Financial aid applications open October 1st
Priority Deadline: March 2nd

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers a variety of federal grants, free money, to students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. 

• • Federal Pell Grant

    • Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree; in some cases, students enrolled in a post baccalaureate teacher certification programs may receive a Federal Pell Grant  

    • Pell Grant lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters or the equivalent

  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

    • Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree 

    • Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority 

    • Not all schools participate in the FSEOG program

  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

    • The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. 

    • To receive a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay in which you agree to:

      • Serve as a full-time highly-qualified teacher for four elementary or secondary school years at a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students

      • Teach in a high-need field

      • Complete the required four years of teaching within eight years after you graduate from or otherwise cease to be enrolled at the institution of higher education where you received your TEACH Grants

  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

  • You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if:

    • You are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but:

      • Meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and

      • Your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and

      • You were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent's or guardian's death

• Cal Grants

  • After submitting your FAFSA or CADAA, visit webgrants4students.csac.ca.gov and create your login information.

  • The FAFSA/CADAA and GPA verification is needed to apply for Cal Grants.

  • The system will award the most beneficial Cal Grant based on the student’s need, qualifying factors and type of institution

  • Cal Grant A: 3.0 minimum GPA required, Associate or Baccalaureate Degree, Covers up to 4 years of tuition and fees at eligible CA schools

  • Cal Grant B: 2.0 minimum GPA required, Certificate, Associate or Baccalaureate Degree, Covers Tuition and fees at eligible CA schools for 2-4 years 

  • Cal Grant C: No GPA requirement, Vocational/Technical/Occupational Programs 

  • Community Colleges:

    • Cal Grant A: minimum 2.4 GPA on 4.0 scale 

    • Cal Grant B: minimum 2.0 GPA on 4.0 scale

    • Students who receive this award may remain eligible after transfer to UC or CSU; students who transfer to a private college will be considered for Transfer Entitlement or Competitive Cal Grant 

• California Dreamer Service Incentive Grant

  • For undocumented students only

  • Earn up to $3,000/year

  • Must complete at least 300 hours of volunteer hours

  • Attend California public or independent institution

• California Community College Promise Grant

  • Waives fees at community college

  • Application depends on the school

  • For Skyline College, complete FAFSA/CADAA or application is on WebSMART

  • For CCSF, complete FAFSA/CADAA AND paper application

• Direct Subsidized Loan

  • Federal government pays the loan's interest (while in school)

  • Students with financial need

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  • Students are responsible for paying the interest during all periods

  • Do not need to demonstrate financial need

• Direct PLUS Loan (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students)

  • For parents borrowing money up to the Cost of Attendance

  • Do not need to demonstrate financial need

• Direct Consolidation Loans

  • Allows students to combine all of eligible federal student loans into a single loan with a single loan servicer

• California DREAM Loan

  • The California DREAM Loan Program for purposes of extending loans to students who meet the requirements established by AB 540 that have financial need. The DREAM Loan authorizes any campus of the University of California or the California State University to participate. Eligible students can contact their school for more information.

Searching for external scholarships can be overwhelming, but students should never pay for scholarship information. 

1. Current high school or community college

   • Scholarship bulletin (updated WEEKLY!)

   • Oceana General Scholarship (announced in the Spring)

2. The financial aid office at each campus you applied to

3. Online!

   • Ms. Owyang's scholarship search tool list

4. Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic group

5. Your or your parent's/guardian's employer

Work study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay for their education.

How much can a student earn? It depends on...

• When you apply,

• Your level of financial need, and

• Your college's funding level