Federal & State Grants

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant: A federal grant program awarded to "exceptionally needy" undergraduates who seek to earn a bachelor's degree. Award amounts are set by the federal government based on financial need and enrollment status. Awards range from $400 to $4,731 for full-time students; award amounts for part-time students are set in proportion to the number of enrolled units. Recipients should be in good academic standing.

Academic Competitiveness Grant:This federal grant program provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year to students who are (1) enrolled full time, (2) received a Federal Pell grant, and (3) completed a "rigorous high school program," as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education (see the Department of Education for a list of schools). Second-year students also must have maintained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): A federal grant program that is available to undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who seek to earn a bachelor's degree. Priority is given to full-time Pell Grant recipients with significant financial need. CCA policy prohibits Cal Grant recipients from receiving FSEOG. (Recipients should be in good academic standing. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 per year.)

State Grants

Cal Grant A: This program provides tuition and fee assistance to undergraduate California residents who seek to earn a bachelor's degree. Awards are based on cumulative GPA and financial need. Qualifying students can receive grants up to $9,708, renewable up to four years.

Continuing Cal Grant A recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average but are not required to resubmit verification of their grade point average to the California Student Aid Commission each year. Recipients must maintain good academic standing, in addition to ongoing financial need.

Cal Grant B: A program that provides a living allowance stipend and tuition and fee assistance to undergraduate California residents who seek to earn a bachelor's degree. Awards are based on cumulative GPA and significant financial need. Recipients are generally from disadvantaged economic/educational backgrounds. Awards for first-year students provide up to $1,551 for books and living expenses. When renewed or applied beyond the first year, awards also include tuition and fee assistance of up to $9,708.

Continuing Cal Grant B recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average but are not required to resubmit verification of their grade point average to the California Student Aid Commission each year. Continuing Cal Grant recipients must maintain good academic standing, in addition to ongoing financial need.

Cal Grants & Institutional Aid: Students who are awarded a Cal Grant after receiving their initial financial aid award letter should anticipate a revised award letter with reduced institutional scholarship assistance.