Financial Aid

Welcome

Our FAFSA Title IV code is 014073

Welcome to the SCI-Arc Financial Aid Website!
 
The process of applying for aid can seem complicated and time consuming, and our goal is to make it go as smoothly as possible for you. SCI-Arc participates in a wide variety of financial aid programs to assist our students and their families in paying for their education. This is the place to find information about the various financial aid programs available at SCI-Arc as well as our policies and procedures. Financial aid policies and procedures can change due to changes in federal regulations or campus decisions regarding aid; you should check this site regularly to get the most up-to-date information.
 
If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to stop by our office, call or send us an email.
 
Please view the form below to view our Preferred Lender Arrangement Code of Conduct.
 
 

Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid Manager                              

 Marisela De La Torre                              
 Marisela@sciarc.edu                               
 213-356-5376  
                                      
Financial Aid Coordinator

 

213-356-5342
 
Mailing Address 
960 E 3rd Street  Los Angele, CA 90013
 
Location                                                                                 
255 S. Santa Fe Ave Ste. 103                        
(Corner of 3rd & Santa Fe)                                           
 
Email 
 
Fax Number                                                                      
213-403-6700                                         
 

GradReady

Tips on Student Loans and other Financial Aid Resources

 

Did you know that the average student loan balance has doubled (from $15,000 to $30,000) in the last decade? We crafted this guide to help students and their parents better understand their college financing options, how to use student loans responsibly, and how to avoid the all-too-common problem of insurmountable student debt. Key elements of the guide include:

 - A step-by-step guide to applying for federal student loans

 - Information about loan forgiveness for students pursuing various service-oriented careers

 - Comparison of federal and private student loans: pros and cons, common pitfalls, and how to apply

 - Tips on managing and repaying loans post-graduation

 

Check out this great resource to help you be a wise student loan borrower. 

 

ttp://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/student-loan-guidebook/

Financial Aid Calendar

Register to Vote

Are you Registered to Vote?

Find voter eligibility requirements and information on registering to vote in person, early and absentee.

What's on This Page

Register to Vote

If you need to register to vote, visit Vote.USA.gov. Depending on your state’s voter registration rules, the site can help you:

        Start Your Voter Registration

 

Voter Registration Requirements and Deadlines

Basic Requirements

You are eligible to vote in U.S. federal elections if:

  • You are a U.S. citizen.
  • You meet your state’s residency requirements.
  • You are 18 years old. Some states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries and/or register to vote if they will be 18 before the general election.

Voter Registration Deadlines

In all states except North Dakota, you must register before you can vote. Registration deadlines vary. Some states close registration 30 days before the election, while others allow voters to register up to and on Election Day.

News

2020-2021 News

Starting with the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the following changes have been put in place: 

  • Students are now able to submit a FAFSA® earlier.  Students have been able to file a 2020-2021 FAFSA since Oct. 1, 2018, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2020. The earlier submission date is a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as Oct. 1 every year. (There is NO CHANGE to the 2020-2021 schedule. The FAFSA became available Jan. 1 as in previous years.)
  • Students now report earlier income information. Beginning with the 2020-2021 FAFSA, students are required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2018–19 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) must report their 2017 income information, rather than their 2018 income information.  

If you would like to research the information you can do so yourself.  Please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa-changes .

Notice to Students

An individual may contact the Bureau for Private Post-secondary Education for review of a complaint.  The Bureau may be contacted at 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400 Sacramento, CA 95833, http://www.bppe.ca.gov, Telephone (916) 431-6924 Fax (916) 263-1897.

Computer Budget Increase Update

Computer Budget Increase

Computer budget increases are meant to allow a student to increase their financial aid budget in the event they have a need to purchase a new computer for the current academic year.  This increase will only be approved within the first 30 days of each semester.  Students will need to provide an itemized statement listing the planned computer equipment to be purchased, and/or a receipt that details the type and specifications of the computer already purchased.  The student must submit the budget increase request along with the supporting documentation to the Chief Information Officer for approval before submitting to Financial Aid.

In the event a computer budget increase is needed after the 30 days, in addition to the itemized statement and receipt, a written statement from your instructor must be submitted.  The Instructor letter must indicate that a new computer is necessary for the student to successfully complete the semester.   

