FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS
FINANCIAL AID
Applying for financial aid can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate the process alone. Our Financial Aid Office is committed to helping you understand your options and making the process as clear and straightforward as possible. We work with students and families to identify the federal, state, and institutional aid opportunities for which they may be eligible.
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for federal financial aid, students generally must:
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Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
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Hold a valid Social Security Number
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Have a high school diploma or equivalent
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Be enrolled in a CCM-approved program of study
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Maintain satisfactory academic progress
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Be in good standing on any prior federal student loans or grants
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Register with Selective Service, if applicable (males ages 18–26)
How to Apply for Financial Aid
STEP 1: Create an FSA ID & password: Create Account | Federal Student Aid
Your username and password will serve as your legal signature on federal financial aid forms.
STEP 2: Complete the FAFSA application.
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov.
-Apply Online for the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid “FAFSA”):
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CCM's official school code: 042930
-With CCM's school code your information will be sent directly to our Financial Aid Office. The Department of Education typically processes applications within a few business days and will email you a confirmation once it's done.
STEP 3: Review Your Student Aid Report (SAR)
After processing, you'll receive a Student Aid Report summarizing your estimated eligibility for grants and loans. Review it carefully for accuracy (This is not your final award, just a summary of your information).
STEP 4: Receive Your Aid Offer
Once you're accepted to CCM, our Financial Aid Office will review your file and prepare a personalized aid offer. You'll have the opportunity to accept, decline, or adjust any aid offered before it's finalized.
We recommend applying as early as possible, since some aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Available Federal Financial Aid resources:
Federal Pell Grant:
Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Federal Loans:
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Direct Subsidized Loans are loans made to eligible Undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school. Interest does not accumulate until 6 months after you graduate, withdraw, or attend less than half-time. Low interest rate and flexible repayment options.
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Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional students, but eligibility is not based on financial need. Interest accrues while in school, low interest rate, flexible repayment options.
Professional Judgment:
If a student/parent feels that they have special or unusual circumstances that affect the data reported on their FAFSA, they must submit a Professional Judgment Request form along with supporting documentation of their circumstance. Federal regulations give a financial aid administrator discretion to perform a professional judgment on a case-by-case basis and with adequate documentation to adjust the data elements on the FAFSA. Professional judgment decisions are the sole discretion of a financial aid administrator and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.
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Special Circumstances: These are unusual events that significantly impact your ability to pay for college, such as: (but is not limited to)
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Job loss, reduced work hours, or significant income change after filing.
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Unusual high medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance.
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Divorce, separation, death of a parent/spouse.
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Unusual Circumstances for Dependency Override: This is a formal request to be treated as an independent student for financial aid. Unusual circumstances include (but are not limited to):
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Abusive home environment
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Parental abandonment by both parents
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Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents
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Death of both parents
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Parents inability to be located
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Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
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Foster Care Youth
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Ineligible for Dependency Override:
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Parents refusing to provide information on the FAFSA
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Parents refusing to contribute financially
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Parents living in another country
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Parents claiming the student on their tax returns
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Student self-financially supported or not living with parents
Professional Judgment requests will be reviewed within 1 -3 weeks of complete document submission. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on the required documents.
For more information contact: admissions@ccmla.edu
626-577-1751
SCHOLARSHIPS / TALENT-BASED
TALENT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
We're thrilled to announce our exclusive Talent-Based Scholarship, available to all applicants who possess exceptional musical abilities. At CCM, we understand that talent knows no boundaries, and we believe that financial constraints should never hinder the pursuit of musical excellence. That's why our Talent-Based Scholarship can reduce your tuition by a substantial 5-25%, making the dream of attending our music institution more accessible than ever.
How to Apply:
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FIRST SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
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SELECT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION VIDEO
This video should display your musical capabilities. You are open to choosing your own piece.
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Do not submit edited work.
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Please ensure that the upper half of your body is able to be seen in the video.
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Ensure that your video is 1-3 minutes long.
The video submitted for your application for admission can be used as your scholarship application.
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FILL OUT AND SUBMIT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
CCM will review your video along with your application. Once it is reviewed you will receive a letter to the email provided letting you know the reward amount of your scholarship.
VA BENEFITS
Veterans Benefits
California College of Music is an approved institution for accepting VA education benefits for the following programs:
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Associate of Science in Performance (Voice, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Keyboards)
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Certificate in Performance (Voice, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Keyboards)
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Certificate in Songwriting & Music Production
Veterans' education benefits accepted at CCM include:
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GI Bill®
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Post-9/11 GI Bill® - Chpt. 33
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Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty - Chpt. 30
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Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve - Chpt. 1606
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Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) - Chpt. 31
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Veterans' Education Assistance Program (VEAP) - Chpt. 35
How to Get Started
All veterans, including those currently on active duty, should first contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) 442-4551 or visit benefits.va.gov to determine eligibility and learn how to apply for benefits.
To enroll at CCM using VA benefits, students must submit their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to admissions@ccmla.edu.
Learn More About Eligibility
For more information contact: admissions@ccmla.edu
626-577-1751
SCHOLARSHIPS / CA ADVANTAGE

California Advantage
Scholarship
Through our California Advantage program, residents of the Golden State receive a 10% tuition reduction, making it easier for Californians to pursue their education in music.
Here's what you can look forward to with the Californian Advantage:
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Tailored Financial Support
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Priority Consideration
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Access to Talent-Based Scholarships
California Advantage cannot be combined with any other institutional award except for the Talent-Based Scholarship.















