The Federal Pell Grant program is a large student grant program and provides a "foundation" of financial aid to which other aid may be added.
Applicants who meet all requirements will receive a Federal Pell Grant. Applicants must qualify financially, be in an eligible program at an eligible school or college, and must not have already obtained a bachelor's degree. Click here for more information on federal Pell Grants.
Pell Grant eligibility is determined by submission of the FAFSA. Eligibility depends on a
number of factors and is need-based. The maximum amount awarded currently is $5,920. Typically, within 3-5 days after applying for FAFSA you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the processor which shows whether you are eligible for aid. Follow any instructions, which are included with the SAR. The 3-5 day timeline is typical only if you provide a valid email address on your FAFSA and do an online application. If you file a paper application or mail a signature page, the wait time will extend to 2-3 weeks. Click here for more information on the Student Aid Report (SAR).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Students who qualify for additional assistance (exceptional need) may get a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) to go with other sources of financial aid. These federal grants range from $100-$4,000 per award year. Not all colleges participate in the FSEOG.
Schools and colleges award these grants to those who qualify according to the schools' eligibility criteria. Colleges may award FSEOG to students who are enrolled less than half time. Students apply by completing the FAFSA.
California, through the Student Aid Commission, sponsors or administers many financial aid programs for higher education. These include the state-funded Cal Grants A, B and C for undergraduate students, the Chaffee Grant for Foster Children, The California Middle Class Scholarship, and a program to assist the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Contact the college campus financial aid office for more information about these programs. Please click here for complete list of CA state programs.
Cal Grants A, B and C
To qualify for a Cal Grant A, B or C, a student must be a California resident attending an eligible school or college in the state, must be making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution, must be in a program of study leading directly to an undergraduate degree or certificate, must not possess a baccalaureate degree prior to receiving a Cal Grant award, and must not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant or have defaulted on a student loan. A student may accept only one Cal Grant -- either A, B or C. Students must apply for a Cal Grant by the March 2 deadline. The gpa verification is sent electronically by your high school.
Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A helps low- and middle-income students with tuition/fee costs, Grant recipients are selected on the basis of financial need and grade point average (3.00 GPA minimum). If you qualify for a Cal Grant A and want to attend a public community college, the Student Aid Commission will reserve a tuition/fee award until you transfer to a tuition/fee charging college, provided that you continue to qualify. However, new recipients cannot transfer a community college reserve award to a tuition/fee charging school during their first year as recipients. To be eligible for a first-time Cal Grant A, a student must enroll at least half time in the fall term of the year for which the award is made. Cal Grants are up to $12,630 at a University of California campus, up to $5,742 at a California State University Campus and up to $9,084 at Independent Colleges.
Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B provided a living allowance (and sometimes tuition/fee help) for very low-income students of up to $1,656. The tuition/fee awards are the same as those for Cal Grant A. The minimum course length is one academic year and GPA minimum needed is 2.00. The Cal Grant B award for freshmen is usually limited to the non-tuition college costs such as living expenses, books, and supplies, transportation, etc. When renewed by sophomores, juniors, and seniors, a Cal Grant B also may cover all or part of the tuition/fee costs. (up to $12,630 at a UC campus, up to $5,742 at a CSU campus and up to $9,084 at Independent Colleges.
There are 250 special Cal Grant B awards for community college students transferring to four-year colleges. The special award requires enrollment on at least a half-time basis at an eligible four-year tuition/fee charging college. The applicant's last school of attendance must be a community college. Those already having transferred to a four-year college are not eligible for a special Cal Grant B.
Cal Grant C
Cal Grant C helps vocational school students with tuition and training costs.
Recipients must be enrolled in a vocational program at a community or independent college, or vocational school, in a program of study from four to 24 months in length. A student also must enroll at least half time in the fall term of the year for which the award is made. The Grant provides up to $1,094 for books, tools and equipment and up to $2,462 more for tuition and fees if you'll be attending a school other than a California Community College.
There is no charge to apply for a state-sponsored Cal Grant A, B or C. To apply for the Cal Grants, simply complete the appropriate sections on the FAFSA. The need analysis service will forward your processed application to the California Student Aid Commission. It is important to check your e mails regularly and to read each e mail thoroughly to understand next steps in the process. Students must create a webgrants account in order to track Cal Grant awa4rd" https://webgrants.csac.ca.gov; for more information see www.csac.ca.gov
The Student Aid Commission makes Cal Grant award notifications beginning in the spring. Students are encouraged to check with the financial aid office at the college(s) and to check financial aid awards thoroughly.
Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD)
This program provides educational grants to needy dependents and spouses of California peace officers (Highway Patrol, marshals, sheriffs, police officers); officers and employees of the Department of Corrections or Youth Authority; and permanent and full-time firefighters employed by counties, cities, districts, and other political subdivisions of the state that have been killed or totally disabled in the line of duty. The death or disability must have been the result of an accident or injury caused by external violence or physical force incurred in the performance of duty. Grants at four-year up to $12,192 up to 4 years. Click here for more information on LEPD.
The Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) at the California State University (CSU) and the University of California ( UC) and the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) at public community colleges provide grants, counseling and/or tutorial services to low-income first generation college students. Programs and financial incentive may vary so please check with the university websites for detailed information and application requirements. To be eligible for the EOP/EOPS program, a student must be disadvantaged according to criteria established by state regulations, and be registered full-time at either a community college or participating university
The Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) is a special support program for EOPS students receiving public assistance (calWORKS or TANF), single parents, and have a dependent under 14 years of age. Eligible CARE participants are offered counseling, transportation, grants and services for childcare, and textbook supplies.
Community College Aid
California Community Colleges' Board of Governors (BOG) offers the BOG fee waiver for students who need help paying enrollment fees. California residents who meet specific criteria may be eligible for a BOG: Detailed and up-to-date information can be found at http://home.cccapply.org/money/bog-fee-waiver. The program is available to California residents only. Undocumented students should apply for the BOG at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/. Once qualified for a BOGG, a student's enrollment fees are paid for the rest of the school year, including summer. For more information, contact the local community college financial aid office.