Financial Aid and Fees
Get the Financial Help You Need
We're here to assist you with the completion of the FAFSA or CADAA, process verification documents, answer questions related to federal and state financial aid programs, interpret policies related to student eligibility, and support students' efficient use of aid resources.
Money shouldn't get in the way of getting a college education. The Financial Aid Office is here to help you get the financial support you need to pay your tuition and fees and afford college.
Zoom Chat
Have a quick question? Zoom with Financial Aid staff.
Apply for Financial Aid
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and we will help you identify the aid for which you are eligible. The FAFSA is for US citizens and permanent residents, while the CADAA is for students who are not US citizens, permanent residents, or eligible non-citizens.
Make sure you are aware of the financial aid deadlines for each semester.
American River College's federal school code is 001232.
2025-2026 Financial Aid Portal (Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026)
The 2025-2026 financial aid portal can be accessed by signing in to your eServices account and clicking on the Financial Aid tile.
Watch the 2025-2026 Financial Aid Portal video to learn more.
Please reach out to your Financial Aid department with any questions!
The FAFSA Simplification Act allows financial aid administrators to review student situations.
Special circumstances refer to changes in a student’s or family’s financial situation that may affect the ability to pay for college. If you or your family have changes in financial circumstances that may affect the availability of family financial resources for your educational expenses, then you may be eligible for an appeal.
Examples include:
- Loss of a job or reduction in income
- Divorce or separation
- Death of a parent or spouse
- High medical or dental expenses
You must have documentation to illustrate the changes. For more information on the process, contact your campus financial aid office.
Unusual circumstances refer to unique situations that may justify changing a student’s dependency status. Most undergraduate students are dependent and must provide parent information on the FAFSA or CADAA. These are commonly known as dependency overrides. To appeal your dependency status, you must clearly demonstrate an adverse family situation.
Examples include:
- Human trafficking
- Refugee or asylee status
- Parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment
- Incarceration of parents
For more information on the process, contact your campus financial aid office.
Explaining the Financial Aid Process
Receiving financial aid can be confusing. The following are the basic steps of the financial aid process.
Complete Online Financial Aid Application
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) online.
- Academic year 2026-2027: Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027
- Academic year 2027-2028: Fall 2027, Spring 2028, and Summer 2028
College Receives Financial Aid Application
About one week after your application is processed, your home college will send a "Welcome Notice" to your eServices Message Center.
Document Submission
If the Financial Aid Office need documents or any actions on your part, then we will place items on your eServices To Do List. Be sure to check your eServices and Los Rios Gmail.
File/Document Review
After all documentation is submitted, your file will be reviewed to determine your financial aid eligibility.
Awards Determined
After file review is completed, the types of financial aid and amounts of financial aid will be awarded. The number of Financial Aid Applicable units you are enrolled in impacts your financial aid award amounts.
At this time you may apply for federal student loans. You can view your awards in eServices by clicking Financial Aid and then selecting the correct aid year.
Awards Disbursed
Award disbursement happens once per week throughout the semester as students become ready to receive aid. You can view if your aid is disbursed in eServices by clicking on Financial Account, then Account Activity.
Refunds are sent using BankMobile; be sure to set up your refund preference.
Maintain Financial Aid Eligibility
Students who drop classes or withdraw completely from all classes may owe a repayment of funds. Dropping classes also affects satisfactory academic progress (SAP) status.
Be sure to speak with and academic counselor and financial aid before you drop classes, and be sure to know the financial aid dates and deadlines and the academic calendar.
Tuition and Fees
Types of Financial Aid
Learn how you can save money with grants, loans, scholarships, and more.
Financial Aid Policies
Contact
Email: financialaid@arc.losrios.edu
Phone: (916) 484-8437
FAX: (916) 484-8640
Confidential FAX: (916) 978-0266
Phone Hours
Monday to Friday:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Your Student I.D and Verification PIN will be required to answer questions regarding your file.
Zoom Chat
Have a quick question? Chat online with Financial Aid staff – we're available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
In-Person Hours
Monday through Thursday:
8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Friday:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed 12:00 to 5:00 pm on the following Fridays: September 19, September 26, October 24, January 9, January 16
Located in the Welcome and Support Center
Feedback
Financial Aid Feedback Form