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Nonresident Merit Scholarship FAQs

  1. Who is eligible for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship Award at Allan Hancock Community College District?
  2. How do I apply for this AHC Merit Scholarship?
  3. Is there a final deadline to be eligible for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  4. May I take online classes with this scholarship?
  5. Do I have to fill out the FAFSA or CADAA to qualify for this scholarship?
  6. What if I am not eligible to submit a FAFSA or CADAA due to my citizenship?
  7. How long does the scholarship last? How many semesters/years is my scholarship good for?
  8. If I received less than a 3.0 GPA in High School but then earned a 3.0 in my first semester at Hancock, could I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship award in the 2nd semester of my first year?
  9. If I did not recently attend and graduate from High School (for example, I graduated in 2021 and earned over a 3.0 GPA in High School and intend on enrolling as a first-year student in 2024), may I still qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  10. If I plan on attending AHC as a first-time college student, what documents do I need to submit to verify my High School GPA?
  11. What documents do I need to submit to verify my previous College GPA?
  12. What if I am unable to obtain my official high school and/or official college transcript as my high school or college has closed?
  13. If I graduated from a California High School with a 3.0 GPA or better, but I am on a student visa such as an F1 Visa, may I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  14. Would I get the scholarship the following fall semester if I started in the spring semester?
  15. If I do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in my first semester at Hancock, under the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship award, will I lose my scholarship for subsequent semesters?
  16. If I do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in my first semester at Hancock, under the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship award criteria, but improve my GPA during the winter or summer intercession, may the scholarship be reinstated for the upcoming semester?
  17. May I earn an AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship if I am enrolled in less than 12 units?
  18. Is there a limit to the number of units I can take in which the Nonresident Merit Scholarship would pay?
  19. What exact fees does the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship cover?
  20. What exact fees am I, the student responsible to pay for each semester?
  21. Is there a final deadline to be eligible and awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
  22. When will I be awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
  23. Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

Who is eligible for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship Award at Allan Hancock Community College District?
Any student identified as a nonresident of California entering Allan Hancock College who meets the following criteria:

  • Enrolls directly after high school graduation with a 3.00** or better high school cumulative GPA; OR
  • Completes at least 12 units at another postsecondary institution in the immediate term prior with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00**;
    AND
  • Enrolls in at least 12 units, with a minimum of three (3) units in-person & on campus;
  • Submits a 2024-2025 FAFSA or CADAA application by the 3rd week of the first semester and completes the student’s financial aid file by the 8th week of the first semester of enrollment.

NOTE: ** We will accept whichever cumulative GPA benefits the student, weighted vs. unweighted.

How do I apply for this AHC Merit Scholarship?
There is a simple AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship online application that can be found on our Scholarship website:  www.hancockcollege.edu/finaid/scholarships.php 

Is there a final deadline to be eligible for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
Yes, by the end of the 10th week of the fall and spring semesters.  All the above requirements must be completed.  No awards will be made for the semester after that date.

May I take online classes with this scholarship?
Yes.  We require at least three (3) units to be taken on campus and in person each semester. 

Do I have to fill out the FAFSA or CADAA to qualify for this scholarship?
Yes, you must submit a 2024-2025 FAFSA or CADAA by the end of the 3rd week of the first semester of enrollment AND complete your financial aid file by the 8th week of the first semester of enrollment.

What if I am not eligible to submit a FAFSA or CADAA due to my citizenship?
Please see the Director of Admissions for a quick review of your residency eligibility.  If you are deemed ineligible to apply for the FAFSA or CADAA, the requirement will be waived.  Please note, International Students are not eligible for this scholarship. 

How long does the scholarship last? How many semesters/years is my scholarship good for?
The scholarship will be awarded for a maximum of two primary terms (e.g., a student entering in the fall may qualify for their first fall and first spring, or a student entering AHC for the first time in spring may qualify for their first spring and first fall). Only those meeting all eligibility criteria for each term will qualify (i.e. maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA, taking at least 12 units each semester, with at least three (3) of those 12 units being in person/on campus, and having no outstanding balance due on their student account).

If I received less than a 3.0 GPA in High School but then earned a 3.0 in my first semester at Hancock, could I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship award in the 2nd semester of my first year?
Yes.  However, you would only qualify for the scholarship for one semester following the semester you entered AHC. Additionally, you must be in good standing and have all outstanding fees paid before the start of the semester in which the merit scholarship would be awarded.

If I did not recently attend and graduate from High School (for example, I graduated in 2021 and earned over a 3.0 GPA in High School and intend on enrolling as a first-year student in 2024), may I still qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
Yes, if you did not attend any college after high school. An official high school transcript will need to be submitted for verification.

