Middle Class Scholarship
The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) provides undergraduate students, including students pursuing a teaching credential, with a scholarship to attend a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campus. For the 2023-2024 academic year, students with family income and assets up to $217,000 may be eligible.
Students must meet the following requirements: be a California resident attending a UC or CSU; be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or meet the requirements for non-resident tuition exemption*; meet certain income/asset and other financial aid standards; maintain satisfactory academic progress; not be in default on a student loan; and must not be incarcerated.
You may receive the MCS award for up to 4 years depending on education level when awarded.
Beginning on October 1st through the March 2nd deadline, students may complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students without a Social Security Number or who have a U or TPS visa or DACA (including those who lost DACA or never applied for DACA), should complete the CA Dream Act Application.
After students submit the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, they are encouraged to establish a WebGrants 4 Students account to monitor their state financial aid. The WebGrants 4 Students website is secure and provides easy access to review their awarding status.
Scholarship award amounts will vary by student and by school. Award amounts will be based on the cost of attendance for the school of the student’s choice and the following program requirements: other available gift aid that the student is eligible for (i.e. federal, state, institutional or scholarship aid), a self-help student contribution of $7,898 (applied to all students), and a parent contribution for dependent students with a household income of over $100,000. These three factors collectively, are referred to as a students’ “available resources.” These amounts are deducted from the student’s total cost of attendance to determine the MCS award. Under this formula, award amounts will vary widely among students, with each student’s award reflecting their costs and available resources.
Final MCS award amounts for the year will be based on the number of students eligible for the program statewide and the funding allocated by the State Budget. A percentage may be applied each year to ensure match the annual state appropriation for the program. Pursuant to Education Code section 70023, MCS award amounts may be reduced at any time during the academic year if it’s determined that the funds appropriated are insufficient to cover the cost of the projected MCS awards.
Beginning in 2022-23, a student's initial Middle Class Scholarship award determination will be based on the Cost of Attendance (COA) for the school the student chooses to attend, taking into consideration any other aid or fee waivers the student is receiving.
