Financial Aid

General Grant Program Information

Financial aid provided by government agencies must be coordinated with all forms of aid. Because of state and federal regulations, it is possible that aid from other sources may be reduced to avoid overawarding.

Federal Grants

1. Federal Pell Grant: $976-$5350. Awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial aid need based upon FAFSA information.
2. Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants (SEOG): $200-$1000. Available to Pell Grant eligible, undergraduate students.

State Grants

The Cal Grant program changed significantly beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. The California Legislature passed legislation to split the Cal Grant program into entitlement and competitive programs. A description of the programs is given below. Students with previous Cal Grant awards will continue to be awarded under the program guidelines in place at the time of their original selection.

Application Requirements

• FAFSA and GPA Verification Forms must be postmarked by March 2, 2009.

General Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for a Cal Grant Award:

• California resident (see below.)
• Pursuing an undergraduate degree (for Cal Grants A and B).
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Attend an eligible CA college or University in 2009-2010.
• Not be in default on any federal or state educational loans.
• Meet program GPA requirements.
• Not owe any grant refunds.
• No prior degrees (bachelor’s or higher).
• Enrolled at least half time.
• Meet financial criteria set by state.
• U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

Specific Grant Programs

• Cal Grant A Entitlement: Tuition and fee award (up to $9708 for 2009-2010) for low and middle income students based on financial aid need and GPA (or test scores in some cases). For students choosing to attend a Community College, award may be put in reserve for up to two years. A guaranteed award for students who meet above criteria and submit a high school GPA of 3.00 or better and complete high school between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.
  
• Cal Grant B Entitlement: Access award only for the first year (up to $1551). Access + tuition and fees award for subsequent years (up to $1551 access + $9708). Available to low income and disadvantaged students based upon financial aid need, GPA (or test scores in some instances), and other family circumstances. Must apply within one year of high school graduation and submit an unweighted GPA of at least a 2.0. Students who graduate between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 may be considered.
  
• CA Community College Transfer Entitlement: Available beginning with the 2002-2003 award year to community college transfer students under the age of 24 as of December 31 of the award year. Must meet general program eligibility requirements including financial criteria. Must submit a minimum unweighted GPA of at least 2.4.
  
• Cal Grant A, B, and C Transfer Competitive: Awards offered on a competitive basis to students who did not qualify through the entitlement programs but meet the basic eligibility requirements. Selection is made through a scoring process with special consideration given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The number of awards offered is limited.

Award Amounts

• Cal Grant A & B: $9708
• Cal Grant B Access: $1551

GPA Calculation Criteria

• If 24 or more (36 quarter) units of college level work have been completed at the time of GPA certification, college grades will be used; if not, high school grades will be used.
  
• If using high school grades:
  • Grades earned prior to 10^th grade cannot be included (high school sophomore).
  • PE and ROTC grades cannot be used.
  • GPA will be computed on a 4.00 grading scale (honors or advanced placement grades computed on a 5.00 scale must be adjusted).
    
• GED, SAT, or ACT may be used only if one of the following is true:
  • Attended high school outside of United States and grades cannot be converted to a 4.00 scale.
  • Five years have passed since attending school.
  • School graded in a manner that cannot be converted to a 4.00 scale.
  • Participated in a home schooling program (SAT, ACT, or GED test score required).

Test scores must be submitted to CSAC no later than March 2, 2009.

California Residency Requirements

Cal Grants and other state financial aid programs are for California residents only.

If you're an unmarried student who will not be 18 one year immediately prior to the application cycle deadline, your residency status is based on the residency of a parent or non-parent adult responsible for your direct care and control. To qualify, a non-parent adult must have continuous direct care and control of you for at least two years prior to the application cycle deadline.

Under 18 years of age and unmarried as of 3/2009:

Unmarried students under 18 years of age must meet one of the following to be considered a California resident for Cal Grant purposes:

• Parents must have been legal CA residents beginning 3/2008 (at least one year prior to 3/2009).
• Parents are in the military, stationed in CA on active duty as of the time of enrollment, or military home of record is CA.
• Student has lived in CA with other legal CA residents (other than parents) since at least 3/2007 (two years prior to 3/2009).

