Financial Aid Student Guide
This student guide is designed to help you understand what financial aid may be available to you and what you can do so that you may receive that financial aid. If this information does not answer your questions, our staff is available to assist you. Please call us at (619) 660-4201 or visit the Financial Aid Office in the One-Stop Student Services Center (Building A300) near the corner of Fury Lane and Rancho San Diego Parkway.FATV VIDEO - WHAT DOES EFC STAND FOR
It is expected that you or your parents have 
the first responsibility for paying for your college education. The information you report on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used in calculating the amount of money the government believes you or your parents can contribute to pay for your college education. This amount is called your expected family contribution (EFC) and it is based on various factors such as income, assets, family size, and benefits (for example, unemployment, or Social Security). All available resources, whatever the origin, must be reported as soon as they become known. Failure to report resources may result in having to repay the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District some or all funds that you have already received. The following table shows examples of estimated average family contributions for a dependent student.
| Conditions | Case 1 |
Case 2 |
Case 3 |
Case 3 |
| Income | $26,700 | $41,00 | 64,500 | 80,000 |
| Net Assets* | $44,200 | $44,200 | $44,200 | $44,200 |
| Family Size | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Age of Older Parent | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Number in College |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Expected Family Contribution (EFC) |
$0 | $2000 | $7000 | $12,700 |
*Assets do Not include home value or family business value.
NOTE: We must count the family contribution as a resource, if you are considered dependent, even though you may not be receiving any assistance from your parent(s).
– Dependent or Independent
Whether you are considered a dependent or independent student will determine whose financial information you will need to report on the FAFSA. To be determine your status for for the 2019-2020 academic year, select am I Dependent or Independent?
If you can answer YES to one of the questions, you are considered an independent student and you will report only your information on the FAFSA. If you answer NO to all the questions, you are considered dependent for financial aid purposes and you will be required to report parent information whether or not you live with your parents or receive financial assistance from them.
FSA VIDEO - FAFAS: DETERMINE YOUR DEPENDENCY STATUS INFORMATION
Financial Need
Your financial need is determined by subtracting your expected family contribution (EFC) from your standard student budget or cost of attendance (COA).
FINANCIAL NEED FORMULA
Your standard student budget (how much it cost to attend) - Your expected family contribution (EFC) |
| = Your financial need |
FSA VIDEO - "FINANCIAL NEED"
The COA is an estimate of how much it will cost to attend college based on where you live. These costs are estimates and you do not have to pay these exact amounts. Your actual costs may differ.
| Housing Status | Live With Parent(s) | Live away from Parents |
| Fees | 1340 | 1340 |
| Books and Supplies | 1750 | 1750 |
| Food & Housing | 6500 | 14000 |
| Personal Expenses | 3000 | 3300 |
| Transportation | 1200 | 1200 |
| TOTAL | $13,790 | $21,590 |
Based on half-time enrollment and higher
– Additions to Budgets
- Out of State Tuition cost per unit: ($258 subject to change).
- Dependent Care Costs (must be documented).
