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Nonresident Merit Scholarship FAQs

  1. Who is eligible for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship Award at Allan Hancock Community College District?
  2. What do I need to complete before I apply for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  3. How do I apply for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  4. Is there a final deadline to submit the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship application?
  5. May I take online classes with this scholarship?
  6. May I take a class for CR/NC (pass/no pass)? 
  7. Do I need to complete the College’s Student Orientation?
  8. Do I need to see a Counselor for a Comprehensive Student Education Plan?
  9. Do I have to fill out the FAFSA or CADAA to qualify for this scholarship?
  10. What if I am not eligible to submit a FAFSA or CADAA due to my citizenship?
  11. Will I receive the Merit Scholarship if I have an outstanding balance?
  12. Do I have to continuously reside in CA while I am receiving the Merit Scholarship?
  13. How long does the scholarship last? How many semesters/years is my scholarship good for?
  14. If I received less than a 3.0 GPA in High School but then earned a 3.0 in my first semester at Hancock, could I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship award in the 2nd semester of my first year?
  15. If I did not recently attend and graduate from High School (for example, I graduated in 2023 and earned over a 3.0 GPA in High School and intend on enrolling as a first-year student in 2026), may I still qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  16. If I plan on attending AHC as a first-time college student, what documents do I need to submit to verify my GPA?
  17. What if I am unable to obtain my official high school and/or official college transcript, as my high school or college has closed?
  18. If I graduated from a California High School with a 3.0 GPA or better, but I am on a student visa, such as an F1 Visa, may I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  19. What if I already have a bachelor’s degree? Am I still eligible?
  20. Would I get the scholarship the following fall semester if I started in the spring semester?
  21. If I do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in my first semester at Hancock, under the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship award, will I lose my scholarship for subsequent semesters?
  22. What if I maintain a 3.0 during the fall term, take winter courses, and my GPA goes under the 3.0 requirement?
  23. If I received the Nonresident Merit Scholarship, how do I maintain eligibility?
  24. May I earn an AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship if I am enrolled in fewer than 12 units?
  25. Is there a limit to the number of units I can take in which the Nonresident Merit Scholarship would pay?
  26. What exact fees are covered by the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
  27. What exact fees am I, the student, responsible for each semester?
  28. Is there a final deadline to be eligible and awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
  29. When will I be awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?
  30. What if my application is denied?
  31. Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

Who is eligible for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship Award at Allan Hancock Community College District?

Any student identified as a nonresident (excluding international students) of California entering ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ who meets the following criteria:

  1. Enroll directly after high school graduation with a 3.00** or better high school cumulative GPA; OR
  2. Completes at least 12 units at another postsecondary institution in the immediate term before with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00**

NOTE: ** We will accept whichever cumulative GPA benefits the student, weighted vs. unweighted.

What do I need to complete before I apply for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?

  1. Apply to ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥
  2. Complete the college’s student online orientation in the myHancock portal.
    1. Click on the following and select STUDENT LOGIN
  3. Enroll in and complete at least 12 units, of which at least 3 units must be in person.
  4. NOTE: Students may not combine classes that are less than 3 units to meet this requirement.
  5. All classes must be taken for a letter grade. Credit (CR)/ Noncredit (NC) (Pass/No Pass) grades/units do not count towards meeting this requirement.
  6. Submit a 2026-2027 or
  7. Complete financial aid missing documents through the AHC Financial Aid myHancock portal.
  8. Submit official transcripts to Admissions and Records. View website for more information: /admissions/transcripts.php

How do I apply for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
Complete the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship online application that can be found on our Scholarship website: 

Is there a final deadline to be eligible for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
Yes, by the end of week 10 of the fall and spring semesters, all the above requirements must be completed.  No awards will be made for the semester after that date, and no post-awarding can be made.

May I take online classes with this scholarship?
Yes, however, we require a minimum of 3 units to be taken in person each semester.  Students may not combine fewer than 3-unit classes to meet this requirement.

May I take a class for CR/NC (pass/no pass)?
Yes, however, please note that the Nonresident Merit Scholarship requires that a minimum of 12 units must be taken for a letter grade to count towards this Scholarship.

Do I need to complete the College’s Student Orientation?
Yes, you must complete the College’s Student Orientation before applying for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship. Click on the following and select STUDENT LOGIN.

Do I need to see a Counselor for a Comprehensive Education Plan?
Yes. Recipients of the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship must meet with an AHC Counselor for a Comprehensive Student Education Plan (also known as CSEP). Students must complete this requirement before enrollment for their second semester opens, which is generally week 10 of the semester.  
NOTE: Your CSEP educational plan must also match the classes that you are/will be enrolling in. 

