Financial Aid

General Grant Information

The intention of grants is to assist students from low income families in being able to afford education at a postsecondary institution. The money students receive from grants does not have to be repaid, unless the student were to withdraw from school or fail to carry the required units for the school term.

There are three main sources for grants:

• Federal Government
• California Government
• Institutions

Federal Grants

Grants are based mainly on financial need. The amount awarded is dependent on the student’s financial need, enrollment status, and the institution’s estimated cost of attendance. There are two types of federal grants.

1. Pell Grant – Amounts can change yearly. The current maximum is $4,050.
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – Awarded to students with exceptional financial need. Students receiving a Pell Grant have priority for the FSEOG award.

California Grants (Cal-Grant)

Unlike the federal grant, Cal-Grant takes into consideration the academic grade point average (GPA) of the student, in addition to financial need. There are three types of Cal-Grants available to California high school students attending a California institution of higher education.

1. Cal-Grant A – Provides money for the cost of tuition/fee to students with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and not exceeding the income and assets ceiling figures issued by the state each year. The target population is students from low to middle income households. Students meeting the requirements and filing prior to March 2nd receive the Cal-Grant A entitlement award.
2. Cal Grant B – The first year of the grant is a payment of $1,551 and the following years the award includes the amount similar to the Cal-Grant A in addition to the $1,551. The award is for students with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and not exceeding the income and assets ceiling figures issued by the state each year. The target population is students from low income households. Students meeting the requirements and filing prior to March 2nd receive the Cal-Grant B entitlement award.
3. Cal Grant C – This grant provides tuition, fees and cost assistance for students attending vocational or occupational schools. The vocational program must be a minimum of four months in length.
4. California Chafee Grant – Grant provides up to $5,000 for college or job training for students that were foster youths. Requires completion of the FAFSA and the California Chafee Grant Application forms. More information can be obtained from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) at 1-888- 224-7268.

Institutional Grants

1. University of California Student Aid Grant – Target population is students identified as financially in need. Grants are awarded by each University of California campus.
2. State University Grant – Offered by campuses in the California State University system to assist financially needy students in paying fees.
3. Educational Opportunity Program Grant – Offered by campuses in the California State University system to assist students identified as economically or educationally disadvantaged and were admitted to the university through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
4. Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver – California Community College program for students identified as in financial need.