Financial Aid Programs

Reference: Board Policy 5130 Financial Aid; Administrative Procedure 5130 Financial Aid

A program of financial aid to students will be provided, which may include scholarships, grants, loans, and work and employment programs.

All financial aid programs will adhere to guidelines, procedures and standards issued by the funding agency, and will incorporate federal, state and other applicable regulatory requirements.

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Financial Aid Offices shall establish, publicize, and apply satisfactory academic progress standards for participants in Title IV student aid programs.

The VCCCD provides a detailed Financial Aid Policy and Procedures manual that includes information on Financial Aid programs offered, but not limited to:

• California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
• Cal Grants
• Federal Direct Loan Programs
• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study
• Scholarships

The Financial Aid Policy and Procedures manual also addresses:

• Application procedures, including deadlines
• Student eligibility
• Consortium agreements
• Packaging
• Payment procedures
• Overpayment recovery
• Accounting requirements
• Satisfactory academic progress
• Fraudulent documents

This manual is made available to students in print at the Financial Aid Offices and online at the VCCCD Financial Aid Forms webpage. The financial aid manual is reviewed and updated annually by the Financial Aid Offices.

Additional information on financial aid is also provided in the college catalog, class schedule, through direct mail, via email, and via students MyVCCCD accounts.

Misrepresentation

Consistent with the applicable federal regulations for federal financial aid, the District shall not engage in “substantial misrepresentation” of 1) the nature of its educational program, 2) the nature of its financial charges, or 3) the employability of its graduates.

The Chancellor shall establish procedures for regularly reviewing the District’s website and other informational materials for accuracy and completeness and for training District employees and vendors providing educational programs, marketing, advertising, recruiting, or admission services concerning the District’s educational programs, financial charges, and employment of graduates to assure compliance with this policy.

The Chancellor shall establish procedures wherein the District shall periodically monitor employees’ and vendors’ communications with prospective students and members of the public and take corrective action where needed.

This policy does not create a private cause of action against the District or any of its representatives or service providers. The District and its Governing Board do not waive any defenses or governmental immunities by enacting this policy.

Scholarship Displacement

The District shall not reduce the institutional gift aid offer of a student who is eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant award or financial assistance under the California Dream Act for an academic year as a result of private scholarship awards designated for the student unless the student’s gift aid exceeds the student’s annual cost of attendance. The District shall not consider receipt or anticipated receipt of private scholarships when considering a student who is eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant award or financial assistance under the California Dream Act for qualification for institutional gift aid.

Students Enrolled in a Baccalaureate Degree Program

Students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program who wish to apply for a California College Promise Grant (CCPG) waiver must submit either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act application in lieu of completing the Board of Governors Fee Waiver application.

Loss of Eligibility for California College Promise Grant

A student shall become ineligible for a California College Promise Grant if the student is placed on academic or progress probation, or any combination thereof, for two consecutive primary terms. Loss of eligibility shall become effective at the first registration opportunity after such determination is made.

The District shall notify students of their placement on academic or progress probation no later than thirty days following the end of the term that resulted in the student’s placement on probation. The notification must clearly state that two consecutive primary terms of probation will lead to a loss of the California College Promise Grant until the student is no longer on probation. The notification must also advise students about the available student support services to assist them in maintaining eligibility.

The District shall adopt, prominently display, and disseminate policies ensuring that students are advised about the student support services available to assist them in maintaining and reestablishing California College Promise Grant eligibility. Dissemination includes information provided in college catalogs and class schedules.

The District shall establish written procedures by which a student may appeal the loss of a California College Promise Grant due to extenuating circumstances, or when a student with a disability applied for, but did not receive, a reasonable accommodation in a timely manner. Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accidents, illnesses, or other circumstances that might include documented changes in the student’s economic situation or evidence that the student was unable to obtain essential student support services. Extenuating circumstances also includes special consideration of the specific factors associated with Veterans, CalWORKs, EOPS, and DSPS student status.

Foster Youth shall not be subject to loss of California College Promise Grant due to placement on academic or progress probation. This exemption for Foster Youth is effective until the date specified in Education Code Section 66025.9 subdivision (c). 

Deadlines

See the Financial Aid webpages on the College website for specific Financial Aid and Scholarship deadlines. All deadlines will be strictly adhered to.

