Mission Statement

The San Joaquin Delta College Financial Aid & Scholarships Office is committed to increasing
student access and success by removing financial barriers to higher education. We provide
accurate, timely, and equitable delivery of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs
in full compliance with regulatory guidelines. Guided by integrity, empathy, and a student-first
philosophy, our office empowers all students—especially those from historically underserved
communities—to reach their educational and career goals.


Vision Statement

To be a model of excellence in financial aid services—recognized for our commitment to equity,
transparency, innovation, and student advocacy. We envision a college where every student has
the financial support and personalized guidance necessary to thrive academically, persist
through challenges, and achieve lifelong success.


Core Values

  •  **Equity:** We champion fair access to financial aid for all students.
  •  **Integrity:** We administer aid with accountability, compliance, and transparency.
  •  **Empathy:** We meet students where they are with compassion and cultural awareness.
  •  **Collaboration:** We partner with campus departments and community stakeholders to ensure holistic support.
  •  **Student Success:** We measure our impact by how well we empower students to
  • succeed

 

Applying for Financial Aid at Delta College

The first step to getting Financial Aid is to apply. If you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, you will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are NOT a US citizen or a permanent resident, you will need to complete the Dream Act Application.  

The Delta School Code is 001280

Use the steps below to help guide you through the process of applying, or come to the Delta Connect Center for in-person support.

1. Eligibility Requirements

Individuals must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the United States.
    • An eligible non-citizen is a US permanent resident who has an I-151, I-1551, or I-1551c (Alien Registration receipt card). If you do not possess these, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
  • Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or equivalent. No diploma or GED? Contact the Financial Aid Office.
  • Be an undergraduate student enrolled in an Financial Aid Eligible Program at Delta working toward a degree or certificate.
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You must not owe a refund on any grant received at any college or university or be in default on any student loan, such as the Perkins Loan or Stafford Loan.

You may also be required to submit some or all of the following:

  • A copy of your and/or your parents signed IRS Federal tax return transcript for the prior, prior year including all schedules and attachments or you and/or your parents Income Certification, (if they or you did not file).
  • Untaxed Income Verification of any untaxed benefits received.
  • Veteran's Benefits Verification.
  • A copy of your Social Security Card.
  • U.S. Citizenship documents if you are a Naturalized Citizen or in the process of becoming one.

Additionally, the Financial Aid Office may request other information or documentation.

Programs Eligible for Financial Aid

2. Applying for Financial Aid

Use the steps below to apply for financial aid.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

For US Citizens or Permanent Residents

  1. Create a FSA ID (What's this?)
  2. Fill out and submit a FAFSA
    • Include Delta College school code 001280 on your application
    • Select the appropriate application year (e.g., if applying for aid in Fall 2024/Spring 2025, select the 2024-2025 year)
  3. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) approximately 1-3 weeks after submitting your FAFSA.
  4. You will receive a Notice to Log In through your Delta College Student Email. Check your student email inbox often.
  5. Once you receive the email, log into MyDelta to check your Financial Aid Status.  (Learn how)

Learn more about upcoming changes to the 2025-2026 FAFSA

2025-2026 FAFSA Information & Resources

 

California Dream Act Application

Use if you are not a US citizen or a permanent resident.

  1. Go to the California Dream Act Application site
  2. Start the application (You will be asked two questions prior to beginning the application process)
  3. Follow the on-screen directions provided and submit your application
  4. Wait approximately 1-2 weeks to receive a Notice to Log In through your Delta College Student email. Make sure to check your Student Email often.
  5. Once you receive the email, log into MyDelta to check your Financial Aid Status.  (Learn how)

 

 

Important Reminders

  • Familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements of receiving financial aid.
  • FSA ID: If you haven't logged in to the Federal Student Aid site (such as studentaid.gov or StudentLoans.gov) since May 10, 2015, you will need to create a FSA ID before you can log on in the future.
  • AB540 and DACA Students: If you are an AB540 student and are not sure if you're eligible for financial assistance, answer the questions on the California Dream Act Application. You may still qualify for aid through the California Dream Act. O, si no es elegible para solicitar ayuda federal o bajo documentado, complete la solicitud de California Dream Act.
  • California College Promise Grant (CCPG): Fill out fewer applications by starting a FAFSA/Dream Act Application. Your eligibility for the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is also determined when you complete the FAFSA or Dream Act Applications.
  • Delta College Student Email: Check your Delta College Student Email account often. Your Financial Aid Notice To Log In will be issued to you there.
3. Create your Student Forms Account

