Financial Aid Federal Programs

Title IV Federal School Code: 001292

All federal financial aid programs require students to submit a FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Federal Pell Grants

Solano College awards millions of dollars in Federal Pell Grants to its students every year. When you submit a FAFSA, you automatically apply for the Federal Pell Grant. The amount that you are eligible for depends on a formula that looks at your financial status, the school’s cost of attendance, and your enrollment status.

An important tip when receiving the Federal Pell Grant: do not drop enrollment status once you’ve received payment! Dropping from full-time to half-time status may cause you to have to pay back the funds.

Solano disburses the Federal Pell Grant in two equal disbursements during primary terms and one disbursement (if a student is eligible to receive it) in summer.

For more details about the Federal Pell Grant program (including eligibility, maximum award amounts, and lifetime usage limits), visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

This federal program is directed toward assisting exceptionally needy students. On-time applicants with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) receive consideration for this fund. Because funds are limited, it is important for students to meet the application deadline line.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

The Federal Work Study (FWS) program is a federally funded campus-based program that provides jobs for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need according to the Department of Education formula. FWS allows students to earn money to help pay educational expenses.

To receive FWS, a student must be eligible for the program and have a job lined up on-campus or with an approved off-campus community service position.

Students can check their eligibility requirements tab on the mySolano portal to see if they meet the basic requirements. If you see a green table, you meet the requirements. A red table will tell you what steps you need to take to become eligible.

If you are eligible for FWS and you would like to have an FWS award, follow these steps:

Contact the Financial Aid Office to verify that there is still FWS money available to award
Once you are awarded FWS, find a campus department willing to hire you for a FWS position on campus
Search the Career Center jobs database (https://www.collegecentral.com/solano/ ) to find a work-study position offered on campus.
Complete the hiring process with the department hiring you.

Federal Direct Loan Program

Solano Community College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and offers Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans. (We do not offer Direct PLUS Loans.)

To be eligible, a student must meet all eligibility requirements and stay enrolled in at least six units.

The primary difference between the two programs involves the treatment of interest while the student is still in school. Direct Subsidized Loans do not accrue interest until the student has graduated, dropped below half-time status (6 or more units), or withdrawn from school entirely. On the other hand, Direct Unsubsidized Loans will accrue interest immediately. As interest accrues, the amount that a student will owe back to the government will increase.

Direct Subsidized Loans are available to students with demonstrated need, while Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to anyone.

For more information on the Federal Direct Loan program, including annual and lifetime maximum amounts, repayment plans, and alternatives to lending, visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans

For information on how to apply for Direct Loans at Solano, check out our Direct Loans page featuring our FAQ here.

Federal Student Loan Debt Relief

One-time debt relief is provided by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) as part of the Biden-Harris Administration student debt relief program. Applications will be accepted through December 31, 2023. For all information, including to research if you qualify for debt forgiveness, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/debt-relief-info. Solano Community College cannot answer questions about this program including assessing students qualifications for debt relief as the program is managed by the ED and not by us.