FINANCIAL AID
Welcome to Financial Aid at CMC! If you are a first time college student or a seasoned college student, financial aid plays an important role throughout your education.
Our goal at CMC’s Financial Aid Department is to provide affordable tuition, access to financial aid resources, and tools for students and their families to utilize when funding their education. Take a proactive approach to your education and financial aid!
FUND YOUR EDUCATION
Figuring out how to pay for college can be overwhelming, but we are committed to ensuring a smooth financial aid process. Continue scrolling to learn more about how to get started!
GETTING STARTED
You should apply for financial aid online beginning on October 1st of each year using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA). The applications are free and you can apply even before you’re registered in any classes. Submit your application as soon as possible to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Some aid is first come first served. Early action is needed for early award letters.
Use the 2023-24 FAFSA for summer 2023, fall 2023, & spring 2024
California Emergency Grant
California Emergency Grant
The State of California has provided funding for Copper Mountain College to offer students relief from an unexpected emergency. If you have experienced a financial hardship, we encourage you to apply for Emergency Grant Funding. Please note, funds are limited and will not exceed $1,000 per academic year.
California Emergency Grant Eligibility
To be eligible you must meet the following conditions:
- File a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CADAA (CA Dream Act Application) for the current award year
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- Qualify as low-income by meeting the requirements to receive a CA College Promise Grant (CCPG)
- Must have unmet need within your financial aid award package
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- Be a California resident
- Be enrolled in 6 units or more for the semester you are requesting funds
- Demonstrate emergency financial need (e.g. eviction, utility shut-off, unexpected costs, etc.)
- Have either:
- GPA of 2.0 in one of the previous 3 semesters at CMC or prior institution, or
- Are disabled and receiving additional support or services through ACCESS/DSPS, or
- Are a first-time college student
If you have a demonstrated emergency financial need, you are encouraged to complete the Emergency Grant Application and provide supporting documentation for your emergency situation.
The California Emergency Grant must be coordinated with other financial aid and therefore, may impact the amount of funds approved. The requested amount is not guaranteed and may be rejected, partially fulfilled, or fully funded.
We understand that there are needs that this funding may not cover, and there may be more applicants than this budget allows. We encourage all students to explore additional resources provided at www.CMCCD.edu
Processing time is approximately 2-3 weeks and may be delayed if sufficient documentation is not provided. Please read through the application carefully and answer each question to the best of your knowledge.
Click the link to access the Emergency Grant Application. Once complete, return it to the Financial Aid Department in Student Services. For questions, call 760-366-3791 EXT 4235
Financial Aid Checklist
APPLY to CMC and complete admission requirements
COMPLETE a financial aid application using either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
WAIT 5-7 business days
- Check your student email to ensure your application was received by CMC
- We do not download next year’s applications until late March
VIEW and complete required items on Financial Aid Checklist
- Go to your MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal to view required items
- You may not receive financial aid until all required tasks are completed on your MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal
REGISTER for courses at CMC
CHOOSE a disbursement method with BankMobile
CONTINUE to monitor your MyCMC Portal
- Check emails and MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal regularly for notifications and communication with financial aid. Not checking could result in a delay in potential aid
CLICK HERE to download a PDF/printable version of the checklist
Missing Documents - Verification Process
The Department of Education or California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) randomly selects FAFSA’s or CADAA’s for a process called verification. If you have been selected for verification, your missing documents will be listed under your checklist on the MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal. Refer to the short videos below.
A student’s financial aid file is NOT complete until the Financial Aid Department has received and processed all of the required documents. The sooner that a student provides the requested documents, the sooner they may be able to receive financial aid.
2022-23 FAFSA or CADAA – all income information will be from 2020
VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED TO PROVIDE
Dependent student documentation:
- Student’s tax transcript (if student worked or filed taxes in the applicable year)
- Parent(s) tax transcript
- Verification of non-filing from the IRS (if parent did NOT work or file taxes in the applicable year)
- If you are unable to obtain a tax transcript from the IRS, you may provide a copy of your 1040 tax return form with a physical signature in BLUE ink
- If you are unable to obtain a verification of non-filing from the IRS, you may complete a certification of non-filing
- Dependent verification worksheet (both student and parent need to sign)
Independent student documentation:
- Student’s tax transcript (if student worked or filed taxes in the applicable year)
- Spouse’s tax transcript (if student is married)
- even if student and spouse weren’t married at the time the FAFSA was completed, but are married now, we still need both
- Verification of non-filing from IRS (if student and/or spouse did not file taxes in the applicable year)
- If you are unable to obtain a verification of non-filing from the IRS, you may complete a certification of non-filing
- Independent verification worksheet (only student needs to sign)
VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED TO PROVIDE IN-PERSON
- High school completion status document (i.e. high school diploma, transcripts, GED cert., etc.)
- Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose (MUST be signed in front of someone in the financial aid office) with a valid government issued ID, excludes military ID
Where do I find the documents Financial Aid needs from me?
How to request tax transcripts or verification of non-filing from the IRS
Types of Financial Aid
You must complete a financial aid application to determine if you’re eligible to receive any grants. Eligibility depends on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) calculated expected family contribution (EFC), enrollment, SAP, and other criteria specific to each grant. View your awards on MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal. For more information on each grant, keep scrolling.
FEDERAL AID
Click each grant heading below to view a short pop-up video on each type of grant.
Pell Grant
Pell Grants are federally-funded, need-based grants given to college students to help pay for college and do not need to be paid back. Students must meet certain eligibility requirements to receive the Pell Grant. The amount disbursed is based on a student’s FAFSA calculated expected family contribution (EFC) AND enrollment.
Full-time: 12+ units * ¾ time: 9-11.5 units * ½ time: 6-8.5 units * Less than ½: less than 6 units
Students can receive up to 600% (6 full-time years) of Pell towards their undergraduate education. CMC students can find their Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU) on the SAP screen of their MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal.
*Students cannot receive Pell at two different institutions for the same enrollment period.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
These limited federal grants are awarded to eligible students whose FAFSA indicated an exceptional financial need. These are awarded while funds are available.
Federal Work Study (FWS)
This federal program enables eligible students to help pay their school expenses through part-time employment on campus. Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible and may not work during their scheduled class times.
Many opportunities on campus include; The Library, Student Success Center, Student Services, Business Office, Maintenance & Operations, and more.
If you’re interested in applying at CMC, visit the Job Opportunities page and look for “Student Worker (FWS)”. Follow up with Human Resources.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
The Federal Government makes these loans available to eligible students whose need cannot be met by other sources. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 units per semester and have a processed FAFSA form to show eligibility for loans. Loan packets are available at the start of the term. These packets go into further detail about loan eligibility and disbursements. Students are not advised to take out these loans except as the last resort and are encouraged to apply for scholarships, work study, or other sources that do not require repayment. Excessive borrowing can cause hardship for students and may prevent them from completing their educational program.
STATE AID
California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
Under the CCPG program, the State of California will pay student enrollment fees. This amount is NOT disbursable to students, but rather, is directly applied to their student account. To qualify students must:
– have financial need ($1,104 minimum need)
– be a CA resident OR admitted to the school under AB540 rules (must establish with Admissions & Records)
– active duty military members and their dependents (must establish with Admissions & Records)
– maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Cal Grants B & C
These state-funded grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to California residents who qualify on the basis of financial need and merit or vocational objective. Create an account with CSAC to check the status of your Cal Grant award on Webgrants 4 Students.
Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)
SSCG is an additional grant in conjunction with Cal Grant B or C. To be eligible students must be:
– enrolled full time (at least 12 units)
– receiving Cal Grant B or C
– maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Chafee Grant
The CA Chafee Grant is awarded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to current and former Foster Youth. To be eligible students must submit:
– a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA)
– a Chafee Grant Application (for first time applicants only)
For more information visit chafee.csac.ca.gov.
CMC Promise Program
The CA Promise Program expands access to community college education, closing achievement gaps and improving student performance, by making college affordable. It is available to 1st and 2nd year students. Eligible students may receive a book voucher (amounts may differ from year to year as funding changes). Students who do not qualify for the CCPG, may get enrollment fees waived under this program!
For more information visit CMC’s Promise Program webpage.
INSTITUTIONAL AID
Scholarships
For more information on scholarships offered at CMC, please visit CMC’s Scholarship webpage.
Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
For more information visit CMC’s EOPS webpage.
Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)
For more information, visit CMC’s CARE webpage.
Disbursements/Refunds
CMC has partnered with BankMobile to deliver your financial aid disbursement/refund!
Follow these steps to set up a disbursement method with BankMobile:
1. Sign up 24 hours after registering for classes
2. Log into your MyCMC Portal
3. Once logged in, find the FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENTS/REFUNDS box and click the PICK NOW! button to select your disbursement method
4. Follow the on-screen instructions, but make sure you are going through the MyCMC Portal.
5. Make sure you keep records (physical and/or electronic) so you remember which disbursement method you’ve chosen.
a. If you chose Direct Deposit, disbursements will be delayed 1-2 business days
b. If you chose the Vibe account and debit card, disbursements will be the same day onto that account
Pell is disbursed 2 times per semester for the fall and spring: 50% at the end of the first week of the start of the term; and 50% after half of the term is over. Other aid may be disbursed on the same disbursement/refund method you choose. Review your Awards on MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal to see what you’re eligible for. Then use the Disbursement/refund schedule below for the expected disbursement date of those grants/awards.