Do I have to fill out the FAFSA or CADAA to qualify for this scholarship?
Yes, students must submit a 2026-2027 FAFSA or CADAA AND complete their AHC financial aid missing documents before applying for the scholarship during the first semester of enrollment.  Any delay in submitting these documents will result in scholarship applications being returned to students as well as student registration holds put on student accounts for upcoming semesters.

What if I am not eligible to submit a FAFSA or CADAA due to my citizenship?
Please see the Director of Admissions for a quick review of your residency eligibility. If you are deemed ineligible to apply for the FAFSA or CADAA, the requirement will be waived.  Please note that international students are not eligible for this scholarship. 

Will I receive the Merit Scholarship if I have an outstanding balance?
No, all outstanding fees MUST be paid before the Merit Scholarship can be awarded. This includes any prior nonresident tuition and registration/enrollment fees in addition to any current registration/enrollment student fee charges. 

Do I have to continuously reside in CA while I am receiving the Merit Scholarship?
Students who leave California during their first year of attendance may lose eligibility for residency at AHC.  To establish CA residency, students must be present in California throughout their first year. (See AHC’s Board Policy 5015)

How long does the scholarship last? How many semesters/years is the scholarship good for?
The scholarship will be awarded for a maximum of two consecutive primary terms (e.g., a student entering in the fall may qualify for their first fall and first spring, or a student entering AHC for the first time in spring may qualify for their first spring and first fall). Only those meeting all eligibility criteria for each term will qualify (i.e., maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA, taking at least 12 units each semester, with at least three of those 12 units being in person/on campus, and having no outstanding balance due on their student account).

If I received less than a 3.0 GPA in High School but then earned a 3.0 in my first semester at Hancock, could I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship award in the 2nd semester of my first year?
Yes. However, you would only qualify for the scholarship for one semester following the semester you entered AHC. Additionally, you must be in good academic standing and have all outstanding fees paid before the start of the semester in which the merit scholarship would be awarded.

NOTE: Students can use their winter courses to meet the 3.0 cumulative GPA criteria.

If I did not recently attend and graduate from High School (for example, I graduated in 2023 and earned over a 3.0 GPA in High School and intend on enrolling as a first-year student in 2026), may I still qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
Yes, if you did not attend any college after high school. An official high school transcript will need to be submitted for verification.

If I plan on applying to the Nonresident Merit Scholarship, what documents do I need to submit to verify my GPA?
Your official high school or college transcript needs to be submitted for verification by Admissions and Records. Here is the link for uploading official transcripts: Transcript Upload Link

What if I am unable to obtain my official high school and/or official college transcript, as my high school or college has closed?

Before closing, a school must provide access to your academic records indefinitely. The school must communicate information about how to obtain your academic transcripts once the location has been determined.  If you didn’t receive your transcripts, you’ll need to .

If I graduated from a California High School with a 3.0 GPA or better, but I am on a student visa, such as an F1 Visa, may I qualify for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship?
Unfortunately, no.  International students do not qualify for the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship.

What if I already have a bachelor’s degree? Am I still eligible?
Unfortunately, no. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible for the Nonresident Merit Scholarship.

Would I get the scholarship the following fall semester if I started in the spring semester?
Yes, if you are eligible and continue to meet all the requirements. The scholarship is available for up to two consecutive primary semesters. (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall)

If I do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in my first semester at Hancock, under the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship award, will I lose my scholarship for subsequent semesters?
It depends on what your cumulative GPA looks like when the next award is run. If you started in the fall term and your GPA for that term was below 3.0, but you took a winter class that raised your cumulative GPA to 3.0, you would remain eligible for the next term.  However, if your cumulative GPA is still below 3.0 at the time the next term’s awards are processed, you will not be awarded the scholarship for the following semester.

What if I maintain a 3.0 during the fall term, take winter courses, and my GPA goes under the 3.0 requirement?
Eligibility is based on your cumulative GPA at the time awards are reviewed for the upcoming term. If your GPA falls below 3.0 after winter grades are posted, you will lose the Merit Scholarship.

NOTE: Eligibility is strictly based on cumulative GPA, and there is no appeal process for this.

If I received the Nonresident Merit Scholarship, how do I maintain eligibility?

  1. Complete CSEP with an AHC counselor preferably before registration for the following semester begins.
  2. Enroll in and complete at least 12 units listed on your Comprehensive Education Plan (CSEP), of which at least 3 units must be in person. NOTE: Students may not combine classes that are less than 3 units to meet this requirement.
  3. All classes must be taken for a letter grade. CR/NC (Pass/No Pass) grades/units do not count towards meeting this requirement.
  4. Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  5. Complete the Nonresident Merit Scholarship Acknowledgement Form.

