Federal Programs
RHC participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program. A student must meet and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), as determined by Rio Hondo College, to borrow a Federal Direct Loan.
A student may borrow the following amounts according to units completed.
First Year Students (29 units or less)
Subsidized-$3500 for full academic year
Second Year Students (30 units or more)
Subsidized -$4500 for full academic year
First Year Independent* Students (29 units or less)
Subsidized – $3500 for full academic year
Unsubsidized-$6000 for full academic year
Second Year Independent* Students (30 units or more)
Subsidized -$4500 for full academic year
Unsubsidized- $6000 for full academic year
*A student is Independent if they meet one of the following criteria:
- 24 year of age or older
- Married
- Have legal dependents
- Wards of the Court
- Veteran of the U.S. armed forces.
Students interested in applying for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan need to complete the following:
- Complete a mandatory loan workshop. The Loan Workshop link is located on the Office of Financial Aid homepage, at the bottom of the Financial Aid Menu. Please note all students are required to complete the loan workshop in its entirety and MUST be completed prior to requesting a Loan Application. No exceptions.
- Financial Aid file must be complete before your loan application is accepted. Your financial aid file is complete once you have received an award notification from the Office of Financial Aid and posted on your student portal.
- You must be enrolled and attending at least 6 units for the semester in which you are requesting the student loan.
- You must have a Satisfactory Academic Progress status of “New” “Good” or “Warning/Probation”. Your Satisfactory Academic Progress status can be viewed on your AccessRio portal.
This federally funded program provides grants to needy undergraduates who have not already received a bachelor’s degree. Actual award amounts vary according to the student’s eligibility on the FAFSA and enrollment status. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens and complete the FAFSA and other required supplemental materials. Applications for financial aid are available every October 1st for the next new academic year.
Federal law restricts students to a lifetime limit of six full-time equivalent years of PELL Grant. The 6-year limit is based on full-time attendance. All semesters in which you have received a PELL Grant at any college count toward the 6-year limit.
FSEOG is designed to help undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional need (according to the federal formula). You will automatically be considered for this grant if you complete the FAFSA. To receive FSEOG, you must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Funding is limited.
Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federal financial aid program that provides employment opportunities through Rio Hondo College to students who demonstrate financial need and want to utilize employment earnings towards their educational related expenses. Employment earnings are paid to the student just like a regular job. Students who are interested are required to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Federal Work-Study funds are limited and awarded on a first come, first-served basis so students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as early as possible. Students who are interested should indicate on their FAFSA application that they are interested in Federal Work-Study. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (minimum 6 units) per term (fall or spring semester) and meet SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) requirements.
State of California Programs
The California Promise Grant (formerly Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver (BOGW)) provides enrollment fee waivers for low income California residents and eligible AB 540 students attending community colleges. The California Promise Grant pays the $46.00 per unit fee and the $2.00 student representative fee. Students may apply and qualify for a Promise Grant by completing the FAFSA application or California Dream Act Application listing our school code (001269). In order for a student to be considered for a Promise Grant, he or she must have a valid FAFSA application or California Dream Act Application in our system during the semester he or she is attending. If you pay your unit fees and then receive a Promise Grant, you will receive a refund check sent to the address on file at Admissions and Records Department.
If your California Promise Grant is awarded AFTER the last day of the semester, you will NOT be eligible to receive a refund. No refunds will be issued after the end of the semester. No exceptions.
Cal Grant is a grant offered by the State of California and is open to California residents attending a college or university in California. The grant has an annual application deadline of March 2nd for the following academic year, and is based on both need, income and GPA. There is an additional deadline of September 2nd for California Community College only. Students must file both a completed FAFSA and a GPA Verification Form prior to the deadline, in order to be considered. Cal Grant deadline for Dream Act applicants is March; the additional September 2nd deadline does not apply to these students.
| Units | Eligibility |
| 0-5.5 units (Less than Half-time) | Not Eligible |
| 6-8.5 units (Half-Time) | 50% |
| 9-11.5 units (Three Quarter-Time) | 75% |
| 12+ units (Full time) | 100% |
| *Eligibility is based on enrolled units at the time of disbursement preparation. Late start classes do not count until the class begins. | |
What is Cal Grant
Financial aid for students under the California Dream Act began in January 2013. Beginning the 2013-2014 academic year eligible AB 540 students can apply for Cal Grant awards and the California Promise Grant. Students can apply for method C California Promise Grant through the California Dream Act Application. For more information on the California Dream Act, please see the information below:
Top 10 Things You Need to Know About the California Dream Act
The California Chafee Grant is an additional grant for current or former California foster youth to help pay for college or career and technical training. Chafee Grants don’t have to be paid back.
What is a California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
California Chafee Grant Application
The Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) is a California State program that was established in 2021-22. Through a partnership with the California Student Aid Commission, Rio Hondo College provides eligible students at Rio Hondo College with an opportunity to gain valuable employment experience that is directly related to their career and academic objectives through both on and off-campus employers.
In addition to gaining valuable career related experience and getting a jump start to a potential pathway to future employment, students can earn resources to help pay for their college related expenses.
Student Eligibility Requirements
Process to Apply (coming soon)
Employers will also benefit from utilizing the high level of potential of Rio Hondo students. Off-campus employers who are interested should contact the Career Center. Dependent on the organization, the LAEP compensation of the student’s earning will vary depending on the type of organization. For details, please see below.
| LAEP Funding | Organization Funding | |
| Public California Colleges | 100% | 0% |
| Public California Schools (K-12) | 90% | 10% |
| Non-profit off-campus employers | 90% | 10% |
| For-profit off-campus employers | 50% | 50% |
Scholarships
Please note: the Rio Hondo College Office of Financial Aid does NOT award scholarships.
If you are interested in applying for scholarships please try the following links:
Please note, even if the full amount is awarded to you, any fees owed to the College will be automatically deducted and the balance given to you. Financial Aid will process the scholarship check 15-21 days after it is received. The President’s Office will contact you to pick up the check.
Questions can be directed to Corinna Jaramillio at (562) 463-7043.
If you are a scholarship donor, have awarded a scholarship to a Rio Hondo College student and wish to have Rio Hondo disburse the award, please follow the steps below.
- Make the check out to Rio Hondo College
- Mail the check to Rio Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 Attn: Corinna Jaramillo – Financial Aid
- Include a letter with the following:
- Name of Rio Hondo student to receive the award.
- Student’s Rio Hondo ID number.
- Specify which semester scholarship is intended.
- Specify if scholarship is to be used for registration fees only.
- Please include any criteria student must meet before being disbursed the scholarship. Example: 2.0 GPA, enrolled in 6 units etc.
- Please include a contact number/email to direct any questions regarding the scholarship.
Please note: Once any outstanding college fees are paid, the remainder of the scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the student.
