Federal Programs
Contact Us
Building 400, Room 425
Main Campus
4000 Suisun Valley Road,
Fairfield, CA 94534
financialaid@solano.edu
707-864-7103
Federal Programs
Title IV Federal School Code: 001292 |
All federal financial aid programs require students to complete a FAFSA on the studentaid.gov website.
The current aid year is 2025–26, not 2026–27. If you are working on a FAFSA for the Spring 26 or Summer 26 terms, please scroll to "Need the 2025–26 FAFSA® Form?" and click "Start New Form." The 2026–27 FAFSA will become active starting in Fall 26. We recommend to complete the 2026–27 FAFSA well in advance of Fall 26—ideally, February 2026 or earlier, to ensure you meet all deadlines.
Solano College awards millions of dollars in Federal Pell Grants to its students every year. When you submit a FAFSA, you automatically apply for the Federal Pell Grant. The amount that you are eligible for depends on a formula that looks at your financial status, the school’s cost of attendance, and your enrollment status.
Solano disburses the Federal Pell Grant in two equal disbursements during primary terms and one disbursement (if a student is eligible to receive it) in summer.
For more details about the Federal Pell Grant program (including eligibility, maximum award amounts, and lifetime usage limits), visit the studentaid.gov Pell Grant page.
Important: Avoid overpayments! Changes to your enrollment intensity can cause your Pell award to change mid-semester. Read more about overpayments on our Repayment page.
This federal program is directed toward assisting exceptionally needy students. On-time applicants with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) receive consideration for this fund. Because funds are limited, it is important for students to turn in their FAFSA early.
The Federal Work Study (FWS) program is a federally funded campus-based program that provides jobs for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need according to the Department of Education formula. FWS allows students to earn money to help pay educational expenses.
To receive FWS, a student must be eligible for the program and have a job lined up on-campus or with an approved off-campus community service position.
Students can check their Offer tab in the FalconNest portal to see their eligibility.
If you are eligible for FWS and you would like to have an FWS award, follow these steps:
- Contact the Financial Aid Office to verify that there is still FWS money available to award.
- Once you are awarded FWS, find a campus department willing to hire you for a FWS position on campus.
- Search the Career Center jobs database to find a work-study position offered on campus.
- Complete the hiring process with the department hiring you.
Federal Work Study - Hiring Forms
As a new student worker, you’ll receive or find the following documents on the Solano Community College Human Resources webpage or in your packet. Click Here to be redirected to Human Resources
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New Student Worker Memo
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Data Access Release Chart
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Student Worker Salary Schedule
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Paid Sick Leave Notice & Sick Leave Instructions
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Online Training Memo
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Board Policies (Sexual Harassment, Smoking, Computer Use, Drug-Free Workplace, Discrimination)
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Campus Map
student Worker job application
State of California - Oath or Affirmation of Loyalty
Student confidentiality statement
iRS W4 - Federal Income Tax Withholding form
CA DE - 4 State income tax form
Employment Eligibility Verification Form i-9
Receipt & Acknowledgement Form
*direct deposit is optional but recommended
Solano Community College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and offers Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans. (We do not offer Direct PLUS Loans.)
To be eligible, a student must meet all eligibility requirements and stay enrolled in at least six units.
The primary difference between the two programs involves the treatment of interest while the student is still in school. Direct Subsidized Loans do not accrue interest until the student has graduated, dropped below half-time status (6 or more units), or withdrawn from school entirely. On the other hand, Direct Unsubsidized Loans will accrue interest immediately. As interest accrues, the amount that a student will owe back to the government will increase.
Direct Subsidized Loans are available to students with demonstrated need, while Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to anyone.
For more information on the Federal Direct Loan program, including annual and lifetime maximum amounts, repayment plans, and alternatives to lending, visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans
For information on how to apply for Direct Loans at Solano, check out our Direct Loans page featuring our FAQ here.
One-time debt relief is provided by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) as part of the Biden-Harris Administration student debt relief program. Applications will be accepted through December 31, 2023. For all information, including to research if you qualify for debt forgiveness, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/debt-relief-info. Solano Community College cannot answer questions about this program including assessing students qualifications for debt relief as the program is managed by the ED and not by us.