Learn all about financial aid, including how and when to apply, how to check the status of your application, and when to expect disbursements.
Apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). You only need to complete one application. To learn about which application to complete, please see below.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application is meant for students who are U.S. citizens, not for students who are undocumented, or other non-citizens. Students should only complete one of the applications (not both), according to the citizenship requirements below:
- You are eligible to complete the CADAA if you are:
- Undocumented, or have a U Visa, or have a valid or expired DACA, or have Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Meet the non-resident tuition exemption/AB540 requirements
- You are eligible to complete the FAFSA if you are a:
- U.S Citizen
- Permanent Resident
- Eligible non-citizen
- T Visa holder
This is not an exhaustive list of immigration statuses that are eligible to complete each of the applications. If you are not sure which application to complete, feel free to reach out to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department. Click on the blue “Contact, Hours & Appointments” button above to see our contact information.
To complete any tasks being requested by any department, you can log into your SURF account and click on "Tasks" Please click HERE for step by step instructions.
Additionally, you can also see most financial aid related tasks in your financial aid portal. Please log in here to view and/or continue any tasks you are working on for your financial aid.
Please note: Financial aid cannot be disbursed until all items on your SURF to-do list are complete and your file has been reviewed.
If you qualify for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) and/or the MiraCosta
Promise, this waives the $46/unit enrollment fee for eligible students. To check to
see if you are eligible for the CCPG you must complete the FAFSA or CADAA. Be sure
to apply early before you register to ensure no delays!
Once you apply, you will receive an email with a list of awards you are eligible for
from the MiraCosta Financial Aid Office (this is also viewable in SURF in "Financial
Aid").
If you are eligible for the CCPG and/or the MiraCosta Promise, your tuition will automatically
be waived when you register for classes.
Please note: After you've submitted your FAFSA/CADAA it will take approximately a
week and half for our office to receive your application and a few more days to process
your financial aid.
The application process for federal aid takes approximately 2-4 weeks. Students will receive an initial award letter with estimated award amounts. These amounts may change based on information provided on additional required financial aid documents or enrollment in less than 12 units. Anytime an award amount changes your SURF account will be updated and a new award notification will be sent.
All students who complete a financial aid application will automatically be granted a fee deferment. The fee deferment allows students to enroll in classes and prevents them from getting dropped for nonpayment while their financial aid is being processed. Fee deferments do not impact your ability to enroll in classes. You can check your fee deferment status in SURF.
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MiraCosta's Textbook Loan program is available to all MiraCosta students. You can apply through your SURF account. You may also get assistance with books from the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services Department (EOPS), please contact their office for eligibility requirements.
No. You can receive federal financial aid at only one college at a time. If you will be taking classes at two different schools at the same time, you will need to decide which school you want to receive aid from.
This does not apply to the California College Promise Grant. The CCPG may cover tuition at multiple schools at the same time.
Mission Statement
The Financial Aid Office is committed to empowering students by providing equitable access to financial resources that support their educational journey. We strive to deliver timely, efficient, and compassionate services in a welcoming environment, ensuring that all students, regardless of financial background, have the opportunity to achieve their academic goals. While supporting students through federal, state, and institutional processes, our mission aligns with the college’s commitment to diversity, student success, and retention, while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines. As a team composed of many first-generation college students, MiraCosta alumni, and active members of the community, we are deeply dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that reflects the diverse experiences of our students.
