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Spring is Free in 2024

Spring Is Free In 2024

 

Spring is Free at Laney College for California residents who complete a Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) or are eligible for the CA Dream Act and complete that application and who are enrolled in 6 or more units at Peralta Colleges.

Questions? We’re here to help.

Visit the Welcome Center (Building A-101) Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm
Phone: (510) 464-3540
For remote service join the Welcome Center open Zoom room:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:00am – 11:00am & 1:00pm – 3:00pm

CostCA resident with completed FAFSA or eligible for the CA Dream Act and have completed that application and who are enrolled in 6+ unitsOut-of-state resident with completed FAFSAInternational studentsHow do I get it?
Tuition$359 per unit for international students and out-of-state studentsFree (no tuition charged)Not freeNot freeApply, enroll in at least 6 units and complete your application for financial aid (either the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application).
Enrollment fees$46 per unitFreeNot freeNot freeApply, enroll in at least 6 units and complete your application for financial aid (either the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application).
BooksVariesTextbooks are free for students who purchase them in person on campus, meaning that they cannot be acquired for free online.  If you have any questions, please contact the Laney College Business Office at (510) 464-3228 or email lbusinessoffice@peralta.eduNot freeNot freeShow your student ID card to the Laney Bookstore in the basement of the Student Center (below the cafeteria) .
Required culinary suppliesVariesFreeNot freeNot freeSpeak with your instructor on the first day of class for information.
A/C transit pass$46.46Free – but must enroll in and maintain at least 6 unitsFree – but must enroll in and maintain at least 6 unitsFree – but must enroll in and maintain at least 6 unitsShow your student ID card in the Cashier’s Office in A-201.
ParkingFree if parked in designated spaces in the student parking lot.Free if parked in designated spaces in the student parking lot.Free if parked in designated spaces in the student parking lot.Free if parked in designated spaces in the student parking lot.Free if parked in designated spaces in the student parking lot.
Student health fee$23.00FreeNot freeNot freeDo nothing. It will be taken off your account after you complete your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application and are enrolled in 6+ units.
Student campus use fee$2.00FreeNot freeNot freeDo nothing. It will be taken off your account after you complete your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application and are enrolled in 6+ units.
Student activity fee$2.00FreeNot freeNot freeDo nothing. It will be taken off your account after you complete your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application and are enrolled in 6+ units.
LunchFreeFreeFreeFreeFree Monday-Thursday in the Cafeteria in the Student Center from 10:00am-6:00pm.
Food produce pantryFreeFreeFreeFreeFree Monday-Thursday in the Cafeteria in the Student Center from 10:00am-6:00pm.
Food protein items to take homeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree to each student once a week. Stop by the Cafeteria in the Student Center either Wednesday or Thursday every week from 10:00-6:00.

Eligibility

California resident students, refugees, and undocumented students who complete their financial aid application (FAFSA) or their CA Dream Act application qualify for free tuition, fees, and books. For Spring, the College is, unfortunately, unable to offer these items to nonresident and international students. 

To be eligible you must be enrolled in at least six units across all four Peralta colleges (Laney, Merritt, College of Alameda, and Berkeley City College).

All students are eligible for some benefits. See the chart at the top of this page for specifics. 

You must be enrolled in at least six units across all four Peralta colleges (Laney, Merritt, College of Alameda, and Berkeley City College). 

Yes. To request an exemption from the 6-unit minimum, please complete this online form.

Forms can be submitted 3 different ways:
1) Complete this online format https://forms.office.com/r/DnWgfazdRS
2) Or download and complete this paper form and deliver it to the Cashier's Office in A-201 between 9am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. The Cashier's Office will have paper forms on hand for you to use if you prefer.
3) Or paper forms can be emailed to lvilchislent@peralta.edu

The Cashier's Office will inform you in your Peralta email account as to if the exemption is granted or not.

DEADLINE to COMPLETE FORM: April 1, 2024

You need to do one application per year. If you completed yours in Fall 2023 you do not need to do a new one for Spring 2024. 

Visit the Welcome Center in A-Building, Room 102, Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00 pm 

Yes, you will still qualify for Spring is Free if you do your application. All you have to do is complete an application for financial aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application and enroll in 6 or more units across Peralta Colleges to be eligible for the Spring is Free program. The deadline to submit your application is April 1, 2024.

You must be enrolled in six units as a minimum.  The maximum number of units you can get for free is 18. Part-time and full-time students are all eligible. 

Yes! You can add as many late start classes up to 18 units. You must be enrolled in six units as a minimum.  The maximum number of units you can get for free is 18. Part-time and full-time students are all eligible. 

Noncredit classes are always free, so yes, they qualify. Complete your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application to receive other benefits.

Yes! You can add as many late start classes up to 18 units. You must be enrolled in six units as a minimum.  The maximum number of units you can get for free is 18. Part-time and full-time students are all eligible. 

Yes, if you are eligible to complete the CA Dream Act application. If you have questions or need help, go to the Undocumented Community Resource Center in Tower 201 or call (510) 464-3140

Nonresidents from outside of California and international students do not qualify for free tuition, fees, or books. However, you are eligible for all other benefits of the program, see the chart at the top of this page. We recommend out-of-state students complete their FAFSA, as you may qualify for financial aid.

No. Nonresidents of California and international students do not qualify for free tuition, fees, or books. However, with a student ID, other benefits are available. See the chart at the top of this page. 

No. You will not have to pay anything back. 

