The California Student Aid Commission offers several grant opportunities for California students pursuing higher education. A few of them are outlined below.
Cal Grants
The Cal Grants, similar to federal Pell Grants, are scholarships awarded to California students pursuing undergraduate and vocational degrees in-state that do not need to be repaid.
CSAC offers three different types of Cal Grants, A, B, and C. By filing your FAFSA (or filling out your California DREAM Act application if you’re an undocumented student), you will automatically be considered for the appropriate Cal Grant based on your application criteria, GPA, and more.
Middle Class Scholarship
This scholarship is for undergraduates and students pursuing teaching credentials at University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) campuses.
The amount for Middle Class Scholarships varies based on institution, funding available, and number of eligible students. According to the CSAC website, “Students whose families have income up to $191,000 and assets up to $191,000 per year may be eligible for a scholarship amount between 10% and 40% of the mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at a UC or CSU”.
Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
The Chafee Grant program is available to any applicant who is or was in foster care between the ages of 16-18. Applicants may qualify for $5,000 a year for career and technical training.