What is a Board of Governors Waiver?
The BOGW (Board of Governors Waiver) is meant to assist students who have financial need actually pay for community college in California.
I never thought I would see the day when even a community college education would be out of financial reach for so many of my fellow Californians! But it’s happening….it’s here. With tuition now at $46.00 PER UNIT, if you’re taking a full 15 unit per semester load, it’s right about $1,400 per year for tuition, PLUS books, fees, etc. For a bit of context, community college classes cost $6.00 per unit in 1992. And there was a cap of $60 per semester. So even taking a full 30 units per year, tuition was capped at $120 per year. Pretty dramatic! The BOGW program is making the difference between college hopefuls attending college or not.
Some of the basics
This waiver program is non-monetary (that means you don’t get money sent to you). Those who apply for a BOGW don’t have to be signed up for a minimum number of units. This means that you can take just 1 class, or a couple, and still get a BOGW. The BOGW program covers the regular academic year, and summer sessions, as well. The BOGW program is only available to those who are residents of California. There are a couple of different ways to apply for this BOGW. By filling out your FAFSA is the most common, but you can also get the application from the college’s Financial Aid Office, or HERE. Undocumented students are able to apply directly at the California Dream Act.
So, how do California residents know if they’re eligible?
ONE of the criteria listed below must be met in order to qualify:
- Receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), General Relief, or Supplemental Security Income(SSI/SSP). Proof must be shown (agency verification, copy of recent CA-7, etc).
- Certification by National Guard AG or California VA as eligible for dependent’s waiver.
- Be eligible as the dependent of a victim of 9/11 attack.
- Be the recipient of the Medal of Honor.
- Be an eligible dependent of deceased safety personnel who has been killed in the line of duty.
- Meet the income requirements in the table listed below. Students must be able to show W2’s, federal tax returns, or other verification of income.
- You’ve submitted an application for financial aid, and it was determined that you have an unmet need. This is determined by the Department of Education. The Unmet Need Minimum is $1,100.
Every California Community College has a Financial Aid Office.
It’s been my experience that whatever the question, they typically are happy to guide you. For Bakersfield Community College (and they can be VERY helpful! And very nice, too), they can be reached at 1-888-845-5066.
Additional Resources
California Dream Act Financial Aid