To apply for financial aid, complete one of the following applications each academic
year:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you are a U.S. citizen
or eligible noncitizen.
- Complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) if you meet the eligibility
requirements for the California Dream Act, including the applicable AB 540 requirements.
If You Are Completing the FAFSA:
-
- Create a StudentAid.gov account for yourself.
- Each required contributor, such as a parent or spouse, must create and use a separate
StudentAid.gov account.
If you're a dependent student, at least one parent also needs Federal Student Aid
account.
- You and each required contributor must provide consent and approval for the transfer
of federal tax information from the IRS.
- Include Imperial Valley College’s federal school code: 001214.
- Make sure you and all required contributors provide the necessary electronic signatures
before submitting the FAFSA.
After You Submit the FAFSA or CADAA:
- You will also be considered for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), which
may waive your enrollment fees if you qualify.
- To be considered for a Cal Grant, a GPA must be submitted to the California Student
Aid Commission:
- If you have completed fewer than 16 college units, contact your high school regarding
the submission of your GPA.
- If you have completed 16 or more college units, IVC will submit your GPA if you attended
IVC during the previous academic year and meet the applicable submission requirements.
Watch our videos explaining 
how to complete the FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application.
Visit our Financial Aid Programs webpage to learn more about eligibility requirements for each program.
What You’ll Need to Complete the FAFSA
Depending on your circumstances, you may need information for yourself and your spouse
or parents, including:
- Social Security numbers, if assigned
- Eligible noncitizen information, when applicable
- Federal income tax information
- Records of certain assets and untaxed income, when required
Important: If your income—or your parents' income—is high enough that you’re required to file
a federal tax return, you must file a federal tax return. If you don’t file when required,
we can’t process your application. You can check the rules to see if you need to file taxes on the IRS website.
If special situations prevent you from providing your parents’ information on the FAFSA, contact the Financial
Aid Office for assistance. Financial Aid staff can explain the documentation and review
process that may apply to your situation.
Step 2: Check your Financial Aid status on WebSTAR
- Log in to WebSTAR regularly to review messages and outstanding items listed as “unsatisfied
requirements.”
- Submit all requested documents and information as soon as possible.
- Once all requirements have been satisfied, your file will be reviewed in the order
in which it was completed.
- If you qualify for financial aid, you will receive an email notification and your
financial aid offer will be posted in WebSTAR.
- If you are not eligible for financial aid, WebSTAR will display information explaining
your status.
If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study, you will receive an offer. Accept the offer in WebSTAR and check your IVC student
email for application instructions. Funding and positions are limited, and accepting
the offer does not guarantee employment.
Visit the WebSTAR Financial Aid Navigation Instructions webpage for detailed instructions on checking your financial aid status.
Step 3: Choose How You Want to Get Your Refund
If your financial aid exceeds the eligible charges on your student account, you may
receive the remaining amount as a financial aid refund.
Imperial Valley College uses BankMobile Disbursements, a service provided by BM Technologies, Inc., to distribute student financial aid
refunds.
Visit refundselection.com to select how you want to receive your refund.
Important:
- Selecting a refund preference does not guarantee that you will receive a financial
aid refund.
- The amount and timing of any refund depend on your financial aid eligibility, enrollment,
disbursement schedule, and student account balance.
- If you do not select a refund preference, a check may be mailed to the address listed
in WebSTAR. Keep your mailing address current to avoid delays.
Check Your IVC Email and WebSTAR Regularly
Check your IVC email and WebSTAR regularly for financial aid notices. The Financial Aid Office uses these systems
to communicate with students about outstanding requirements, application updates,
eligibility decisions, and financial aid offers.
