Financial Aid

Yes, you must reapply for financial aid each year. Fall 2023 is the start of our 2023-24 aid year. If you have not yet applied for 2023-24, it’s not too late! You can apply now (see our “Financial Aid Application Process” section for help with applying). 2023-24 will cover fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024. The last day to apply for 2023-24 aid is June 30, 2024.

There could be several reasons why your California College Promise Grant (CCPG) hasn’t posted:

• You haven’t applied yet for 2023-24.
• You forgot to add Cypress to your FAFSA or CADAA
• The class(es) you registered for are at Fullerton College – if this is the case, you just need to add Fullerton to your FAFSA or CADAA and resubmit so that they can post the CCPG for you.
  • If you see an “F” next to a course number, that is a Fullerton course. (Ex: Math 40 F)
  • If you see a “C” next to a course number, that is a Cypress course. (Ex: Math 40 C)
• You have been disqualified – get information on the standards and how to regain eligibility.
• Please note for summer registration: the CCPG posts to eligible student accounts within 48 hours after the student registers for a summer course. Students will not be dropped for nonpayment while waiting for the CCPG to post to their account.

If you are in the process of applying for aid or completing your financial aid file, you can wait to pay the fees until you have completed your financial aid file. You will not be dropped for nonpayment, however, you will receive a hold on your account (will prevent you from being able to register for classes in the future) until the balance is paid.

If you qualify for the CCPG (fee waiver) after you’ve already paid for your enrollment fees, you will receive a reimbursement check in the mail from the Bursar’s office. Each semester, refunds are processed automatically after the last day to drop classes with a refund (this usually is around the same date as the financial aid freeze date). If any issue arises and you do not receive your refund, please check directly with the Bursar’s office.

Please ensure that your mailing address is up-to-date in myGateway (if you’re not sure how to view/correct your mailing address (as well as email address), please view our short tutorial.

If you are eligible for Pell grant funds, you can wait for your Pell grant to pay out (see disbursement schedule) and you will be required to pay the remaining balance. You will not be dropped for nonpayment, but you will have a hold on your account until the balance is fully paid off. If you do not want the hold on your account, you can contact the Financial Aid Office to request a Non-Resident Fee Deferment Form – however, you will need to pay the remaining balance up front.

If you have already completed your financial aid application and file, check the Student Success checklist in myGateway. If you have questions regarding your checklist, please contact the Charger Experience Team. Complete either the FAFSA or CADAA. The 2023-24 year applies for fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024.

Once you submit and we receive your application, you may need to complete additional required documentation through our online software Student Forms Software. (You’ll receive an email with instructions once we receive your application). Please review our Financial Aid Application Process for a step-by-step guide of what to expect after you apply.

Students may select an Excused Withdrawal (EW) with a refund via myGateway. For Financial Aid purposes, EW’s are treated similarly to a Withdrawal (W) from a class and will impact your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Receiving an EW will directly impact the completion rate portion of your SAP since you attempted the class and did not complete it.

Important note: Cypress College has a COVID-19 SAP exemption for W and EW grades earned during the spring 2020 semester through end of fall 2021. W and EW grades earned during the exemption period are excluded from the 67% completion Rate and Maximum Timeframe calculations. W and EW grades earned before or after the exemption period will still count against you when SAP is calculated.

Students who are disqualified due to SAP, whether as a result of GPA below 2.0, completion rate below 67%, and/or reaching the maximum timeframe, are encouraged to submit a SAP appeal. COVID-19 extenuating circumstances can be considered via a SAP appeal if they happened during spring 2022 and after.

For more information on how your SAP is calculated, please review the SAP link provided above.