Legal and Consumer Information

This information can be found at the following website: 

A book loan voucher is an advance on the financial aid award which allows students to purchase or rent books and purchase supplies at the Taft College Bookstore. The amount of the book loan voucher will be deducted from the financial aid refund. The vouchers are available one week before the beginning of the fall and spring semester. The voucher must be redeemed within seven days of the beginning of the fall and spring semester.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 during the U.S. Constitutional Convention. The Taft College Associated Student Organization provides faculty, students, and staff with access to U.S. Constitution Day educational resources, movies and toolkits on September 17th of each year.

Constitution Day Resources

• Library of Congress repository for Constitutional documents and information
• National Archives website for the U.S. Constitution
• U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federally Mandated Training

Illegal distribution of Copyrighted Materials

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These right include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading, or  uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties.  In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed.  for “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed.  A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees.  For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections, 504, 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines up to $250,000 per offense.

Guiding the college in regards to copyright is Board Policy 3710 (PDF).

For cost of attendance information, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

See the latest course schedule information.

Degree and other Educational and Training Programs

Upon satisfactory completion of requirements and upon approval of the Board of Trustees, students may earn the Associate in Arts Degree, Associate in Science Degree, Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T), Certificate of Achievement and Local Certificates.

Associate in Arts/Science Degrees, Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T)

For the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science degree to any of the Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) a student must demonstrate competence in reading, in written expression and in mathematics.  The student must satisfactorily complete at least 60 semester units in degree-applicable course with a minimum of a “C” (2.0) grade point average (GPA) and a minimum grade of ‘C’ in all courses in the major (field of study) and competency fields.

Certificate of Achievement and Local Certificates

Certificate of Achievement and Local Certificates are designed for students interested in programs of instruction with a high degree of specialization. Programs vary in length and generally require less than two years of full-time study to complete.

Plan for Improving Academic Programs

To learn about our plans for improving academic programs at Taft College, read our Educational Master Plan (PDF).

Taft College does not have any student abroad programs.

Transfer Credit Policies

Articulation

Articulation agreement information is available for the CSU and UC education systems.  Students may also be provided with further information by contacting a counselor.

Articulation agreements are not available with all campuses.

Students should plan on meeting as much lower division pre-major course articulation work as possible prior to transfer.  This will not guarantee a student will be admitted; however, it will increase the competitive edge a student may have in transferring to another institution.

Articulation agreement information is available on the ASSIST website for the CSU and UC systems.

Transfer Students

Taft College welcomes transfers from other post-secondary institutions.

Matriculating students who previously have attended other collegiate institutions are required to submit official transcripts from each of these institutions to the Admissions Office within the first semester of attendance. All transcripts submitted become the permanent property of Taft College.

For information on the college faculty and instructional personnel, visit the Faculty & Staff page.

Read our FERPA statement.

Taft College provides instructional and laboratory facilities needed to support each of its academic programs.  Contact the chairperson for the department for specific information about the facilities and resources available to support the academic program.

Taft College will grant credit to veterans for active military service.  The maximum general credit is 8 semester units – 4 for having completed basic training and 2 for each of the first 2 years of service.  Credit is also granted for educational work completed in the various service schools in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council of Education. This credit will be applied to help meet the requirements for graduation but is subject to acceptance by any other college to which the student transfers.  The maximum credit allowed for all military service experience is 20 units.  Duplicate credit will not be given in both high school and college.  If a veteran uses service credits to complete high school graduation requirements, these same units may not be used to fulfill college graduation requirements.

For further information, visit the Veterans Services website.

The Net Price Calculator for Taft College can be accessed at https://misweb.cccco.edu/npc/691/npcalc.htm.

View our placement data.

Taft College and Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) provides support services and educational accommodations to students with disabilities.  It is our goal to provide appropriate accommodations to every student with a documented disability who have the desire and ability to benefit from college-level instruction, so they may have equal access and opportunity in an academic environment.

Visit the Disability Support Programs and Services website.

