Financial Aid

Skyline College is dedicated to the concept that no individual should be denied an education solely for financial reasons. Financial aid provides access and resources to those students who need financial assistance to meet the basic costs of attending college. All students are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

There are four main types of financial aid: 1) Grants, 2) Scholarships, 3) Work Study, and 4) Loans. There are two primary sources of financial aid – the Federal government and the State of California. To be eligible for all federal and most state grants and loans, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a high school diploma or the equivalent (for example, having passed the GED, HiSET, or TASC exam), or, if you were enrolled in college or career school prior to July 1, 2012, provide proof of that enrollment and either pass an approved ability-to-benefit test, complete 6 credit hours toward a degree/certificate or enrolled in an eligible career pathway program.
  • Be enrolled in an eligible program leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer toward a university at any of the colleges in the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD). Certificate programs, fewer than 16 required units are NOT eligible courses of study for federal and most state financial aid. 
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen*. Note: Some State of California programs may have a less restrictive citizenship requirement for non-U.S. citizens.
  • Have completed the enrollment process which involves assessment testing, college orientation and completion of a Student Educational Plan (SEP) with an academic counselor.
  • Submit all required forms and documents requested by the Financial Aid Office or Department of Education
  • Meet and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements as defined by the Financial Aid Handbook.
  • Have financial need (except in the case of unsubsidized federal student loans and some scholarships) as demonstrated by a completed FAFSA (available online at www.FAFSA.gov) or California Dream Act Application (available at www.dream.csac.ca.gov) and Financial Aid Office review.
  • Do not owe a refund or repayment on a federal grant.
  • Not be in default on a federal educational loan or owe a repayment to a federal grant program.
  • For Federal Financial Aid, supply a valid Social Security Number and name.
  • Students with a Bachelor’s Degree are not eligible for Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) funds, but may be eligible for the CCPG enrollment fee waiver, Federal Work-Study, scholarships, and/or loans.

Awards and Disbursement of Financial Aid

Students can check their Financial Aid status through WebSMART by following these steps:

  • Go to Financial Aid Student Portal inside WebSMART.
  • On the Home tab you'll see "Student Requirements" → "Unsatisfied Requirements"
    1. Expand the requirement by clicking on the ' ^ ' symbol, and read it in full
    2. Click into the actual requirement, such as Financial Aid Appeal, if possible 
    3. Complete unsatisfied requirements and/or submit documents listed
  • 2-3 weeks after your file is complete, you will be notified via email of your Financial Aid award.

All financial aid funds are disbursed on scheduled dates each term. For most students, federal grant aid (Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) is disbursed in two payments per term, with 50% of the eligible award released on or after each scheduled disbursement date based on the student’s enrollment level and program eligibility. Federal Direct Loans are also disbursed in two payments based on the approved loan period.

Cal Grant and the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) are typically disbursed in a single payment each term after census.

Late-start courses that are registered by census will not have funds disbursed until the course has begun and must be required for the student’s Program of Study.

To view the census date for a term, visit the Academic Calendar.

Federal regulations require that only courses applicable to a student’s declared Program of Study are eligible for federal financial aid and may impact eligibility for state aid programs. For more information, visit the District CPOS webpage.

Additionally, courses added after census will not be considered toward a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid and state grants.

If awarded financial aid beyond a fee waiver, students can choose from a few preferred methods for receiving their financial aid or scholarship funds from the College. For complete details, view the Disbursement Information and click on both “Disbursement Options” and “Disbursement Process”. 

Return of Federal Funds

When a Student Withdraws:

Students who receive federal financial aid and do not attend any classes or who withdraw from all classes prior to completing more than 60% of the semester will be required to repay all or part of any unearned funding that was paid to them. A student’s withdrawal date, for purposes of federal financial aid, will be determined as follows:

  1. The date the student officially notified the Admissions Office of his or her intent to withdraw, or
  2. The midpoint of the semester for a student who leaves without notifying the college, or
  3. The student’s last date of attendance at a documented, academically-related activity.

Students will be billed for any funds that are required to be repaid. Funds must be repaid immediately or the student may be reported to the U.S. Department of Education for a grant overpayment.

Further information about all programs and types of resources available can be found in the Student Financial Aid Handbook, or by visiting or contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Financial Aid staff have identified the following Student Learning Outcomes for the various services provided by Financial Aid:

  • Students will gain understanding of how to apply for financial aid. [ISLO: Communication and Lifelong Wellness]
  • Students aiming to obtain an AA/AS degree and subsequently transfer to another institution will develop an understanding of how to apply for financial aid. [ISLO: Communication and Lifelong Wellness]

Respiratory Care, Baccalaureate Degree Program - Financial Aid

Students eligible for and accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program at Skyline College can be considered for Federal and State Financial Aid by completing a FAFSA  or California Dream Act Application for each academic year they are enrolled in the program. Apply early and follow the “Steps to Apply for Financial Aid” in the Apply for Aid section on our website. Workshops are offered regularly to help students and their families complete the financial aid application. See the “Events and Workshops” section located on our homepage for details Online instructional videos are also available 24/7 by going to the More Tools & Info section on our homepage and then clicking on “Financial Aid TV.” 

Eligibility for various scholarships is determined by the individual programs that offer the scholarships Information about both internal and external scholarships, can be found in the Scholarships section of our website.

California residents and students who qualify for the AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption (as determined by the Admissions and Records Office) can be considered for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) which covers $46 per unit. If eligible, CCPG first waives the enrollment fee portion ($46/unit), and Cal Grant B may help cover the remaining upper-division tuition costs ($84/unit), along with providing a living allowance. CCPG eligibility can be determined by submitting a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Students may be eligible for the Cal Grant B Program, which provides a living allowance and tuition assistance. The tuition assistance portion of the grant covers $84 per unit for upper division coursework. CCPG waives the other $46 of the $130 per unit for the Bachelor’s Degree Program. 

Students may be eligible for third-year federal Direct Loan limits. Dependent students may receive up to $7,500 annually (including up to $5,500 subsidized), while independent students may qualify for up to $12,500 annually.