FAQs

What types of financial aid are offered at IVC?

IVC participates in most of the Federal and state financial aid programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal SEOG, Cal Grants B and C and the Board of Governors Fee Waiver.  IVC does not participate in the Federal Direct Student Loan program.

How do I apply for financial aid?

1.    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA online at FAFSA.ed.gov.  You can do this from home or at the Student Services Lab in room 1601.

2.    Complete and submit the Student Information Worksheet which is available on our forms page.

3.    If your application is selected for verification, complete and submit the Verification Form along with signed copies of the required federal tax returns for yourself and parents if applicable. 

What information do I need to complete the FAFSA?

1.    Refer to income information such as current or prior year federal tax returns, W-2s or your last paycheck stubs.

2.    Make sure you list Imperial Valley College, our school code is 001214.

3.    Complete the student and/or parent PIN applications online.

4.    Provide the appropriate e-signatures (student and/or parent) or mail the appropriate signature page (student and/or parent) to the address indicated on the form. 

5.    Make sure your application is complete including signatures so your application is not rejected.

Am I required to use my parent’s information on the FAFSA?

If you are under 24 years of age you are considered dependent on your parents by federal law, no matter who you live with or whether your parent’s claim you as an exemption on Federal Tax Returns.  There are a few exceptions including students who are married, have dependents of their own or are veterans.  Please follow the instructions on the FAFSA, it will inform you if you are required to provide parental information.  If you have special circumstances which make it impossible for your parents to complete the application, contact the financial aid office and discuss it with one of our staff members. 

What is verification?

The Department of Education selects a certain percentage of applications for a process called verification.  If your application is selected, you must complete the Verification Worksheet and submit all required documents including signed copies of the required federal tax returns for yourself and parents if applicable. 

What if my financial situation has changed since I filed my FAFSA?

You may request a review for Income Adjustment which will allow the financial aid office to reevaluate your financial aid eligibility due to unemployment, loss of benefits, divorce or other special circumstances.  Verification of your file will first be required to ensure we have accurate information, then, an Income Adjustment form and documentation will be required prior making any adjustments.

Is there a deadline to apply for financial aid?

Yes.  For Federal aid, your 2010-11 FAFSA must be filed by June 30, 2011.  However, your file must be complete and correct before the last day of enrollment which may be earlier.   Keep in mind that we have very limited Campus-Based funds which include FSEOG and Work-Study.  These funds are awarded on a first-completed, first-awarded basis so apply early.  State aid such as the Cal Grant Entitlement program has a March 2^nd deadline. 

Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?

Yes, you must reapply for financial aid every year by completing the FAFSA and submitting required documents.   The FAFSA for the coming Fall term is available in January.

How do I apply for a Fee Waiver?

Your eligibility for Fee Waiver will be determined when you complete your FAFSA.  If you are not filing a FASFA you may complete the Fee Waiver application available on our Forms page.

How do I apply for Cal Grants?

You must complete the FASFA and submit a GPA Verification form to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).  If you have less than 16 college credits, then your high school must complete the GPA Verification Form.  If you have 16 or more college credits then IVC will send your GPA electronically provided that you have attended at least one term in the last academic year.

How do I apply for Federal Work-Study?

If you have been awarded financial aid and have remaining unmet need, you may be eligible for Work-Study.  You must make an appointment with the Work-Study Coordinator.  Due to limited funding, Work-Study funds are awarded on a first completed – first awarded basis with priority given to students who are enrolled in 12 or more units.

How do I apply for Scholarships?

IVC offers a variety of scholarships administered by the IVC Foundation.  The list is available on the IVC Foundation website or you can access it through the IVC website.  Just click on Financial Aid and choose Scholarships.  The scholarship page also provides links to help you search the internet for scholarships that you may qualify for.

What if I am not a high school or preparatoria graduate or have a GED?

You must take an Ability-to-Benefit test or have completed 6 degree applicable college credits.  Contact the financial aid office for more information.

Do I need to be enrolled full time to qualify?

No.  Most students are eligible for aid at less than full time, however some programs such as FSEOG and Work Study require a minimum of 6 units.

What if I have attended other colleges?

If you would like to have units taken at another institution counted toward your current educational goal, you must request that an official academic transcript from the college(s) you attended be sent to IVC for evaluation.  Units accepted for transfer will be used to determine your eligibility for financial aid.