Students are responsible for dropping the classes they no longer wish to attend and are required to abide by the published add/drop deadline schedule which determines when students can add and drop classes, avoid withdrawal from the classes and be eligible for a refund.  To be eligible for a refund of enrollment fees, a class must have been dropped on or prior to the refund deadline for the specific class.  Full-time classes will always have a fixed refund deadline published in the Class Schedule each semester.  The refund deadline for any non-standard, part-of-term class is calculated at 10% of the class meeting days scheduled between the start and end dates for the specific class.  If a student adds or drops a class after the published refund deadline, the student will be responsible for the enrollment fees associated with the class.  Even if the student postponed the fees and have not yet technically “paid” for the class, the student will not get a refund.

For example, if a class is scheduled to meet twice a week for a total of 30 class meetings, the refund deadline would be the third class meeting (10% of the 30 class meeting days).  Once the drop has been processed the student’s account will be automatically adjusted and a refund issued if necessary.

Taft College’s Student Life Program is designed to engage students in extra-curricular activities which enrich their intellectual, ethical, and social development.  Student Life is committed to providing a variety of arenas where students have the opportunity to practice student self-governance, learn respect for diverse groups, learn civic responsibility and develop life skills to carry on beyond college.  Through campus life and clubs, students are encouraged to grow as leaders and to improve on or develop the following components: ability to provide directions, to lead courageously, to foster teamwork, to motivate others and to build relationships, to coach their peers and to act with integrity.

Learn more about student life at Taft College.

The Taft College Board of Trustees is charged with the responsibility for the governance of Taft College.  In furtherance of the responsibility, the Board of Trustees has the authority to adopt and enforce such rules and regulations, as it deems necessary for the operation, control and management of Taft College.  Education Code Section 66300 states the Board of Trustees shall adopt specific rules and regulations governing student behavior.  The Standards of Student Conduct adopted by the Board of Trustees include provisions relating to the standards of conduct expected of students at Taft College.  Faculty and Administrators involved in the disciplinary process are expected to abide by the standards articulated in the Taft College Standards of Student Conduct.  Students who fail to conform to the established standards of student conduct are subject to one or more of the disciplinary penalties listed in the Standards of Student Conduct.  A disciplinary penalty may not be imposed upon a student for engaging in prohibited conduct unless the student has been offered an opportunity for a hearing which conforms to certain minimal procedural due process standards.  Student Conduct Policies have been drafted to establish disciplinary hearing procedures which conform to procedural due process requirements.

Discipline

School Discipline has two main goals:

• Ensure the safety of staff and students
• Create and environment conducive to learning

Due Process

In the pursuit of students academic ends, students should be free of unfair and improper action by any member of the academic community.  A grievance may be initiated by a student when the student believes she/he has been subject to unjust action or denied his/her rights as stipulated in published college regulations, State Laws or Federal Laws.  Such action may be instituted by a student against a faculty/staff member of an Administrator. The process in which to file a grievance may be located in the Taft College Student Handbook.

Learn more about the Standards of Student Conduct.

Taft College regularly reports this information to the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Follow these steps to access this information:

1. View the Taft College data via College Navigator.
2. For gender and race/ethnicity data, click on the “Enrollment” link to expand the selection
3. For information about Pell Grant recipients, expand the “Financial Aid” link

See more facts and statistics about Taft College, including gender, demographic and other data on our quickfacts sheet (PDF).

Transfer of Credit to other Colleges and Universities

Taft College is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for the Community and Junior Colleges, which is a part of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  All courses equivalent to university and college work are generally accepted by all WASC member colleges and most other colleges and universities in the United States. Specific information on course and/or program articulation on course and/or program articulation agreements with the University of California and the California State University can be found at https://assist.org/.

Students may access textbook information from the Taft College Bookstore website.  Follow these steps to access this information:

• Visit the Taft College Bookstore website.
• Place cursor over the “Textbooks” menu.
• Select “Order Texbooks” from the drop down menu.
• Students may either enter the information for the textbooks or enter information through the “Select Your Courses” section.

Taft College encourages eligible students to register to vote.  Students may access the California Voter Registration website at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Students may drop or withdraw from a class any time prior to the appropriate deadlines during the semester through Cougar Tracks or by bringing a completed Drop Form to the Counseling Office located in the Student Services/Administration Building.  Dropping a class is a student’s responsibility.  An instructor’s signature is not required to drop a class.  Students will receive a W grade, if they drop a class after the last day to drop without a W.  W grades are not considered punitive, though a student’s subsequent financial aid eligibility and academic progress evaluation may be affected.