*Note: Some students may not be eligible for disbursable aid.
Disbursement/refund Schedule
BankMobile FAQs
BankMobile Contract
Refund Choices Information Page
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
SAP is the standard students are measured by to determine if they are making progress toward completing their degree.
Students CAN LOSE financial aid if academic standards are not met. There are 3 components to this standard:
- Qualitative – Maintain a 2.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (C average)
- Quantitative – Complete 67% or more of attempted units successfully with a C or better
- Maximum Timeframe – Complete their degree or certificate within 150% of the program’s credit length. (90 units for A.A)
Current students can view their SAP status on their MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal after their first semester at CMC.
*Note: The SAP standard for federal and state financial aid is different from the CCPG Fee Waiver-SAP standard
California Dream Act
Be sure to complete the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) each year before March 2nd.
- Allow up to two weeks for processing.
- Submit an AB540 form with Admissions & Records to determine your eligibility for CA State grants.
- For questions regarding CA residency, contact the Admissions & Records Department.
*It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure that their residency status with Admissions & Records is AB540
You may be eligible for Institutional Scholarships with the CA Dream Act. For more information visit CMC’s Scholarships page.
Still have questions, including how to ensure you are completing the correct financial aid application? Visit Immigrantsrising.org
Financial Aid Forms
2023-2024 Financial Aid Forms
2023-24 Dependent Verification Worksheet
2023-24 Dependent Status Worksheet
2023-24 Dependency Override Request
2023-24 Independent Verification Worksheet
2022-2023 Financial Aid Forms
2022-23 Dependent Verification Worksheet
2022-23 Certification of Non-Filing
2022-23 Dependency Status Worksheet
2022-23 Independent Verification Worksheet
Other Financial Aid Forms
Income Adjustment/Reduction Form
Unusual Enrollment Appeal Form
Financial Aid Information
Board Policy 5130
Copper Mountain College processes federal, state, and institutional aid for students who meet the eligibility requirements for the specific programs. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for state and federal aid for which they may be eligible. Students are also encouraged to apply for any institutional and outside scholarships possible. Scholarships are posted on the financial aid bulletin board in Student Services and various scholarship websites are available on the CMC’s website. A free scholarship search is available at www.fastweb.com.
Withdrawal & Repayment of Funds
To continue to receive financial aid, students are required to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. The SAP standards are defined as maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and cumulatively completing 67% of attempted units, all while completing your program within 150% of the program’s published units (for ex. you have 90 units to complete a 60 unit program). The federal government is willing to provide assistance to students as they pursue an education. However, it will not provide aid to students who are not completing their coursework satisfactorily or are not completing their program in a timely manner. Therefore, students are in danger of losing their aid eligibility if they take more courses in a semester than they can reasonably complete or if they do not take the appropriate courses to complete their program’s requirements.
Students are advised to meet with a counselor to develop an educational plan, to be realistic about the number of courses they can satisfactorily complete in a given semester, and then to be diligent in class attendance and completion of assignments. In the event something should occur to prevent the student from attending, it is the student’s responsibility to drop the class in the Admissions Office of Student Services or through their MyCMC Portal. Failure to officially withdraw may result in failures on transcripts and loss of financial aid in future semesters. Total withdrawal prior to the completion of 60% of the semester will result in a recalculation of the aid the student is entitled to receive. In keeping with federal regulations, the recalculation may require the student to repay some of the unearned aid they had received. Failure to return the funds would result in loss of eligibility for future aid until the funds are repaid.
Financial Aid Links
Financial Aid Student Guides
MyCMC Self-Service Financial Aid Portal guide – Click HERE for a guide on how to get to the Self-Service Financial Aid Portal, how to check financial aid status, view and print award letters, and review SAP status.
Submit Documents to Financial Aid – Click HERE for a guide on how to submit required documents to the Financial Aid Department.
Request tax documents for financial aid – Click HERE for a guide on how to Request Tax Return Transcripts or verification of non-filing from the IRS.
Make payments – Click HERE to get to CMC’s tuition/payment plan page
iGrad - Financial Wellness
CMC has partnered with iGrad Financial Wellness Program. Take control of your financial well-being and click THIS LINK or the picture below to get started!
Once you are logged in, you can:
- Take a short assessment to see what areas are recommended for you as an individual.
