Thank you for visiting the Student Finance Coordinator page at Pacific Oaks College! I’m here to guide you through your financial options and help you feel confident and secure about funding your education. We know that financial stress is a common concern for many students, and our mission is to provide you with the support, knowledge, and resources to ease that burden and help you thrive here at Pacific Oaks College. Whether you’re a first-generation college student, paying for school on your own, or supporting a family, we understand your unique challenges and are here to assist you every step of the way.
Services Offered
Available to current or prospective Pacific Oaks College students, our student finance coordinator serves as a liaison between multiple departments such as Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Admissions, Academics, and Student Services.
Our student finance coordinator can assist you with:
- Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
- Navigating the financial aid process
- Understanding your financial aid options
- Understanding your award letter
- Learning about Pacific Oaks scholarship opportunities, as well as external and scholarship search resources
- Navigating the student accounts process
We hope to assist you in planning your finances so that you worry less about financing your college costs and have more time to dedicate to your studies. Bernice Orozco, our current student finance coordinator, has more than 25 years’ experience in higher education student finance and is ready to assist and support you in any way possible.
Contact Information
Bernice Orozco
Student Finance Coordinator
[email protected]
626-529-8068
Make an appointment
Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA)
Federal School Code: 001255
Students who are US Citizens, permanent residents, or eligible non-citizens should complete the FAFSA. Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, anyone required to provide information on the FAFSA form will need to create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). This includes the student and, if applicable, the student’s spouse, a biological/adoptive parent, or the parent’s spouse (if remarried). All contributing individuals must consent to have information transferred onto the FAFSA form. Without consent, the FAFSA form will remain incomplete, and the student will be ineligible for federal student aid.
California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
Federal School Code: 001255
Undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid/expired), U Visa holders, and students with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who meet AB 540 requirements can complete the CA Dream Act Application. The CA Dream Act Application is used to apply for state financial aid, like Cal Grants and the Middle-Class Scholarship. Information provided on the CADAA is not shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement. California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will work to the fullest extent of the law to protect all students who share their information through the CADAA.
IMPORTANT: Information provided on the FAFSA and CADAA determines a student’s financial aid eligibility. Should a parent or spouse provide information on the FAFSA or CADAA, it does not make them financially responsible for the student’s educational costs.
STEP 1: COMPLETE THE CADAA
STEP 2: GPA SUBMISSION TO CSAC Priority ** Deadline: March 4 every year. A GPA is one of the requirements needed to be considered for a new Cal Grant award. Most public California high schools, community colleges, and universities will automatically electronically submit your Cal Grant GPA to CSAC. Because of this, most students don’t need to complete a paper GPA verification form.
First-time applicants or students without a current Cal Grant award must have a GPA on file with CSAC to be considered for a Cal Grant award. Students with an existing Cal Grant award do not need to submit a GPA to CSAC. CSAC accepts verified GPAs from high schools, adult schools, community colleges, and 2/4-year colleges. A test score (SAT, ACT, GED, TASC, HiSET) can be submitted in lieu of a GPA if the student was homeschooled or attended an unaccredited school, or calculation of a GPA on a 4.00 scale is not possible. Test scores can be submitted by completing the Cal Grant GPA Verification form.
STEP 3: CREATE A WEBGRANTS 4 STUDENTS ACCOUNT Students can create a WebGrants 4 Students account after submitting their FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. Students can check the status of their GPA (if required) and manage or check the status of their state financial aid awards.