Student forms is how the Financial Aid office communicates any outstanding ‘Tasks” or forms that need to be completed by our students. In order to access these forms and completed them within the required timeframe, you must first create your Student Forms Account. To do so, please follow the steps below:

  1. Log onto you MyDelta Dashboard
  2. Click on the Campus Logic Tile
  3. Complete the registration from (All information on the registration form must match your FAFSA application)
  4. Click on the task on the main screen
  5. Each item you need to complete is represented by a black drop-down bar. You will either complete the form on the site by clicking the “Fill Out” button, or you will need to upload the requested documents.
4. Complete Verification

Applications and Information to be Verified

Each year, the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) of the U.S. Department of Education selects a number of Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms (FAFSAs) for a process called verification. If your FAFSA is selected for verification, San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC) will need to collect additional documentation from you in order to verify some of the information you provided on your FAFSA. For example, SJDC may ask for additional information about your income, the number of people in your household, and other relevant details.

The verification process is separate from the requirement to resolve conflicting information and verify unconfirmed citizenship/eligible non-citizen status, Active Duty status, and Veteran’s status. Any discrepancies in a student’s application or unconfirmed status must be resolved before aid eligibility can be determined.

Schools are required to verify all FAFSAs selected by FPS. Additionally, the institution has the right to verify any FAFSA not selected by FPS for verification, for example, by collecting documentation to determine the independence status or by exercising professional judgment.

  1. Log on to you MyDelta Dashboard
  2. Locate and click on the Campus Logic Tile
  3. Click on the Tasks listed and “Fill Out” or “Upload” the requested documents.
  4. Click on “Complete” & “Finish” once you have completed all forms.

If you have any questions or concerns with verification or any additional documents requested, please contact your Financial Aid Specialist

Verification Deadline & Failure to Submit

It is important to complete the verification process before SJDC can award or disburse Federal aid/Cal Grant/Student Success Completion Grant (if eligibility requirements are met). If the verification process is not completed by the deadline, students may not be eligible for the mentioned grants, which means they will need to find other means to pay for their college expenses, unless they are eligible for the CA College Promise Grant to cover the enrollment fees. SJDC reserves the right to cancel out all aid that has been awarded if the required documentation has not been submitted within 30 days of requirement notification.

To ensure that the verification process is completed on time, requested verification documentation must be submitted to SJDC in a timely manner, but no later than SJDC’s published deadline for the award year. If you are selected for verification but do not wish to complete the process you may only be eligible for Unsubsidized aid. If you wish to cancel any of your aid please submit a cancellation form through Campus Logic.

5. Submit any Special Circumstances

Professional Judgment refers to the authority of a school's financial aid administrator to adjust the data elements on the FAFSA and to override a student's dependency status (Unusual Circumstance). The school does not have the authority to change the need analysis formula itself or to make direct adjustments to the Student Aid Index (SAI). Instead, the school may adjust the inputs to the formula. The changes to the inputs are dictated by the impact of the special circumstances on the family's income and assets. The standard formula is then applied to the new data elements, yielding a new SAI figure (Special Circumstance).

  • Special Circumstances refer to the financial situations (loss of a job, etc.) that justify an aid administrator adjusting data elements in the COA or in the SAI calculation.
  • Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an aid administrator making an adjustment to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation (e.g., human trafficking, refugee or asylee status, parental abandonment, abusive home environment, incarceration), more commonly referred to as a dependency override.

Process

  1. Log onto MyDelta Dashboard and click on the Campus Logic Tile.
  2. Click on the “Manage Request” tab to request a specific PJ request.
    1. COA Adjustment – Housing Status (With Parent vs. Off campus)
    2. SAI Adjustment – Adjustment to income loss
    3. Unusual Circumstances – Dependency Override
  3. PJ's will be reviewed within 2-3 weeks and a decision will be sent to your preferred email.
  4. Any necessary corrections will then be made to your FAFSA application and may take another 2 weeks to process.

All professional judgment cases will be reviewed by the financial aid case manager assigned to you as long as all appropriate forms have been submitted by the published deadline date. Please be sure to submit all documentation as soon as possible since the process does take some time.