- Browse many Topics, such as:
- Earn Certificates of Completion for Courses that you complete, especially the ones that will help you the most.
Show us that you completed THREE certificates and get a FREE CMC wireless phone charger! We understand how important devices are these days and want you to stay connected. You can show us in person or you can take a selfie with them and send it to us at faworker@cmccd.edu.
NO STRINGS ATTACHED! We just want to provide you with tools that may benefit you through your program here at CMC and beyond.
What Happens if I Drop Out of School?
Treatment of Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws 34CFR 668.22
The law specifies how a school must determine the amount of Title IV program assistance that you earn if you withdraw from school. The Title IV programs that are covered by this law are Federal Pell Grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, TEACH Grants, Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs).
Though your aid is posted to your account at the start of each period, you earn the funds as you complete the period. If you withdraw during your payment period the amount of Title IV program assistance that you have earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. If you received (or your school or parent received on your behalf) less assistance than the amount that you earned, you may be able to receive those additional funds. If you received more assistance than you earned, the excess funds must be returned by the school and/ or you.
The amount of assistance that you have earned is determined on a pro rata basis. For example, if you completed 30% of your payment period or period of enrollment, you earn 30% of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive. Once you have completed more than 60% of the payment period or period of enrollment, you earn all the assistance that you were scheduled to receive for that period.
If you did not receive all of the funds that you earned, you may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement. If your post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, your school must get your permission before it can disburse them. You may choose to decline some or all of the loan funds so that you don’t incur additional debt. Your school may automatically use all or a portion of your post-withdrawal disbursement of grant funds for tuition, fees, and room and board charges (as contracted with the school). The school needs your permission to use the post-withdrawal grant disbursement for all other institutional charges. If you do not give your permission (some schools ask for this when you enroll), you will be offered the funds. However, it may be in your best interest to allow the school to keep the funds to reduce your debt at the school.
There are some Title IV funds that you were scheduled to receive that cannot be disbursed to you once you withdraw because of other eligibility requirements. For example, if you are a first-time, first-year undergraduate student and you have not completed the first 30 days of your program before you withdraw, you will not receive any Direct Loan funds that you would have received had you remained enrolled past the 30th day.
If you receive (or your school or parent receive on your behalf) excess Title IV program funds that must be returned, your school must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:
- your institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of your funds; or
- the entire amount of excess funds.
The school must return this amount even if it didn’t keep this amount of your Title IV program funds. If your school is not required to return all of the excess funds, you must return the remaining amount.
For any loan funds that you must return, you (or your parent for a Direct PLUS Loan) repay in accordance with the terms of the promissory note. That is, you make scheduled payments to the holder of the loan over a period of time.
The requirements for Title IV program funds when you withdraw are separate from any refund policy that your school may have. Therefore, you may still owe funds to the school to cover unpaid institutional charges. Your school may also charge you for any Title IV program funds that the school was required to return. If you don’t already know your school’s refund policy, you should ask your school for a copy. Your school can also provide you with the requirements and procedures for officially withdrawing from school.
If you have questions about your Title IV program funds, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243). TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913. Information is also available on Student Aid on the Web at https://studentaid.gov/.
Decommissioning of Blackboard Pay Refund
- If you participated in the Blackboard Pay program (regardless of current enrollment status at CMC) the end of the program and card services is effective May 31, 2019.
- December 31, 2018, you will not be able to load any further funds on a card.
- You will want to discontinue direct deposits to your Card prior to December 31, 2018.
- You will want to deplete any funds remaining prior to May 30, 2019.
- Effective May 30, 2019, no further use of the Card or Money Network Checks to access the funds on your Card – including through purchases, ATM withdrawals, automatic payments, or other transactions.
- You will want to change any automatic payments prior May 1, 2019.
- Any funds in excess of $1.00 remaining on a card after discontinuation of the program and final settlement of card transactions will be sent by check to the address associated with the card on or before June 15, 2019.
If you have additional questions please contact:
David Shook, Financial Aid Director
dshook@cmccd.edu
(760) 366-5278
Contact Information
Financial Aid
Copper Mountain College
6162 Rotary Way
P.O. Box 1398
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
(760) 366-3791, ext. 4235
(760) 366-5257 fax
Office Location
Financial Aid is located in the Office of Student Services in the 300 Quad, next to Bruce’s Place.
Summer Hours June 1 to July 31
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Closed Fridays
Regular Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Friday 8am-3pm
We are closed on all legal and college holidays.
Financial Aid Staff
Brittney Blakeley
Senior Financial Aid Specialist
bblakeley@cmccd.edu
Delores Teague
Financial Aid Specialist
dteague@cmccd.edu