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Maximize your Financial Aid

CONTACT, HOURS & APPOINTMENTS

 

Important Dates & Deadlines

There are lots of deadlines that can impact your financial aid amounts. See below to learn about the different deadlines and how each deadline can impact your financial aid.

Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Enrollment Deadlines

You have to be registered in all of your classes by the financial aid enrollment deadline. Your grant amounts are based on the number of units you are registered in as of the deadline. You may not receive the maximum grant amount if you register in any units after the deadlines listed below.

Late start classes and classes that you are waitlisted in also need to be registered by the deadline.

Fall 2024 Enrollment Deadline September 3, 2024
Spring 2025 Enrollment Deadline February 3, 2025

California Priority Deadlines

If you submit your FAFSA and CA Dream Act Application by the California priority deadline you will get priority to receive state grants including the Cal Grant. Depending on your eligibility, this could add up to a significant amount in grants. You can submit your application after the priority deadline but you will not have priority to receive this money.

2024-2025 FAFSA/CADAA Deadline May 2, 2024
2025-2026 FAFSA/CADAA Deadline March 3, 2025

The Cal Grant is given to students on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning submitting by March 3 gives you the best chance to receive more money. We strongly encourage you to submit your FAFSA or CADAA application as soon as it opens!

To learn more information about the Cal Grant, visit the Cal Grant page. 

Missing financial aid deadlines can impact your ability to qualify for programs like Cal Grants, federal grants, state assistance, or other financial opportunities.

More Deadline Information

Missed the state priority deadline? It's not too late to apply! You can complete your financial aid application through the last month of the school year or before the last day you are attending for the school year.

  • For the 2024-2025 school year, the last date to apply for financial aid is June 31, 2025.
  • For the 2025-2026 school year, the last date to apply for financial aid is June 31, 2026.
  • You must submit your application shortly before your last date of attendance in a school year.
    • For example: If you stop attending May 2025, then you will need to have your application submitted sometime in early May. Contact the financial aid office for more information on this.
  • If you applied for financial aid after beginning your classes, please know you can still apply and may still receive financial aid for those classes.
  • As long as your classes are still within the current school year, you can receive financial aid for classes taken in a previous semester.
  • For example, if you attended Fall 2024, and are attending Spring 2025, you can submit your financial aid application during Spring 2025 and possibly receive financial aid for Fall 2024.
What is a Course Program of Study?

The Course Program of Study also known as CPOS means that only courses that apply toward your declared major or are listed in your Degree Audit and Education Plan will be eligible for financial aid. Taking classes that do not meet these criteria may reduce or eliminate your aid.

Exclusions: This does not apply to the CA College Promise or the MiraCosta Promise programs.

What is an Education Plan?

The education plan also called EdPlan is a tool for you and your counselor to plan the classes you still need to complete your goal here at MiraCosta. This tool can help you plan your classes from your current semester through your last semester here at MiraCosta. Watch this video for more information on the EdPlan.

How to Track your Academic Progress

  • Degree Audit
    Lists required courses for your program. (ex. Associates degree, etc)
  • Education Plan
    A personalized plan to complete your degree.

Students should meet with an academic advisor to help plan out classes and goals.

How do I check if the classes I picked are on my Education Plan or my Degree Audit?

  1. Login to SURF
  2. Click on to the Student Center, and select the box that says “myEdPlan”
    myEdPlan
  3. Then click on either tab to see your classes listed
    Tab to see your classes listed

You must meet with an Academic Counselor in order to update any change on your EdPlan or Degree Audit. Additionally there is no need to call financial aid for any updates as our system will automatically update.

FAQ

Which types of financial Aid could be impacted?

All of the below may not necessarily be impacted but could be impacted. If you have questions about how your financial aid could be impacted, please contact the Financial Aid Office. Types of financial aid that could be impacted: 

Any Federal Financial Aid, including: Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Grant, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Work Study. Some state grants, including: Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant, and Dreamers Service Incentive Grant.

How do I update my Educational Goal and/or Major?

Link to Student Self Service Major Change

Are prerequisites eligible to be paid through financial aid?

If it is included in your education plan/degree audit and you are eligible to receive financial aid payments then, yes! If you need to update your education plan or degree audit to include your courses, you can schedule appointments with counselors online. Check out the Academic Counseling website for more
information

Are remedial courses eligible to be paid?

