"How can I afford college?"
Have you found yourself asking “how am I going to afford tuition?” Students often question college affordability. Butte College understands that there are competing priorities in a student’s life such as working while studying or caregiving that constrain their time. However, we want our students to think about college as a priority and investment in their future.
Butte College offers assistance to students through the following programs:
Butte College Promise Scholarship
Free tuition and fees for up to two years.The Butte College Promise Scholarship offers up to two years of free tuition and fees for first-time, full-time college students. The program is designed to support Butte’s goal that every student have the ability to learn a trade, complete a career program or transfer to a four-year college or university.
FAQ’s:
- What is it?
- This program will pay for tuition and fees for new, first-time, full-time Butte College students for up to two years
- Who is eligible?
- All first-time students, including students who earned college units while still in
high school who:
- Are California Residents or AB540 eligible
- Complete a FAFSA or CA Dream Act application by the college census date each academic year
- Be enrolled in 12 or more units at the college census date and complete 12 or more units with at least a 2.0 GPA per term
- All first-time students, including students who earned college units while still in
high school who:
- When is the college census date?
- Generally, the college census date is after the first two weeks of the term
- Is this program really for all first-time students?
- Yes!—this scholarship is not awarded on the basis of financial need—see program eligibility criteria above
- How much is this scholarship worth?
- This scholarship is designed to be “last dollar,” meaning it is to cover tuition and fees that are left over after students have completed financial aid to see if they first qualify for any other grants such as PELL or CA College Promise Grant
- What exactly is covered?
- The program covers full-time enrollment fees ($46 per unit) & fulltime “service fees” like transportation and health fees ($119 per semester)
- Are books covered?
- Not at this time
- Are materials fees for students engaged in special programs covered?
- Not at this time
- How will fees be paid?
- Students’ fees will be waived once their eligibility is determined. No direct cash disbursements will occur
- Can students get their tuition waived if they take more than 12 units?
- Yes!
- How long is this scholarship good for?
- The program is for up to two years. First time, full-time students starting in the Fall semester can receive the Butte Promise for two consecutive academic years
- Can a student begin the Spring semester and receive the scholarship?
- Yes. However, the Butte Promise will only cover the spring semester and next two consecutive semesters (fall and spring)--excluding summer
- How does enrolling in a summer course affect my Butte College Promise Scholarship?
- Taking summer courses will not jeopardize your Butte College Promise Scholarship eligibility. Students are responsible to pay for their tuition and fees for any summer courses they choose to enroll in. The Butte College Promise Scholarship covers only the main semesters in an academic year (fall and spring)
- What if a student drops below or doesn’t complete 12 units?
- Completion of 12 units with a 2.0 GPA is a requirement. Students who don’t do so become ineligible for the next term. Students that experience extenuating circumstances that prevent them from completing 12 units in the awarded term may appeal for reinstatement
- How do students get started?
- First-time students should complete the following steps:
- Complete the enrollment process, and
- Complete the FAFSA (for CA residents) or California Dream Act Application (for Students with an AB540 residency status) by the college census date, and
- Be enrolled in 12 or more units at the college census date and complete 12 or more units with at least a 2.0 GPA per term
- First-time students should complete the following steps:
- What do students need to do to continue their eligibility for their second year?
- Students must:
- Renew their FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by the college census date, and
- Be enrolled in 12 or more units at the college census date, and
- Have completed 12 or more units with at least a 2.0 GPA per term during their first year, or have completed an appeal for extenuating circumstances for reinstatement
- Students must:
For more information contact:
Christine Miller
Financial Aid/Veterans Assistant Senior
530-893-7548
buttespromise@volamdolong.com
California College Promise Grant
The California College Promise Grant waives enrollment fees (tuition) for eligible students who are California residents or who have AB 540 status.The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) pays enrollment fees when:
- you are eligible for a Cal Grant or other need-based financial aid,
- you receive CalWORKs/TANF, SSI or General Assistance (or if you are a dependent student and one of your parents receives this assistance),
- your total family income is within the income standards* (listed here), or
- you fall into a special classification that includes dependents of veterans.
For more information and details on the California College Promise Grant, visit the Financial Aid CCPG webpage.
Grant Opportunities
Federal and State GrantsGrants are money to help pay for college and are sources of financial aid that generally
do not have to be repaid. They are awarded to students with financial need. To be
considered for grants, you must complete a financial aid application (FAFSA or CADAA) every year you are attending college.
There are many grants offered at Butte College:
- Federal
- Pell
- FSEOG
- State
- California College Promise Grant
- Cal Grants
- CalGrant B & C
- CalGrant Transfer Entitlement
- Students with Dependents
- Student Success Completion Grant
Many grants have requirements for remaining eligible to receive them each year. For more information and details on the grants offered at Butte College, view Types of Aid on the Financial Aid webpage.
Dash to the Rescue
Help for Financial Emergencies and Disaster RecoveryWe get that while you're working hard to pursue your educational goals, manage bills, work and family — "life" can shift your focus and priorities away from class. "Life" can happen in a lot of different ways.
Visit us here to find details and application links for aid available to help with financial emergencies or disaster recovery.- Rental and Housing Assistance
- Assistance with CalFresh Applications
- Referals to Campus and Community Services
Common Myths
Myth: I won't qualify for financial aid so I shouldn't even apply.
Truth: 68% of all students receive some sort of financial aid.
Myth: It's too late for me to apply for financial aid this year.
Truth: You can apply for aid any time during the year, but some programs do have cutoff dates
to receive aid this semester.
Helpful Links
- Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office supports the mission of Butte College in its student-centered approach, by providing aid and financial guidance to enable student access, persistence and completion of higher education. - Scholarships
A scholarship is gift aid that can be used to support a student’s education and does not require repayment.
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