July 2025

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Award Coverage

Grants and Waivers, 2025-26

Tuition Awards
Cal Grant A Provides full tuition coverage for students enrolled at public universities and tuition coverage up to a fixed amount 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 tuition coverage up to a fixed amount 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 tuition coverage up to a fixed amount 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.
California College Promise Grant Provides full enrollment fee coverage for CCC students. Available for unlimited years and for any number of units taken.
UC and CSU summer financial aid  Provides tuition coverage for UC and CSU students enrolled in state-supported courses during the summer term. Campuses have discretion in setting amount of coverage.
Nontuition Awardsa
Cal Grant A, Access Provides a fixed amount of nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private nonprofit institutions if they have dependent children or are foster youth. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant B, Access Provides a fixed amount of nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private institutions. Provides larger grants to students enrolled at public or private nonprofit institutions if they have dependent children or are foster youth. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant C, Book and Supply Provides a fixed amount of 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 students enrolled at public or private nonprofit institutions if they have dependent children or are foster youth. Available for up to two calendar years.
Dreamer Service Incentive Grant Provides a fixed amount of nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private nonprofit institutions who submit a California Dream Act application, are eligible for a Cal Grant B award, and perform at least 150 hours per semester (or 100 hours per quarter) of community service. Available for up to eight semesters (or 12 quarters).
Student Success Completion Grant Provides a fixed amount of nontuition coverage for CCC students who receive a Cal Grant award and enroll in 12 or more units per term, with larger grants for students enrolled in 15 or more units per term. Starting in fall 2025, students who are part of a DSPS Academic Accommodation Plan are eligible if they enroll in nine or more units per term. Also provides larger grants to foster youth. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent). 
Tuition/Nontuition Awardsb
Middle Class Scholarship Provides tuition and nontuition coverage for CSU and UC students, as well as CCC students in bachelor’s degree programs. Aid is applied after other federal, state, and institutional grants. Foster youth receive awards covering all remaining financial need. All other students receive awards covering 35 percent of remaining financial need. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).  
UC Grant Provides tuition and nontuition coverage for UC students. Aid is applied after state and federal gift aid. Available for up to six years of full-time study (or its equivalent). Intent is to provide sufficient aid that the student "self-help" contribution (met through work or loans) is manageable.
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) for undergraduate students. Beginning in 2025-26, students with the greatest financial need (including Cal Grant recipients) may also receive nontuition coverage up to a fixed amount.
College Corps Provides each participating student with a fixed amount of financial aid for completing 450 hours of community service within one academic year. Award may be used for any cost of attendance. 45 campuses (including CCCs and California private and public universities) currently participate in the program.
Chafee Grant for Foster Youth Provides a fixed amount of coverage for any cost of attendance to current and former foster youth. Awards may be used at California universities, colleges, or career and technical schools, or certain out-of-state schools. Available for up to five years. Funded using a mix of state and federal funds.
Note: Figure shows selected state and institutional gift aid programs. Although eligibility criteria vary by program, these programs generally require students to meet certain financial criteria. See "Financial Aid Award Amounts" for the size of each type of award.
a Nontuition awards typically may cover any living cost, including housing, food, transportation, books, and supplies.
b May cover tuition costs if a student does not receive one of the tuition awards in the above category. May also be applied to any other nontuition costs.
UC = University of California. WASC = Western Association of Schools and Colleges. CSU = California State University. CCC = California Community Colleges. DSPS = Disabled Student Programs and Services.