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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Important Codes for Your Financial Aid Application

  • Federal School Code 001309
  • CADAA School Code 00130900

Apply for scholarships, view important deadlines, and see our contact information.

It is the goal of the Taft College Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to ensure no student is denied access to our quality educational programs because of a lack of funds. Help is available to students with financial need from a number of sources, including federal, state, and institutional, to help pay expenses related to the achievement of an educational goal. Assistance may be available to students in the form of grants, work study and enrollment fee waivers. The section, Taft College Financial Aid and Scholarships at a Glance, provides details.

Scholarships

Many scholarships are available to help fund your college experience, including awards from Taft College, and private or outside scholarships. Eligibility criteria and deadlines vary widely, so please review all scholarship requirements. See our Scholarships page and visit our Library for additional opportunities.

FAFSA and CADAA Forms

U.S. citizens and certain noncitizens are eligible to apply for federal financial aid, including federal grants, work study, and loans. Students need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Undocumented students, DACA recipients, and other noncitizens can receive financial aid through The California Dream Act Application (CADAA). If you are attending Fall 2023, Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 semesters, please complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA or CADAA. If you are attending Fall 2024, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025, please complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA or CADAA. See “Important Information” and “Important Links” on this page.

Taft College Financial Aid and Scholarships at a Glance

Applying for financial aid can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. We've got all your important information and resources, all in one place, with links.

Applying For Aid

Find out what types of financial aid you're eligible for and what to do to get started.

CADAA

Undocumented students, DACA recipients, and other noncitizens can receive financial aid through The California Dream Act Application (CADAA). CADAA is your pathway to private scholarships, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants.

If you are attending Fall 2022 or later classes, please complete the current year CADAA. Taft College's CADAA School Code is 00130900.

Canvas

Login to access College Budgeting 101 and Money Smarts Modules. Login to Canvas.

Chafee Grant

Free money for Current/Former Foster Youth for college or career training. Learn about the Chafee Grant.

Consumer Information

Brief description of consumer information topics, including Cost of Attendance. Read our consumer information.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns, contact us anytime.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of attendance is located on the Consumer Information page and provides an estimate of college expenses for one year. Figure out your cost of attendance.

FAFSA

  • U.S. citizens and certain noncitizens are eligible for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). To apply for federal financial aid, including federal grants, work study, and loans, you need to complete the FAFSA®.
  • If you are attending Fall 2023 or later classes, please complete the current year CADAA.
  • Taft College's CADAA School Code is 00130900.
  • Taft College's Federal School Code is 001309.

Fee & Disbursement Schedule

Wondering when you’ll receive your financial aid? Refer to the linked information for estimated disbursement dates. See our fee and disbursement schedule.

Financial Aid Verification

Paperless verification system to submit your financial aid documents electronically using any mobile device or computer. Verify your financial aid.

Food Aid

A federally funded program providing nutrition education, food security, and physical activity programs addressing the needs of eligible families. Find food aid.

Get Answers

Get Answers is an online library of short video clips concerning complex financial aid information which is accessible on demand 24/7. Visit Get Answers.

Promise Program

The Promise Program helps recent high school student graduates from our local high schools to remove barriers to continue their education at the post-secondary level. Learn more about the Promise Program.

Refund Choices

Taft College is committed to delivering financial aid refunds, keeping data secure and providing students with clear choices. Taft College has partnered with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. to deliver financial aid refunds to students. Learn about your refund options.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

To receive financial aid, you must continue to meet certain academic requirements. Read our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP), so you always keep your financial aid eligibility in good standing.

Scholarships

Many scholarships are available to help fund your college experience, including awards from Taft College and private or outside scholarships. The college library is also an excellent source of information regarding scholarship opportunities. View scholarships.

Student Loans

A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Learn about student loans.

WebGrants4Students

This site will allow you to manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee account(s) online. Visit WebGrants 4 Students.

Work Study

The Work Study program offers students the opportunity to earn money for college, while gaining job experience. Eligibility is based on your financial aid need and enrollment status. All students are considered for employment in the work study program. Find work study opportunities.

Financial Aid Questions banner

24/7 Video Answers for Your Financial Aid Questions

Find answers to your financial aid questions  

Your Financial Aid Glossary

The financial aid journey comes with its own set of vocabulary. Use our glossary to learn the most common terms. Explore our financial aid glossary.

When to Expect Your Financial Aid

Financial aid at Taft College is awarded on a disbursement schedule. Determine when you will receive your aid.

Find Your Financial Aid Forms

Applying for financial aid comes with lots of applications and documentation. We've put everything in one place so that you can focus on your future, not forms. Access our financial aid forms.

Net Price Calculator

Figuring out how much college will cost and how much financial aid you will need becomes much easier with the help of a Net Price Calculator. Here, you can enter information about yourself to find out what students like you have paid to attend Taft College.

Use Our Net Price Calculator

Apply to Taft College

Are you ready to start your future at Taft College? The first step to becoming a Cougar is submitting your application. You can apply online, and applications are processed within 30 minutes. Let's do this. 

Apply Now

Check your financial aid information online

Go to www.taftcollege.edu and login to your Cougar Tracks account.

To find the status of your file or award information, click on the Financial Aid tab.

Go to Eligibility and select the current aid year (example: 2022–2023).

You will be able to view any outstanding requirements or any other important information.

Remember to Check Your Email and More

Throughout the financial aid process, the Taft College Financial Aid Office might email you to notify you of the status of your FAFSA® application, any outstanding requirements, changes in financial aid eligibility status, or even financial aid awards.

Most of our notifications are sent directly to your student email, so be sure to check your email or Cougar Tracks regularly.

Please keep your email address and mailing address up to date in Cougar Tracks, so that you never miss an important message about your financial aid status.

Important Links

Important Information

FSA ID (Federal Student Pin)

The FSA ID – a username and password – has replaced the Federal Student Aid PIN and must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. If you do not already have an FSA ID, you may create one when logging in to fafsa.gov. You can use your FSA ID to sign a FAFSA right away. Once the Social Security Administration verifies your information in 1-3 days, or if you have linked your PIN to your FSA ID, you will be able to use your FSA ID to access U.S. Department of Education websites. For help, visit StudentAid.gov/fsaid or call 1-800-433-3243.

Pell Eligibility

The Federal Government recently established new regulations which reduce the duration of a student’s eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant from 18 full-time semesters (or its equivalent) to 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent). This provision applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students effective July 1, 2012.

What does this mean?

Beginning with Fall 2012, a student has 6 years (12 full-time semesters) of total Pell Grant eligibility. This includes all the years the Pell Grant was received prior to Fall 2012. All the years the student has received the Federal Pell Grant will be counted toward the 6 years, regardless of when the student began receiving aid. Students will receive a notice if you are getting close to your limit. If students have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.