Unexpected financial problems can happen at any time. Maybe your hours at work were cut, your car needs an expensive repair, you had an unexpected medical expense, or your living situation suddenly changed. When money becomes tight, it can be easy to think that stopping school is your only option.
Before making that decision, take a moment to find out what support may be available. Lemoore College has financial aid, basic-needs assistance, emergency resources, and student support programs that may help you work through a difficult financial situation while continuing your education.
Start by Identifying What Changed
Before you make a decision about your semester, figure out exactly what financial
problem you are facing.
Ask yourself:
- Did my income change?
- Did I have an unexpected expense?
- Am I struggling to pay for food or housing?
- Is transportation making it difficult to get to campus?
- Did my financial circumstances change after I completed my financial aid application?
- Am I having trouble covering books, supplies, or other school expenses?
Knowing what caused the financial setback can help you determine which resource to contact.
You do not have to solve the entire situation at once. Start by identifying the most immediate problem.
Talk to Financial Aid
If your financial situation has changed, one of your first stops should be the Lemoore
College Financial Aid Office.
Financial Aid can help you understand your current financial aid situation and answer questions about available grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, and required financial aid steps. Students can visit Lemoore College Financial Aid to review available resources and application information.
The Financial Aid Office is located in Building 100 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also call 559-925-3310 or email lemoorefinancialaid@whccd.edu.
If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for additional assistance, asking is a good place to start.
See If You Qualify for Emergency Assistance
Sometimes a financial setback is caused by an unexpected emergency.
Lemoore College has a Financial Aid Emergency Grant for eligible students experiencing an unforeseen emergency or crisis, such as homelessness, eviction, loss of a job, certain medical or dental expenses, or an accident. Eligibility requirements apply, including completing a FAFSA or CADAA and being enrolled in at least six credit units.
You can learn more about the Financial Aid Emergency Grant and other financial resources through Lemoore College.
Because eligibility requirements apply, contact the Financial Aid Office before assuming that you do or do not qualify.
If Food or Housing Is the Problem, Ask for Basic-Needs Support
A financial setback does not always mean that tuition is the biggest problem.
You may be struggling to afford groceries, housing, transportation, or another everyday necessity. When these needs are not being met, it can become much harder to focus on school.
Lemoore College offers a Basic Needs Assistance Application for students experiencing challenges with food, housing, or other basic needs. Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee services, and eligibility requirements apply.
Getting help with an immediate need may give you more room to focus on your classes and determine your next steps.
Look at Other Student Support Programs
You may also qualify for additional support based on your circumstances.
For example, Lemoore College's EOPS/CARE program provides eligible students with services that can include school supplies, book vouchers, EOPS grants, KART passes, gas cards, educational counseling and advising, and priority registration when criteria are met.
You can learn more about EOPS and review the program's eligibility requirements.
Lemoore College also provides other student support programs, including CalWORKs, which can provide eligible students with academic counseling, career planning, work-study, computing devices, and supply grants.
Visit Lemoore College Student Support Resources to explore programs that may fit your situation.
Talk to a Counselor Before Changing Your Schedule
If your financial situation has you considering dropping a class or changing your
academic plans, talk with a counselor before making a decision.
A counselor can help you review your academic progress, discuss your educational goals, and look at your options for future terms. You can connect with Lemoore College Counseling or call 559-925-3130.
This can help you understand how a schedule change could affect your academic plan before you make a decision.
Make a Short-Term Financial Plan
When you are dealing with an unexpected expense, focus on the immediate future rather
than trying to solve everything at once.
Make a list of:
- Financial aid
- Paychecks
- Scholarships or grants
- Other available assistance
- Money going out
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- Transportation
- Food
- Housing
- Utilities
- Emergency expenses
Then identify the biggest gap. Once you know where the problem is, you can ask the appropriate campus office about possible resources instead of trying to handle everything on your own.
Do Not Wait Until the Semester Is Over
If you are already worried that you will not be able to continue school, reach out
now.
Waiting can make it harder to address financial problems once they begin affecting attendance, assignments, or enrollment. Even if you are not sure which resource you need, you can explain your situation to Financial Aid or another student support office and ask where to begin.
Lemoore College's Financial Resources page brings together several options for students experiencing financial or basic-needs challenges.
Your Next Steps
If something unexpected has affected your finances, start here:
- Identify the financial problem. Determine what changed and what expense is creating the biggest challenge.
- Contact Financial Aid. Call 559-925-3310 or visit the Financial Aid Office online.
Explore emergency assistance. Review Lemoore College's Financial Resources for emergency and basic-needs options. - Look into student support programs. Explore EOPS, CalWORKs, and other support services.
- Talk to Counseling before changing your schedule. Connect with Lemoore College Counseling to discuss how your decision could affect your academic plan.
- One Setback Does Not Have to Define Your Semester
A sudden financial problem can make college feel impossible, but you do not have to make a decision about your education before exploring your options.
Start with the problem you need to solve today, reach out to the appropriate Lemoore College resource, and take one step at a time. Whether you need financial aid guidance, emergency assistance, basic-needs support, or help reviewing your academic options, there are people on campus who can help you understand your next steps.
If you are considering stopping school because of a financial setback, reach out before you make that decision. Finding out what support is available can help you make an informed plan for the rest of your semester.