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:

1. Attend a mandatory loan workshop. All loan workshop dates are located in the Calendar section of the financial aid webpage.  Please note students are required to attend the loan workshop in its entirety and MUST arrive on time. No late arrivals permitted.
2. Financial Aid file must be complete before your loan application is accepted. Your financial aid file is complete once you have received award notification from the Financial Aid Office and posted on your student portal.
3. You must be enrolled and attending at least 6 units.
4. You must have a Satisfactory Academic Progress status of “New” “Good” or “Warning”. 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.

The Federal Work Study (FWS) program provides opportunities to students who have financial need and want to earn a part of their educational expenses through employment. Interested students are required to complete a FAFSA and other supplemental materials. Funds are extremely limited  for FWS, so make sure you submit your FAFSA early, and indicate on your FAFSA application that you are interested in Federal Work Study respond quickly to any request for more information and/or corrections, and meet the SAP policy. Students must be enrolled in 6 or more units during Fall and Spring semesters.

Federal Work Study Information

Steps to Apply for Work Study Positions

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 $1.00 student representative fee. Students may apply and quality 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.

What is Cal Grant

Create Cal Grant Account

High School Senior Requirements

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

How to complete a Dream Act Application-video

Dream Act Application

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