Can I get financial aid for courses I take during the winter term?

Yes, you may be eligible for financial aid to cover courses taken during the winter term. However, it's important to understand how winter term financial aid works.

For financial aid purposes, the winter term is generally not considered a standalone semester. Instead, the units you enroll in during the winter are combined with your spring semester units to determine your total financial aid eligibility.

Key Points About Winter Term Financial Aid

Combined Enrollment: Your winter and spring term credits will be added together to calculate your financial aid package for the spring semester. For example, if you take 3 units in the winter and 12 units in the spring, your financial aid will be based on 15 total units.
Spring Enrollment is Crucial: In some cases, to receive any financial aid for your winter courses, you must also be enrolled in the spring semester. If you are only enrolled for the winter term, you may not be eligible for a disbursement of federal aid, including the Pell Grant, and are subject to the Return of Title IV Funds Policy.
Disbursement of Funds: Financial aid for both winter and spring courses is typically disbursed during the spring semester. For specific dates, please refer to our "Spring 2025 Disbursement and Refund Schedule."
Types of Aid: This policy generally applies to the Federal Pell Grant and other forms of federal and state financial aid.

If you plan to attend another college during the spring term (typically between January and June at most institutions), prompt action is required. This is because you cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant simultaneously at two different colleges for the same Spring term.

Can I receive my Federal Pell Grant at two colleges in the Spring term?

No, federal regulations dictate that you cannot receive your Pell Grant at two different schools for the same term. Check out this article for more details: Can I receive a Federal Pell Grant at two colleges?

If you plan to take courses at our institution during the winter and then attend a different college or university for the spring semester, you need to be aware of the "one school" rule for the Federal Pell Grant.

One Pell Grant Per Term: Federal regulations state that a student can only receive a Federal Pell Grant from one institution during a single academic term.
Action Required: You must decide which institution you will receive your Pell Grant from for the spring term. It is highly recommended that you cancel your Pell Grant at the school where you will be taking fewer units.
Potential for Repayment: If you receive a Pell Grant from two different institutions for the same term, you will be required to repay the full amount of the grant to one of the schools.

We recommend contacting the financial aid offices at both institutions to ensure your aid is processed correctly and to avoid any repayment obligations.

What do I do if I’m enrolled at two different colleges in the Spring term?

You need to choose which college you want to receive your Federal Pell Grant from. The grant amount depends on the number of units you take and your family's expected contribution. It's advisable to cancel your Federal Pell Grant at the college where you're enrolled in fewer units for the Spring 2024 term (remember, units in Winter at Citrus count as Spring).

Choosing the right college is important because, in most situations, you could receive more money if you have more units at that college. If you need help deciding, you can contact us online using the Financial Aid Request Form. We're here to assist with any questions or concerns.

How Do I Cancel My Federal Pell Grant at Citrus College?

Decline Winter/Spring Financial Aid

If you prefer to receive your Federal Pell Grant at your other college in the Spring, you can do so by submitting a Decline of Financial Aid Award form to cancel your Offer of Financial Aid for Spring. Please ensure this form is submitted by February 10 (if you haven't done so already). If you are currently eligible for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), canceling your other financial aid will not affect your CCPG eligibility.

Will I still be able to receive the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) in the winter term?

Yes, if you are eligible for the CCPG and meet the academic standards, you will continue to receive your CCPG for the winter term.

What if I do nothing?

If you don't cancel your Federal Pell Grant at either of your colleges, there's a possibility that you might receive the grant at both colleges. Federal Student Aid will inform each college about students who receive a Federal Pell Grant at more than one institution in a given term. Citrus College will collaborate with the other colleges to decide which school should cancel your Federal Pell Grant payment. In such a case, you will be responsible for paying back the full balance to the college required to cancel your Federal Pell Grant.

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