In all cases, a copy of the actual receipt showing that the student purchased computer equipment is required to be submitted to the financial aid office. 

2020-2021 Direct Loan Information

What are the interest rates for federal student loans?

The interest rate varies depending on the loan type and (for most types of federal student loans) the first disbursement date of the loan. The table below provides interest rates for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2020, and before July 1, 2021.

Perkins Loans (regardless of the first disbursement date) have a fixed interest rate of 5%.

Undergraduate Borrowers
Graduate or Professional Borrowers
Parents and Graduate or Professional Students
2.75%
4.30%
5.30%
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct PLUS Loans

All interest rates shown in the chart above are fixed rates that will not change for the life of the loan.

View the interest rates on federal student loans first disbursed before July 1, 2020.

 

Loan Fees for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans

First Disbursement Date
Loan Fee
On or after 10/1/19 and before 10/1/20
1.059%
On or after 10/1/18 and before 10/1/19
1.062%

Loan Fees for Direct PLUS Loans

First Disbursement Date
Loan Fee
On or after 10/1/19 and before 10/1/20
4.236%
On or after 10/1/18 and before 10/1/19
4.248%

Loans first disbursed prior to Oct. 1, 2018, have different loan fees.

Private Loan Information

 
   This link above will lead you to our Preferred Lender List. 
   We have compiled a list of private loan lenders who have the best quality of products and services.
 
NOTE:  If you wish to use another lender who is not on our list, you have the right to do so.
 

Federal Financial Aid Changes for Undergraduates in 2020-2021

 FEDERAL PELL GRANT CHANGES

How much money can I get?

Amounts can change yearly. For the 2020-2021 award year (July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021), the maximum award is $6,345.

 
Effective July 1, 2012, a Lifetime Limit will be assessed for all recipients of the Pell Grant. - The maximum number of semesters a student can receive a Pell Grant is now 12 (twelve) regardless of when you received your first Pell Grant:
  • The number of years receiving Pell will be tracked as a percentage with a maximum Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) of 600%.  For example, a full time student receives 2 semesters of Pell Grant will use 100% for the year.  A part-time student receives 2 semesters of Pell Grant will use 50% for the year.
  • Students will be able to view their Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) on their Student Aid Reports (SAR) beginning July 2012 or can go to www.NSLDS.ed.gov to find their LED from 1993 to present. 

It is important that students use their Pell grant eligibility wisely, especially prior to transferring to SCI-Arc. 

NOTE: Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 which included these changes.  SCI-Arc is required to follow all federal Title IV laws in order to maintain the financial aid program.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day

Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who, are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens.
 

Several members of the SCI-Arc community (students and staff) have recently become naturalized citizens.  In order for them to become citizens, they had to take a test.  Do you think you could become a citizen too?
(.ppsx, 8318K)
Download Naturalization Test

Free-form Content

Cal Grant Deadline

Filing for the March 2, 2020 Cal Grant Award Deadline
 
To be considered for a Cal Grant award, you must complete both of these requirements: First, a 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed with the Federal processor at www.fafsa.ed.gov must be completed at http://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp by the March 2nd deadline. Second, you must ensure that a certified Grade Point Average (GPA) is submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (Commission) by March 2nd.
 
Cal Grant GPAs will be accepted only if certified by a school electronically or on the paper GPA Verification form. No transcripts are accepted. The fastest and most secure way for a student to submit a Cal Grant GPA is to have their school electronically upload the GPA directly to the Commission’s system. Please ask your school to submit your GPA electronically to the Commission by the March 2nd* filing deadline.
 
Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for a paper GPA verification form to be processed.

Cal Grant Eligibility

Basic Eligibility Requirements for All Cal Grant Programs

All Cal Grant recipients must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or AB 540-eligible
  • Be a California resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time you receive a Cal Grant or AB 540-eligible student
  • Meet U.S. Selective Service requirements (males)
  • Enroll in and attend a Cal Grant-eligible California school
  • Maintain at least half-time enrollment status
  • Have financial need at an eligible California school
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school
  • Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
  • Not have earned a bachelor's degree or higher degree (e.g., master's) or the equivalent
  • Not exceed parent or student income or asset ceiling
  • Not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant or have defaulted on a student loan
  • Not be incarcerated

Types of Cal Grants

Cal Grant A Entitlement Award       

These awards are available to students who graduate from high school in 2000-2001 or later and achieve a minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Your course of study at college should lead directly to an associate's and bachelor's degree or qualify you to transfer from a community college to a bachelor's degree program.

