Financial Aid

2024-2025 FAFSA

The FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress to streamline the financial aid process for students and families. Among other key changes, the legislation significantly reduced the total number of questions students see when completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA.  We have highlighted some notable differences from prior years.

Apply online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

• The student must apply for an FSA ID to gain access to the U.S. Department of Education’s online systems, including the FAFSA. The FSA ID also serves as their legal signature when completing electronic documents.
• When applicable, the student must invite their “contributors” (e.g., parents or spouse) to obtain their own FSA ID and complete their contributor's section of the FAFSA.
• To invite contributors, students must know:
  • Their email address
  • The name used on their tax return (if they filed one)
  • Their Social Security number (SSN) (if they have one)
• All contributors must have a FSA ID.
• Mixed family status (e.g., contributors without SSNs) can now submit a FAFSA.
• All contributors must give approval and consent (including non-filers) to pull IRS tax return information; without the consent from the student and the contributors the FAFSA becomes invalid, and the student will not be eligible for federal aid.
• All contributors must complete their section of the FAFSA before it can be submitted.
• Students can now make corrections to their FAFSA Submission Summary.

You can see further changes and follow future updates online at our FAFSA Simplification Act page.

Visit the Welcome Center lab for help filling out your FAFSA or click here to see the Federal Student Aid list of contact centers.

2024-2025 CADAA

The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants.

The CA Dream Act Application (CADAA), also known as Dream Application, is used by undocumented students who meet the eligibility requirements of AB 540. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) processes the application and any aid received can only be used at eligible California public or private institutions.

Go to https://dream.csac.ca.gov/ to submit the California Dream Act Application if:

• You meet the eligibility for AB540 and you are not eligible to file the FAFSA,
• You plan to enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university, and
• If applicable, complete(d) an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as you are eligible,
• Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa (F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc.)

• Note:  If you have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), you should file the California Dream Act Application,
  even if you have a Social Security number for Work Authorization.

  Visit the Welcome Center lab for help filling out your CADAA or call the California Student Aid Commission’s Student Support Center at 1-888-224-7268.

The financial aid office allows students to appeal to review their specific situations related to their academic progress and also some of the data elements on the application for financial aid that determines their eligibility. These petitions are available in the LAPC Student Forms:

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeals:

• If the student is disqualified because they failed to meet the GPA and Pace of Progression standards, a Reinstatement Appeal task will appear in LAPC Student Forms.

• If the student is disqualified due to exceeding the 150% time-frame required for their academic program will be able to appeal to extend their financial aid eligibility by completing the Extension Appeal in the Student Portal and must have a LAPC Comprehensive Student Education Plan on file. 
  • Click on Financial Aid
  • On the left menu click on SAP Extension of Appeal
  • Click the blue hyperlink to access the appeal and instructions.
  • LAPC comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) must be on file for your Extension Appeal to be reviewed.
    • Visit LAPC Counseling to find out how to obtain an LAPC CSEP.

• Find more information about the Financial Aid Appeals process by visiting the Financial Aid Appeals page.

Special and Unusual Circumstances Appeal

• Special and Unusual Circumstances appeals need to be initiated by the student by logging in their LAPC Student Forms and clicking the [+] sign on the top right corner.

  • The Special Circumstance Appeal process allows students and their family to submit documentation supporting their current financial situation. This documentation may be used to potentially increase student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Students who have a calculated zero or negative SAI by the FAFSA/CADAA do not need to submit this appeal.

  • The Unusual Circumstance Appeal is for students who would typically be considered as dependent but due to unusual circumstances could be determined to be an independent student for financial aid eligibility purposes. Students who are determined to be independent by the FAFSA/CADAA do not need to submit this appeal.

If you are experiencing any of these situations the financial aid office can review your circumstances to modify the information on your financial aid application. These determinations are made on a case-by-case basis with adequate documentation.

Loans are sources of financial assistance that allow you to spread the cost of education over time. Federal student loans are not automatically included in students’ award packages. Students are not required to borrow a federal student loan.

Direct Loan Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for student loans, students must:

• Request a student loan on the Student Portal, click on the [+] sign on the top right corner.

  • Students are required to upload valid, unexpired, photo identification with their Entrance Loan Counseling. 

• Be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) active units applicable to your academic program. Students under an extension appeal contract students must be enrolled in six (6) financial aid approved units.

• Pursue a financial aid eligible academic program at LACC (check with your academic counselor if you are unsure). We recommend developing or updating your existing educational plan before applying for loans.

• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress or have an SAP appeal approved

• Have a completed financial aid file and received an award offer.

• Comply with Entrance Loan Counseling requirements (new borrowers only).

  • Confirmation of completion needs to be uploaded in Student Portal with valid, unexpired photo identification.

• Have an active Master Promissory Note (new borrowers only)

A caution about student loans – It takes time for a loan application to be processed by the school, lender, and/or the U.S. Department of Education. Student loan funds are delivered to the student after enrollment and academic progress requirement have been verified.

Loans are serious legal obligations. They must be repaid. You are obligated to repay the principal plus interest. We urge all first-time borrowers to spend time learning about the loan process and their responsibilities so that they can make informed choices about their education. If you borrow federal student loans, you can track your loans through the Student Aid website.

While the Financial Aid Office accepts student loans from private lenders, LAPC does not endorse nor will make any recommendations for any private lenders. It is solely the student's responsibility to conduct the research and meet the lender's requirements for eligibility. 

• FastWeb
• Sallie Mae
• College Board
• Scholarship Experts
• SallieMae College Planning
• CollegeExpress