• The ARC Financial Aid Office administers financial aid (including loans).  Please note that financial aid is handled in accordance with federal and state regulations, and rules are not set by the college. Funds are distributed to students who have documented financial need determined by the total resources available to them.  For more information, phone (916) 484-8437
• Parents are considered to have the primary responsibility for assisting the dependent student in meeting the cost of education. Financial aid is available along with parental contributions to meet the student's academic expenses.
• Aid to independent students is available based on student contribution and the student's academic expenses.
• Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online to apply for campus-based aid and the Pell Grant/Student Loans, listing American River College as the college of choice.  ARC's federal code number, required on student aid forms, is 001232.
• Once ARC Financial Aid Office receives an Electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Processor, you will be notified by mail of the required documentation needed to complete your file.  Documentation requested is confidential and must be furnished in order for you to receive aid.
• The priority date for funding is early March. Applications dated after this date will be funded as long as funds are available. Students awarded financial aid are notified by letter, and have 10 days to accept the award before it is canceled.
• Financial Aid Workshops are listed on the college calendar page
   

• have financial need
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non- citizen
• not be in default on a Perkins Loan, National Direct Student Loan, Stafford Loan, Guaranteed Student Loan, PLUS Loan, or Supplemental Loan for Students (SLS)
• not owe a refund on a Pell Grant or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• be making satisfactory progress (financial aid and academic)
• agree to use any federal student aid received solely for educational purposes
• have not completed a BA/BS degree
• have a high school diploma, GED/proficiency certificate or pass the ability to benefit test.

The federal code for American River College, to be used on financial aid applications, is 001232.

Federal regulations require that all students who receive federal aid make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their eligible program. 

American River College students are evaluated against the following standards:

1. Maintain Progress.   Successfully complete at least 75% of units enrolled.  Progress Percentage = Total units with a grade of "F", "I," "IP," "NC," and "W," divided by the total units attempted. Non-completion percentage must be 25% or less. 

2. Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 ARC Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

3. Total Units - Students may attempt up to 90 units toward the completion of degree or certificate program. Students who complete a degree, certificate or have attempted 90 or more units will be denied financial aid. Units taken at another college or taken without the assistance of financial aid are calculated into the total number of units attempted. Up to 30 units of remedial coursework may be deducted from the total units accumulated. 

Students who have successfully completed all prior semesters, but failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress in only one semester, may be placed on Academic/Progress Probation. Further deficiency will result in denial of future financial aid. Students on probation must meet with an American River College academic counselor and develop an Educational Plan. This plan must be submitted to Financial Aid.

Students who are denied aid for lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress are offered the opportunity to appeal the denial. Students who want to appeal must complete an Appeal Form and submit it to the financial aid office with a copy of a current Educational Plan from an American River College academic counselor. 

If the appeal is denied, the student may submit a new appeal when the deficiency has been resolved.

Students who have been denied aid for lack of progress and who have been approved through the appeal process, may be eligible for campus-based aid and Pell Grant funding. However, this change in eligibility status may not effect your eligibility for a student loan. Prior approval of an appeal does not mean that the deficiency will not be counted if lack of satisfactory academic progress continues.

Loan Checks
Satisfactory Academic Progress will be verified at the time of application and prior to release of Stafford Loan checks. Student must maintain 2.0 semester GPA and 2.0 cumulative. GPA. Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will result in the check being returned to the lender.

Fee Waiver Applications are available in the college Schedule of Classes or at the Financial Aid Office. However, you may also apply online using the NEW Los Rios Online BOGW Application.

To qualify you must be a California resident and meet certain criteria explained in the waiver form and on the online application page.

For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office.

Click here for more information.
 

To be considered for campus employment in the Federal Work Study program, students must: (1) complete a FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov); (2) have a completed financial aid file with American River College; (3) be actively enrolled in 6 or more units, and making satisfactory academic progress; (4) have remaining financial need, as determined by the U.S. Department of Education; and (5) submit an institutional request through ARC's Online Financial Aid System.

Once all the above steps are completed, ARC's Financial Aid Office will notify you of your eligibility.

Federal Work Study has limited funding and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  Once all Federal Work Study funds are awarded, students who request a Federal Work Study position will be placed on a waiting list in the order they applied. 

You may be able to obtain federal tax credits for enrollment fees you pay, if you are enrolled for at least six units during any semester or summer session, and meet the other conditions prescribed by federal law. These tax credits can be taken by the student, or the student's parents if the student is a dependent. The Los Rios Community College District will automatically mail an IRS Form 1098 to each student so that students can claim any credits on their federal tax return. More information on the Hope Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit is available in  IRS Publication 970.  The following IRS websites are helpful:

• IRS Publication 970

• IRS Notice 97-60 on the Hope Scholarship Credit
  IRS Notice 97-60 on the Lifetime Learning Credit

The Community Colleges Chancellor's Office also has information on these tax credits.
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