Per financial aid regulations, students may receive aid for up to 30 units of remedial coursework as long as they are included in the degree audit or education plan.

Will transfer requirements be eligible to be paid?

If it is included in your education plan/degree audit and you are eligible to receive financial aid payments then, yes. If you need to update your education plan or degree audit to include your courses, you can schedule appointments with counselors online! Check out the Academic Counseling website for more information

What happens if I switch my major during the semester?

Go see a counselor to create an updated education plan. Students can schedule appointments with counselors online. Check out the Academic Counseling website for more information. To check if your major change will impact your financial aid, reach out to the Financial Aid Office.

What majors are available at MiraCosta?

Check out our majors on the MiraCosta website’s catalog! (24-25 Catalog - Areas of Study).

Can I go to my own counselor in the program that I already work with (Examples: EOPS, SAS, Veterans, Transfer, ASE Programs) to get my Education Plan and/or Goal/Major updated?

Yes! If you have a counselor that you normally work with through a specific program, they can help you get your education plan and/or goal major updated. We have provided the information on scheduling an appointment with each of the departments below:

  • EOPS
    To schedule an appointment with an EOPS Counselor, call the EOPS office at 760.795.6680. You can see hours and information about EOPS services on the EOPS website.
  • Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
    To schedule an appointment with a SAS Counselor, call the SAS office at 760.795.6658. You can see hours and information about SAS services on the SAS website.
  • Military & Veterans Services
    Schedule an appointment with a Veterans Counselor. You can see hours and information on the Military & Veterans Services website.
  • Transfer Counseling
    To schedule an appointment with a Transfer Counselor, call the Transfer Center at 760.795.6880. You can see hours and information about the Transfer Counseling website.
  • Academic Success and Equity (ASE) Programs
    To schedule an appointment with your ASE Program Counselor, (Umoja, PUENTE, Mana, UPRISE, RAFFY, SPHERE, and/or Transitions) reach out to those programs directly.

How to Ensure Your Classes Qualify for Financial Aid

  1. Check Your Classes
    • Log into SURF.
    • Go to the Student Center and select myEdPlan.
    • Review your listed courses under the tabs. Make sure to as well check both tabs “Degree Audit” or “Edplan”. You would need to enroll in courses to ensure that your courses are being paid through CCPG, MiraCosta Promise, or aiming to finish up your classes.
  2. Update Your Degree Audit or Education Plan
    • Schedule an appointment with an academic counselor.
    • Use the Academic Counseling website to book an appointment or there are available drop in hours
  3. Checking balance
    • Usually checking your balance on your SURF portal, below under Account Activity Detail you could see CCPG or MCC Promise Enrollment Fee that has the total balance of your tuition and or fees paid

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What types of financial aid could be impacted?
    • Federal Aid: Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Grant, Direct Loans, Work-Study.
      • The reduction or addition of units can impact your aid you receive above. Dropping courses may require you to pay a portion of your aid back
    • State Aid: Cal Grant, Student Success Completion Grant, Dreamer Service Incentive Grant.
  2. How do I update my educational goal or major?
    Follow this guide.
  3. What happens if I switch my major during the semester?
    • Meet with a counselor to create an updated Education Plan.
    • Additionally, you must complete 66.67% of your classes.
    • Contact the Financial Aid Office to understand any changes to your aid eligibility.
  4. Are prerequisites and remedial courses covered by financial aid?
    • Yes, if they are included in your Degree Audit/Education Plan.
    • Financial aid covers up to 30 units of remedial coursework.
  5. Can I see a counselor from my support program?
    Yes! Here are program-specific counselor contacts:
    • EOPS: Call 760.795.6680 or visit the EOPS website.
    • Student Accessibility Services (SAS): Call 760.795.6658 or visit the SAS website.
    • Military & Veterans Services: Visit the Veterans Services website.
    • Transfer Counseling: Call 760.795.6880 or visit the Transfer Counseling website.
    • Academic Success and Equity (ASE) Programs: Contact your program directly (Umoja, PUENTE, Mana, etc.).

Need Help?

  • Financial Aid Office: Contact us for questions regarding eligibility or adjustments.
  • Counseling Appointments: Schedule online via the Academic Counseling website.
  • Financial Aid Resources: Explore our Forms and Links for more support.