Common Types of Grants & Fee Waivers
Federal Pell Grant
HOW MUCH?* Up to $7,395 per academic year plus an additional $3,697 if enrolled during the summer, depending on financial need and other factors
WHERE CAN I USE IT? Public or private two- and four-year colleges and universities in CA or out of state including many qualified career and technical education programs
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Students with financial needs:
- U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens
- Generally, must have a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e, GED)
- Must be an undergraduate student
HOW DO I APPLY? Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov
WHEN DO I APPLY? Apply as soon as possible between November of the year before starting college and the last day of classes of the academic year. Students can apply even after starting college classes
CAL Grant
HOW MUCH?* Up to full tuition at a UC or CSU or $9,358 at a private institution. Foster youth in care after 13 or students with dependents can get an additional $6,000 per year for non-tuition costs like rent and books.
WHERE CAN I USE IT? Any UC, CSU, California Community College or qualified private school in California
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Students with financial needs:
- California residents or CA Dream Act eligible students**
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e GED)
- AND at least a 2.0 high school GPA unless enrolled in a qualified CTE program
- Must be enrolled at least half-time in college
HOW DO I APPLY? FAFSA (studentaid.gov) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) (dream.csac.ca.gov) and Cal Grant high school GPA verification (usually provided directly by the student’s high school)
WHEN DO I APPLY? Apply as soon as possible between November of the year before starting college and the last day of classes of the academic year. Students can apply even after starting college classes
Chaffee Grant
HOW MUCH?* Up to $5,000 per year for up to five years, which do not have to be consecutive years
WHERE CAN I USE IT? Public or private colleges, universities or qualified career and technical schools in California or out of state
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Current or former foster youth who were a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, at least one day between the ages 16 and 18***
- Must be enrolled at least half-time in college
- Have not reached their 26th birthday as of July 1 of the award year
- Must have financial need
- Includes CA Dream Act eligible students
HOW DO I APPLY? FAFSA (studentaid.gov) or CADAA (dream.csac.ca.gov) and the Chafee application (for first-time applicants only)(chafee.csac.ca.gov)
WHEN DO I APPLY? Apply between October 14 – March 3 Students can apply after April 2, but may be less likely to receive this money
Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)
HOW MUCH?* Award amounts will vary by student and by school. Students with a remaining unmet need that is over $7,898 will be offered the award. Students may receive a MCS in addition to a Cal Grant
WHERE CAN I USE IT? Any University of California (UC) or Cal State University (CSU) campus
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Income and asset limits apply that range between $108,000 and $226,000. Low-income students as well as “middle class” students can qualify. Must be an undergraduate student or student pursuing a teaching credential. Must be a California resident and a U.S citizen, permanent resident, or be CA Dream Act eligible.
HOW DO I APPLY? FAFSA (studentaid.gov) or CADAA (dream.csac.ca.gov)
WHEN DO I APPLY? Apply between November 18 – March 3
California College Promise Grant
HOW MUCH?* Waives the enrollment fees for classes at California Community Colleges
WHERE CAN I USE IT? California community colleges
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Students with financial needs:
- California residents or CA Dream Act eligible students**
- Foster youth can maintain this waiver regardless of academic performance once in college
- Verified homeless students are automatically eligible
HOW DO I APPLY? FAFSA (studentaid.gov) or CADAA (dream.csac.ca.gov) or most California Community Colleges offer separate online applications through cccapply.org
WHEN DO I APPLY? Apply at any time.
Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)
HOW MUCH?* For non-foster youth attending a CCC, $1,298 per semester if enrolled in 12-14 units and $4,000 per semester if enrolled in 15 units. For eligible foster youth, $5,250 per semester if enrolled in 12 or more units.
WHERE CAN I USE IT? California community colleges
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Students must be enrolled in 12 or more units, receive the Cal Grant B or C, and be California residents or CA Dream Act eligible. To receive additional foster youth funding, must be in foster care at least one day after age 13
HOW DO I APPLY? FAFSA (studentaid.gov) or CADAA (dream.csac.ca.gov)
WHEN DO I APPLY? Apply between November 18 – September 2
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity (FSEOG)
HOW MUCH?* Ranges from $100 to $4,000 per year depending on financial need and funding availability.
WHERE CAN I USE IT? Public or private 2 – and 4 – year colleges and universities in California or out of state.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Students with exceptional financial needs:
- U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED)
- Must be an undergraduate student
HOW DO I APPLY? FAFSA at studentaid.gov
WHEN DO I APPLY? Apply between November 18 – March 3 Students can apply after April 2, but may be less likely to receive this money.
*Amounts listed are for the 2023/2024 academic year and are subject to change in future years.
**For CA Dream Act eligibility see dream.csac.ca.gov or the “Where, When and What is Needed to Apply for Financial Aid” section
***Foster youth who were/are in kin-gap, non-related legal guardianship or were adopted, are eligible for a Chafee grant only if the youth was a dependent or ward of the court, living in out-of-home foster care placement at least one day, between the ages of 16-18 OR placed in out-of-home care by a tribe or tribal organization between the ages of 16-18.
Special thanks to John Burton Advocates for Youth for allowing the use of this content.