You can apply for Financial Aid through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Dream Act. CCSF also offers scholarships, which require separate applications.

The FAFSA is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, T-Visa Holders, and eligible non-citizens.

The CA Dream Act is available to AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 students who are not eligible for the FAFSA, such as DACA recipients, U-Visa Holders, and TPS recipients. You are only eligible to submit either the FAFSA or the CA Dream Act based on your citizenship status, so you should not submit both applications. Read more about California Dream Act Eligibility. 

You must meet certain dependency requirements to be considered Independent on your FAFSA or CA Dream Act. If you do not meet at least one of these requirements, parent information will be required on your FAFSA or CA Dream Act. 

The parent you lived with most during the last year. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, then the parent who provided the most support in the last year or, the parent who most recently provided support.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number that the Department of Education calculates using information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine a student's and family's ability to pay for college. The SAI is used to determine eligibility for need-based aid and is shown when students submit their FAFSA. 

You must resubmit your financial aid application every year. 

All males between the ages of 18 and 25 who apply for Financial Aid must register for Selective Service regardless of immigration status. Registering for Selective Service does not mean you are joining the military, but rather in the event of an emergency draft, the registration may be used to determine possible recruits. 

The deadline to apply for Cal Grant is March 2. You must submit two forms: a complete FAFSA or Dream Act application AND a GPA verification form. Community College students have until September 2 if funds are remaining. You can find more Cal Grant information with the CA Student Aid Commission. 

The FAFSA and CA Dream Act are just the first step. The Financial Aid office should receive your electronic financial aid application from the US Department of Education within a week of your online submission.  Log on to the CCSF MyRam Portal and check your Financial Aid Status. The MyRam Portal tells you what forms and requirements you need to submit to our office. If there are no requirements listed as “Unsatisfied,” then you must confirm with the Financial Aid Office that your file is complete. When the file is complete, you can view our Disbursement Schedule to see when you will receive your funds.

To check status of your Financial Aid application:

1. Log in to myRAM Portal.
2. Click on the Financial Aid tab.
3. Select “Financial Aid Status” and select the academic year you applied for. Complete all unsatisfied student requirements.
4. Submit ALL requested forms at one time to the Financial Aid office. Incomplete forms will not be accepted and will delay the completion of your file.

You will not be notified by mail about your Financial Aid status. Everything is online. You must check your Financial Aid status frequently on your myRAM Portal.

No, there is not an exact income limit, as the Financial Aid process looks at many different variables besides income to determine eligibility. Since the FAFSA and CA DREAM Act are free applications, you should submit a financial aid application to see if you are eligible for awards, including scholarships and non-need based federal student loans. 

Yes, you must include your parents’ income information until you turn 24 years old or based on how you answer the FAFSA or DREAM Act application questions.

The federal definition of an independent student is based on how you answer the FAFSA or DREAM Act application questions. However, in unusual circumstances, a student may be considered independent if a compelling case can be made to override the dependent status. A Professional Judgment for Dependency Override must be completed and submitted for review. Please visit the Financial Aid Office for more information.

In some unusual cases, we can override the need for parents’ information. A Professional Judgment for Dependency Override must be completed and submitted for review. Please visit the Financial Aid Office for more information.

College student records are private and are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). A “Consent of Release” form allows the Financial Aid office to disclose information to whomever you designate. The consent of release form is available upon request for students to sign and submit to the Financial Aid Office in person.

The IRS Data Direct Exchange (FA-DDX) tool allows you to consent for the exchange of federal tax information into your FAFSA. All students and contributors must provide consent and approval to obtain their federal tax information directly from the IRS and to use their federal tax information to determine the student’s eligibility and federal student aid. If the student or required contributor refuses consent to use the FA-DDX, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

Important Notice: If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and you are selected for verification, you will need to order an official tax return transcript from the IRS.

• Go to Internal Revenue Service under the Tools section select Get Transcripts for Your Tax Records

• Select either Get Transcript ONLINE or Get Transcript by MAIL

• Create an account

• If you request your transcript online, just download the PDF, print and attach to any documents we may need

• Mailing a transcript can take about 5-10 business days

Yes. When filling out the FAFSA or DREAM Act application, please remember to indicate you will not file taxes and report your total earnings for the year. However, if you were required to file a tax return but didn’t, you will need to file it before your application can be completed.

You can see our regular disbursement schedule on the Financial Aid Calendar on our website. 

This can be due to many variables: change in income, lower-unit enrollment, completion date of FAFSA or DREAM application, etc. Visit our office for a more detailed explanation.

No, your disbursement will not reflect the waitlist classes. Your disbursement will only include the units you are currently enrolled in. However, if you are added to the class then your second disbursement will reflect the update.

Your second disbursement may reflect late start classes if enrolled and started by specific dates. 

There is the option to apply for EOPS and if you are eligible they may potentially cover some of the cost for books with a book voucher. Additionally, the Associated Students Bookloan Program can provide applicants either a $100 voucher (with 3-11 credit units enrollment) or a $200 voucher (with 12 or more credit units enrollment). For emergency options: 

• The library carries textbooks (i.e. course reserves) for most classes at the reserve desk, which you can check out for one week. For more information, please visit the library website or contact the library.
• Emergency Book Loan program is offered by the Admissions & Records office during the first week of Fall and Spring semesters. The loan is available for up to $200.

Maintaining SAP status is crucial to keeping Financial Aid eligibility. Students must meet the below requirements each semester.

• Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA and

• Complete at least 2/3 (67%) of units each term and

• Complete at least 2/3 (67%) of units overall and

• Complete program within the ‘Maximum Time Frame’ or 150% of the normal program length

Read more about SAP Standards

You are on warning/disqualification because you failed to meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. The first time it occurs you will be placed on “Warning” status and the second consecutive semester that the SAP is not met, you will be “Disqualified” from receiving most types of Financial Aid.

Read more about SAP Standards

If you drop all of your units while receiving Financial Aid, you may be required to repay the funds. The repayment amount will be determined after the add/drop period has ended. Students should periodically view there CCSF Portal for any payment notices. Visit the Financial Aid Office to consult a specialist on how this may affect your Financial Aid.

Yes, you can change your major while receiving Financial Aid. However, students are required to declare a degree or certificate or transfer program with the Admissions & Records or Financial Aid Office in person. Students must complete their educational objective (graduation, transfer, certificate, etc.) by the time they have attempted 90 units or 150% of the declared program of study. Consult a counselor or the Transfer Center to decide as early as possible on a major.