Students may be dropped from classes by the instructor if they do not attend the first or second class meeting or for excessive absences. Students are ultimately responsible for withdrawing from a class they no longer plan to attend.  Failure to do so will result with the instructor reporting a letter grade (FW or NP) and charges being issued for the class.  Please refer to the Add/Drop deadline schedule.

At this time, there is not a vaccination policy in place to attend Taft College.

The College Financing Plan is a consumer tool which notifies students about their financial aid package.  The College Financing Plan is available to students who have the Taft College Federal School Code (001309) on their financial aid application.  Once the financial aid application has been processed, they may login to their student portal, Cougar Tracks and click on the Financial Aid Tab to access the plan.

Prospective or enrolled students who have questions regarding Taft College Scholarships or federal or state financial aid should contact the Taft College Financial Aid Department at (661) 763-7762. Additional contact information for specific staff members may be found on the Cost & Aid website.

Read the Taft College Title IV Loan Code of Conduct (PDF).

The Federal Government requires first-time student borrowers to complete loan entrance counseling to ensure the student borrower understands the responsibilities and obligations he/she are assuming. In order to provide the required comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of the loan and the borrower’s responsibilities, first-time student loan borrowers at Taft College are required to complete online entrance counseling at https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/ as part of student loan request with Taft College.

Taft College is required to provide counseling to federal student loan borrowers when the student ceases at least half-time enrollment at Taft College. Student borrowers who fall below half-time enrollment at Taft College are informed through email directing them to https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/ to complete exit counseling and to receive information on monthly repayment amounts, repayment plan options, options to prepay or pay on a shorter schedule, debt management strategies, use of the Master Promissory Note, the seriousness and importance of student’s repayment obligation, terms and conditions for forgiveness or cancellation, terms and conditions for deferment or forbearance, consequences of default, options and consequences of loan consolidation, and tax benefits available to borrowers, as well as other necessary information

Visit the Cost & Aid website for an understanding of fee and disbursement schedules.

Different types of aid (private scholarships, state grants, etc.) have different rules, called eligibility criteria to determine who receives the aid.

The Federal Government is the primary source of financial aid for college students.  Students must meet several requirements in order to be eligible to receive federal aid.

The following requirements are common to most financial aid programs:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• AB540 Students: Complete the California Dream Act Application.
• Have financial need and demonstrate it through their financial aid application materials.
• Required to enroll in a program of study leading to an eligible degree or certificate.
• Have a high school diploma, GED (General Educational Development), CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Examination) or completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Not be in default on any student loan nor owe a repayment on any Title IV Aid at any institution.
• Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Eligibility Restrictions

Students may be denied financial aid for one or more of the following reasons:

• Failure to meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement.
• Student’s resources meet or exceed allowable expenses.
• Ineligible immigration status.
• Not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Bachelor Degree: Undergraduates who have already received a Bachelor Degree may only receive the California College Promise Grant while pursuing an additional course of study and are not eligible for federal grant assistance such as the Pell Grant or State Grant assistance such as the Cal Grant.
• Enrollment at more than one institution: Students who are enrolled at more than one college or university at the same time may receive the Pell Grant from only one institution.

Students are packaged for financial aid based on the student’s financial need.  Financial need is determined by a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  The EFC measures a family’s financial strength and is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal student aid during one school year.  Students will receive an EFC based on the processing results of the FAFSA or the CADAA.  The EFC is then used with the student’s enrollment status and the Cost of Attendance (COA) at Taft College to determine financial need.

The following order of priorities will be used in packaging students for Taft College Financial Aid Programs. All “resource aid” will be deducted from the student’s cost of attendance before awarding (resources are: CCPG, EOPS, CARE, outside scholarship or outside loans). The college reserves the right to vary priorities when deemed necessary by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department.

