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Financial Aid

Apply for Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid is easy and convenient.

Foothill College Promise

Most first-time, full-time students are eligible to have the cost of tuition and basic student fees paid for their first TWO years!

Review requirements to receive  Foothill College Promise.

Follow Steps 1-4

Apply

Complete the Application that Applies to You

Students are encouraged to apply by March 2nd in order to be considered for most types of financial aid. Students can apply Oct 1st through June 30th  for the following academic year. 

Foothill Federal School Code

You must add Foothill school code 001199 in order for your application to be received by the Financial Aid Office. 


(FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid

If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen, complete the FAFSA Application to be reviewed for federal and state aid.

View a video tutorial on how to complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA application. 

 
(CADAA) California Dream Act Application

 If you are a undocumented student and meet the qualifications of AB 540 (Assembly Bill 540)  complete the California Dream Act Application to be reviewed for state based aid.

 View a video tutorial that has tips for completing the California Dream Act Application. 

Monitor Your Application Status

It can take up to a week for the Financial Aid Office to receive and review your application.

Make a note to check your MyPortal a week after you apply to see if you need to provide any further documention. 

  • Log in to myportal.fhda.edu with your 8-digit CWID
  • SELECT Apps from menu
  • Under students, select the Financial Aid App 
  • Click on your Financial Aid Requirements 
  • Choose the current year you are attending

Additional actions will be listed if needed, please be sure to carefully read what each action is requesting and complete the task. You should check your requirements section weekly until your financial aid is awarded. 

 Not all students may be required to complete additional actions. 

Check your Award Status

After all documentation has been submitted and determined complete. It can take up to 2 weeks for the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for financial aid. 

You may check your award status within the Financial Aid App, located in your MyPortal account. 

  • Log in to myportal.fhda.edu with your 8-digit CWID
  • Select  Apps from menu
  • Under students, select the Financial Aid App 
  • Click on Awards, then Awards for Aid year
  • Select the aid year you are attending 
  • Using the navigation tabs to click on Award Overview 

Your award overview will show what programs you were determined eligible for and how much of that award you are eligible to recieve each quarter. Please be advised offered amounts are based on what you can recieve as a full time student (12 Units). 

In addition there are certain programs that may require you to accept your awards (such as student loans) through the Accept Award Offer tab. 

You may review the disbursement dates which advises on when you can expect to receive your financial aid awards. 

We encourage you to make an appointment with the financial aid office should you have questions. 

Check your College Financing Plan

  1. LOG IN to MyPortal
  2. CLICK Apps on the left menu
  3. CLICK the Financial Aid app in the Students section
  4. CLICK the "Awards" link
  5. CLICK the Financial Aid tab at the top of the page
  6. CLICK the "College Financing Plan" link

Maintaining your Eligibility

Students are encouraged to familarize themselves with the terms & conditions  required to maintain thier eligbilty for Financial Aid. This includes reviewing the policy surrounding maintaining (SAP) Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students are encouraged to contact the financial aid office in advance if they anticipate: 

  • Dropping classes after the start date of the quarter 
  • If you do not pass more than 67% of your attempted units or maintain a 2.0 GPA  for more than two quarters in a row. 

Any of these actions can effect the amount of financial aid a you are eligible to recieve or effect your eligibility to recieve financial aid for future quarters. 

Cal Grant Community College Entitlement (E3) Award Deadline: Sept. 2, 2024

Community College Students Only


The Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award is for students attending a California Community College (CCC). Applicants must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, plus a verified Cal Grant GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by September 2. If you've attended Foothill College within the last 5 years and completed at least 24 units prior to the September 2 deadline, we will automatically send your GPA information to CSAC.

See more information

 

 

Estimate Your Federal Student Aid

Before you complete the FAFSA form, the Federal Student Aid Estimator can help you understand your options to pay for college or career school by providing an early estimate of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and eligibility for federal student aid.

Start the Federal Student Aid Estimator

Tips & Resources to Help Students in Unique Situations and Population

Certain students face unique challenges when applying for financial aid. These tip sheets and resources are designed to help unique student populations overcome these challenges to successfully navigate the financial aid process.

Students in Unique Situations

Questions on the 2023-24 FAFSA that may cause difficulty for students in unique situations, such as wards of the court or foster youth, are listed in the following sheet:

Download Tip Sheet for Completing the 2022-23 FAFSA 

Also available: 2021-22 FAFSA Version

Adult Learners

Adult learners may face unique opportunities and challenges in their quest to obtain a postsecondary education. This tip sheet is designed to help adult learners with questions they may have about enrolling in school.

Download Tip Sheet for Adult Learners

Service Members and Veterans

Members of the military and veterans may face unique opportunities and challenges in their quest to obtain a postsecondary education. This tip sheet is designed to help this population with some of the pressing questions they have while contemplating enrollment in school and repaying federal student loans. 

Download Tip Sheet for Servicemembers and Veterans

Students with Criminal Convictions

Students with criminal convictions have limited eligibility for federal student aid. Make sure you understand your status, and don’t assume you can’t get aid. To learn more, please visit the following website for tips and resources.

Tips for Students with Criminal Convictions

Undocumented Students

Undocumented students face unique challenges in their quest to obtain postsecondary education. This tip sheet is designed to help this population with some of the pressing questions they have while contemplating whether or not they can enroll in school.

Download Tip Sheet for Undocumented Students

Financial Aid Resources for Those Affected by War, Terrorism & Natural Disaster

If you have personally been affected by a local, state, or federal disaster, or by terrorism or war, you may be eligible for certain waivers and modifications to your current financial aid or student loans you have already taken. To learn more, please visit the following website for tips and resources.

Tips for Victims of Natural Disasters, War, or Terrorism

Apply for Financial Aid

Student Employment

Students Services Building

Questions?
We're Here to Help!

Financial Aid Office

650.949.7245


fhfinancialaidoffice@fhda.edu


Building 8100, Room 8101

Make an Appointment

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