• Moorpark College Financial Aid Office webpage;
  (805) 378-1462
• Oxnard College Financial Aid Office webpage;
  (805) 678-5828
• Ventura College Financial Aid Office webpage;
  (805) 289-6369

Residence Classification

Reference: Board Policy 5015 Residence Determination; Administrative Procedure 5015 Residence Determination

Residency classification is the responsibility of the Admissions & Records Office and shall be determined for each student at the time of application for admission pursuant to California Education Code and Title 5 Administrative Code. The residency determination is that day immediately preceding the opening day of instruction for any session, as set by the district governing board, during which the student proposes to attend a college. Enrollments in late starting classes within a term are subject to this uniform residence determination date (each term only has one residence determination date).

Students shall be notified of residence determination within 14 calendar days of submission of application. 

A student seeking to enroll exclusively in career development and college preparation courses, and other courses for which no credit is given, shall not be subject to this residency classification requirement.

Rules Determining Residence

In order to establish a residence, it is necessary that there be a union of act and intent. To establish residence, a person capable of establishing residence in California must couple his/her physical presence in California with objective evidence that the physical presence is with the intent to make California the home for other than a temporary purpose pursuant to Education Code sections 68017 and 68062 and Title 5 section 54020.

A student who has resided in the state for more than one year immediately preceding the residency determination date is a resident. The one-year residence period, which a student must meet to be classified as a resident, does not begin to run until the student is both present in California and has manifested clear intent to become a California resident.

A student who has not resided in the state for more than one year immediately preceding the residency determination date is a nonresident.

The burden is on the student to demonstrate clearly both physical presence in California and intent to establish California residence.

If a student, or the parent of a minor student, relinquish California residence after moving from the state, one full year of physical presence, coupled with one full year of demonstrated intent to be a California resident, is required to reestablish residence for tuition purposes, except as provided by Education Code section 68070 [Student who remains in state after parent moves elsewhere].

The residence of each student enrolled in or applying for enrollment in any class or classes maintained by Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) shall be determined in accordance with the Education Code which states that every person has, in law, a residency.

Intent to make California the home, for other than a temporary purpose, may be manifest in many ways. No one factor is controlling.

• Every person who is married or 18 years of age, or older, and under no legal disability to do so, may establish residence.
• A person may have only one residence.
• A residence is the place where one remains when not called elsewhere for labor or other special temporary purpose and to which one returns in seasons of repose.
• A residence cannot be lost until another is gained.
• The residence can be changed only by the union of act and intent.
• The residence of the parent with whom an unmarried minor child maintains his/her place of abode is the residence of the unmarried minor child. When the minor lives with neither parent, the minor's residence is that of the parent with whom the last place of abode was maintained, provided the minor may establish his/her residence when both parents are deceased and a legal guardian has not been appointed.
• The residence of an unmarried minor who has a parent living cannot be changed by the minor's own act, by the appointment of a legal guardian, or by relinquishment of a parent's right of control.

Reclassification

A student previously classified as a nonresident may be reclassified as of any residence determination date upon submission of a Request for Residency Reclassification and adequate documentation to support that California residency has been established.

Requests for Residency Reclassification are to be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office. Documentation will be required of the student in support of the reclassification request.

A questionnaire to determine financial independence is included in the request for reclassification.  The determination that a student is not financially independent will weigh against a request for reclassification.

A student shall be considered financially independent for purposes of residence reclassification if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

• Has not and will not be claimed as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes by his/her parent in the calendar year prior to the year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application.
• Has not and will not receive more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per year in financial assistance from his or her parent, in the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application, and
• Has not lived and will not live for more than six weeks in the home of his/her parent during the calendar year the reclassification application is made and in any of the three calendar years prior to the reclassification application.
• Relevant documentation to support a finding of financial independence may include tax returns from the student to verify the student's income and from parents to verify the student was not included as a dependent, W-2's, apartment rental contracts for leases, and copies of other necessary financial documentation (bank statements, loans, trusts, etc.) to verify the sources of the student's income/savings.

Financial dependence in the current or preceding calendar year shall weigh more heavily against finding California residence than financial dependence in the preceding second and third calendar years. Financial dependence in the current or preceding calendar year shall be overcome only if (1) the parent on whom the student is dependent is a California resident, or (2) there is no evidence of the student's continuing residence in another state.

