Does financial aid count as income for CalWORKs and CalFresh eligibility?

Great question! Financial aid is treated differently depending on the type and which benefit program you're talking about: For CalWORKs (Cash Aid): - Student loans don't count as income - Pell Grants and Cal Grants used for tuition, books, transportation, supplies, and childcare don't count - Any portion of grants used for living expenses (rent, food, etc.) DOES count as income For CalFresh: - Most financial aid doesn't count if you're eligible for CalFresh as a student - This includes grants, scholarships, and loans Make sure to tell your worker exactly what the aid is for. Keep receipts for books, supplies, etc. to show how you're spending the grant money on educational expenses. When you report on your SAR7, clearly mark which portions are for educational expenses versus living expenses.

When I started school last year, I had the SAME exact worry! What helped me was I got a letter from financial aid office breaking down exactly what my aid covered - tuition, books, supplies, etc. I showed that to my CalWORKs worker and they only counted the small portion that was considered "extra" for living expenses. My Pell Grant was $6,895 last semester, but after tuition and educational expenses, only about $1,200 was counted against my Cash Aid. My CalFresh wasn't affected at all! Make sure you're also talking to the CalWORKs office AT your college - most community colleges have special programs for CalWORKs students with extra support services. They helped me A LOT with navigating this!

You should definitely report it on your SAR7, but if the disbursement puts you over your IRT (Income Reporting Threshold), you need to report it within 10 days. Check your last Notice of Action to see what your IRT is - it's usually around 130% of your MAP (Maximum Aid Payment) for your family size.

dont beleve what people tell you here. my sister got financial aid and they cut her cash aid completly!!!! the county workers always looking for ways to cut benifits. she had to pay back $1400 because they said she didnt report it fast enuff.

im in my second year of college and on calworks. wat worked for me was gettin a letter from financial aid office showing how much goes to tuition and books. i also keep ALL my receipts for school stuff in a folder to show my worker. loans dont count at all dont worry about those.

This is actually one of the biggest challenges for CalWORKs participants trying to pursue education. The regulations for how financial aid is treated are in MPP Section 44-111.435. Here's what you need to know: 1. Keep DETAILED records of all educational expenses 2. Submit verification from your school's financial aid office showing your award breakdown 3. Maintain receipts for textbooks, supplies, transportation to/from school 4. Request the "Student Educational Expense Agreement" form from your worker 5. Ask about the CalWORKs Student Support Program on your campus Most importantly, make sure your Welfare-to-Work plan includes your education. This can help you meet your WTW hours through education and training, and your worker can better track your educational expenses. One more thing - if you're having trouble reaching your worker to discuss this, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that gets you through to your worker quickly instead of waiting on hold forever. Saved me hours of frustration! They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE

Has anyone had their worker trying to count their whole financial aid package as income? My worker tried to do this last semester and I had to fight it. You should know they CANNOT count aid that's used for: - Tuition & fees - Books & supplies - Transportation to/from school - Required tools or equipment - Childcare related to education If your worker tries to count all of it, ask for a supervisor or file for a state hearing. I had to do this and won my case.

Just to follow up with some additional information - you asked about having to tell your worker immediately or waiting for your SAR7. The rule is you must report financial aid on your SAR7, but if the amount puts you over your Income Reporting Threshold (IRT), you need to report it within 10 days of receiving it. Also, you should look into the special CalWORKs exemptions for students. While you're in an approved educational program, certain activities like study time can count toward your Welfare to Work hours. This could reduce your other WTW requirements and give you more time to focus on school. And definitely connect with your college's CalWORKs office - they can often provide additional support like book vouchers, childcare referrals, and school supplies that won't count against your benefits.

So I just went through this exact thing last semester!!! It's honestly so confusing. What saved me was I got an itemized statement from my school showing EXACTLY what each dollar of my financial aid was for. Like $3,426 for tuition, $800 for books, $500 for supplies, etc. I brought that to my recertification interview and my worker accepted it. But my roommate goes to a different college and her worker counted part of her Cal Grant against her. So I think different counties handle it differently? Either way GET DOCUMENTATION from your financial aid office!!!

