Changes in the Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver eligibility will be in effect for the Fall 2016 semester.
The state-mandated changes adopted will require students who apply to meet certain “academic and progress standards,” according to an email release from the Los Medanos College Financial Aid Office.
This addition will be in conjunction with the previous standard, income.
Historically, the BOG waiver has been awarded to applicants meeting income standards set by the state.
The new requirements mean that students must hold a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Applicants of the waiver must also complete “more than 50 percent of your coursework,” this according to a release from icanaffordcollege.com
Eligibility for the waiver, which pays the cost of a student’s tuition, will continue to require income standards.
This shift to include the standards may help to “ensure students meet academic and progress standards, so they can achieve their educational goal,” said Jennifer Ma, LMC financial aid supervisor.
Any student can apply to receive the BOG waiver.
Towards the end of April, students can check with financial aid to see if their current standings with the college are acceptable for the program.
If a student does not qualify for the waiver based on the requirements, they might choose to appeal the decision based on extenuating circumstances, according to a state handout on the changes.
Extenuating circumstances can include, but are not limited to: Injuries or illnesses beyond your control; if you lost a job or cannot obtain support that is essential; if you are in the California Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKS), Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and Disabled Students Programs Services (DSPS) programs and/or are a veteran student.
The changes are also new for LMC, as well as all community colleges in the state.
“We’re still working out the details,” said Robin Armour, director of Admissions.
She stressed the importance of maintaining student status, in good standing, with LMC for at least two consecutive semesters.
For more information on the changes to the BOG waiver, visit the state website icanaffordcollege.com.
For on-campus help with the transition, visit either the Financial Aid office or the Admissions desk, both located inside the Student Services Building.