A student who has established financial independence may be reclassified as a resident, if the student has met the requirements of section 54020 (union of act and intent), for one year prior to the residence determination date.

In determining whether the student has objectively manifested intent to establish California residence, financial independence shall weigh in favor of finding California residence and financial dependence shall weigh against finding California residence.

Financial dependence in the current or preceding calendar year shall weigh more heavily against finding California residence, than shall financial dependence in earlier calendar years. Financial dependence in the current or preceding calendar year shall be overcome only if (1) the parent on whom the student is dependent is a California resident, or (2) there is no evidence of the student’s continuing residence in another state. The title 5 section 54032(d) a district to disregard a finding of financial dependence where there is not intent to establish (or maintain) residence in another state. The ultimate question is whether the student has demonstrated intent to become a California resident. Since financial status is only one factor to be considered and districts may still wish to require some further affirmative showing of objective intent to become a California resident.

Non-Citizens

The District may admit any non-citizen who is 18 years of age or a high school graduate.

If non-citizens are present in the United States without lawful immigration status or with any type of temporary visa, they will be classified as nonresidents and charged nonresident tuition unless they meet the exceptions contained below:

If, for at least one year and one day prior to the start of the semester in question, a non-citizen has possessed any immigration status that allows him/her to live permanently in the United States and he/she meets the California residency requirements, the student can be classified as a resident.

Any students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., and aliens who are not nonimmigrants (including those who are undocumented), may be exempt from paying nonresident tuition if they meet one of the following requirements:

• Total attendance of, or attainment of credits earned while in California equivalent to three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:  (a) California high schools; (b) California high schools established by the State Board of Education; (c) California adult schools established by either a county office of education, unified or high school district, or The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; (d) campuses of the California community colleges; or (e) a combination thereof; or
• Three or more years of full-time high school coursework in California, and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, or a combination of California elementary and secondary schools.

Additionally, the following requirements must be met:

• Graduation from a California high school or attainment of the equivalent thereof; or completed an associate degree from a California Community College; or completed the minimum requirements at a California Community College, or fulfill the minimum transfer requirements established for the University of California or the California State University for students transferring from a campus of the California Community Colleges;
• Registration or enrollment in a course offered by any college in the District for any term commencing on or after January 1, 2002,
• Completion of a questionnaire form prescribed by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and furnished by the District of enrollment, verifying eligibility for this nonresident tuition exemption; and
• In the case of a student without lawful immigration status, the filing of an affidavit that the student has filed an application to legalize his/her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he/she is eligible to do so.

Documents and information obtained in implementing this exemption are confidential.

Exemptions from Nonresident Tuition

Nonresident students who are U.S. citizens and who reside in a foreign country will be admitted and classified as nonresidents but exempted from payment of nonresident tuition provided they meet all of the following requirements:

• Demonstrate a financial need for the exemption;
• Has a parent or guardian who has been deported or was permitted to depart voluntarily under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act;
• Moved abroad as a result of the deportation or voluntary departure;
• Lived in California immediately before moving abroad;
• Attended a public or private secondary school in California for three or more years;
• Upon enrollment, will be in his or her first academic year as a matriculated student in California public higher education;
• Will be living in California and will file an affidavit with the community college stating that her or she intends to establish residency in California as soon as possible;
• Documentation shall be provided by the student as required by the statue as specified in California Education Code Section 76140(a)(5).
• Students receiving this exemption do not receive resident status for the purpose of tuition or financial aid.  Rather they are exempt from nonresident tuition under this law.  Application for this exemption is initiated at the Admissions and Records Office at the student's primary campus.

Dual Enrollment students who are determined to be nonresidents may be admitted and classified as nonresidents but exempt from paying nonresident tuition per California Education Code, Section 76141.  The following conditions apply:

• Dual Enrollment refers to concurrently enrolled K-12 students who have been recommended by the principal of the pupil's school and have parental permission to attend a community college during any session or term and who enroll in 11 or fewer units per semester, in accordance with Education Code, Section 76001.  (Except that parental permission may not be required for special admission students who are 18 years of age or older.)
• The exemption does not apply to full-time special admissions students.
• This exemption does not apply to categories of students who would be precluded from qualifying for AB 540 nonresident tuition exemption; i.e., a) students who reside outside of California and enroll via Distance Education and b) students on most nonimmigrant visas.
• T and U nonimmigrant visas are eligible for this exemption.
• Students receiving this exemption do not receive resident status for the purpose of tuition or financial aide.  Rather they are exempt from nonresident tuition under this law.  Application for this exemption is initiated at the Admissions and Records Office on the student's primary campus.