I'm just starting to look into going back to school too and this thread is so helpful! One thing I'm wondering about - if I get work-study as part of my financial aid package, does that count differently? I know work-study is technically a job where you earn money, but it's also part of financial aid. Also, are there any limits on how much financial aid you can receive before it affects your benefits? Like is there a dollar amount where they automatically start counting more of it as income?

Hi Maya! I'm also a single mom considering going back to school, so this thread has been incredibly helpful. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my cousin who went through this - make sure you also ask your financial aid office about the Cal Grant B access award. It's specifically for living expenses and they told her upfront that portion would count as income for CalWORKs, but the tuition portion wouldn't. Also, I'd recommend keeping a separate folder for ALL your school-related receipts from day one - even parking passes, gas receipts for trips to campus, and childcare costs while you're in class. My cousin said her worker was really thorough about wanting to see proof of every educational expense. Good luck with school! It's so inspiring to see other moms pursuing their education while navigating all this. You've got this! 💪

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I want to emphasize how important it is to be proactive with documentation! I'm a single mom who went back to school last year while on CalWORKs and CalFresh, and here's what I learned: 1. Get everything in writing from your financial aid office BEFORE you receive any disbursements 2. Ask specifically for a breakdown showing tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation allowances, and any "excess" amounts 3. Keep a running total of your actual educational expenses - textbooks, supplies, gas for campus trips, even things like a laptop if required for classes One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking my financial aid amounts vs. my actual school expenses. When I had my recertification interview, I could show my worker exactly how much of my aid went to legitimate educational costs. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions! Your financial aid office deals with CalWORKs students all the time and they know the rules. They can often structure your aid package in ways that minimize impact on your benefits. You're doing something amazing by going back to school - don't let the fear of benefit changes stop you from pursuing your education. Just stay organized and communicate clearly with both your financial aid office and your CalWORKs worker. You've got this!

I'm also a CalWORKs recipient looking at starting school soon, and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned yet - what happens with summer financial aid? I know some schools offer summer sessions, but I've heard the aid works differently during summer months. Does anyone know if summer grants or loans are treated the same way by CalWORKs? Also, for those who mentioned keeping receipts for everything - do digital receipts work just as well as paper ones? I do most of my shopping online for textbooks and supplies, so I mostly get email receipts. Just want to make sure those would be acceptable documentation for my worker. This community is amazing - I've learned more from reading these responses than from multiple calls to my county office! Thank you all for sharing your experiences and helping fellow parents navigate this complicated system while trying to better our lives through education. 📚✨

Hi Maya! I just went through my first year of community college while on CalWORKs and wanted to share what worked for me. The key thing that saved me stress was being upfront with BOTH my financial aid office and my CalWORKs worker from day one. Here's my step-by-step process: 1. When I applied for aid, I told my financial aid counselor I was on CalWORKs and asked them to provide detailed breakdowns 2. Before my first disbursement, I got a letter showing exactly how much went to tuition ($2,890), books/supplies ($650), and the small leftover amount ($340) 3. I reported this on my SAR7 with copies of everything attached 4. My worker only counted that $340 "excess" amount against my benefits The biggest thing I learned is that communication prevents problems! My CalFresh wasn't affected at all, and my Cash Aid only went down by about $40/month because of that small excess amount. Also, definitely look into your college's EOPS program if they have one - they provide additional support for CalWORKs students and can help with things like book vouchers and childcare resources that won't count against your benefits. You're doing something amazing by going back to school while raising two little ones. The system can feel scary, but with the right documentation and communication, you can absolutely keep your benefits while pursuing your education! 💪

Maya, I'm so glad you asked this question! I'm currently in my third semester at community college while on CalWORKs and CalFresh, and I want to reassure you that it's absolutely possible to maintain your benefits while going to school. Here's what I've learned through experience: **For CalWORKs:** Only the portion of financial aid used for living expenses counts as income. Educational expenses like tuition, books, supplies, transportation, and childcare for school don't count. **For CalFresh:** Most financial aid doesn't count at all if you're an eligible student. My practical advice: - Contact your financial aid office immediately and explain you're on CalWORKs. Ask for an award letter that breaks down exactly what each dollar covers. - Start collecting receipts NOW for all school-related expenses (even before you start classes). - When you get your award letter, calculate how much is truly "excess" after educational expenses. - Report this clearly on your SAR7, attaching all documentation. Last semester, I received a $5,200 Pell Grant. After tuition ($3,100), books ($480), supplies ($220), and gas for campus trips ($150), only $1,250 was considered income for CalWORKs purposes. My benefits barely changed! Don't let fear of losing benefits stop you from pursuing education - just stay organized and communicate clearly with your workers. You're investing in your family's future! Also, ask your college about their CalWORKs student services - they often have additional resources like emergency funds, childcare assistance, and textbook lending programs that can help reduce your costs even further.

