Student Right-To-Know

Students' Rights

Students in the Los Angeles Community College District applying for and receiving financial aid have a right to the following:

  • Information on all available financial assistance which includes federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.
  • Knowledge of all deadlines for applications of each financial aid program and for any requested supporting documentation.
  • Specific information regarding fees, tuition, and the refund policy for those students who drop out of school.
  • An explanation of how students are selected for receipt of financial aid and how financial need is determined. This process includes the consideration of costs of tuition and fees, room and board, supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, childcare, etc., plus the student's assets, parental contribution, other financial aid (such as scholarships).
  • Knowledge of what elements (income, assets, and resources) are considered in the calculation of financial need.
  • Knowledge of how your financial aid award offer is determined.
  • An explanation of the various aid programs awarded in the student's aid award offer. If a student feels he/she has special or unusual circumstances that do not reflect their current situation, a request for reconsideration may be requested.
  • An explanation of the portion of financial aid the student received that must be repaid and what portion is grant aid or work study and does not need to be repaid. If the aid is a loan, the student has the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount to be repaid, when the repayment is to begin and the conditions of deferment and cancellation.
  • Knowledge of how the Los Angeles Community College District determines whether students are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if they are not.

Students' Responsibilities

Student must take responsibility for:

  • Checking their email at the  on a regular basis. All official communication will be done through this website.
  • Having a valid Social Security Number (SSN) on file in the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ & Records Office for the purpose of processing and reporting federal aid and most state aid (this does not apply to California Dream Act applicants).
  • Completing all application forms accurately and completely and submitting them to the correct place on time. If this is not done, aid could be delayed since errors can cause misunderstanding and misrepresentation of information provided.
  • Promptly returning all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency or agencies to which an application was submitted.
  • Reading and understanding all forms that the student is asked to sign. Students should keep a copy of everything they sign or submit for a signature, as it is legal and binding. It is a good idea to start a special file for these documents as they are important, and students will need them for years to come.
  • Knowing and complying with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
  • Knowing and complying with the Los Angeles Community College District's refund policy.
  • Repaying financial aid funds if it is determined that the student was ineligible to receive the funds.
  • Notifying the lender (if the student has a loan) of changes in name, address, or school enrollment status.
  • Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of the law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code and will subject the student's application to denial. Additionally, regulations require that all cases of suspected fraud, emanating from misrepresentation, be reported to the U.S. Department of Education Office of the Inspector General.