1. California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
2. Federal Pell Grant
3. FSEOG
4. Cal Grant B or C
5. Student Success Completion Grant
6. Academic Merit Award
7. Taft College Scholarship
8. Federal Work-Study
9. Institutional Work-Study
10. Loans

Every year, millions of high school  graduates seek creative ways to finance the markedly rising costs of a college education.  In the process, they sometimes fall prey to scholarship and financial aid scams.  On November 5, 2000, Congress passed the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000 (CSFPA).  The CSFPA enhances protection against fraud in student financial assistance by establishing stricter sentencing guidelines for criminal financial aid fraud.  It also charged the department, working in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with implementing national awareness activities, including a scholarship fraud awareness site on the ED website.

According to the FTC, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use these phrases, or a variation:

• “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
• “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
• “We’ll do all the work,  You just pay a processing fee.”
• “The scholarship will cost some money.”
• “You’re a finalist.”

To file a complaint, or free information, students or parents should call 1 (817) FTC-HELP (1-817-382-4357) or visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scholarship-and-financial-aid-scams.

To apply for financial aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).  Applications are available at www.fafsa.gov or www.dream.csac.ca.gov each year starting October 1st. Students should complete their application as soon as possible, as some California financial aid programs have a deadline of March 2nd.  Once you complete the application, it will take on average approximately 5-10 business days for your FAFSA or 2 weeks for your California Dream Act Application information to be processed into our system.

Once your application is processed, students will be notified about eligibility. Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department. Students may check the status of their financial aid online at www.taftcollege.edu and click on the Cougar Tracks link located in the upper right-hand corner of the Taft College main page.  Once the financial aid file is complete, it will be reviewed by a technician and students should receive an award offer regarding their eligibility via email.  The offer will specify the award type and amount, for which students are eligible.

Taft College recognizes we are here for the students, so we are committed to the prompt delivery of student financial aid.  We strive to provide quality service to students, the community and our colleagues with integrity and compassion.  We encourage the development of teamwork, cooperation and innovation as well as the pursuit of increased knowledge.

It is the goal of the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department to ensure students have access to our quality educational programs.  Help is available to students with financial need from a number of sources including federal, state and institutional to help pay expenses related to the achievement of an educational goal.  Assistance may be available in the form of grants, work-study, scholarships and an enrollment fee waiver.

We are dedicated to helping students fulfill educational goals by assisting with financial needs.  In additional to gaining access to financial aid, we will strive to ensure students have the understanding of the financial aid process and the relationship between financial aid and academic success.

Taft College offers different categories of financial aid. GIFT AID refers to scholarships and grants, since these funds typically do not require repayment. SELF-HELP AID includes work-study. STUDENT LOANS are funds students borrow and must pay back with interest. A student’s financial aid package may include several types of awards. Financial aid will help pay for educational costs including:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board
• Books and supplies
• Personal expenses
• Transportation costs

Available Federal and State Aid Programs

The following is a summary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid and California State Aid programs available to help pay for school:

Federal Pell Grant*

Available to most undergraduates seeking an approved Title IV degree, certificate or other recognized educational credential offered by the institution.

Grant does not typically have to be paid back.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant*

For undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

Grant does not typically have to be paid back.

Direct Federal Student Loans*

Available to students who do and do not demonstrate financial need.

A student loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest.

Work-Study Programs

Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as determined by the college. Visit the online Job Board.

Work-Study allows you to earn money through campus jobs while attending school and does not need paid back.

State Cal Grant A

Available only at 4-year institutions or community colleges which offer bachelor’s degree programs. Taft College does not offer any bachelor’s degree programs.

Grant does not typically have to be repaid.

State Cal Grant B

High school senior with 2.00 GPA meets the basic requirements.  Apply by March 2 for consideration or September 2 (California Community College deadline).

Grant does not typically have to be repaid.

State Cal Grant C

Helps students enrolled in vocationally oriented programs.

Grant does not typically have to be repaid.

Student Success Completion Grant

Must be enrolled in a community college full-time (12 or more units) & be receiving a CAL Grant A, B or C award.

Grant does not typically have to be repaid.

California College Promise Grant

Must be a California resident, meet eligibility requirements.

Waives enrollment fees only.  The wavier has NO CASH VALUE. 

Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS)

Must meet eligibility requirements and be able to provide documentation.

Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE)

Must meet eligibility requirements and be able to provide documentation.

