Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the Financial Aid Website for detailed information on financial aid programs and options.

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The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) is a state-funded support program designed to provide academic support, financial assistance and encouragement for educationally disadvantaged students. Additional information about EOPS can be found here: EOPS Program

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1. Login to your InsideBC Portal
2. Click on Financial Aid
3. Click on Eligibility
4. Select the Award Year
5. Click “Verification Connection”
6. Sign in with your InsideBC login
7. Provide information about your identity
8. Enter your BC email and current mobile phone
9. Click Register Account to begin your paperless Financial Aid experience!

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Your eligibility for a Pell Grant is based on your expected family contribution (EFC) [video answer]. The EFC is calculated by the federal processor from information submitted in your Student Aid Report (SAR). Your EFC and the number of units you're enrolled in at the time of disbursement will determine your Pell grant amount.

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Financial aid is there to supplement, not replace, your efforts to pay for educational costs. Apply early and complete all requirements on time to avoid delays in receiving funding.

Video: Will Financial Aid pay for all of my expenses?

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Pell grant payments are disbursed in 2 payments per semester. Review the Payment Schedule for dates.

Bakersfield College delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit this link for more information: BankMobile Disbursement Refund Choices.

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Each financial aid program has its own unit requirement. You must be enrolled in at least six units (half-time) to receive Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), Cal-Grant, and Direct Loan funds. You may be eligible to receive a Pell Grant if you are a less-than-half-time student. There is no minimum unit requirement for the California Promise Grant (aka BOGFW).

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No. You can only receive federal financial aid from one school at a time. If you are enrolled in two or more schools during the semester, you must decide which school will be the most beneficial for your financial aid needs and notify all schools of your decision. However, you are eligible for the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW) at more than one California community college during the same semester. If you are attending Taft College then read more information about Consortium Agreements.

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Yes, You must reapply for financial aid each year. The FAFSA application is available October 1st of each year.

Academic year 2022-2023 includes: Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Summer 2023.

Academic year 2023-2024 includes: Fall 2023 / Spring 2024/ Summer 2024.

Video: Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?

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You can view your financial aid award history in InsideBC under the Financial Aid section. If you need additional information about your financial aid record that's not shown in InsideBC, you can contact the Financial Aid Office at bc_faid@bakersfieldcollege.edu to discuss what is needed.

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Yes, there are deadlines you need to keep in mind.

Academic year 2022-2023 Financial Aid Deadlines

• March 2, 2022 - The state of California deadline for Cal-Grant application for FAFSA and Dream Act applicants
• March 2, 2022 - Priority deadline for FAFSA application
• September 2, 2022 - There is a second deadline for Cal-Grant filing for FAFSA applicants only

Academic year 2023-2024 Financial Aid Deadlines

• March 2, 2023 - The state of California deadline for Cal-Grant application for FAFSA and Dream Act applicants
• March 2, 2023 - Priority deadline for FAFSA application
• September 2, 2023 - There is a second deadline for Cal-Grant filing for FAFSA applicants only

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The Federal School Code for Bakersfield College is 001118.

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Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN number. The FSA ID is your account username and password. This will be your way to log in to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) account. See How to create a StudentAid.gov account? for steps on how to create your account and FSA ID.

Getting Acquainted with the FSA ID video answer

Create an Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID at Student Aid Create Account.

Getting an FSA ID

You'll need your Social Security number, full name, and date of birth. You'll also need to create a memorable username and password, and complete challenge questions and answers so you can retrieve your account information if you forget it.

You'll be required to provide either your email address or your mobile phone number when you make your FSA ID. Providing a mobile phone number and/or email address that you have access to will make it easier to log in to ED online systems and allow additional account recovery options.

Important: A Social Security number, email address, and mobile phone number can only be associated with one FSA ID. If you share an email address with someone else, then only one of you will be able to use that email address to create an FSA ID.

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1. Go to the FSA ID website.
2. Fill in the information under “Create an FSA ID,” and then click “continue.”
3. You'll be directed to another page with an online form. There, you'll fill out your personal information, which includes your name, address, and Social Security number.

Once you've followed all the instructions, you'll need to wait up to three days while the system confirms your identity.

While you're waiting for confirmation, consider verifying your email, which is optional but helpful. Verifying your email allows you to get email notifications about changes occurring in your parent account and also makes resetting your username and password easier, since you can bypass challenge questions. You will be shown an option to verify your email as you follow the prompts.

Once you're ready to start answering the FAFSA questions, go back to the Federal Student Aid website to finally get started on your application. You'll need the student's FAS ID for this step.

