Financial Aid Terminology

As with other grants, Cal Grant money for college you don’t have to pay back. 

Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California. 

Complete the FAFSA by the deadline. Students must also have a qualifying GPA (it varies, depending on which Cal Grant you qualify for). 

Many schools require a separate form to submit Cal Grant GPAs however, Western Sierra seniors do not need to submit the Cal Grant GPA verification form. 

See the California Student Aid Commission's website for requirements/FAQs.

Our registrar, Ms. Repetti, submits GPAs to the California Student Aid Commission on September 30th for all seniors.

Merrit-Based Aid (not dependent upon family Income).

WUE is an agreement among WICHE’s 16 members, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Click here for the full list of participating WUE schools!

Eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state, and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate.

WUE Webinar

Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need. 

To qualify, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form by the deadline. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year.

Whether you plan to study abroad for a semester or get your entire degree outside the United States, you may be able to use federal student aid to pay your expenses.  

You must first determine if your college is eligible to receive U.S. funding.  Start at the financial aid office of the out-of-country school.  

The type of aid you can get—and the process you must follow—will depend on the type of program (study-abroad or full degree) you plan to enter.