* Enrollment status for all Federal Programs is calculated using only courses required for your stated degree/program.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student financial aid records. Federal loans disbursed to students or parents will be submitted to NSLDS and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Student and parent borrowers can track and manage their federal student loans and grants online at https://studentaid.gov/. The secured site displays information on loans and grants, including amounts, outstanding balances and status. Student and parent borrowers can also find contact information for their loan servicer.

Taft College has an array of aid programs.  Some are need based and some are non need bases as determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CDAA).

Need Based

• Pell Grant
• California College Promise Grant
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• Cal Grant A B C
• Student Success Completion Grant
• Federal Work-Study
• Direct Loan Subsidized

Non Need Based

• Taft College Academic Merit Award
• Taft College Scholarship
• Taft College Non-Resident Scholarship
• Direct Loan Unsubsidized

Any student who completely withdraws from all classes and/or is dropped by their instructors and/or receives FW grades in all classes and has received Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Direct Loans, or other Title IV funds will be required to repay any unearned portion to the appropriate Federal Fund.

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Department generates a list of students who have withdrawn, were dropped by his/her instructors, and/or received FW grades in all  classes from the enrollment management system. The list includes students who have been dropped from all classes by their instructors as well as those who have initiated the withdrawal themselves. Refund/repayment calculation worksheets are completed as soon as possible after each list is generated by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department.

A refund calculation will be applied to all students who receive federal assistance and withdraw from all classes, and/or are dropped from all classes by their instructors, and/or receive all FW grades due to non-attendance.

To calculate the refund or repayment:

1. Take the calendar days completed in the payment period or period of enrollment divided by the total calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment. Use this percentage if it is under 60 If 60 percent or more, use 100 percent as Title IV funds earned.
2. Determine institutional charges for tuition, fees, etc.
3. Determine earned and unearned portions of Title IV aid disbursed (amount disbursed * percent earned = earned) and (amount disbursed-earned = unearned).
4. If Title IV aid earned is greater than the funds disbursed, a post withdrawal disbursement is due to the student.
5. If Title IV aid earned is less than the funds disbursed, this is the amount of Title IV aid which must be returned:
6. By the school: institutional charges * unearned Title IV aid percentage; compare this to unearned Title IV aid disbursed, taking the lesser of the two.
7. By the student: take unearned Title IV aid disbursed less the amount due by the school.

Refunds are made to the appropriate programs within 45 days of completing the refund/repayment calculation.

Unearned funds must be returned to the programs in this order:

• School
  • Federal Direct Loans
  • FSEOG
  • Other Title IV programs
• Student
  • Federal Direct Loans *50% Pell Grants
  • FSEOG *50%
  • Other Title IV programs (*50% for grant funds)
  • Pell Grant *50%

Taft College may also charge you for any Title IV program funds the school was required to return.

Repayments

Taft College takes the following steps to contact students who owe repayments to any federal financial aid programs:

• A letter of explanation/invoice is mailed to the student.
• The debt is posted to the student’s The student will be unable to enroll in classes until the debt is cleared.

Repayments due by the student are made to the appropriate programs within 45 days of receipt of the student’s payment.

A student who owes a repayment to any Title IV programs is ineligible for further Title IV assistance until the full repayment has been made.

Rights

Students at Taft College applying for and receiving financial aid have a right to the following:

1. Information on all financial assistance available, which includes all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
2. Disclosure of deadlines for applications of each financial aid program and for any supporting documentation.
3. Specific information regarding fees, tuition and the refund policy for those who drop out of school (withdraw).
4. An explanation of how students are selected for receipt of financial aid and how financial need is determined. This process includes a consideration of costs of tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc., plus the student’s income and assets, parental contribution, other financial aid (such as scholarships) and so on.
5. Knowledge of what resources are considered in the calculation of student need.
6. Knowledge of how a financial aid package is determined.
7. An explanation of various programs awarded in the student’s financial aid package. If a student feels unfairly treated, a reconsideration of the award may be requested.
8. An explanation of the portion of financial aid the student received which must be repaid and what portion is grant aid or work study and does not need to be repaid. If the aid is a loan, the student has the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount to be repaid, when the repayment is to begin, and the conditions of deferment and cancellation.
9. Knowledge of how Taft College determines whether students are making “Satisfactory Academic Progress” and the consequences of not meeting this requirement.
10. A student has the right to challenge or appeal the student’s financial aid award or any other decision of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department pertaining to the student, which does not fall under the jurisdiction of federal or state regulations. The right includes: answers to questions, explanations of policies and decisions and request for reconsideration.

