Financial aid comes in a few basic types: grants and scholarships (which you don't have to pay back), work study (which requires you to work in exchange for money), and loans (which you DO have to pay back). Look below for detailed explanations of each and keep in mind that in order to determine your eligibility for each type of financial aid, students MUST submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) or California Dream Act application(CADAA). Colleges use the information provided on those applications to determine what type of aid you are eligible for.

Grants are a great type of financial aid because they don't have to be paid back (unless you withdraw from school and have been determined to owe a refund). Grant money can come either from the federal government or from the state. 

• Federal grants, like Pell grants are awarded based on financial need, not grades or class rank. Chafee grants are available if you are or were in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18, and are attending or planning to attend a California college. 

• Some grants are awarded not by the federal government, but by the state. For California, these are called Cal Grants and they are only available if you are able to meet academic, financial and eligibility requirements. In addition, students MUST submit their FAFSA/CA Dream Act by March 2nd each year to be eligible. There are 3 types of Cal Grants:

  • Cal Grant A: Can be used for tuition and fees at public and private colleges and universities. At CSU and UC schools, this Cal Grant covers system-wide fees up to $5,472 and $12,240 respectively. If you attend a private college, it pays up to $9,084 toward tuition and fees. To get this Cal Grant, you need to be working toward a two-year or four-year degree.  However, if you are attending a community college, you will not receive your funds until you transfer to an eligible 4 year college or university. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this grant.

  • Cal Grant B: Provides first-year, low-income students with an allowance of up to $1,670 for educational-related books and living expenses for students attending full-time at a community college. If you transfer to a four-year college or university, Cal Grant B also helps pay tuition and fees in the same amount as a Cal Grant A, in addition to the approximately $1,670 living allowance. Students must have a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for this grant.

  • Cal Grant C: Helps pay for tuition and training costs for occupational, technical, or vocational programs. This $547 award is for books, tools and equipment. You may also receive up to an additional $2,462 for tuition at a school other than a California community college. To qualify, you must enroll in a vocational program that is at least four months long at a California community college, private college, or a career technical school. Funding is available for up to two years, depending on the length of your program.

There are thousands of scholarships, from all kinds of organizations, and they’re not hard to find.  For example, you might be able to get a scholarship for being a good student, a great soccer player, a member of a certain church, because your parent works for a particular company, you’re interested in pursuing a certain career path, or for some other reason.  Scholarships generally do not have to be repaid, and the types of scholarships available can vary from college to college. At Patterson High, a Scholarship Bulletin is available each month with a list of local and national scholarships, however, there are many free websites that provide lists of scholarships. If a website is asking you to pay to access scholarships, find another website! 

Take a look at the Scholarship page for more information!

Work study programs are a great way for you to earn money for college through part-time jobs on campus or in the community. If work study is offered as part of your financial aid package, the amount you can ultimately receive will depend on your financial aid allocation and how many hours you can work. Talk to a financial aid office about your options. Work study jobs are often offered throughout the school year, as well as during summer sessions. Keep in mind that being offered work study does not automatically allow you to receive the money, you must apply and be hired for an on campus job into order to receive it. Each college has their own process for pursuing work study, so we recommend calling your school's Financial Aid office for detailed questions.

Student loans for your college costs have to be paid back. There are loans available through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, as well as private lenders who provide education loans. Generally speaking, the federal loan program rules provide significantly better terms and rates and greater flexibility in repayment. It’s important to note that not all California community colleges offer student loans. Talk to your financial aid office to see if loans are available and, if so, what types of loans make the most sense for you. ***Also, we don't recommend taking out a student loan unless it is completely necessary! And only take out the minimum amount that you need to get by!