Financial Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

You are eligible to complete the FAFSA if you:

• Are a US Citizen
• Are a Permanent Resident (“Green Card” holder)
• Have a T-Visa
• Are an Eligible Non-citizen.

Students who meet FAFSA eligibility requirements may qualify for federal/state financial aid, and institutional/private scholarships.
Check out: Filling Out the FAFSA® Form | Federal Student Aid

California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

You are eligible to complete the CADAA if you:

• Are Undocumented
• Have a U-Visa or Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Meet the CA non-resident exemption requirements.

Students who meet CADAA eligibility requirements may qualify for state financial aid and institutional/private scholarships.
Check out: Resources for the California Dream Act Application | California Student Aid Commission

A student must submit a FAFSA to qualify for this grant. It is awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. It does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. If you have a Federal Pell grant overpayment, you are ineligible for any more federal student aid until you have resolved the overpayment.

Note: Other factors may affect your eligibility – must meet satisfactory academic progress, must not be in default on a federal student loan, must not owe money on a federal student grant. You may NOT receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards state grants to undergraduate students who meet the overall eligibility requirements, as well as the academic and financial criteria. To qualify, you must apply for FAFSA or CADAA by the state priority deadline each year and may be required to complete a supplemental application. Some Cal Grant awards have limited funding, so it is important to submit your financial aid application by the priority deadline. Go to csac.ca.gov/cal-grants for more information.

• Cal Grant A, B and C programs

Once you have submitted the FAFSA or CADAA, create a WebGrants 4 Students account to view and manage your Cal Grant award.

The U.S. Department of Education offers federal student loans such as the Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and Parent PLUS Loans. These loans are generally fixed with lower interest rates and often come with various flexible repayment options. If you need to borrow money to pay for college, start with federal loans. Students must complete the FAFSA and submit a loan request to apply.

Understand the difference between Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans here: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans | Federal Student Aid.

For the current interest rates and fees, visit Federal Interest Rates and Fees | Federal Student Aid.

All first-time student loan borrowers at CONAH must complete both:

• Direct Loan Entrance Counseling for Undergraduate Student and
• Sign a Master Promissory Note.

Renewal borrowers do not have to sign another MPN or complete another Entrance Counseling session.

• Complete only the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment (ASLA) for Undergraduate Student.

If you have previous federal student loans, you may qualify for an in-school deferment and don’t have to make monthly payments on your loans. To get an in-school deferment, you must be enrolled in at least half-time status and notify the Financial Aid Office of your request for in-school deferment. The school reports your enrollment information, and this reporting triggers the automatic deferment. Keep in mind that interest will still accrue on some loan types such as unsubsidized and PLUS loans during an in-school deferment. Any outstanding interest will capitalize at the end of the deferment.

Private student loans are non-need-based loans offered by private lenders, such as banks or credit unions, and have terms and conditions that are set by the lender. They typically have variable interest rates and less flexible repayment options than federal loans. These loans have no federal subsidy and are not eligible for income-driven repayment or federal forgiveness. The borrower must pass a credit check. If you do not meet the credit criteria, you will need a US Citizen co-signer with good credit.

The maximum amount a student can borrow depends on the cost of attendance minus the total financial aid received for the school year, including federal student loans. A student directly applies with any private student loan lender and must sign a promissory note. The student will also complete a private education loan self-certification through the lender of choice. Although these loans can be helpful, they also come with significant financial burdens that can last for years or even decades. It is important you choose a private loan that will work for you.

CONAH is lender-neutral and cannot recommend a specific lender to students or families.

Students can browse this page to compare lenders: Best Private Student Loans of July 2026 | U.S. News.

Special Circumstances Appeal  

The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) recognizes that the application for financial aid does not always accurately reflect a student or family’s current situation. The Special Circumstance Appeal process allows students and their family to submit documentation supporting their current financial situation. This documentation may be used to potentially increase student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Some of the situations that may be considered for an appeal are:

• Loss of employment
• Significant change to income
• Large medical expenses not covered by insurance
• Dependent care expenses
• Separation or divorce
• Death of parent or spouse
• Loss of child support or alimony
• Natural disaster affecting the home you live in
• One-time payment received and reported on the taxes

Unusual Circumstances Appeal 

There are unusual circumstances in which a student who would typically be considered a dependent student could be determined to be an independent student for financial aid eligibility purposes. The Unusual Circumstance Appeal process allows students to submit documentation supporting their claim to independence. Some of the situations that may be considered for an appeal are:

• Abandonment by parents
• Abusive family environment that threatens the student’s health or safety
• Student is unable to locate parents,
• Human trafficking,
• Refugee or asylee status.

If you are experiencing any of these situations the OFA can review your circumstances to determine if you can be considered an independent student for the current aid year. These determinations are made on a case-by-case basis with adequate documentation.