May I earn an AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship if I am enrolled in fewer than 12 units?
No, you must enroll in and maintain 12 units or more each fall/spring semester; there is no enrollment requirement for winter or summer sessions. However, please note that YOU will be responsible for paying the non-resident tuition fees during winter AND summer session classes.

Is there a limit to the number of units I can take in which the Nonresident Merit Scholarship would pay?
No, there is no limit.  You may enroll in more than 12 units per semester. However, keep in mind that the Merit Scholarship only covers the non-resident tuition fees. The student is still responsible for paying ALL in-state enrollment fees, which are $46 per unit, and any other student fees.  An example of student enrollment fees, non-resident tuition fees, and other fees is shown in the table below.

What exact fees does the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship cover?
The Merit Scholarship only covers the nonresident tuition portion of the student fees, which is $397.00 per unit for the 2026-2027 year.  (Example: $397.00 x 12 units = $4,764.00 will be covered by the AHC Nonresident Merit Scholarship). A sample is shown below. 

STUDENT FEE BALANCE EXAMPLE – Fall 2026

Nonresident Tuition ($397 per unit) x12*

$4,764.00

Enrollment Fees ($46.00 per unit) x 12

$552.00

Health Supervision and Service Fee

$28.00

Student Center Building and Operating Fee

$10.00

Student Representation Fee

$2.00

TOTAL FEES DUE FOR FALL 2026

$5,356.00

Less Fall 2026 50% PELL Awarded 8/17/2026

$1,848.75

REMAINING OUTSTANDING BALANCE DUE FOR FALL 2026

$3,507.25

Less Nonresident Merit Scholarship Awarded 9/7/2026

$4,764.00

REFUND DUE TO THE STUDENT IN WEEK 5 AFTER POSTING NONRESIDENT MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

($1,256.75)

*Based on a minimum of 12 units & Max PELL (which may be different for each student)

Based on Max Pell for 2026-2027 $7,395/2=$3,697.50 Fall & Spring

These are charges the student is responsible for paying

Based on this example, if a student were enrolled in 12 full-time units and were eligible for the maximum Pell Grant, they would receive the NonResident Merit Scholarship in week 4, which would create a refund on week 5 in the amount of $1,256.75. Students need to ensure they set up a TouchNet Refund preference to avoid any refund delays.

What exact fees am I, the student, responsible for paying for each semester?
The student is responsible for paying all the following fees:

Fees:

Cost per semester:

Enrollment Fee

$46 per unit

Health Supervision and Services Fee

$28

Student Body Center Building & Operating Fee

$10

Student Representation Fee

$2

Physical Education usage fee, which is charged for some PE classes

Any Materials Fee (see online course description for details & cost)

Is there a final deadline to be eligible and awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?

Yes, students who do not complete ALL requirements by week 10 of each semester will no longer be eligible for the scholarship for that semester. All fees shown below must be paid by the student before the next registration cycle begins for the upcoming semester.  If the full balance is not paid, a hold will be placed on your account, which will prevent you from registering for the next semester.

When will I be awarded the AHC Merit Scholarship?

The AHC Merit Scholarship will post once you have met all eligibility criteria, and you have received an approval notice, starting on the following dates

  • Fall 2026 –
    • Fall Semester and Term 1: awarding will begin on 9/7/2026 and will continue each week through week 12
    • Term 2: awarding will begin on 10/19/2026 and will continue each week through week 12
  • Spring 2027 –
    • Spring Semester & Term 3: awarding will begin on 2/15/2027and will continue through week 12
    • Term 4: awarding will begin on 4/5/2027 and will continue through week 12

 

What if my application is denied?

ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ has several ways for students to pay their educational expenses. We offer grants, scholarships, and loans. Please visit our financial aid website for detailed information: /finaid/

In some instances, students may submit an appeal for not meeting the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Inability to enroll in a single 3-unit course due to the limited availability of 3-unit or more in-person classes (the appeal committee will confirm when students are enrolled in courses)
  2. Inability to meet stated deadlines to apply for the scholarship due to extenuating circumstances outside the student’s control

The appeal form must be completed no later than week 12 of the semester. Note: students must have been denied to complete this .

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

    1. Stop by the Financial Aid Office or
    2. Email finaid@hancockcollege.edu or
    3. Contact Kristin Milligan, Dean of Student Services at kristin.milligan@hancockcollege.edu