Responsibilities

Students at Taft College applying for and receiving financial aid are responsible for the following:

1. Reviewing and considering all information about Taft College academic programs before enrolling.
2. Completing all the application forms ACCURATELY AND COMPLETELY and submitting them to the right place on time. If this is not done, financial aid could be delayed. Since errors because misunderstanding and misrepresentation of information provided, errors must be corrected before any financial aid can be received. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of the law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code, and subjects the student’s application to denial. Additionally, regulations require that all cases of suspect fraud emanating from misrepresentation, be reported to the Office of the Inspector General.
3. Promptly returning all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency or agencies to which an application was submitted.
4. Reading and understanding all forms the student is asked to sign.
5. Notifying the lender (if the student has a loan) of changes in the name, address or school enrollment status.
6. Performing the work which is agreed upon in accepting a college work-study award.
7. Knowing and complying with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
8. Knowing and complying with the Taft College Federal Aid Refund Policy.
9. Repaying financial aid funds if it is determined the student was ineligible to receive the funds.

Taft College is dedicated to providing financial aid to those eligible students who are achieving consistent progress toward a specific educational objective. The student is responsible for setting an objective, achieving adequate grades and completing the courses required.

In order to be eligible to receive financial aid, students are required to enroll in a program of student leading to an approved Title IV degree or certificate at Taft College, meet the requirements of the Taft College Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy and not reached their lifetime eligibility limit. Effective with the 2012-2013 Academic Year new federal regulations defines the lifetime eligibility limit as the equivalent of 6 full time years for Pell Grants.

Federal regulations require schools to establish satisfactory academic progress standards for students applying for and receiving federal aid. These regulations require the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department to review all periods of a student’s enrollment history regardless of whether financial aid was received, to determine if a student is making satisfactory academic progress towards an educational objective. At Taft College, a student’s progress will be evaluated at the end of the fall and spring semesters and summer term by the standards outlined. Any official academic transcripts from other colleges received by Taft College will be utilized in the review of our Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress standards once the transcript has been evaluated and units have been posted to the Taft College transcript.

These standards apply to all students who apply for and receive financial aid from any federal or state program and most institutional programs.

Learn more about our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student’s education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education, though the entity the borrower deals with, the loan servicer, can be a private business.

The Borrower Rights and Responsibilities Statement issued by the Department of Education with the Master Promissory Note includes information regarding use of the loan money, information the borrower must report to the Department of Education after the loan is received, the amount the borrower may borrow, the interest rate, payment of interest, the loan fee, repayment incentive programs, disbursement information, loan cancellation, the grace period, loan repayment information, late charges and collection costs, demand for immediate repayment, defaulting on the loan, consumer reporting agency notification, deferment and forbearance options, discharge, loan consolidation, Department of Defense and other federal agency loan repayment, and AmeriCorps program education awards.

A Disclosure Statement is issued to the borrower by the Department of Education once the Department receives a loan origination record from the school. A Notice of Disbursement(s) Made Letter is issued to the borrower by the Department of Education once the Department receives a disbursement was made to the borrower. Taft College notifies the borrower by email of the anticipated date and amount of the loan disbursement and the student’s right to cancel all or part of the loan or disbursement and procedures and time by which the student must notify the school that he or she wishes to cancel the loan or disbursement.

Terms and Conditions of Direct Loans are included in the Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities Statement, which the borrower receives upon completion of a Master Promissory Note with the Department of Education. The borrower may request another copy of their Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities Statement at any time by contacting the Direct Loan Servicing Center.

Work-Study provides on campus jobs for eligible students.  Work-Study offers students the opportunity to earn money to help pay educational expenses, enhance employment skills and gain valuable experience.  Eligibility is based on financial aid standing and enrollment status.  All students are considered for employment. The hourly rate is at least the current minimum wage.  The total work study award depends on the student’s financial need and the amount of money the school has available for the program.  Taft College students currently enrolled may work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Learn more about Work-Study at Taft College.