6. View Financial Aid Offer Letter

In receiving an offer of financial aid from Delta College, you (the student) acknowledge responsibility for understanding and complying with all the laws, regulations and rules that govern each financial aid program. The FINANCIAL AID TERMS OF OFFER (hereby referred to as TERMS OF OFFER) is an official agreement between you and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Department and is in force throughout the duration of the academic year. Failure to comply with all the laws, regulations and rules may result in cancellation or award adjustments and may require repayment of part or all funds already disbursed to you. Because the laws and rules governing financial aid programs frequently change, the TERMS OF OFFER is subject to change without prior notice. The following general requirements apply to all financial aid programs: 

  1. Availability of Funds: All awards are made based on student eligibility and funding determined by the federal government, or state. In the event that the state or federal government reduces or eliminates funds, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Department will reduce and/or cancel your award. 
     
  2. Change in Information: You must immediately report any change in your name, address, or telephone number. It must be reported to Admissions and Records. You will also you will need to update your information with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. https://disbursements.bmtx.com/refundchoices​, our third-party disburser.
     
  3. Enrollment, Change in Enrollment Status, Late Starting Classes, and Withdrawal: The financial aid offer is made on the condition that you are enrolled and attending courses at this college. The awards will be based on your enrollment intensity:
    Enrollment chart showing enrollment status and intensity
    Enrollment Intensity Chart

    You can use this Pell Grant Calculation Sheet to determine your Pell Grant Eligibility.
    Example Worksheet
    Download Pell Calculation Sheet (MS Excel)

     
    • Financial Aid Census Date: The Financial Aid Census Date marks the end of the add/drop period for Financial Aid purposes. On these dates, the Financial Aid Office takes a "snapshot" of the student's active enrollment for the term. The number of actively attending units as of the Financial Aid Census Date will determine the amount of financial aid that is disbursed to you.
      Start and Key Dates Chart
      The latest Start and Census dates for the semester can be found on the Registration and Key Dates webpage
       
    • A change in enrollment status during a semester may change or cancel your award. If you withdraw, your remaining financial aid award will be cancelled, and you may be responsible for paying back some of the funds you previously received.
    • Withdrawing From School: Any student who receives financial aid and withdraws from ALL title IV eligible courses prior to completing 60% of the semester/program and/or courses may be required to repay a portion, or all financial aid received. CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE BEFORE WITHDRAWING FROM ANY COURSE.
       
  4. Satisfactory Academic Progress: By accepting financial aid, you have read and understood the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, summarized as follows:
    • Student is enrolled in an eligible program for the purpose of completing an AA/AS Degree or Certificate Program. 
    • Student will maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0. 
    • Student will complete at least 67% of units attempted each semester, and 67% of their cumulative units attempted. 
    • Student must not have already completed 150% or more units of total college coursework required for the program the student is enrolled in. This unit total includes all repeated courses at Delta and all courses at other higher education institutions. NOTE: All courses will count towards a student’s financial aid eligibility. As soon as a course is passed with a grade “D” or better, students may only receive financial aid for one more repetition of the course. 
       
  5. Overpayments: Students must repay any funds received in excess of the amount to which they are entitled; regardless of the reason they received those excess funds. 
     
  6. Application of Financial Aid Disbursements: Financial Aid will be applied to student's tuition/enrollment fees first; any leftover funds will be disbursed to the student.

 

Financial Aid Withdrawal and Repayment Policy

Per federal/state regulations, schools must determine the amount of financial assistance a student earns if they withdraw from school. The Programs at San Joaquin Delta College covered by this law are: 

  • Federal Pell Grants 
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs) 
  • Direct Loans 
  • Cal Grants

Once a student withdraws from school, the student may owe money back or may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. 

Financial Aid will return any amount of unearned aid for both the Institutional Portion and Student Portion of the calculation.

*If you receive financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from any course. 

 

Learn more:

How to read you Financial Aid Award Notification

7. Create Bank Mobile Account

Providing and delivering your financial aid is our top priority here at San Joaquin Delta College. Your choices in how you receive your money matters, so Delta College delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit this link for more information: https://disbursements.bmtx.com/refundchoices/.

Learn More About Your Refund Choices

Additional Resources:

How to Receive Your Refund 

San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC) delivers your refund with Bank Mobile Disbursements providing you with choices and offering great customer service.