To see what you are eligible for if your home college is another Peralta college, see:

Click “Log In” on the home page of https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and log in. You’ll have the option to “Add/Update Schools.” Add Laney College's school code (001266) and then submit the corrections for processing by the Department of Education. The school code is 001266.


What You Need To Do

Apply to the college in CCC Apply, enroll in at least 6 units across the Peralta Colleges, and complete the FASFA (Federal Application for Student Financial Aid) or CA Dream Act Application (State Financial Aid Application for Undocumented Students). In your financial aid application, list Laney as your college.


I Need Help

  1. On campus: Visit the Welcome Center (Building A-101) Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm. Phone: (510) 464-3540
  2. For remote service join the Welcome Center open Zoom room:
    Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:00am – 11:00am & 1:00pm – 3:00pm

The Financial Aid Office offers weekly FAFSA/CA Dream Act Workshops on Thursdays from 1:30 pm-3:00 pm. You may attend the workshop in-person in A-201 or via ZOOM. Visit https://laney.edu/financial_aid/ to register for a ZOOM workshop.

  • The Financial Aid Office can be reached at (510) 464-3414 and chat is available at https://laney.edu/financial_aid/
  • The Financial Aid Office is open on campus from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm on Monday – Thursday in A-201. If you prefer remote interaction, you can sign up for a Zoom appointment at https://laney.edu/financial_aid/

Counseling is available on campus, on the phone, and online. Make an appointment at https://laney.edu/counseling/ or call (510) 464-3326.

One Stop Spring 2024

Saturday, January 13th & Saturday, January 20th 10 am-1 pm (Flagpole-Weather Permitting) 

Staff and counselors will be available.

Yes! You should attend an Information Session! Faculty and staff will be there to answer all your questions.

Information sessions will be held on: 

  • Tuesday, December 7, 2023 at 12:30 pm & 5:00 pm  
  • Thursday, December 12, 2023 at 12:30 pm & 5:00 pm 
  • Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 12:30 pm & 5:00 pm 
  • Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 12:30 pm & 5:00 pm 
  • Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 12:30 pm & 5:00 pm  
  • Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 12:30 pm & 5:00 pm 

Visit the Welcome Center, located in A-101, near the Flagpole on 9th and Fallon Streets.  

The general rule of thumb is that for every one hour of class time, a student should expect two hours of homework.

Class hoursHomework hours

1

2

2

4

3

6

4

8

5

10


Issues With Student Accounts & Financial Aid

Students who have completed a FAFSA or California Dream Act application and already paid tuition and fees will be refunded after the beginning of the semester via check. The refund will be issued after the semester begins.

Yes. Even though your fees and tuition are covered, you still must complete your federal application for financial aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application to receive coverage of your other fees and needs this semester, including student health fees, books, food, technology  and transportation.

If you have a hold, call the Bursar’s Office and the Vice President of Business and Administrative Services at (510) 464-3131 or Laney Business Office at (510) 464-3228 for assistance.

 

You will see a balance due on your account until it has been verified that you have completed the required financial aid application (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application to qualify for the program. Once verified, the account balance will be waived. Payment is not required to register for classes, however, if you do not submit a completed financial aid application or Dream Act application by the deadline,  you will be responsible for any outstanding tuition or fees for the Spring 2024 semester.


Bookstore

Go to the Laney Bookstore in the lower level of the Student Center (cafeteria) building. Show them your student id card and they will give you the required books and instructional materials. 

Textbooks are free for students who purchase them in person on campus, meaning that they cannot be acquired for free online.  If you have any questions, please contact the Laney College Business Office at (510) 464-3228 or email lbusinessoffice@peralta.edu.

Free books will be available January 22nd. You can also pick them up at One Stop Saturdays (January 13th & 20th).

Textbooks are free for students who purchase them in person on campus, meaning that they cannot be acquired for free online.  If you have any questions, please contact the Laney College Business Office at (510) 464-3228 or email lbusinessoffice@peralta.edu.

During the initial two weeks of school (1/22/24 - 2/2/24):- Monday & Tuesday: 9 am - 7 pm- Wednesday & Thursday: 9 am - 6 pm- Friday: 9 am - 4 pmStarting from February 5, 2024, regular hours will be in effect:- Monday to Thursday: 9 am - 4 pm- Friday: 9 am - 1 pm


AC Transit Passes

Bring your student ID card to the Cashier’s Office in A-201.

You must be enrolled in and maintain six or more units and have completed your financial aid application (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application.


Student Services Available

While free tuition and fees do not apply to international students, Laney's Office of International Students does offer services and tools to provide guidance and support. See https://www.peralta.edu/international/events to learn what is available for the spring semester. See the chart at the top of this page to see which elements of Spring is Free are available for international students. 

Academic accommodations can be given to students with learning challenges via Student Accessibility Services. Call SAS at (510) 464-3428 or see their webpage at Student Accessibility Services Home - Student Accessibility Services Student Accessibility Services (laney.edu). To request services, submit the form found at Accessing SAS Services - Student Accessibility Services Student Accessibility Services (laney.edu).


Technology

Laney is not able to financially support your home internet costs, but you should check out the Affordable Connectivity Program from the federal government at https://www.fcc.gov/acp. This program provides discounts on home internet service that you may be eligible for.

There is a very limited supply of Chromebooks available to check out from the library.  


Program Funding

Laney is using remaining COVID Recovery Block Grant and Student Retention Funds.


Summer 2024

No, summer 2024 will not be free.