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:

  • Login to WebSMART
  • Click on “Financial Aid”
  • Click on “Financial Aid Student Portal”
  • Select the appropriate “Aid Year” in the upper right-hand corner
  • Click on the available tabs to find information about the cost of education in our district, the status of your academic progress for financial aid purposes, and award information, which is the amount of Financial Aid you have been awarded, if any.
  • Check the “Home” tab to find out if you have any Unsatisfied Requirements. If you have Unsatisfied Requirements, submit all required documents to the Financial Aid Office.
  • 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, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) disburses twice each term with 50% of the eligible award amount being disbursed on or after each scheduled 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. The Cal Grant and the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) are disbursed in a single payment each term after census. To view the census date for a term, visit the Academic Calendar webpage: skylinecollege.edu/academics/academiccalendar.php

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, visit skylinecollege.edu/financialaid/disbursement.php 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 at the Financial Aid Office in Building 19, Room 104 Student Services Center, or by calling (650) 738-4236

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 the requirements, rights and responsibilities, and repayment obligations associated with acquiring a federal student loan. [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 located on our homepage: skylinecollege.edu/financialaid. 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 on our homepage at skylinecollege.edu/financialaid.

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 for a CCPG, the total cost of enrollment for students will be $84 per unit for upper division coursework. 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 Direct Loan awards, which are subsidized up to $5,500 and unsubsidized up to $7,000. Check in with the Financial Aid Office for additional information about loans.