. False statements of income; and 

Any credible information that any employee, third-party servicer, or other agent of the institution that acts in a capacity that involves the administration of the Title IV, HEA programs, or the receipt of funds under those programs, may have engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, conversion or breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other illegal conduct involving the Title IV, HEA programs.  The type of information that an institution must refer is that which is relevant to the eligibility and funding of the institution and its students through the Title IV, HEA programs.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)  

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of educational records of all students enrolled in schools beyond the high school level. FERPA requires that information, written or verbal, regarding student education and financial aid records cannot be released to any person or agency other than the student without prior written consent. Schools must maintain that privacy, primarily by restricting the release of documents and the access provided to those records. Any educational institution that receives funds under any program administered by the U.S. Secretary of Education is bound by FERPA requirements.)  

You are under no obligation to authorize the release of your financial aid information and you may request at any time that individual(s) previously given authorization be removed.

If you do not authorize release of your information to your parents, spouse and/or third party, we may provide only general financial aid information such as the application process, general program eligibility, and deadline dates.

How to authorize the release of information

To release information to anyone other than the student, i.e. parent, grandparent, other agencies or friend, the MSJC financial aid Consent to Release Form (CRF) must be completed by the student in person with a picture ID each academic year.  For student confidentiality, a picture I.D. will be required when a student is requesting information from his/her financial aid file.  All documents contained in student files are the property of the MSJC financial aid office and will not be returned.  Please request and retain copies of all your paperwork before submitting it to our office. 

What your authorization allows

Your authorization allows us to speak to your parents, spouse, and/or third party about information related to your financial aid such as:

• Details of your financial aid application and aid award
• Grades and your academic status as it affects your eligibility to receive financial aid
• Debts owed to the college for overpayment of financial aid

To protect the student's privacy, no detailed student information will be given over the phone, email, or via the internet.

What your authorization does not allow

Your authorization will not allow your parents or spouse to make certain changes to your financial aid record, such as:

• Changes to your address
• Correcting your income or household information
• Canceling your financial aid

Verification of Aid Forms

To request verification of your financial aid package and the amount of aid disbursed to an outside agency, the MSJC Financial Aid Verification of Aid Form must be completed by the student in person with a picture ID.  For student confidentiality, a picture I.D. will be required when a student is requesting or picking up information from his/her financial aid file. The student may print out a PDF copy of their Offer Letter in Self Service. 

Student Email Accounts

Mt. San Jacinto College students are assigned a free student email account through Microsoft's Office 365 for Education. An MSJC email account is the only approved method of formal communication between MSJC and students. It is important that students check their student email daily because the financial aid department will use the MSJC student email to communicate with students regarding their financial aid applications, steps to complete their financial aid file, as well as updates and workshop offerings.