Information regarding deferment and forbearance is available to student and parent loan borrowers at the Department of Education website by clicking on the term “Manage Loans”, “I’m Falling Behind and Needs Help”, “Get Temporary Relief”.

The West Kern Community College District (WKCCD) is required to verify certain information provided by a student/parent on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).  Applications requiring review are flagged by the U.S. Department of Education’s Central Processing System (CPS).  In addition, WKCCD is required to select and verify any application which contains incorrect or discrepant information. [34 CFR 668.54(a)(3)]; [34 CFR 668.169f)] Although the school has the option of processing one Pell payment without verifying the application, the WKCCD does not take the option due to the risk of financial liability.

Email is the standard method of communication used by the Financial Aid Department.  We will also share financial aid information with students on their student portal, Cougar Tracks.  Students are responsible for checking their financial aid status regularly on Cougar Tracks. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Department will post additional student requirements, resolution of data conflicts and status of financial aid on Cougar Tracks.

Students who are selected for verification by the CPS or institutionally selected by the WKCCD Financial Aid staff, must submit the signed and completed verification forms and documents, along with all supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office at the college before the earlier of 120 days from a student’s last day of attendance or the financial award year processing deadline published annually in the Federal Register.

If a student does not submit the documentation by the applicable deadline, the student forfeits his/her Federal Pell Grant and must return any funds previously disbursed for the payment period.

In order to confirm the information on the FAFSA or the CADAA, the Financial Aid staff will ask a student to provide specific types of documentation.  This documentation may include tax information, personal statements, benefits summaries, and other information necessary to calculate a student’s financial need properly.  If a student is categorized as a dependent, the staff may also request this type of information from parent(s).

Once the information is correct, the Financial Aid Department will finish and award a student’s financial aid file.  If the Financial Aid staff find discrepancies between the data on the FAFSA and the documents provided, the staff will use the submitted documents to make corrections to the FAFSA.  Once the Federal Government has received the processed the corrections, the Financial Aid Department will finish awarding and packaging a student’s file.  If students have a change or addition to their award, a new financial aid offer will be generated and emailed.

Occasionally, students may be selected for verification by the Federal Government after they have been received their financial aid refund.  If this occurs, the Financial Aid Department will give you 30 days to provide documentation, otherwise the student will be responsible for returning all Title IV aid received.

Taft College regularly reports this information to the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Follow these steps to access this information:

1. View the Taft College entry via College Navigator.
2. Click on the "Retention and Graduation Rates" link to expand the selection.

Graduation and retention rate must be provided to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, guidance counselors when an athletically related student aid offer is made.  Taft College does not offer financial aid to students based on athletic ability.  For information on graduation an retention rate or student success programs for student-athletes, please contact the Athletic Department, 29 Cougar Court, CA 93268.

As part of federally mandated Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on annual participation rates and financing of men’s and women’s sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available by request to students and the general public.

For more information or to receive a copy of the report, contact the Athletic Department, Taft College, 29 Cougar Court, Taft, CA 93268 or visit the Athletics website.

The Annual Security Report (PDF) including the college’s crime statistics and fire safety is available online before October 1st of each year.  An email to staff, faculty, and students will proceed the report information them where to view the report and how to request the report to be delivered by mail.

Timely warnings which alert staff, faculty, and students whenever a serious crime takes place on campus and the suspects are at large leaving a potential risk to the college’s employees, students and guests.  Staff, faculty and students would be alerted by campus wide email as well as posted on building entrances campus wide.

The Daily Crime Log is available for review from the Campus Safety website.

Taft College does not have a Student Health Center on campus. At Taft College, it is recognized an academic community is harmed in many ways by the abuse of alcohol and the use of other drugs  and is committed to provided a drug free and tobacco free environment.  Decreased productivity of members of the community, serious health problems, and strained social interactions are all possible products of such abuse.  Problems associated with the illicit use and abuse of substances have a pervasive impact upon an academic community and are not associated with a singular socioeconomic group or age level.  The processes of education and learning are impaired by alcohol abuse and the use of illicit drugs.

The foundation of the philosophy concerning alcohol and drug abuse for Taft College is a firm commitment to an educational program, which provides adequate information and counseling to make informed and responsible decisions concerning the use of any controlled substance.  The college is committed to healthy environment for learning and living.  Information regarding the Drug and Alcohol policies are available in the Taft College Student Handbook.