However, there are situations that cannot be taken in consideration for a dependency appeal. These are some of them: parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education, parents will not provide information for the FAFSA/CADAA or verification, parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes, or the student demonstrates total self-sufficiency. Check with OFA because you may be eligible for Unsubsidized Loans only.

Submit a Special or Unusual Circumstances Appeal
See OFA to submit an appeal.

Financial aid is designed to help you reach your educational goal in a timely manner. To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Based on federal and state regulations, the Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health has established a SAP policy and procedure for evaluating your academic progress. Failure to meet SAP can lead to financial aid disqualification. Financial aid disqualification is subject to appeal.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), passed in July 2025, made significant changes in federal student aid programs.

FAFSA: Beginning April 26, 2026, the federal government added a new step to the FAFSA process to protect students from identity fraud. From this date forward, random applications will be selected for an identity check.

PELL GRANTS: Starting July 1, 2026, students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) that exceeds twice the maximum Federal Pell Grant award will not be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant. For example, if the max Pell is $7,395, any student with an SAI of 14,790 or higher will not receive a Pell Grant. In addition, students receiving nonfederal grants or scholarships that equal or exceed their entire Cost of Attendance (COA) are no longer eligible for a Pell Grant.

DIRECT LOAN SCHEDULE OF REDUCTIONS (SOR): Although there are no changes to undergraduate loan limits, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, OB3 includes a provision reducing undergraduate loan amounts for students enrolled less-than-full-time. The reduction is calculated by dividing the student’s enrolled credit hours for the academic year by the program’s defined full-time credit hours for that academic year.  Students enrolled in a single semester generally cannot receive more than one-half of their full-time annual loan limit.  Students enrolled less than half-time (part-time) are not eligible for federal student loans. Further guidance regarding loan proration will be forthcoming from the Department of Education.

PARENT LOANS: Parents borrowing Parent PLUS loans for their dependent child will have an annual limit of $20,000 and an aggregate limit of $65,000. Historically, borrowers have been able to cover the full cost of attendance (both direct and indirect costs) through this program, as there was no specific limit.

LOAN REPAYMENT: For loans made on or after July 1, 2026, repayment will be simplified into two main options, Tiered Standard and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Borrowers currently on older income-driven repayment plans (IBR, PAYE, SAVE) must transition to one of these new options by July 1, 2028. If no selection is made by that date, they will be moved into RAP.

Disclaimer: The information above is provided by CONAH OFA solely for informational purposes. It reflects our current interpretation of federal loan regulations but is not an official or binding statement of policy. Students are urged to consult the U.S. Department of Education’s official publications and website (studentaid.gov) for definitive guidance.

The College awards and/or administers scholarships that are provided through the generosity of individual donors, private corporations and agencies, alumni gifts, and other resources. These scholarships are awarded based on the information the student submits on the scholarship application, academic achievement, and/or financial need. Some scholarships require submission of FAFSA or CADAA.

Institutional and outside scholarship opportunities are sent out to students as they become available. Students can also search for available scholarships online but beware of identity theft and scammers. You should never provide your Social Security Number and billing information to apply for a scholarship.

For list of available scholarships, visit the Scholarship Opportunities page.

Note: Please notify the OFA of any outside scholarship awards you receive. Your financial aid offer may need to be adjusted. Outside scholarships are awarded by an organization other than DHS or CONAH.

The College is approved for the training of Veterans and eligible persons under the provisions of Title 77 United States Code. Find out how to apply for the GI Bill and other VA education benefits as a Veteran, service member, or qualified family member by going to How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits | Veterans Affairs.

Once your application has been approved, submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and DD214 (if applicable) to the OFA. For more information, visit After You Apply For Education Benefits | Veterans Affairs.

The OFA will certify your enrollment through VA Enrollment Manager.

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) includes the average costs for a student to attend CONAH for one academic year. The COA includes tuition and other mandatory fees, housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Your COA may vary depending on your grade/year level in CONAH and if you plan to live off-campus or at home with parents. The COA is used to determine aid packages only.

• Basic Registered Nursing Off-Campus
• Basic Registered Nursing With-Parent
• Advanced Placement for LVN Option I Off-Campus
• Advanced Placement for LVN Option I With-Parent

The Los Angeles County deferment program, Tuition Agreement Contract, is available to all students to help defray a portion of the educational expenses. Students who sign a Tuition Agreement Contract pay $700 each semester and defer $1700.

• Filling Out the FAFSA
• Understanding Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
• Federal Student Loan Interest Rates and Fees
• See Your Federal Student Loan Repayment Options with Loan Simulator
• CADAA Resources for Students
• Best Student Credit Cards
• Best Private Student Loans
• Best Student Loan Consolidation
• Best Student Loan Refinance Bonus Programs and Rates
• Scholarship Opportunities