The attendance of nonresident students shall not be claimed for apportionment funding except as allowed by law under the California Education Code and Title 5 Administrative Code.

Any Team USA student athlete who trains in the state in an elite level program approved by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee is entitled to resident classification for tuition and fee purposes until the athlete has resided in the state the minimum time necessary to become a resident.

Right To Appeal

Students who have been classified as non-residents have the right to a review of their classification (Title 5 Section 54010 (a)). Any student, following a final decision of residence classification by the Admissions & Records Office may make written appeal to the Dean of Student Services/Student Learning or designee within 30 calendar days of notification of final decision by the college regarding classification.

Appeal Procedure

The appeal is to be submitted to the appropriate dean. The appeal must include a cover letter indicating the student’s rationale, and the documented, verifiable evidence as to why his or her residency classification is incorrect.

The appropriate dean shall review all applicable records including the application for admission (may be a copy of the student’s online admission application), the residency reclassification request form and supporting documentation, and may request additional information from either the student or the Admissions & Records Office.

Within 30 calendar days of receipt, the appropriate dean shall send a written determination to the student. The determination shall state specific facts on which the appeal decision was made.

Students in the Military

Reference: Board Policy 5013 Students in the Military; Administrative Procedure 5015 Students in the Military

Tuition and Fees for Military Personnel and Dependents

A student that is active duty military personnel and their dependents, military veterans and their dependents are subject to the same criteria and regulations regarding the establishment of California residency as other non-resident students. The information provided herein refers to the assignment of California residency based on active-duty or discharged veteran status solely for the purposes of determining the tuition and fees for eligible service members, former service members and their dependents.

A student who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state is entitled to resident classification only for the purpose of determining the amount of tuition and fees.
If that member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is in attendance at an institution is thereafter transferred on military orders to a place outside this state where the member continues to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, he or she shall not lose his or her resident classification so long as he or she remains continuously enrolled in the District.

A student who is a natural or adopted child, stepchild, or spouse who is a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state on active duty is entitled to resident classification only for the purpose of determining the amount of tuition and fees.

If that member of the Armed Forces of the United States, whose dependent natural or adopted child, stepchild, or spouse is in attendance at an institution, (1) is thereafter transferred on military orders to a place outside this state where the member continues to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, or (2) is thereafter retired as an active member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the student dependent shall not lose his or her resident classification so long as he or she remains continuously enrolled at that institution.

Military Veteran Exception

A community college student who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition for up to one year if he or she files an affidavit with the community college stating that he or she intends to establish residency in California as soon as possible.

The one-year exemption provided in paragraph (1) shall be used while the student lives in this state and within two years of being discharged.

A former member of the Armed Forces of the United States who received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge shall not be eligible for an exemption pursuant to this section.

A veteran who was discharged or released from at least 90 days of active service less than three years before the date of enrollment in a course commencing on or after July 1, 2015, and his/her/their dependents, regardless of the veteran’s state of residence is entitled to resident classification. 

An individual who is the child or spouse of a person who, on or after September 11, 2001, died in the line of duty while serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces who resides in California is entitled to resident classification. 

An individual who is entitled to transferred Post-9/11 GI BILL ® program benefits by virtue of their relationship to a member of the uniformed services who is serving on active duty is entitled to resident classification. 

A parent who is a federal civil service employee and his/her/their natural or adopted dependent children are entitled to resident classification if the parent has moved to this state as a result of a military mission realignment action that involves the relocation of at least 100 employees. This classification shall continue until the student is entitled to be classified as a resident, so long as the student continuously attends an institution of public higher education.

