July 2020

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Award Coverage

Need-Based Grants and Waivers, 2020-21

Tuition Awards
Cal Grant A Provides full tuition coverage for students enrolled at public universities and partial tuition coverage for students enrolled at private colleges and universities. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant B Provides full tuition coverage for students enrolled at public universities and partial tuition coverage for students enrolled at private colleges and universities. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent). Generally not available to students in their first year of college.
Cal Grant C Provides partial tuition coverage for students enrolled at private career technical education programs no shorter than 4 months or longer than 2 years. Available for up to two calendar years.
UC Grant Provides tuition and nontuition coverage for UC students. Aid is applied after Cal Grants. Available for up to six years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
CSU State University Grant Provides tuition coverage for CSU students who are not eligible for a Cal Grant but have financial need. Available for up to five years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
UC and CSU summer financial aid Provides tuition coverage for UC and CSU students enrolled in state-supported courses during the summer term.
CCC BOG Fee Waiver Provides full enrollment fee coverage for CCC students. Available for unlimited years and for any number of units taken.
Nontuition Awards
Cal Grant A, Access Provides nontuition coverage for CCC, CSU, and UC students with dependent children. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant B, Access Provides nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private colleges and universities. Provides larger grants to CCC, CSU, and UC students with dependent children. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant C, Book and Supply Provides nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private career technical education programs no shorter than 4 months or longer than 2 years. Provides larger grants to CCC students with dependent children. Available for up to two calendar years.
CCC Student Success Completion Grant Provides nontuition coverage for CCC students who receive a Cal Grant award and enroll in 12 or more units per term. The grant amount increases for those enrolled in 15 or more units per term. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
   
Notes:
Figure shows need-based state and institutional gift aid programs supported with core funds (state General Fund and student tuition revenue). See "Financial Aid Award Amounts" for the size of each type of award.
Although eligibility criteria vary by program, these programs generally require students to meet certain criteria related to family income and assets.
Figure does not include federal gift aid programs, the largest of which is the Pell Grant. The Pell Grant provides tuition and/or nontuition coverage for students enrolled in all sectors and is available for up to six years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Nontuition awards typically may cover any living cost, including housing, food, transportation, books, and supplies.
UC = University of California. CSU = California State University. CCC = California Community Colleges. BOG = Board of Governors.