Taft College provides information on drug and alcohol treatment and prevention through a variety of means including workshops and courses.  Contact the Associated Student Organization or the Vice President of Student Services for additional information.

Campus Based Programs and Resources

Personal Counseling

Short-term counseling is provided on an appointment basis for students having difficulty adjusting to the psychological demands of college or those who are experiencing emotional difficulties which inhibit academic performance.

Schedule a personal counseling appointment by calling (661) 763-7748.

Appropriate resources and referrals are provided as related to:

• Anger
• Depression
• Homesickness
• Stress & Anxiety
• Alcohol & Drugs
• Eating Disorders
• Relationships
• Suicide Prevention
• Counseling Resources
• Grief & Loss
• Sexual Assault
• Test Anxiety

Community Based Programs and Resources

Outpatient and Community Based Substance Abuse Services

• Omni Family Health Education Telemedicine/Behavioral, (800) 300-6664, 1100 Fourth St Taft CA 93268
• Taft House, (661) 304-8238, 119 Naylor Ave Taft CA 93268
• College Community Services Mental Health Services, (661) 765-7025, 1021 4th St Suite B Taft CA 93268
• Behavioral Health & Recover Services, (800) 991-5272, 2151 College Ave Bakersfield CA 93306

The Student Resource center provides educational materials which provide information regarding drug and alcohol use.

Read the Taft College Emergency Response Guide.

Missing Student Notification Policies and Procedures may be accessed in our Annual Security Report (PDF).

Guiding the college in regards to Missing Student Notification is BP 3503 (PDF) and AP 3503 (PDF).

Consistent with applicable laws, Taft College prohibits dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The college’s policy used to address complaints of this nature, as well as the procedures for filing, investigating and resolving complaints, may be found in our Annual Security Report (PDF).

A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for Federal Student Aid.  The student self-certifies in applying for financial aid that he/she is eligible; the student is not required to confirm this information unless there is conflicting information.

Convictions only count if they were for an offense which occurred during a period of enrollment for which a student was receiving Title IV aid.  The convictions do not count if the offense was not during such a period.

The breakdown below illustrates the period of eligibility for Federal Student Aid funds, depending on whether the conviction was for the sale or possession and whether the student had previous offenses.

• Possession of Illegal Drugs
  • 1st offense: one (1) year from date of conviction.
  • 2nd offense: two (2) years from date of conviction.
  • 3rd offense: indefinite period.
• Sale of Illegal Drugs
  • 1st offense: two (2) years from date of conviction.
  • 2nd offense: indefinite period.
  • 3rd offense: indefinite period.

If the student was convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs, and the periods of ineligibility are different, the student will be ineligibility for the longer period.

A student regains Federal financial aid eligibility the day after the period ineligibility ends or when the student successfully completes a qualified drug rehabilitation program or, effective beginning with the 2010-2011 award year, passes two unannounced drug tests given by such a program.  Further drug convictions will make the student ineligible again.

Student denied eligibility for an indefinite period can regain it after successfully completing rehabilitation program (as described below), passing two unannounced drug tests from such a program, or if a conviction is reversed, set aside, or removed from the student’s record so fewer than two convictions for sale or three convictions for possession remain on the record.  In such cases, the nature and dates of the remaining convictions will determine when the student regains eligibility.  Is is the student’s responsibility to certify to the school the rehabilitation program was successfully completed.

Standards for a Qualified Drug Rehabilitation Program

A qualified drug rehabilitation program must include at least two unannounced drug tests and must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:

• Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state, or local government
• Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company
• Be administered or recognized by a federal, state, or local government agency or court
• Be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.

If you have questions about the effect of a drug conviction on your Federal Student Aid or your eligibility, please call 1 (800) 432-3243.

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000 requires institutions of higher education to advise members of the campus community where they can obtain information provided by the state concerning registered sex offenders. It also requires sex offenders to notify the state of each institution of higher education in the state at which they are employed or enrolled or carrying on a vocation. The state is then required to notify the College of any such information it receives. Anyone interested in determining whether such persons are on this campus may do so by contacting the Director of Campus Safety & Security at (661) 763-7872. State registry of sex offender information may be accessed at the following link: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/.