A student claiming the residence classifications provided for in this procedure must provide a statement from the student’s commanding officer or personnel officer providing evidence of assignment to California and the date of the assignment to California.  A student claiming the residence classifications provided for here for the dependent of military personnel shall provide a statement from the military person’s commanding officer or personnel officer that the military person’s active duty  assignment is in California as of the residence determination date, or has been transferred outside of California on active duty after the residence determination date, or that the military person has retired from active duty after the residence determination date. (Title 5 Sections 54041; 54042; 54002). Note that the residency status conferred under this section does not entitle students to the full benefits of classification as a California resident. Students will need to petition for reclassification to California resident status as soon as they are eligible to do so.       

Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACA) and SB 81

In accordance with Education Code Section 68075.5(c), a full exemption from the nonresident fee for all students verified to be “covered individuals” per the criteria listed below and that qualify to use Montgomery GI BILL ®-Active Duty, Post-9/11 GI BILL ® education benefits or Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities (Chapters 30, 31, and 33, respectively, of Title 38, U.S. Code) while living in California will be eligible for this exemption. A “covered individual” is defined in the VACA Act as:

A Veteran who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.

An individual eligible for transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill ® benefits while the transferor is on active duty who resides (lives) in California (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) as described in 38 USC 3679(c)(2)(B)(ii)(II).

A spouse or child entitled to transferred education benefits who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within 3 years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.

A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (provides Post-9/11 GI BILL ® benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty) who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

An individual eligible for rehabilitation under 38 U.S. Code § 3102 pursuing a course of education with education assistance from the Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities (Chapter 31) education benefits program.

After expiration of the three-year period following discharge or death as described in 38 U.S.C. 3679(c), a student who initially qualifies under the applicable requirements above will maintain “covered individual” status as long as he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at the institution, even if they enroll in multiple programs and shall continue to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition and other fees as described in the updated fee policy described below.

Students eligible for VA education benefits must provide a “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE) or the Authorization of Entrance into Rehabilitation and Certification (Chapter 31 Referral) by the VA that will confirm the approved education benefits for the veteran or eligible dependent (who is made eligible through the Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) to basic educational assistance under chapters 30, 31, and 33 of title 38, U.S. Code). The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, generally referred to as a "DD 214", is also required to confirm the  “covered individual” status as it will show the effective date of the veteran’s discharge from active service.

Military Withdrawal Based on Orders     

Military withdrawal occurs when students who are members of an active or reserve United States military service receive orders compelling withdrawal from classes. Upon verification of orders, the appropriate withdrawal symbol may be assigned at any time.

Students requesting military withdrawal must present a petition for withdrawal and a copy of the military orders, which verify the dates and location of military assignment that compelled or compels withdrawal from classes. Other types of verifying documentation may be considered only if orders are unavailable providing they verify the dates and location of military assignment that compelled or compels withdrawal from classes. Military withdrawal may be requested at any time upon the student’s return to college.

A grade of MW shall be recorded on the permanent academic record upon approval of petition for military withdrawal. MW grades shall not be counted as one of the three enrollment attempts allowed to achieve a standard (passing) grade of C/P or better (course repetition), or in the calculation of a student’s academic progress for the determination of academic standing.

The student will be eligible to receive a full refund for all fees paid in the term for which the military withdrawal was granted. The cost of books and supplies may be eligible for refund pursuant to the policies and procedures of the campus bookstore.

Credit for Military Educational Training     

The colleges of the Ventura County Community College District will recognize and grant credit to service personnel for formal educational training completed in the United States armed forces provided such credit is not a duplication of work taken previously.

Service personnel may be allowed credit for formal service school courses offered by the United States military service recommended in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the armed services of the American Council on Education. The credit allowed will be based upon the recommendations specified in the Guide.

Students interested in Credit for Prior Learning using Joint Service Transcripts shall receive credit as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) Directory and approved by the appropriate discipline faculty of a District College under the following circumstances:

• The student shall complete the Credit for Prior Learning assessment petition.
• Official transcripts must be on file in the Admissions and Records Office. These may include Joint Services Transcript (JST), Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART), Army and American Council on Education Registry Transcript Service (AARTS), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), Coast Guard Institute (CGI), DANTES/USAFI, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) Transcripts, Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), DLPT Examinee Results, DA Form 330 Language Proficiency Questionnaire, or verified copies of DD214 or DD295 military records.
• Credit course equivalency shall be determined by the faculty of the appropriate discipline.

