Financial Aid Programs
Cal Grant Programs
A Cal Grant is money for college you don’t have to pay back. To qualify, you must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. 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.
California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
Free Money for Foster Youth for College or Career Training
If you are or were in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.
Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)
Ten things you need to know
1. The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) provides undergraduate students, including students pursuing a teaching credential, with family incomes and assets up to $177,000 a scholarship to attend University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campuses.
California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP)
If you are an active member in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia you may be eligible for a state-funded program designed to provide an educational incentive to improve your skills, competencies, and abilities.
To learn more, visit the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP) website.
Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD)
For Eligible LEPD Undergraduates
The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program provides need-based educational grants to dependents and spouses of: California peace officers (Highway Patrol, marshals, sheriffs, police officers), Department of Corrections and California Youth Authority employees, and permanent/full-time firefighters employed by public entities who have been killed in the performance of duty or 100% disabled as a result of an accident or injury caused by external violence or physical force incurred in the performance of duty.
John R. Justice (JRJ) Program
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is currently not accepting any new applications for this program. Due to the large amount of applicants who applied during the original year of funding/implementation (many of which are still pending admittance into the program), and the significant funding reduction to this program over the years, Cal OES is unable to open the JRJ program for any new applicants.
An overview of the JRJ Program can be found on the Cal OES website here: John R.Justice Grant Program
The Golden State Teacher Grant Program
The Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) encourages students to consider earning a teaching credential and teach in a high-need field, at a priority school, in California for four years, within five years after completing a teacher preparation program. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award $20,000 Golden State Teacher Grants to over 4,400 eligible students across California, that are enrolled in a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved teacher preparation program on or after January 1, 2020.