Undergraduate
What is a Pell Grant?
A Pell Grant is a federal award for eligible undergraduate students to help cover educational costs. In some cases, students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program may also qualify.
Do I have to repay it?
No. Unlike a loan, a Pell Grant does not have to be repaid.
Who is eligible?
Pell Grants are primarily for undergraduate students. However, students enrolled in certain teacher credential programs that do not lead to a graduate degree may also be eligible. To qualify, you must meet federal eligibility requirements and demonstrate financial need based on the Student Aid Index.
How much can I receive?
Award amounts vary each year and depend on factors such as:
- Financial need
- Cost of attendance
- Enrollment status (full-time or part-time)
- Duration of attendance during the academic year
You may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
Is there a limit to how long I can receive it?
Yes. Eligible students may receive Pell Grant funds for up to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters (or about six years). You can check your usage on the Studentaid.gov website.
What is a Cal Grant?
Cal Grants are need-based financial aid awards provided by the State of California for eligible residents. Students are considered for Cal Grants by submitting a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and a GPA.
Verification Form by the annual deadline. Renewal recipients only need to reapply each year and meet eligibility requirements.
To view your Cal Grant status, log in to your WebGrants account through the California Student Aid Commission.
Do I have to repay it?
No, Cal Grants do not need to be repaid.
What are the enrollment requirements?
At least half-time enrollment is required to remain eligible. Grant amounts will be reduced for less than full time enrollment. Some programs may require full-time enrollment.
What is the State University Grant (SUG)?
The State University Grant is a need-based financial aid program for eligible California State University (CSU) students to help cover tuition fees. It is available to California residents enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, or credential programs.
Do I have to repay it?
No, the State University Grant does not need to be repaid.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, students must:
- Be California residents.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in a qualifying CSU program.
- Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) within an eligible range.
- Meet FAFSA or CADAA filing requirements.
- Not be receiving Cal Grant or other tuition fee waivers.
- Be in a non-external degree program.
- Credential students must be enrolled in credential-specific courses.
Important limitations:
- Students pursuing a second bachelor’s, second credential, or second master’s degree are not eligible.
- Eligibility is capped based on earned units required for the student’s declared program.
- Undergraduate students are capped based on transfer status and units earned.
- Credential students are capped up to the required program length.
- Awards are prorated based on enrollment level.
- Funding is limited and not guaranteed.
What is SEOG funding?
The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) provides financial assistance to undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time and demonstrate exceptional financial need and are also Pell Grant recipients. Award amounts vary by academic year.
Eligibility
Students with significant financial need who have submitted their FAFSA by the priority deadline may be eligible. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 units to receive the grant.
Repayment
This grant does not need to be repaid.
Enrollment Requirement
To maintain eligibility, students must be enrolled at least half-time. Some programs may require full-time enrollment.
What is it?
This program provides funding to a limited number of full-time undergraduate students admitted through the University’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Grants range from $500 to $800 per academic year.
Who is eligible?
- Students must be part of the Educational Opportunity Program.
- Students must be enrolled in at least 6 units.
- Students with an SAI between -1500 and 2000 who have submitted a FAFSA are eligible.
- Students receiving a fee waiver or other tuition assistance are not eligible.
- Students enrolled in external degree programs are not eligible.
- Funds are limited and awarded until depleted.
Do I have to pay it back?
No, this grant does not require repayment.
What is the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)?
The Middle Class Scholarship, administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), helps make college more affordable for California’s middle-class families who typically do not qualify for other aid programs. The program uses data from the college, the FAFSA, or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to determine awards. Any other grants or scholarships received may reduce the MCS award amount. Eligible students will see the scholarship included in their financial aid package.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Household income and assets must fall below set limits.
- Awards can be received for up to four years, depending on the student’s education level.
- Award amounts are based on the student’s cost of attendance minus available resources, including other aid, a fixed student
- contribution, and for dependent students with household incomes over $100,000, a parent contribution.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or meet AB540 eligibility.
- Must not be in default on any student loan.
- Must complete FAFSA or CADAA by the annual state priority deadline.
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress consistent with Cal Grant requirements.
- Must enroll at least half-time to maintain eligibility.
Additional Information:
- Award amounts may differ between campuses due to varying costs of attendance.
- Initial awards are estimated and subject to adjustment based on changes in other aid or eligibility.
- Students in eligible teaching credential programs may qualify for up to one year of the scholarship.
- Withdrawing from courses may require repayment of all or part of the award and may impact academic progress status. Students should consult withdrawal guidelines before making decisions.
For more details, visit the California Student Aid Commission’s official website.
Teaching Credential
What is a Pell Grant?
A Pell Grant is federal financial aid awarded to eligible students to help cover the cost of undergraduate education. In some cases, students enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate teacher credential programs may also qualify.
Do I have to repay it?
No. Unlike a loan, a Pell Grant does not have to be repaid.
Who is eligible?
Pell Grants are typically for undergraduate students but may also be available to students in teacher credential programs that do not lead to a graduate degree. To qualify, students must meet specific financial and program eligibility requirements.
How much can I receive?
Award amounts vary based on financial need, cost of attendance, enrollment status, and the length of time you plan to attend school. You can’t receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
How long can I receive it?
Eligible students may receive Pell Grant funding for up to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters (or 600% of their eligibility). You can check your remaining eligibility on the Studentaid.gov website.