Priority Registration for Military Veterans       

Military veterans will be accorded level one priority registration in compliance with state and federal law. See Administrative Procedure 5055 Enrollment Priorities.

Veterans’ Administration Education Assistance Programs

The colleges of the Ventura County Community College District are approved to process claims for students who are eligible to receive educational benefits under various Veterans’ Administration Education Assistance Programs.

Fees

Reference: Board Policy 5030 Fees; Administrative Procedure 5030 Fees

I. Required fees include:

A. Enrollment (Education Code, Sections 76300 and 76300.5; Title 5 CCR 58500-58509)

1. A per unit enrollment fee of $46 shall be charged to each student enrolled per term or session. Enrollment fees will be waived for low income students who demonstrate eligibility according to income standards established by the Board of Governors. Dual Enrollment students are exempt from enrollment fees with certain limits.
2. A per unit enrollment fee of $84 shall be charged for upper division coursework in a baccalaureate degree pilot program.

B. Nonresident tuition with these permissive exemptions (E.C. 76140, 76140.5):

1. All nonresident students enrolling for 6 or fewer units; or
2. A student who is a citizen and resident of a foreign country who demonstrates financial need

C. Nonresident tuition with these mandatory exemptions (E.C. 76004(p), 76001(d):

1. All qualifying nonresident special "part-time" students (other than those with a non-immigrant status, such as those present in the United States on a B Visitor Visa *) under an AB 288 College and Career Access Pathways Partnership (CCAP) dual enrollment agreement with a school district, are permitted to enroll in up to 15 credit units and the units may not constitute more than four community college courses per term.
2. All qualifying nonresident special "part-time" students under a non-CCAP dual or concurrent qualifying nonresident special "part-time" students under a non-CCAP dual or concurrent enrollment agreement, are permitted to enroll in up to 11 credit units per term in accordance with Education Code Section 76001(d).
3. A qualifying nonresident student who enrolls in a credit English as a Second Language (ESL) course and who is any of the following:

• A recent immigrant, as defined in 8 U.S. Code Section 1101(a)(15);
• A recent refugee, as defined in 8 U.S. Code Section 1101(a)(42); or
• A person who has been granted asylum by the United States, as defined in 8 U.S. Code Section 1158.

This exemption applies only to individuals who, upon entering the United States, settled in California and who have resided in California for less than one year. This exemption applies only to the tuition fee for credit ESL courses.

Note: Attendance generated by exempted nonresident special "part-time" students listed above is eligible to be reported for apportionment purposes.

In addition to the enrollment fees of $46 per unit, nonresident students are assessed nonresident tuition fees, which are published in a public location. AB 540 added Education Code Section 68130.5 which provides for exemption of these fees for students who met certain criteria, such as graduating from a California high school or attainment of the equivalent thereof.

II. Fees authorized by law include:

A. Non-District physical education facilities (E.C. 76395)

B. Noncredit courses (E.C. 76385)

C. Community service courses (E.C. 78300)

D. Auditing of courses (E.C. 76370)

E. Instructional materials (E.C. 73365, 81457, 81458; 5 CCR 59400-59408)

F. Athletic insurance (E.C. 70902(b)(9)

G. Cross-Enrollment with CSU or UC (E.C. 66753)

H. Health (E.C. 76355)

The District charges a mandatory health fee for both full-time and part-time students at an amount as defined by Education Code 76355. The current health fee is published to college websites and catalogs and conforms to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Fiscal Standards and Accountability Unit recommended student fees per fiscal year.

The following students are exempted from payment of the fee:

• Students who depend exclusively upon prayer for healing in accordance with the teachings of a bona fide religious sect, denomination, or organization.
• Students who are attending a community college under an approved apprenticeship training program.
• Students who are exclusively enrolled in one or more noncredit courses.
• Dual enrollment students enrolled under an AB288 College and Career Access Pathways Partnership Agreement with a school district or under a non-CCAP agreement. The Dual Enrollment exemption from the fee described above shall not apply when courses occur on the college campus.

I. Parking (E.C. 76360)

A parking fee will be assessed per term to students to park on District property parking lots for automobiles and motorcycles as stipulated in Education Code Section 76360. The current parking permit fees are published in a public location.