Maya, I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help ease your worries! I'm currently in my second year at community college while on CalWORKs with my 4-year-old daughter. One thing that really helped me was asking my financial aid office for what they call an "Educational Cost Worksheet" - it's basically a detailed breakdown that shows not just your aid amounts, but also the college's estimated costs for everything (tuition, books, transportation, childcare, etc.). This made it super clear to my CalWORKs worker what portions were legitimate educational expenses. Also, I discovered that if you're enrolled at least half-time in an approved program, your study time can count toward your Welfare-to-Work hours! This was huge for me because it reduced the pressure to find additional work activities while I'm focusing on school. My biggest piece of advice: don't stress too much about the initial reporting. Be honest, provide all your documentation, and remember that CalWORKs actually WANTS to support people getting education and training. The whole point of the program is to help families become self-sufficient, and education is one of the best paths to that goal. You're making such a smart investment in your family's future. Both of my kids will see their mom graduate college - that's worth more than any temporary benefit adjustment. Keep pushing forward! 💪📚

Maya, I'm so glad you asked this question! As a single mom who successfully navigated this exact situation, I want to share what worked for me. First, don't panic about financial aid affecting your benefits - it's designed to help you succeed! Here's what I learned: **The key is DOCUMENTATION:** Get an itemized breakdown from your financial aid office showing exactly what each dollar covers. Most community colleges are very familiar with CalWORKs students and will provide this readily. **What typically doesn't count as income:** - Tuition and mandatory fees - Required textbooks and supplies - Transportation to/from school - Childcare while attending classes - Required equipment (laptop, calculator, etc.) **What might count:** Any leftover amount after legitimate educational expenses. In my experience, I received about $6,000 in financial aid per semester, but after all educational expenses, only about $800-900 was considered "excess" and counted toward income. My CalFresh stayed the same, and my Cash Aid only decreased by about $60/month. **Pro tips:** 1. Keep ALL receipts from day one - even parking passes and gas for campus trips 2. Ask about your college's CalWORKs support services - they often have book vouchers and emergency assistance 3. Make sure your education is part of your official WTW plan so study time counts toward your hours You're investing in your family's future - don't let fear hold you back! The temporary minor benefit adjustment is SO worth the long-term career opportunities you're creating. Your kids will be so proud watching their mom graduate! 💪📚

Maya, I'm a single mom who just finished my first year at community college while on CalWORKs and CalFresh, so I completely understand your concerns! This thread has covered most of the important points, but I wanted to add a few things that really helped me: **Timing matters:** Since you mentioned getting your first disbursement in late July and your SAR7 is due in August, you should be fine reporting it on your regular SAR7. Just make sure to include all your documentation with that report. **Ask for help at enrollment:** When you go to orientation or meet with a counselor, specifically ask to speak with someone who works with CalWORKs students. Most community colleges have staff who specialize in helping students navigate benefits while in school - they know all the ins and outs! **Create a simple tracking system:** I used a basic notebook to track every school-related expense from day one. Even small things like printing costs and school supplies add up and can be counted as educational expenses. **Don't forget about textbook rentals:** If your college offers textbook rental programs, those costs definitely count as educational expenses and can help reduce any "excess" financial aid that might count as income. The anxiety about this is totally normal, but honestly, going back to school while on CalWORKs was one of the best decisions I ever made. Yes, there's paperwork and documentation to keep track of, but the support is there if you know how to access it. You're doing something incredible for yourself and your kids. The fact that you're asking these questions now shows you're being responsible and proactive. You've got this! 📚💪

