This summer, current college students, graduating seniors and all other college bound community members are encouraged to make an investment in their future by exploring the various aid options available to them through the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus financial aid office.

“Many students assume that because community college fees are so low, there isn’t a lot of financial aid available, but that’s simply not true,” said Theresa Tuccillo-Smith, COC financial aid advisor at the Canyon Country campus. “There are more students qualifying for financial aid than ever before. The biggest mistake a student can make is to not apply.”

The COC Canyon Country campus financial aid office offers an array of financial support services designed to help students meet the expenses involved in reaching their educational goals. Located in Quad-1A of the Canyon Country campus, the financial aid office is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Enrollment fee waivers, grants, scholarships, workstudy programs and student loan opportunities are all available to COC students who establish financial need when they complete the financial aid process and meet all program eligibility criteria.

After a roughly four- to six-week processing window, eligible students are awarded financial aid through a variety of types of programs on a first-come, first-served basis, according to available funds. Though certain priority application deadlines may exist, students are able to apply for financial aid at any time. However, the summer months provide an ideal time for students to focus their attention on financial aid options.

“It’s never too late for students to apply for financial aid,” said Tom Bilbruck, COC financial aid director. “But with that being said, we really encourage students to apply as early as possible in order to ensure they receive their awards in time to start classes in the fall.”

Many financial aid forms and services are available online, however students can also visit the office in person to pick up and submit forms, process paperwork and/or meet with an advisor to learn about what aid options they may qualify for, discuss the application process and ask questions specific to their individual financial situation.

The financial aid advisor at the Canyon Country campus is available for both walk-in questions and 30-minute appointments. And, because the Canyon Country campus serves fewer students than the COC Valencia campus, the process of scheduling an appointment and meeting with an advisor often isn’t as time consuming.

“Many students prefer a one-on-one meeting where they can talk to an advisor about any unusual circumstances they may be facing, go over any pertinent eligibility requirements and make sure their academic schedule is in keeping with any potential aid award,” said Tuccillo-Smith. “So we really encourage students to stop by, whatever the case may be.”

Non-COC students and other community members can also access the resources of the COC financial aid office to apply for aid and/or research specific aid eligibility requirements — no matter what institution the student plans to attend.

“We often work with students and parents of students who are not planning to attend COC, but who are living in the community and need some advice or assistance,” Bilbruck said. “Ideally students should be coordinating with the school of their choice, but sometimes that’s not convenient so we offer our services to all community members.”

For more information about the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus financial aid office and available services, visit www.canyons.edu/office/finaid or call (661) 362-3804.