J. Transportation (E.C. 76361, 82305.6)

K. Student representation (E.C. 76060.5; 5 CCR 54801-54805)

A fee per semester shall be collected at the time of registration and $1 of that fee is to be used to establish and support the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges (SSCC), the statewide community college student organization recognized by the Board of Governors (BOG).. Students may refuse to pay the fee, without providing a reason, on the same form that is used for the collection of fees This fee may not be collected or terminated by a student body election. The current fee is published in a public location. Dual enrollment exemption: K-12 students enrolled under an AB288 College and Career Access Pathways Partnership Agreement or under a non-CCAP agreement with a school district are exempt. The Dual Enrollment exemption shall not apply when courses occur on the college campus.

L. An optional fee shall be collected at the time of registration and used by the Student Activities Office at each College for the sole use of funding student life. Under the supervision of the senior administrator of student services or designee, the fee will be disbursed into the following accounts: Associated Students General Fund, Associated Student Reserve, Student Clubs and Organizations, and Student Activities. Students may opt out for any reason. All funds collected will follow the guidelines set forth in VCCCD Board Policy 5420. Dual enrollment exemption: K-12 students enrolled under an AB288 College and Career Access Pathways Partnership Agreement or under a non-CCAP agreement with a school district are exempt. The current fee is published in a public location. The Dual Enrollment exemption shall not apply when courses occur on the college campus.

M. Student Center (E.C. 76375; 5 CCR 58510)

A Student center fee will be assessed for the purpose of financing, constructing, expanding, remodeling, refurbishing and operating a Student Center. Dual enrollment exemption: K-12 students enrolled under an AB288 College and Career Access Pathways Partnership Agreement or under a non-CCAP agreement with a school district are exempt. The current fee is published in a public location. The Dual Enrollment exemption shall not apply when courses occur on the college campus.

N. Use of facilities financed by revenue bonds (E.C. 81901(b)(3))

O. Refund processing (5 CCR 58508)

Section 58508 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations permits districts to retain a maximum $10 from enrollment fees as a refund processing fee. Refunds of the enrollment fee, health fee, non-resident tuition and other fees associated with registration shall be made to eligible students who file a refund request by the published deadline. VCCCD enrollment fee refund requests are subject, once a semester, to the withholding of a $10.00 administrative fee.

P. Telephone/Internet registration (E.C. 70902(a)) The District does not charge this fee (formerly known as the "Remote registration fee").

Q. Physical Fitness Test (E.C. 70902(b)(9)

R. Instructional Tape Lease/Deposit (E.C. 70902(b)(9)

S. Credit Card Use (E.C. 70302(b)(9)

T. International Student Medical Insurance (E.C. 70902(b)(9)

III. Prohibited fees include:

All fees exempted under the terms of an AB288 College and Career Pathway Partnership Agreement (CCAP) effective at the time of registration for students admitted to a VCCCD constituent college as a special part-time student pursuant to Education Code Section 76004(g). Dual enrollment students under a non-CCAP agreement with a school district are exempt from all fees. The Dual Enrollment exemption from fees described above shall not apply when courses occur on the college campus.

A. Late Application (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

B. Add/drop (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

C. Mandatory student activities (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

D. Student Identification Cards (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

E. Student Body Organization (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

F. Nonresident application (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

G. Field trip (5 CCR 55450, 55451)

H. For dependents of certain veterans (E.C. 66025.3)

I. For dependents of certain victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

J. For certain recipients of the Medal of Honor and certain children of the recipients of the Medal of Honor (E.C. 66025.3)

K. Required or funded services (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

L. Refundable deposits (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

M. Distance education (other than the statutorily authorized enrollment fee) (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

N. Mandatory mailings (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

O. Rental of practice rooms (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

P. Technology fee (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

Q. Late payment fee (5 CCR 58502, 59410)

R. Nursing/healing arts student liability insurance (5 CCR 55234)

S. Cleaning (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

T. Breakage (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

U. Test Proctoring (CCCCO Student Fee Handbook)

IV. Other fees/fines:

The District may assess and collect other fees/fines that are not prohibited by statute or law, such as parking fines and library fines.

