California Virtual Campus (CVC)

Students using the CVC Exchange are subject to the payment policies of the college that is offering the class, i.e. the Teaching College. Since a college may have a drop for non-payment policy and deadline date; it is in a student’s best interest to pay for classes at the time of enrollment via the CVC Exchange in order to secure a seat in the class. Even if a student initially chooses the credit card option to pay for classes, eligible students are still allowed and encouraged to apply for both the CCPG and Federal Financial Aid at time of payment. If approved for either or both CCPG and Federal Aid, students who may have used the credit card option will be appropriately reimbursed.

1. Pay with credit card: The option to pay with a credit card through the payment portal is the most immediate payment option available to Exchange students.
2. California Colleges Promise Grant (CCPG): Students who are eligible California residents, may apply for the California Colleges Promise Grant (CCPG) which can waive enrollment fees for qualified students for the entire school year. If a student has an approved CCPG with their Home College, students may apply for CCPG at the Teaching College of their choice to help cover tuition cost for courses taken through the CVC exchange. Students will still be responsible for the non-tuition fees not covered by the CCPG.
3. Federal Financial Aid: If an Exchange student is qualified to receive Federal Financial Aid from their Home College, to help cover the cost of tuition and fees for classes being taken at the Teaching College; they may request Federal Financial Aid from their Home College. This process takes time; therefore, students should pay their balance.

To pay for class material fees or online textbooks, you can login to connectColumbia and go to the Account Information section to check on Financial Aid or due fees or go directly to the Student Finance Account Summary to verify if anything is owed.

You will access your CVC Exchange course through your home college Canvas account.

Once logged in to Canvas, you will see your CVC Exchange course on the dashboard.

While you are in your CVC Exchange course in Canvas, you still have access to online resources at your home college.

If you are seeking general Canvas Support, visit the Canvas Student Support Page. For more specific questions about your home college Canvas, contact the Help Desk at (209) 588-5385.

Refunds are subject to the policies and procedures of the college offering the course (Teaching College). The Teaching College is also responsible for processing individual refunds.

If you receive academic accommodations from your home college Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS), those services do not automatically transfer to CVC Exchange courses. To receive these accommodations, you will need to contact the DSPS Office at (209) 588-5130 or visit the DSPS webpage to apply. Please identify yourself as a CVC Exchange student.

If you have been approved for, or are eligible for, federal financial aid, please contact your home college Financial Aid Office to confirm that your CVC course is eligible for aid. All participating colleges have signed a Federal Financial Aid Consortium Agreement, so students enrolled in two different colleges may be able to receive federal and state financial aid funds based on combined units taken at both colleges.

If Columbia College is your home college and you would like to be considered for a California Promise Grant (Fee Waiver) for your CVC course, please add Columbia College to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Columbia College’s school code number is 007707.