How many semesters can I receive financial aid?

Pell Grant is subject to a limit of 18 full-time semesters from all colleges cumulatively.  In addition, you are no longer eligible for Pell Grant after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree.

How can I check the status of my financial aid application?

Logon to WebSTAR, IVC’s online system that provides access to your registration and financial aid information.  You can access WebSTAR from the Student Portal on the IVC website.  If you need assistance, please visit the Student Services Lab in Room 1601.

How long does it take to process my financial aid application?

Depending on the time of year and whether the application was selected for verification, the process may take up to 10 weeks.   Peak processing for IVC is between June and September of the award year.   Complete your FAFSA and submit all required documentation early in the year for faster processing.

How will I be contacted regarding my financial aid application and award?

Application status, award information, and notices are posted on your WebSTAR account.  Communication is also sent to your IVC email account.  Make sure to check your IVC email and WebSTAR regularly.

How can I qualify for a Book Voucher?

If your financial aid file is complete and you have been awarded aid within the first 2 weeks of the term, you may qualify for a book voucher.  You must be enrolled in 6 units and be eligible for a Pell Grant refund.  Book Vouchers must be spent at the IVC Bookstore by the end of the second week of the semester.  If you fail to start school or withdraw from your courses prior to the first disbursement, you will be required to repay 100% of the charges paid to the bookstore.

When will my financial aid funds be disbursed?

Check the Award Payment Schedule on WebSTAR to determine when your funds are scheduled for disbursement.

How will my financial aid funds be paid to me?

An IVC Debit Card will be mailed to the address you have on file with the college.  When you activate the card online, you can choose your disbursement option.  The funds can either be made available on your IVC Debit card or transferred to your personal bank account. 

Why is my disbursement different than the amount on my award letter?

The award amount on your award letter is based on full-time enrollment (12 units or more).  The amount disbursed may be reduced according to your schedule and enrollment status at the time of disbursement.    Remember that fees owed to IVC will be deducted before a payment is made to you.

Why didn’t I get paid on the “Expected Date” listed on Webstar?

 The “Expected Date” listed on WebSTAR is the date that aid will be authorized for disbursement.  The funds will be made available to you some time after that date, please see the disbursement schedule for payment dates.

If I drop a class, will my financial aid award change?

Your financial aid payment is based on your enrollment status at the time of disbursement, so it is possible that your award will change.  In addition, if you withdraw from all your courses before completing 60% of the semester, you may be liable to return the unearned portion of financial aid funds received.

Will I continue to receive financial aid if I fail or withdraw from classes?

In addition to affecting the amount of your payment, failing or withdrawing from classes will negatively affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status.  SAP must be maintained in order to be eligible for financial aid. 

How do I maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress?

1.    Maintain a cumulative 2.0 or higher Grade Point Average.

2.    Complete at least 67% of the units you attempt with an acceptable grade.   Acceptable grades are A, B, C, D, CR and P.

3.    Complete your program of study within federal maximum timeframe standards which is 90 attempted semester units for most programs at IVC.  Some basic skills and ESL courses will not be counted toward the 90 units.  A few high unit majors at IVC such as Nursing and Liberal Arts have higher maximum allowable timeframes.

What is Financial Aid Warning?

Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated at the end of each term you attend.  If your cumulative GPA  is less than 2.0 or your completion rate is less than 67%, you will be placed on Warning status for the following term.  You must take and pass the online SAP Workshop in order to receive aid during this Warning period.

What is Financial Aid Disqualification?

If at the end of a warning status you are still not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, you will be disqualified.  In addition, if you have exceeded the maximum timeframe standards, which is 90 units for most programs at IVC, you will no longer be eligible for financial aid.

How can I regain financial aid eligibility?

You must raise your cumulative GPA to a 2.0 and/or your completion rate to 67% or higher.    We recommend that you see a counselor for academic guidance.

Can I appeal the Financial Aid Disqualification Status?

If you have special circumstances that prevented you from meeting satisfactory academic progress standards, you may appeal by filing a Financial Aid Petition and meeting with an academic counselor to develop an Academic Plan.  You must explain the special circumstances and what has changed that will allow you to make satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation period.  If the petition is approved by your counselor, it will be submitted to the Appeals Committee for consideration.  If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on probation status and awarded aid according to the conditions of the petition approval.