Maya, as someone who went through this exact same situation two years ago, I want to reassure you that you can absolutely pursue your education while maintaining your benefits! One thing that really helped me was creating what I called a "financial aid binder" - I kept everything organized in sections: award letters, receipts for books and supplies, gas receipts for campus trips, childcare costs while in class, even my parking permit. When it came time for my SAR7 and recertification, I could easily show my worker exactly how my aid was being used. My experience: I received about $4,800 in combined grants and only about $600 was counted as income after all my educational expenses were documented. My Cash Aid decreased by less than $50/month, and my CalFresh wasn't affected at all. **One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet:** If you qualify for work-study as part of your aid package, that income is treated differently too - it's earned income but there are special exemptions for students. Just something to keep in mind if it comes up! Also, don't hesitate to reach out to your county's CalWORKs education specialist if they have one. Some counties have workers who specifically handle cases for students and they really understand the rules around financial aid. You're making such a smart investment in your family's future. Your 5 and 3-year-old are going to be so proud watching their mom succeed in college! The benefits system is designed to support people working toward self-sufficiency, and education is exactly that path. You've got this! 💪📚

Maya, I'm a CalWORKs recipient who just started my second semester at community college, and I wanted to share something that really helped me navigate this process - getting connected with your college's DSPS (Disabled Students Programs & Services) office if you have any qualifying conditions, even things like anxiety or ADHD. They can provide accommodations that might reduce some of your educational costs (like priority registration to get better class schedules that work with childcare, or access to assistive technology), which means more of your financial aid goes toward legitimate educational expenses rather than being counted as income. Also, I learned that some counties have special CalWORKs education liaisons who work directly with local colleges. My county has someone who comes to campus once a month specifically to meet with CalWORKs students and help us navigate benefit reporting. It might be worth asking both your worker and your college's financial aid office if there's someone like this in your area. One last thing - if you're planning to transfer to a 4-year school eventually, start that conversation early with your financial aid office. They can help you plan your community college aid in a way that sets you up for a smooth transition without benefit disruptions later. You're taking such an important step for your family's future, and it sounds like you're already asking all the right questions. The fact that you're being proactive about understanding the rules shows you're going to succeed at this! Your kids are lucky to have a mom who's so dedicated to building a better future for your family. 🌟

Maya, I'm a single mom who just finished my associate degree while on CalWORKs and CalFresh, and I want to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to ask your financial aid office about Emergency Financial Assistance programs! Many colleges have small grants (usually $200-500) for things like car repairs, emergency childcare, or unexpected school expenses that can help reduce the "excess" portion of your regular financial aid. Also, if you're planning to take any online classes, keep track of your internet costs, computer expenses, and even printer ink - these can all count as educational expenses if they're required for your coursework. My worker accepted receipts for all of these when I showed they were necessary for my online classes. One more tip: if you have to miss any CalWORKs appointments because of class schedules, most counties will reschedule around your school commitments as long as you provide your class schedule. Education is considered a priority activity, so they're usually very accommodating. The learning curve is steep at first, but once you get the documentation system down, it becomes routine. I'm now working in my field making enough to be off assistance entirely, and it all started with that scary first step of applying for financial aid while on benefits. Your future self will thank you for taking this leap! You're not just changing your life - you're showing your kids that education is powerful and achievable. Keep pushing forward! 💪🎓

Maya, I'm a single mom who recently went through this exact process, and I want to share something that really helped me - the CalWORKs Student Success Team program! Many community colleges have this specific program where they assign you a counselor who understands both the academic and benefits side of things. They helped me create an educational plan that was approved by CalWORKs, which made reporting so much smoother. One thing I learned is that you can also count childcare costs while you're in class as educational expenses - even if you're using informal childcare like paying a neighbor or family member. Just make sure to keep receipts or write up simple agreements showing what you're paying for childcare during your class hours. Also, if your county offers the CalWORKs 48-month time limit exemption for students, make sure to apply for it! This gives you additional time to complete your education without worrying about hitting the time limit on benefits. My biggest piece of advice: don't wait until you receive the aid to start the conversation with your worker. I actually brought my acceptance letter and preliminary aid information to my worker before the semester even started, and we worked out a plan together. This prevented any surprises or misunderstandings later. You're making such a smart choice for your family's future! I'm now in my final semester and already have job interviews lined up in my field. The temporary stress of managing benefits while in school is so worth it for the long-term opportunities you're creating. Your kids will be so proud watching their mom graduate! 🎓✨