18 years of age or older or married as of 3/2008:

Students who reach the age of 18, or who are under 18 and married as of 3/2009 must have maintained continuous CA residency since at least 3/2008 (one year prior to 3/2009). Students who do not maintain California residency for the complete year (e.g., go home for the summer) have not established the one year of continuous residency required in order to be eligible for the Cal Grant Program.

In addition to maintaining a physical presence in California, students may be asked to demonstrate intent to make CA their permanent home. The Financial Aid Office may request any of the following items as evidence of intent:

• Designation of CA as permanent residence on all documents.
• Voter registration of proof of having voted in an election in CA.
• Employment in CA.
• CA Driver’s License or ID card.
• Payment of CA income tax as a resident.
• Membership in local clubs, church, or other local and state organizations.
• CA motor vehicle registration.
• Registering in CA with Selective Service.

VU Grants and Scholarships: Traditional Undergraduate Programs

The following grants and scholarships are available to students in the traditional undergraduate program only. Graduate students see VU Grants and Scholarships: Graduate Programs. School for Professional Studies Students see: Federal Grants, State Grants, Other Scholarship Opportunities, and Loans.

• National Merit Finalist Scholarship: available to full time undergraduate students selected as National Merit finalists and entering VU as first time freshman. Awards are for up to 100% of tuition, renewable for up to 4 years based on maintaining a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA.
  
• Academic Scholarships: Awarded to incoming freshman showing high academic and leadership achievement from an accredited high school. Home schooled students may qualify based upon a combination of test scores and GPA. May be renewed for a maximum of 4 years based on maintaining the renewable GPA and full time enrollment.

Academic Scholarship levels; First time freshmen entering 2009-2010

Academic Scholarship levels: First time freshmen entering 2008-2009 and after

Academic Scholarship Levels: Students who entered during 2006-2007

Academic Scholarship Levels: Students who entered during 2004-2005

*Weighted GPA’s are calculated using sophomore through fall semester senior grades.

• Academic Scholarships for Transfer Students: Awarded to incoming undergraduate transfer students showing high academic and leadership achievement from an accredited college or university . Requires at least 12 college transfer units completed by the end of the 2007 fall semester. May be renewed for a maximum of 4 years based on maintaining the renewable GPA and full time enrollment.

Academic Scholarship Levels; Transfer students who enter during 2009-2010

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Award Amount	$10000	$7000	$4000	$3000
GPA Requirement	3.75-4.00	3.25-3.74	2.75-3.24	2.50-2.74
Renewal GPA	3.20	2.80	2.50	2.20

Academic Scholarship Levels; Transfer students who enter during 2008-2009

Academic Scholarship Levels; Transfer students who entered during 2006-2007 and after

• Assemblies of God Fine Arts Scholarship: up to $1500. Available to full time undergraduates who have received a superior rating in the A/G National Fine Arts Festival. Renewable for up to 4 years based on maintaining a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA.
  
• Ministry Dependent Grant: up to $1000. Available to full time undergraduate dependent students whose parents are involved in full time Christian service as ordained and licensed ministers or missionaries. Limited to students whose primary family income is derived from parents’ ministry involvement.
  
• Ministry Grant: up to $1000. Available to full time undergraduates who are involved in full time Christian service as ordained and licensed ministers or missionaries. Primary family income must be derived from ministry to qualify for this scholarship.
  
• Talent Scholarship: Available to students with exceptional ability or talent who participate in athletics, drama, music, or forensics. Amounts vary. Recipients recommended by department.
  
• Vanguard Need Grant: awarded to students with exceptional financial aid need.
  
• Graduate of VU Grant: up to 25% of undergraduate tuition. Available to SCC/VU graduates who enroll in additional undergraduate courses.

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