Eligible students must have financial need at least equal to the amount of the award plus $1,500 and have family income and assets below the established ceilings.

Students must apply by filing the FAFSA or the California Dream Act application (CADAA) and submitting a verified high school grade point average by March 2 of their senior year in order to receive the award for the following fall.

If you missed the deadline during your high school senior year, you may apply by March 2 of the year immediately following high school graduation.

Cal Grant B Entitlement Award

These awards are available to students who graduate from high school in 2000-2001 or later and achieve a minimum high school grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Eligible students must have a minimum financial need of $700 and have family income and assets below the established ceilings. The income and asset ceilings for the Cal Grant B Entitlement awards are lower than those used for Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards.

First-time freshman awarded a Cal Grant B Entitlement award may not receive the tuition portion of the grant but are awarded a supplemental grant to be used for books and supplies, transportation expenses, and living expenses.

Beginning the second and subsequent years of Cal Grant B benefits, students are eligible to receive the tuition portion of the Cal Grant B award to cover the mandatory System wide tuition fee as well as the supplemental grant. The current System wide tuition can be found here

Students must apply by filing the FAFSA or CADAA and a verified high school GPA by March 2 of their senior year in order to receive the award for the following fall. If you missed the deadline during your high school senior year, you may apply by March 2 of the year immediately following high school graduation.

Cal Grant California Community College Transfer Entitlement Award

These awards are for students who graduated from a California high school after July 1, 2000; who did not apply for and receive a Cal Grant Entitlement Award upon high school graduation; and who are transferring from a California Community College to an eligible four-year institution in California. Students must have a minimum GPA of at least 2.4 on all transferable community college coursework.

Eligible students must be under the age of 28 and be pursuing a bachelor's degree in order to be eligible for a transfer entitlement award. Transfer entitlement awards will be either A or B depending on which income and asset ceilings the student falls under. Award levels will be the same as those for the A and B entitlement programs.

 

Cal Grant A and B Competitive Award

A limited number of Cal Grant awards are available for students who are not eligible to be considered for entitlement awards. Eligible students must meet all basic eligibility requirements; have financial need; and be under the income and asset ceilings. These awards are for students who are not graduating high school seniors or recent graduates; eligibility for these awards prioritizes nontraditional students.

Students will receive either A or B awards at grant levels referenced above for the entitlement programs. Visit the California Student Aid Commission to learn more about these grants.

Program Eligibility

Eligible students may receive up to a maximum of four years of full-time grant payments. The actual number of years of eligibility will depend on the student's class level at the time an award is initially received. Students who are enrolled in a mandatory five-year undergraduate program or who enroll in a teacher credential program may be eligible to receive a fifth year of Cal Grant eligibility.

Can I get Cal Grants to pay for summer semester (or quarter) classes?

Yes. If you plan to enroll in summer courses and wish to receive Cal Grant funds, you must notify the California Student Aid Commission or the school you're attending.

Summer Cal Grant payment amounts are based on the regular academic year grant and may not meet all summer tuition or charges. Summer payments will reduce a student's total program eligibility for Cal Grant benefits. A student must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for summer payment.

Can my Cal Grant Award eligibility be renewed or extended?

Depending on your level of education during your first term of grant payment, the award may be renewed for up to four years of full-time attendance.

College seniors are not eligible to renew a Cal Grant unless enrolled in a mandatory five-year undergraduate program or an approved teacher credential program. 

Cal Grant B Recipients

Cal Grant B recipients may elect to receive the full disbursement of their “Access” or “Book and Supplies” awards to use towards educational expenses or have it applied to any outstanding balances on the student’s account. By choosing the first option, Cal Grant B recipients are responsible to resolve any account balances with their institution. Please see your financial aid office for more information.

1. Applying the “Access” or “Books and Supplies” portion to outstanding balances on the student’s account.

2. Request personal receipt of the funds prior to disbursement. (The recipient must understand that he or she is responsible for any remaining balance on the recipient’s account.)

3. Student has the ability to rescind option at any time.