Scholarships are available year-round from places like your work, or a foundation or group offering scholarships for eligible students. You use a service like Scholarships.com, or you can apply on your own to any private scholarship you learn about. Palomar College also has a scholarship application, it opens once a year in January and closes in March.

Scholarships from Palomar College

Grants are free money for you to keep*. To receive grants you must complete a FAFSA®, it's very important that you add Palomar College (Federal School Code 001260) or your school of choice to your application. After the Department of Education has reviewed your application they will send it to Palomar College and/or your school(s) who will review your FAFSA® and award you aid based on eligibility and need. Some schools like Palomar College use Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to determine continued eligibility for Financial Aid*.

Palomar College Grants information

*Students must meet the SAP guidelines to maintain Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal Work-Study provides funds for part-time employment for college and university students. Participating institutions include colleges, universities, federal/state or local public agencies, private non-profit and for-profit organizations. Jobs include tutors, peer mentoring and more. Students must file a FAFSA® as part of the application process to receive FWS.

Federal Work Study at Palomar College

Loans have to be paid back with interest. There are 3 types of loans if the need should arise.

• Federal Student Loans
  • Subsidized Loans
    • This type of loan is awarded based on need, as determined by the FAFSA®. The Federal Government pays the interest on this type of loan.
  • Unsubsidized Loans
    • This type of loan is awarded regardless of income, interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed.
• State or Local College Loans
  • Some specialized schools offer loans to help you pay for the program you choose to enroll in.
• Private Loans
  • You can visit your local bank, or money lender for a school loan.

Palomar College Loans

Federal Pell Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate or professional degree.

• The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2025–26 award year (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026).
• The amount depends on your financial need, costs to attend school, status as a full-time or part-time student, and plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
• You are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant if you are incarcerated or in a federal or state penal institution or are subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forcible or non-forcible sexual offense.

Federal Pell Grant information

California College Promise Grant (formerly the BOG Fee Waiver) waives enrollment fees for eligible students. CCPG is awarded based on financial need and is available for California residents.

• CCPG waives California residents enrollment fees of $46/unit
• Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher and have a completion rate of 50% of their attempted coursework*

CCPG information

*Palomar College Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requires completion rate of 66% of your attempted units

The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program. Grants are for students attending Universities of California, California State Universities or California Community Colleges, or qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California. CalGrants administered directly by the financial aid office of your institution.

• Submit a FAFSA or CADAA before 3/2 for disbursement in the fall of the same year
• Be a U.S. Citizen or AB540 eligible non-citizen
• Attend a qualifying California Community College or University
• At least 1/2 time enrollment (6 units)
• Maintain SAP

CalGrant information

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is administered directly by the financial aid office of your institution.

• Eligible students must maintain a minimum of 1/2 time enrollment (6 units)
• FW and W are not considered
• Not available in the summer semester

FSEOG information

Student Success Completion Grant is additional support for Cal Grant recipients. The grant provides aid to help offset the cost of community college and to encourage full-time attendance and successful on-time completion.

• Eligible students can receive up to $1,298 per semester ($2,596 annually) for taking 12-14.9 units
• Eligible students can receive up to $4,000 per semester ($8,000 annually) for taking 15 units or more

SSCG information