If I plan on attending AHC as a first-time college student, what documents do I need to submit to verify my High School GPA?
Your official high school transcript needs to be submitted for verification by Admissions and Records.  

What documents do I need to submit to verify my previous College GPA?
Your official college transcript needs to be submitted for verification by Admissions and Records.  

What if I am unable to obtain my official high school and/or official college transcript as my high school or college has closed?
Before closing, a school must provide accommodations to access your academic records indefinitely. The school must communicate information about how to obtain your academic transcripts once the location has been determined.  If you didn’t receive your transcripts, you’ll need to contact the Department of Education in your school’s state.

If I graduated from a California High School with a 3.0 GPA or better, but I am on a student visa such as an F1 Visa, may I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
Unfortunately, no.  International students do not qualify for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship.

Would I get the scholarship the following fall semester if I started in the spring semester?
Yes, if you are eligible and continue to meet all the requirements. The scholarship is available for up to two consecutive primary semesters. (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall)

If I do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in my first semester at Hancock, under the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship award, will I lose my scholarship for subsequent semesters?
Yes, if you do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in your first semester, you will not be awarded the scholarship for the following semester.

If I do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in my first semester at Hancock, under the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship award criteria, but improve my GPA during the winter or summer intercession, may the scholarship be reinstated for the upcoming semester?
Maybe. You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of each semester.

May I earn an AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship if I am enrolled in less than 12 units?
No, you must enroll in and maintain 12 units or more each fall/spring semester; there is no enrollment requirement for winter or summer sessions.

Is there a limit to the number of units I can take in which the Nonresident Merit Scholarship would pay?
No, there is no limit.  You may enroll in more than 12 units per semester. However, keep in mind that the Merit Scholarship only covers the nonresident fees. The student is still responsible for paying the enrollment fee of $46 per unit and any other semester student fees.  An example of student enrollment fees, nonresident tuition fees and other fee charges are shown below in question #14.

What exact fees does the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship cover?
The Merit Scholarship only covers the nonresident tuition portion of the student fees which is $364.00 per unit for the 2024-2025 year.   (Example:  $364.00 x 12 units = $4,368.00 will be covered by the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship)

What exact fees am I, the student responsible to pay for each semester?
The student is responsible for paying all of the following fees: Enrollment fees at $46 per unit, Health Supervision and Services Fee of $26.00 per semester; Student Body Center Building & Operating Fee of $10 per semester; Student Representation Fee of $2.00 per semester; in addition to any Physical Education usage fee which is charged for some PE courses which are off campus; any Materials Fee (see online course description for details & cost).

Is there a final deadline to be eligible and awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
Yes, students who do not complete all the requirements by the 10th week of each semester will no longer be eligible for that semester. 

All fees shown below must be paid before the next registration cycle begins for the upcoming semester.  If the full balance is not paid, a hold will be placed on your account which will prevent you from registering for the next semester. It will also make you ineligible for the scholarship for subsequent semesters.

EXAMPLE OF STUDENT FEES CHARGED EACH SEMESTER FOR

WHICH THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY

PRIOR TO THE NEXT SEMESTER REGISTRATION

Nonresident Tuition Fees (12 units x $364.00) student responsible for this fee IF ineligible for the Merit Scholarship

$4,368.00

 

 

Enrollment Fees (12 units x $46.00)

$552.00

Health Supervision and Services Fee

$26.00

Student Body Center Building & Operating Fee

$10.00

Student Representation Fee

$2.00

*PE usage fee for some PE courses off campus

varies

*Materials Fee (see online course description for details & cost)

varies

TOTAL DUE EACH SEMESTER

$590.00

The nonresident tuition fee will be applied to the student's account if they do not meet all the Merit Scholarship criteria.

*Only applicable if student is enrolled in these types of courses.                                         

 

When will I be awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
The AHC Merit Scholarship will be posted after you meet all the stated criteria as outlined above in FAQ question #1 on the following dates for the 2024-2025 year and the semester has begun.

  • Fall 2024 – awarding will begin on 9/9/2024 and will continue each week through week 12
    • 9/9/2024 for Full Semester & Term 1
    • 10/18/2024- last day to apply
    • 10/25/2024 – Term 2
  • Spring 2025 – awarding will begin on 2/10/2024 and will continue through week 12
    • 2/10/2025 – Full Semester & Term 3
    • 3/28/2024- last day to apply
    • 4/4/2025 – Term 4

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

    1. Stop by the Financial Aid Office or
    2. Email finaid@hancockcollege.edu or
    3. Contact Mary Dominguez, Dean of Student Services at mary.dominguez@hancockcollege.edu