The most common type of money we disburse to students are funds left over from financial aid awards, loans, or grants after tuition has been paid.

Students receiving these funds have usually requested this additional support to help them with books and living expenses.

If you don't receive financial aid, you still may receive money back from SJDC in the future.

Going through this process now can ensure you'll receive any money owed to you by SJDC in a timely manner.

Here's what you need to do to get started

  1. First, make sure your mailing address is up to date with your school.
  2. Look for an email from BankMobile containing your Personal Code to validate your identity. This code is needed to select how you will receive your refund money.
  3. The kit will include a Personal Code to validate your identity. This code is needed to select how you will receive your refund money.
  4. You will also receive a Personal Code by email which will be sent to the email address on record with your school.
  5. Next, go to refundselection.com and enter your Personal Code.
  6. Select how you would like to receive your money.
  7. After eight days, if you have not selected, look for a bright green envelope in the mail. This is your Refund Selection Kit. Please follow steps 3-6 once you receive this kit.

 

The choices you will see are:

Deposit to an existing account: money is transferred to an existing account the same business day we receive the funds from your school. Typically, it takes 1 - 2 business days for the receiving bank to credit the money to your account.

Deposit to a Bank Mobile Vibe checking account: if you open a Bank Mobile Vibe checking account (upon identity verification), money is deposited the same business day we receive the funds from your school.
 

Disbursement Schedules

We make every effort to maintain the published disbursement schedule; however, it is subject to change.

Credit Balance Disbursements

Please be aware that schools have up to 14 days from the time your funding is applied to your student account to release your funds. Although we try to get these credit balances to students within 2-3 days after funds are applied to your account, we may experience some unforeseen circumstances that could hold up this process. Funding will ultimately be released by no later than the 14th day.

Degree Audit

All student courses are evaluated to determine if each course is applicable to the completion of a student’s program. Courses that are not part of a student’s program of choice, or any additional courses needed for transfer, are not courses that are covered with Federal financial aid. Other Financial Assistance may be used to cover these courses.

8. How to File an SAP Appeal

Instructions on How to file a SAP Appeal

A student who is placed on an Unsatisfactory/Maximum Time Frame status may appeal to FAO. In order to do so, the student must follow the instructions below. Appeals are reviewed within 2-3 weeks of being received. After carefully reviewing a student’s appeal, a decision notification will be sent to the student via text message or email. A student must include in the appeal the circumstances involved for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Standard, as well as what has now changed with those circumstances that will allow you to continue your education.

  1. To appeal, a student must log onto the MyDelta Dashboard and click on the "Campus Logic" Tile. 
  2. Click on the 'Manage Request" button in the top right hand corner.
  3. Type a short request like” I need an SAP appeal”. Explain in detail the extenuating circumstances that caused you to fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.


A. Unsatisfactory appeal must address the following questions:

You must enroll in at least 6 credits that align with your program   

  • Why were you unable to maintain SAP for the terms in question?
  • What steps have you taken or will you take to achieve and maintain SAP or finish the degree?​​​​​​

Examples of these extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

  • Illness, injury, or other health-related episode or condition that can be documented by a medical professional;
  • Death of a family member or other person of close relation;
  • Circumstances related to an outbreak of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, the illness of a student or family member,  compliance with a quarantine period, or the general disruption resulting from such an outbreak;
  • Disabilities verifiable by the DSPS Office;
  • Activities associated with a student’s service in the United States Armed Forces or other entity providing essential services to the public; 
  • Issues experienced by students transitioning to collegiate academic requirements, which have been resolved or are being remediated with the intervention of Academic Advising.

B.  Maximum Time Frame appeal must address the following questions:

  • What did you study previously and what are you studying now?
  • Why were you unable to maintain SAP?
  • Why do you need more time to complete your degree?
  • Why did/do you change your major or need a second degree?
  • What steps have you taken or will you take to achieve and maintain SAP or finish your degree?
  1. Attach all the necessary supporting documents along with the appeal form on Student Forms. If you are appealing for Maximum Time Frame, then you will need to submit a copy of your Student Ed. Plan which should list only ONE GOAL along with the remaining courses and Prior Applicable Credits Evaluation for Maximum Time Frame Appeal, both of which should be signed by the counselor.