How to Apply
How to apply for Financial Aid at Cuesta
FAFSA Online

Veterans

Types of Aid
Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGW)
Grants
Work Study
Scholarships
Emergency Book Loan
Foster Youth Program
Loans

Policy/Procedure
Eligible Majors
Satisfactory Progress (SAP)
Clearinghouse

Gainful Employment

2009-2010

2010-2011

Net Price Calculator

FAQ's

Student and Parent Loans

Direct Loans for Students and Parents

What Are the Requirements? / How Do I Apply? / I Applied Now What?
Loan Workshops / Award Amounts /  Plus Loans
Student Loan Ombudsman's Office / Manage your Loans

What are the requirements?

• You must have financial need. This will be computed by the federal processor from the information on your FAFSA application.
• You must be enrolled in and continuously maintain a minimum of half-time (6 units).
• All loans MUST be divided into two payments
• The earliest a check may be released is the first day of the semester.

How Do I Apply for a Loan?

A student who wishes to receive a Stafford Loan must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

• Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Submit all documents requested by the Financial Aid Office--as soon as possible.
• Attend a  Loan Workshop each academic year that you request a loan.
  You must be on time to the loan workshop and stay for the entire workshop
  or you will need to repeat it.

Attend a Loan Workshop on the Cuesta College Campus. The loan workshop is designed to instruct the student about their rights and responsibilities as a borrower. Workshops are offered several times each semester. Attendance at a workshop is MANDATORY in order to initiate the loan process.
 

Loan Workshop Schedule - Spring 2012 If you do not want to take out a student loan you do not need to attend a loan workshop. Loan Workshops Are Subject to Change Check back daily for updates

After the first-round of required documentation has been satisfied (use the Financial Aid Checklist to help navigate this process.) and the student still wants the loan his/her file will be reviewed for loan awards.  If eligible, awards will be posted to the students myCuesta Financial Aid account, simultaneously the Online Entrance Counseling Request(s) will be posted to the students myCuesta Financial Aid account.

Complete the Online Entrance Counseling Request's https://studentloans.gov if you still wish to move forward with the loan awarding process.   Cuesta College will import the response file after the student completes the Online Counseling and than a request will be posted for the student to sign the online Master Promissory Note.

The MPN collects identifying information from the borrower, including name, permanent address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, and two references with U.S. addresses. Some of this information may be preprinted on the MPN. the borrower must read, sign and date the MPN.

The master promissory note is the borrower affirmatively requesting or accepting the proposed loan, type and amount or it is the borrowers opportunity to to request changes.

Awards are posted to students accounts based on pre-determined term schedules, year in college, and unit criteria. Check your myCuesta Financial Aid Status for award amounts and disbursement dates.  Remember; disbursement dates are based on a Cuesta College global calendar and if a student completes Financial Aid requirements or awards are posted after disbursement dates have passed, disbursements will continue to be issued every week until the end of that semester.

Award Amounts    

PROGRAM                          ANNUAL AWARD RANGE
Subsidized           $3500 Freshman Full Year Loan (fall & spring)
Subsidized           $4500 Sophomore  Full Year Loan (fall & spring)

Unsubsidized        $2000 Additional Funds for Dependent Students
Unsubsidized        $6000 Additional Funds for Independent Students

In the event that your PLUS loan is denied by the Department of Education, your son/daughter will be eligible for additional unsubsidized funds. Please contact our financial aid office.

Student Source for information for the the US Department of Education about how to manage your Student Loans. Federal Direct Loans: www.StudentLoans.gov

Ombudsman's Office:

The Federal Student Aid Ombudsman of the Department of Education helps resolve
disputes and solve other problems with federal student loans.
Contact Information for the FSA Student Loan Ombudsman's Office:

• Via Email: fsaombudsmanoffice@ed.gov
• Via on-line assistance: http://www.ombudsman.ed.gov
• Via telephone: (877) 557-2575

Comments or suggestions regarding the Financial Aid Office web site, contact the Financial Aid Paige Kubiak