V. Collection and refund of fees (within published refund deadlines) include:

A. The District shall collect fees when enacted by the Legislature following registration by the student

B. The District shall refund fees collected in error

C. The District shall refund fees that are refundable because of a reduction in the educational program of the District

D. The District shall refund fees that are refundable because of the student’s reduction in units or withdrawal from an educational program

E. The District shall refund fees that are refundable because of changes in law or regulation authorizing and establishing enrollment fees

F. The District shall provide notice to students of availability of exemptions from certain mandatory and authorized fees

VI. Waiver of Fees

The District (VP and FAO) may waive enrollment fees which were not collected in a previous session where the enrollment fees were not collected as a result of the District’s error in awarding a California College Promise Grant (formerly known as Board of Governors Fee Waiver) to an ineligible student and not through the fault of the student, and to collect the enrollment fee would cause the student undue hardship.

Remedial Coursework

Reference: Board Policy 4222 Remedial Coursework; Administrative Procedure 4222 Remedial Coursework

Remedial coursework consists of pre-collegiate basic skills courses.

A student’s need for remedial coursework shall be determined using appropriate assessment instruments, methods, or procedures.

No student shall receive more than 30 semester units for remedial coursework.

A student who exhausts the unit limitation shall be referred to appropriate adult noncredit education services.

The District shall maximize the probability that a student will enter and complete transfer-level coursework in English and mathematics within a one-year timeframe of the student’s initial attempt in the discipline. For a student with a declared academic goal, the transfer-level coursework shall satisfy the English and mathematics courses course requirements of the intended certificate or associate degree, or a requirement for transfer within the intended major, within a one-year timeframe of their initial attempt in the discipline.

The District shall not recommend or require students to enroll in pretransfer-level English or mathematics coursework unless the student is highly unlikely to succeed in a transfer-level English or mathematics course based on their high school grade point average and coursework and the enrollment in pretransfer-level coursework will improve the student’s probability of completing transfer-level coursework in English and mathematics within a one-year timeframe or, for credit English as a Second Language course students, completing transfer-level coursework in English within a three-year timeframe.

The District shall use, in the placement and enrollment of students into English and mathematics courses, one or more of the following measures: high school coursework, high school grades, and high school grade point average. When using multiple measures, the District shall apply multiple measures in the placement and enrollment of all students in such a manner that all of the following occur: (1) low performance on one measure shall be offset by a higher performance on another measure; (2) multiple measures shall be used to increase a student’s placement recommendation and shall not be used to lower it; (3) any one measure may demonstrate a student’s preparedness for transfer-level coursework; (4) the multiple measures placement shall not require students to repeat coursework that they successfully completed in high school or college or for which they demonstrated competency through other methods of credit for prior learning; and (5) the multiple measures placement gives students access to a transfer-level course that will satisfy a requirement for the intended certificate or associate degree, or a requirement for transfer within the intended major.

If the District places and enrolls students into transfer-level mathematics or English coursework that does not satisfy a requirement for the student’s intended certificate or associate degree, or a requirement for transfer within the intended major, the Chief Instructional Officer or designee shall determine that (1) the student is highly unlikely to succeed in a transfer-level English or mathematics course that satisfies a requirement for the intended certificate or associate degree, or a requirement for transfer within the intended major and (2) the enrollment will improve the student’s probability of completing transfer-level mathematics or English coursework that satisfies a requirement for the intended certificate or associate degree, or a requirement for transfer within the intended major, within a one-year timeframe.

The District may require a student to enroll in additional concurrent support, including additional language support for English as a Second Language students, during the same term that they take a transfer-level English or mathematics course, but only if the Chief Instructional Officer or designee determines the support will increase the student’s likelihood of passing the transfer-level English or mathematics course.

A student who successfully completes remedial coursework or who demonstrates skill levels which assure success in college-level courses may request reinstatement to proceed with college level coursework.

Students enrolled in one or more courses of English as a Second Language and students identified as having a learning disability are exempt from the limitations of this procedure.

Students who demonstrate significant, measurable progress toward development of skills appropriate to enrollment in college-level courses may be granted a waiver for the limitations of this procedure.

College catalogs shall include a clear statement of the limited applicability of remedial coursework toward fulfilling degree requirements and any exemptions that may apply to this limitation.