What is a State University Grant (SUG)?
The State University Grant is a need-based award for eligible California residents attending a CSU. It helps cover mandatory tuition fees and does not need to be repaid.
Eligibility Requirements:
- California residency
- Enrollment in an eligible undergraduate, graduate, or credential program
- At least half-time enrollment
- SAI within the qualifying range
- Not receiving a Cal Grant, fee waiver, or tuition-specific aid
- Not enrolled in an external degree program
Limitations:
- Not available for second bachelor's, credential, or master’s degrees
- Funding is limited and not guaranteed
- SUG is capped based on earned units:
| Program Type | SUG Cap |
|---|---|
| Undergrad (no transfers) | Up to 150 earned units |
| Undergrad (≤75 transfers) | 150 total earned units |
| Undergrad (>75 transfers) | 75 earned CSU units |
| Teaching Credential Programs | SUG Capped at 30 earned units |
*For credential programs in which the program length is more than 30 units, the campus may fund up to the required program length.
What is the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)?
The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), helps make college more affordable for
California’s middle-income families who may not qualify for other financial aid programs.
MCS awards are based on data from the student's financial aid application (FAFSA or Dream Act Application) and the cost of attendance at their school. The amount received is influenced by available gift aid (grants, scholarships), a standard student contribution, and—if applicable—a parent contribution. These combined are considered the student's “available resources,” which are subtracted from the cost of attendance to determine the scholarship amount.
Eligible students will see the "Middle Class Scholarship 2.0" included in their financial aid package.
MCS Eligibility Requirements
- Family income and assets must not exceed $234,000.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or meet AB 540 requirements.
- Must not be in default on any student loan.
- Must file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the Cal Grant Program.
- Must be enrolled at least half-time.
- May receive the scholarship for up to four years (depending on academic program).
Additional Information
- Award Variability: MCS award amounts vary by student, campus, and financial situation.
- Estimated Awards: Initial MCS awards are estimates and may change based on final eligibility and other financial aid updates.
- Credential Students: Eligible teaching credential students may receive MCS for up to one year.
- Withdrawing: Withdrawing from classes may require repayment of part or all of the scholarship and affect academic progress.
For full details, visit the California Student Aid Commission’s MCS page.
“Cal-Grant TCP is for students who were Cal-Grant A or B recipients as undergraduates and plan to enroll in a Teaching Credential Program. Eligible students are required to have a Bachelor’s Degree, file FAFSA or Dream Act Application for the academic year for which they plan to receive benefits and complete a Request for Cal-Grant TCP Benefits form (G-44). Eligible recipients should apply for TCP benefits after receiving their bachelor’s degree and after being formally admitted to the teaching credential program.
What is the minimum enrollment to remain eligible?
This program requires at least 1/2-time enrollment in order to maintain eligibility. Be aware that some programs may require full-time enrollment.”
For full details, visit the California Student Aid Commissions website.
Graduate
MBA Grant Eligibility
Students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program may qualify for this grant. To be considered, students must submit either a FAFSA or a Dream Act application. Grant amounts depend on available funding after the term's census date.
Enrollment Requirements
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to maintain eligibility. Some programs may require full-time enrollment or have additional criteria.
What is the State University Grant?
A need-based program to assist California State University students with fee payments. Eligible students must be California residents enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs.
Is repayment required?
No, this grant does not need to be repaid.
Who qualifies?
Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) within the eligibility range, enrolled at least half-time, and who have filed a FAFSA or Dream Act Application. The grant
amount is prorated based on enrollment. Students receiving fee waivers or other tuition assistance are not eligible. This grant does not apply to external degree programs. Funding is limited and not guaranteed.
Eligibility Limits:
- Second master’s degree students are not eligible.
- Lifetime eligibility is capped based on degree requirements and earned units.
- Once the earned unit cap for the student’s program is reached, eligibility ends.
- Specific caps apply for undergraduates, transfer students, and teaching credential programs, with funding limited to program length requirements.
Ed Doctoral
Who is eligible?
Students enrolled in the Doctor of Education Program may be eligible for this grant. To be considered, students must complete either a FAFSA or a Dream Act application. Grant amounts depend on available funding after the term's census date.
Enrollment Requirements
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to maintain eligibility. Some programs may require full-time enrollment or have additional criteria.
Other Types of Financial Aid
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
Short-Term Loan Program Overview
These funds are available to all registered students to assist with emergency educational and living expenses. Some restrictions apply to loan amounts. Applications can be obtained from the Financial Aid office.
Program Conditions
- Applicants must be registered students.
- Loans are intended for emergency or unexpected school-related expenses.
- Only one short-term loan may be active at a time; typically no more than one loan per semester or two per year.
- Extensions on repayment must be requested before the due date; one extension per year may be granted if justified.
- Late repayments incur a fee and may lead to default and collection actions.
- Loans past 30 days overdue make students ineligible for further loans.
- Outstanding financial obligations may result in withholding of university services such as registration and transcripts.
- Loans will be deducted from any financial aid disbursements.
- Applicants must have a reliable repayment plan.
- Loan processing takes several working days; disbursements are made at the Cashiers Office.
- Incomplete or illegible applications will be denied.
- Loans must be repaid in full within 30 days of application.
- Eligibility requires at least half-time enrollment; some programs may require full-time status.
Updated: June 09, 2025