I’m planning to attend a community college in California and I've heard about the Board of Governors Fee Waiver. How do I apply for it, and what are the eligibility requirements?
The Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver you mentioned is now known as the California College Promise Grant (CCPG). It's designed to waive the per-unit enrollment fee at California community colleges for eligible students.
The eligibility requirements for the California College Promise Grant are divided into three methods: (1) income (based on you and/or your family’s income), (2) need-based, and (3) demonstrating a certain degree of need on the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.
1) For income eligibility, applicants must meet certain income standards according to your family size. The income standards are revised each year.
2) For need-based eligibility, you must be receiving some form of state or federal public assistance, like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or General Assistance, among others.
3) For FAFSA or California Dream Act eligibility, you must have applied for other state and/or federal aid and has demonstrated $1,104 or more of financial need (as of the end of 2024, though this amount is subject to change). This is the most likely way to qualify for the CCPG.
Additionally, if you don't qualify based on income or receiving public assistance, you can still potentially qualify if you meet certain special classifications, including being a homeless youth, a recent veteran, and others.
However, to keep the grant, you need to meet certain academic and progress standards. Your college should have a policy explaining these standards.
To apply for the grant, you can fill out a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application online. Your community college may also ask for additional forms or documents, so be sure to check with the financial aid office. They'll also be able to assist you if you have any issues with the application process.
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