Grants

Eligibility for federal, state and University grants is based on family financial circumstances and the cost of attendance. Grants do not have to be repaid.

Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is a federal grant for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Nearly all financial aid applicants must apply for the Pell Grant by completing the FAFSA. In the past, the grants have ranged from about $400 to $4,050 per year. (Students who have already received a bachelor’s degree and international students are not eligible for the Pell Grant.)

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The federal SEOG is for undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. It is administered by the University. All eligible financial aid applicants who completed the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 2 are considered for an SEOG. The grants may range from $100 to a few thousand dollars per year.

Cal Grants

The California Student Aid Commission awards Cal Grants to eligible California residents attending a four-year college or university in California.

Cal Grant A Entitlement

Applicants no more than a year out of high school who have at least a 3.0 Cal Grant GPA and meet financial and other eligibility criteria are guaranteed a Cal Grant A. The grant covers a portion of required UC student fees. For 2005–2006, the maximum Cal Grant A award for UC students was $6,141.

Students who hold a Cal Grant A Community College Reserve Scholarship should not reapply for a new grant. Their grants may be activated when they notify the California Student Aid Commission that they have transferred to the University.

Cal Grant B Entitlement

Applicants no more than a year out of high school who have at least a 2.0 Cal Grant GPA and meet financial eligibility criteria that are stricter than those in the Cal Grant A program are eligible for a Cal Grant B. For the freshman year, the award covers part of educational and living expenses, excluding fees. In 2005–2006 the freshman Cal Grant B award was $1,551. For the sophomore, junior and senior years, fees are also covered; in 2005–2006 the awards were $7,692.

Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement

Applicants who graduated from high school in 2001 or later, and who are transferring from a California community college, are considered financially dependent for financial aid purposes, have a college GPA of 2.4 or higher, and meet financial and other eligibility criteria are eligible for a Cal Grant. Applicants meeting the stricter Cal Grant B financial income ceiling criteria receive a Cal Grant B. Other eligible Cal Grant applicants receive a Cal Grant A.

Competitive Cal Grant Awards

Applicants not eligible for an entitlement award will be considered for one of a limited number of competitive awards. Competitive Cal Grant A and B awards are based on financial and other eligibility criteria as well as measures of students’ disadvantaged status.

University of California Grant

Each UC campus offers University of California Grants to financially needy undergraduates ranging from about $100 to several thousand dollars per year.