Hartnell College is required by federal regulations 34 CFR 668.16(p) to evaluate and confirm the validity of a student’s high school completion under specific circumstances. To receive Title IV federal financial aid, a student must be qualified to study at the postsecondary level.
Student Eligibility Criteria
To meet federal qualification standards for financial aid, a student must fulfill one of the following requirements:
Hold a valid high school diploma (including foreign diplomas equivalent to a U.S. diploma).
Possess a recognized equivalent, such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, HiSET, or other state-sanctioned high school equivalency credential.
Have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law, or completed secondary education in a homeschool setting that qualifies for an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law.
Have completed one of the approved ATB alternatives and be currently enrolled in an eligible career pathway program, or have first enrolled in an eligible postsecondary program prior to July 1, 2012.
Hartnell College Policy
Hartnell College relies on a student’s self-certification on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) stating that they have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent.
However, the Financial Aid Office must formally evaluate and verify the validity of a student's high school completion if:
- The college or the U.S. Department of Education has reason to believe the diploma is invalid or was not obtained from a legitimate secondary education entity.
- The student is selected for a federal Verification Tracking Group that explicitly requires proof of high school completion status.
Acceptable Institutional Standards
Hartnell College will only accept a high school diploma, transcript, or equivalent if the issuing institution meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Recognized by a U.S. state education authority.
- Accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
- Accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Important Note: Diplomas deemed invalid or issued by unaccredited entities will not be accepted, and the student will be ineligible for federal and state financial aid.
Verification Procedures
When a diploma or transcript requires validation, Financial Aid staff will perform an independent review using a multi-step process.
Staff will cross-reference the secondary school against official state and national databases, including:
- California Department of Education (CDE) Private School Directory
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) School Search Database
- Index of Secondary Credentials (for foreign high school diplomas)
The physical or electronic copy of the diploma and/or academic transcript will be reviewed to ensure authenticity.
Staff will verify:
- A graduation date and timeline of credit completion.
- The presence of official institutional signatures, raised seals, or watermarks.
If the school's legitimacy remains questionable after database and document reviews, the Financial Aid Office may formally request:
- A written statement directly from the issuing entity verifying the authenticity of the document.
- A written description of the school's graduation and course requirements.
- A signed attestation from the high school administration regarding the student's completed coursework.