Long Beach City College

The Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges is responsible for a fee waiver program to give needy students access to the community colleges. California residents (as determined by Admissions and Records) may have their enrollment fees and health fees waived and their parking fees reduced. Students may be eligible for this fee waiver even if they are not eligible for any other financial aid. There are three ways to qualify for a BOGFW.

Method A

Students qualify for an enrollment fee waiver, health fee waiver, and parking fee reduction if they (in the case of independent students) or their parents (in the case of dependent students) are receiving public assistance in the form of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Relief (GR), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Enrollment fee waivers only are provided to students who are certified by the California State Department of Veterans Affairs as being the child of a disabled or deceased veteran, Medal of Honor recipient or child or a Medal of Honor recipient, or dependent of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. In addition, dependents of deceased police or fire fighters, killed in the line of duty, are also eligible to have their enrollment fee waived.

Documentation is required as proof of Method A eligibility.

Method B

The student (in the case of an independent student) or the student's parents (in the case of a dependent student) meet income criteria set by the Board of Governors. Although proof of income is not required, it may be asked for by the Financial Aid Office.

Applying for Method A or B

The Board of Governors Fee Waiver Application is a simple application available by clicking here. Dependent vs. independent status (see link to the left for more information) is different for a BOGFW Methods A and B than for federal financial aid. It is possible for students to be independent for the BOGFW and be dependent for federal purposes.

Method C

Students who do not meet the BOGFW Method A or B requirements may still qualify for a fee waiver by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are eligible for a Pell Grant or who have at least one dollar of need are given a BOGFW along with any other financial aid they are eligible for. This is how the majority of students apply for a fee waiver at Long Beach City College.