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1. Visit FAFSA website then hover over FAFSA: Applying for Aid in the top navigation bar and click Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
2. Log in to start the application.
   Student: select Enter your (the student's) FSA ID
   Parents: select Enter the student's information
3. Click next.
4. Select which type of FAFSA form you want to fill out:
   • The 2022-2023 FAFSA form is for students who need financial aid between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.
   • The 2023-2024 FAFSA form is for students who need financial aid between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
5. Make a save key — an important temporary password that you and your parents can use to log in to your application. It also allows you to log back in and pick up where you left off, if you need to take a break.

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Federal Student Aid (F.S.A.) I.D. has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN number. This will be your new way to log in to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) account. See How to create an FSA ID for steps on how to update your new F.S.A. I.D.

Video: FAFSA Creating an FSA ID

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Log back into your FAFSA using your FSA User ID. On the school selection tab add 001118 which is the Bakersfield College school code.

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We recommend submitting your application online at California Dream Act. This is faster and easier. If you do not have a computer with Internet access at home, you can find Internet access at your local library, high school, or a college financial aid office at a nearby campus.

If you do not have a computer with Internet access at home, you can find Internet access at your local library, high school, or a college financial aid office.

After receiving your completed application, CSAC will analyze your CA Dream Act Application information and, using a formula established by Congress, calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for you. The results of your application will be sent to the schools you list on your application.

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Yes, you can do a paper application, but we recommend the online application.

Paper CA Dream Act Application is available to print out and complete on the California Dream Act under "Information and Resources."

If you do not have a computer with Internet access at home, you can find Internet access at your local library, high school, or a college financial aid office.

When applying on paper:

• Make copies of your completed application for your files before you mail it
• Do not mail letters, tax forms, or any extra materials with the application. Only send the application.
• Make sure that you put any important documents such as tax forms or letters in a secure file so you can refer to them in the future if you need them.
• Mail your completed application to the following address:
  California Student Aid Commission
  Cal Grant Operations
  P.O. Box 419077
  Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9077

This address is also listed on the front page of the paper CA Dream Act Application.

After receiving your completed application, CSAC will analyze your CA Dream Act Application information and, using a formula established by Congress, calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for you. The results of your application will be sent to the schools you list on your application.

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Whether online or by mail, to complete the CA Dream Act Application, you begin by gathering gather the following documents:

• W-2 forms and other records of income (if you or your parents have any)
• Income tax return (s) (if you or your parents have one) for more information if you or your return(s) have not been completed,
  • Records of child support paid (if applicable)
  • Current bank statements (if applicable)
  • Current stock, bond, and other investment records (if applicable)
  • Current business and farm records (if applicable)

Before filling out the application, print out and complete the CA Dream Act Application Worksheet available under "Resources" on the California Dream Act website and establish your user name and password before being guided through a step-by-step application process. This will help you complete the application.

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If you are an undocumented AB-540 eligible student who is not able to file a FAFSA application, you must complete a California Dream Act Application to qualify for state aid and institutional scholarships. You are not eligible for any Federal aid programs.

You are an AB-540 eligible student if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Attended a California high school for a minimum of three years
• Graduated from a California high school or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) in the State of California
• Registered or currently enrolled at a California Community College
• If required, complete and affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for legal immigration status.

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The CA Dream Act refers to a set of laws in the state of California that provide certain financial aid and educational opportunities to undocumented students who meet specific eligibility criteria. The Dream Act legislation in California consists of two main components: the Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) and the California Dream Act of 2011.

Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540): This bill, passed in 2001, allows eligible undocumented students to pay in-state tuition fees at public colleges and universities in California instead of higher out-of-state fees. To qualify under AB 540, students must meet the following criteria:

• Attend a California high school for at least three years.
• Graduate from a California high school or attain the equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a GED.
• File an affidavit with the institution stating their intent to legalize their immigration status as soon as they are eligible.

California Dream Act of 2011: This legislation, signed into law in 2011, expanded educational opportunities for undocumented students by allowing them to access certain types of state financial aid programs. Under the California Dream Act, eligible undocumented students can apply for the following forms of aid:

• State-funded grants like the Cal Grant A, B, and C, which provide financial assistance to low-income undergraduate students.
• Institutional aid offered by public colleges and universities in California.
• Community college fee waivers for eligible students attending California community colleges.

It's important to note that the CA Dream Act applies specifically to California and is separate from the federal legislation known as the Dream Act, which has been proposed but not yet enacted at the national level. The California Dream Act aims to provide opportunities for undocumented students in the state to pursue higher education and access financial aid, regardless of their immigration status.

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