Frequently Asked Questions​

There are three (3) types of financial aid available at College of the Desert: State, Federal, and Institutional aid.

Note, that students submitting a CA Dream Act application are NOT eligible for Federal aid.

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is a tuition waiver that waives the enrollment fees for eligible California residents or AB-540 students.

Note, that the CCPG does NOT get disbursed directly to students.

For more information on the types of California College Promise Grant (CCPG) offered at COD, visit our Types of Awards webpage.

The first step in applying for financial aid, make sure to submit a Financial Aid Application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act) EVERY academic year, starting Oct 1^st.

Visit our Apply for Aid webpage for more information.

Note, that the 2024-2025 Academic Year applications will not launch until December 2023.

COD’s Title IV School Code is 001182.

The Financial Aid Office will receive your financial aid application approximately 10 business days from when you submit your financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act). If more information is required, the Financial Aid Office will send you a missing information email notification to your MyCOD email. You will be able to find any missing documents and/or information via your financial aid self-service portal.

Please review our Disbursement Deadlines and ensure your file is complete as soon as possible.

You are encouraged to regularly check the Financial Aid Self-Service for updates.

Verification is a financial aid process that ensures the information submitted on a student's FAFSA or CA Dream Act application is accurate. The Department of Education (FAFSA) or CA Student Aid Commission (CA Dream Act) notifies the Financial Aid Office of which applications require additional review. The Financial Aid Office will be required to collect documents to confirm the information on your financial aid application. 

Note, that applications that show conflicting information will be selected for verification to resolve any discrepancies.

The Financial Aid Office will notify students via mycod.us email if they have been selected for verification and/or missing documents.

Students will log into their Financial Aid Self-Service portal to review any missing documents and/or information.

Not all students need to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid. We encourage you to check your award letter to review the financial aid offered based on your enrollment status.

Note, that the CCPG does NOT get disbursed directly to students. For more information, review the Type of Awards webpage.

Depends on the type of aid and when you completed your financial aid file.

Please review our Disbursement Schedule for specific deadlines/dates. 

There are several awards that students can be matched to while attending College of the Desert (COD). Once you submit your financial aid application, the Financial Aid Office will be able to determine your eligibility and provide you with an award letter.

Students will receive a notification to your MyCOD email once your award letter has been populated on your Financial Aid Self-Service. Please review your award letter to determine the financial aid you were matched to.

Review the Type of Awards offered at College of the Desert.

Not necessarily. Applicants who apply for Federal financial aid and who are under the age of 24 when they complete their financial aid application, are considered to be dependent; unless the student:

• is married at the time of application.
• is a graduate or professional student.
• has legal dependents (other than a spouse). This is defined as any child or other person(s) who gets more than half of their financial support from the student and will continue to get that support during the upcoming school year.
• is a veteran and has been engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard) or is a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.
• is a ward of the court or both parents are deceased.
• is an emancipated minor as determined by a court in the student’s state of legal residence.
• Is determined to be an unaccompanied youth who is homeless.

The Financial Aid Office will receive your financial aid application approximately 10 business days from when you submit your financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act).

If more information is required, the Financial Aid Office will send you a missing information email notification to your MyCOD email. You will be able to find any missing documents and/or information via your Financial Aid Self-Service portal.

All missing documents (if applicable) need to be submitted and processed by the Financial Aid Office before you can be matched and given a financial aid disbursement. Once awarded, students will follow the Disbursement Schedule for specific disbursement dates.

800-4-FED-AID / 800-433-3243

Note: If you provided an e-mail address, your Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to you electronically.

There are several deadlines students should be aware of as it relates to your financial aid at College of the Desert.

Review our Disbursement Schedule for specific dates to receive a disbursement.

Yes. Students applying for financial aid and receiving financial aid need to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at College of the Desert.

For specific information, please contact the Financial Aid Office OR review your SAP status via the Financial Aid Self-Service portal.

Depends on the type of award, see below. In addition, to receive financial aid at College of the Desert, you must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Federal Pell Grant: Students can receive Pell for up to 6 years (or 600%) attending full-time OR until the 1^st Bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. More information is available via studentaid.gov.

Federal Direct Loans: Students can borrow federal loans up to their aggregate limits.

Cal Grant: Students can receive this grant for up to 4 years (or 400%), attending full-time. More information is available via CSAC.

Yes, you are required to re-apply each academic year.

Visit our Apply for Aid webpage for more details and information.

It depends. Students may receive the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) at any California Community College. However, federal and state aid cannot be received at two institutions for the same term.

If you are concurrently enrolled in two institutions, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office.

College of the Desert (COD) only participates in a consortium agreement with the CVC Exchange for financial aid purposes.

Your financial aid award could change depending on the type of aid offered.

Please review the Drops, Withdrawals, and Repayment page or call the Financial Aid Office for more information.