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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. May I take a class for CR/NC (pass/no pass)? 
  6. Do I need to complete the College’s Student Orientation?
  7. Do I need to see a Counselor for a Comprehensive Student Education Plan?
  8. Do I have to fill out the FAFSA or CADAA to qualify for this scholarship?
  9. What if I am not eligible to submit a FAFSA or CADAA due to my citizenship?
  10. Will I receive the Merit Scholarship if I have an outstanding balance?
  11. Do I have to continuously reside in CA while I am receiving the Merit Scholarship?
  12. How long does the scholarship last? How many semesters/years is my scholarship good for?
  13. 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?
  14. 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?
  15. 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?
  16. What documents do I need to submit to verify my previous College GPA?
  17. What if I am unable to obtain my official high school and/or official college transcript as my high school or college has closed?
  18. 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?
  19. What if I already have a bachelor’s degree? Am I still eligible?
  20. Would I get the scholarship the following fall semester if I started in the spring semester?
  21. 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?
  22. 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 winter classes, may the scholarship be reinstated for the upcoming semester?
  23. May I earn an AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship if I am enrolled in less than 12 units?
  24. Is there a limit to the number of units I can take in which the Nonresident Merit Scholarship would pay?
  25. What exact fees does the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship cover?
  26. What exact fees am I, the student responsible for each semester?
  27. Is there a final deadline to be eligible and awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
  28. When will I be awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
  29. What if my application is denied?
  30. 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 (excluding international students) entering Allan Hancock College who meets the following criteria:

  1. Enroll directly after high school graduation with a 3.00** or better high school cumulative GPA; OR
  2. Completes at least 12 units at another postsecondary institution in the immediate term prior with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00**; AND
  3. Enroll in and complete at least 12 units each semester of which at least 3 units must be in person. *** Note: students may not combine classes that are less than 3-units to meet this requirement.
  4. All classes must be taken for a letter grade. CR/NC (Pass/No Pass) grades/units do not count towards meeting this requirement.
  5. Submit a 2025-2026 FAFSA or CADAA application by the 3rd week of the semester
  6. Complete the college’s student orientation by the end of the 4th week of their first semester.
  7. Complete their student financial aid file by the 6th week of the first semester of enrollment. 
  8. Complete a Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) by week 9 of the first semester.
  9. Enrolled classes must match your CSEP to be eligible for this award. Students must be present in California throughout both primary semesters (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall) award to assist them in establishing California residency for the following year.

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 and no post awarding can be made.

May I take online classes with this scholarship?
Yes, however, we require a minimum of 3 units  must be taken in person each semester.  Students may not combine classes that are less than 3 units to meet this requirement.

May I take a class for CR/NC (pass/no pass)?
Yes, however, please note that the Nonresident Merit Scholarship requires that a minimum of 12 units must be taken for a letter grade to count towards this Scholarship.

Do I need to complete the College’s Student Orientation?
Yes, you must complete the College’s Student Orientation by the end of the 4th week of your first semester.

Do I need to see a Counselor for a Comprehensive Education Plan?
Yes, you must meet with an AHC Counselor for a Comprehensive educational plan (also known as CSEP) if this is your first semester OR if you have NOT previously had a CSEP completed no later than week 9 of your first semester.  NOTE: Your CSEP educational plan must also match the classes that you are/will be enrolling in.

Do I have to fill out the FAFSA or CADAA to qualify for this scholarship?
Yes, students must submit a 2025-2026 FAFSA or CADAA by the end of week 3 of the first semester of enrollment AND complete their financial aid file by week 6 of the first semester of enrollment.  Any delay in submitting these applications on time will result in delaying review of eligibility for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship as well as student registration holds put on student accounts for upcoming semesters.

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. 

Will I receive the Merit Scholarship if I have an outstanding balance?
No, all outstanding fees MUST be paid before the Merit Scholarship can be awarded. This includes any prior nonresident tuition and registration/enrollment fees in addition to any current registration/enrollment student fee charges. 

Do I have to continuously reside in CA while I am receiving the Merit Scholarship?
Students who leave California during their first year of attendance may lose eligibility for residency at AHC.  To establish CA residency, students must be present in California throughout their first year. (See AHC’s Board Policy 5015)

How long does the scholarship last? How many semesters/years is the 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 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 academic 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 2025), 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. Here is the link for uploading official transcripts: Transcript Upload Link

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. Here is the link for uploading official transcripts: Transcript Upload Link

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.

What if I already have a bachelor’s degree? Am I still eligible?
Unfortunately, no. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible for the 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 winter classes, may the scholarship be reinstated for the upcoming semester?
Maybe. You must have a minimum institutional 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. However, please note that YOU will be responsible for paying the non-resident tuition fees during winter AND summer session classes.

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 non-resident tuition fees. The student is still responsible for paying ALL the enrollment fees which is $46 per unit, and any other semester student fees.  An example of student enrollment fees, non-resident tuition fees and other fee charges are shown below in question #25 & #26.

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 $370.00 per unit for the 2025-2026 year.  (Example:  $370.00 x 12 units = $4,440.00 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 the following fees:

Fees: Cost per semester:
Enrollment Fee $46 per unit
Health Supervision and Services Fee $27
Student Body Center Building & Operating Fee $10
Student Representation Fee $2
Physical Education usage fee which is charged for some PE classes
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.

Student Fee Balance Sample - Fall 2025

Nonresident Tuition ($370 per unit) x12*

$4,440.00

Enrollment Fees ($46.00 per unit) x 12

$552.00**

Health Supervision and Services Fee

$27.00**

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 FEES DUE FOR FALL 2025

$5,031.00

Less Fall 2025 50% PELL Awarded 8/15/2025

$1,848.75

REMAINING OUTSTANDING BALANCE DUE FOR FALL 2025

$3,182.25

Less Nonresident Merit Scholarship Awarded 9/8/2025

$4,440.00

REFUND DUE TO THE STUDENT AFTER POSTING NONRESIDENT MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

($1,257.75)

*Based on a minimum of 12 units & Max PELL (which may be different for each student)

Based on Max Pell for 2025-2026 $7,395/2=$3,697.50 Fall & Spring

**These are charges the student is responsible for paying

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 2025-2026 year.

  • Fall 2025 – awarding will begin on 9/8/2025 and will continue each week through week 12
    • 9/8/2025 for Full Semester & Term 1
    • 10/24/2025 – Term 2
  • Spring 2026 – awarding will begin on 2/9/2026 and will continue through week 12
    • 2/9/2026 – Full Semester & Term 3
    • 4/3/2026 – Term 4

What if my application is denied?

Allan Hancock College has several ways for students to pay for their educational expenses. We offer grants, scholarships, and loans. Please visit our financial aid website for detailed information: https://www.hancockcollege.edu/finaid/

In some instances, students may submit an appeal for not meeting the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Inability to enroll in a single 3-unit course due to limited availability of 3-unit or higher in-person classes (the appeal committee will confirm when students enroll in courses)
  2. Inability to meet stated deadlines due to extenuating circumstances outside of the student’s control

Students must first complete the scholarship application. If a student’s application is denied and they meet possible appeal criteria, they will receive an appeal link to their myHancock email. Keep in mind, receiving a link to the appeal does not guarantee an appeal approval. All appeals and supporting documentation, must be received no later than the end of week 12 of the semester.

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 Kristin Milligan, Dean of Student Services at kristin.milligan@hancockcollege.edu