Full time community college students with financial need qualify for up to $11,867 in cash aid per year.
An incredible amount of cash financial aid is available for community college students, in addition to tuition and fees that are paid by the state of California.
The most common types of financial aid are community college fee waivers and government grants of cash, which do not have to be repaid. Applying for these types of financial aid is free. Therefore, a student should apply even if he or she believes that they may not quality.
Up to $11,867 in Financial Aid Grants*
Qualified students with financial need may qualify for up to $11,867 in cash aid per year. Additional amounts are available for students with special qualifying criteria.
WHERE THE FINANCIAL AID COMES FROM✓ CA Promise Grant………………………….. tuition & fees paid by the state
CASH GRANTS THAT A STUDENT CAN SPEND
✓ Cal Grant B Access Award….........…....................................………….... $1,672
✓ Student Success Completion Grant……....................................up to $4,000
✓ Pell Grant……………..…………………………...................................up to $6,195 Total……………………………………................................................................$11,867SPECIAL QUALIFYING CRITERIA AWARDS✓ Cal Grant Access Award for students w/ dependents……………....up to $6,000
✓ Cal Grant C for students in approved occupational programs…..up to $1,094
✓ Chafee Grant for former foster youth…………………………………….up to $5,000
Learn more about grants & types of financial aid
available to California community college students.
CA Promise Grant
Waives Tuition and Fees
The California College Promise Grant, formerly known as the Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOGW), waives enrollment fees for qualified students for the entire school year. Students may receive a waiver for any number of units, with no minimum.
Who: Eligible California residents
Amount: $46/unit | Pays for tuition and fees.
Application Deadline: Anytime
Requirements: Complete FAFSA or CADAA
Pell Grant
Up to $6,195
Application Deadline: A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually does not have to be repaid. These Grants are typically awarded to undergraduate students who display financial need and have not earned a prior degree. This 2020-21 academic year, the max Federal Pell Grant award is $6,345.
Who: Undergrad students with financial need
Amount: up to $6,195
Application Deadline: anytime
Requirements: Complete FAFSA
Cal Grant B
Up to $1,672
Find money for college you don’t have to pay back. Cal Grant B can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in the state of California.
Who: Eligible California residents
Amount: $1,672 access award
Application Deadline: Oct 1 - Mar 2
Requirements: Complete FAFSA or CADAA
Chafee Grant
Up to $5,000
If a student was in foster care between ages 16-18 as a dependent or ward of the court and has financial need, they may qualify for the Chafee Grant. Students don’t have to pay this money back. They may also be able to use this grant to pay for child care, transportation, and rent while you’re in school.
Who: Current or former foster youth
Amount: up to $5,000
Application Deadline: Oct 1 - Mar 2
Requirements: Complete FAFSA or CADAA
Cal Grant C
Up to $1,094
The CA Student Aid Commission provides State financial aid for those who meet certain income, asset, and other financial aid standards to attend college. The Cal Grant C program provides free money to students pursuing an occupational or technical program.
Who: Undergrad students with financial need
Amount: up to $6,195
Application Deadline: Oct 1 - Mar 2
Requirements: Complete FAFSA or CADAA
(for approved occupational or technical programs)
Student Success
Completion Grant
Up to $4,000
The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a financial aid program for Cal Grant B and C recipients attending a California Community College full-time (12 units or more). On top of the Cal Grant B or C award paid at community colleges, the Student Success Completion Grant pays full-time Cal Grant B or C recipients a maximum of $1,298 annually at $649 per semester for eligible students who enroll and attend 12 through 14.99 units per term and a maximum of $4,000 annually at $2,000 per semester for eligible students who enroll and attend 15 units or more per term.
How do I help a student
apply for financial aid?
Start here.
Have your student complete the FAFSA or CADAA.
Just getting started with financial aid? Begin by having your student go online and complete the FAFSA (documented students) or the California Dreamm Act Application (CADAA) (undocumented students).
Review report.
Find out how much money your student is eligible to receive.
After completing a FAFSA or CADAA your community college will notify your student with details about how much financial aid they will receive, including the California Promise Grant (BOG), Cal-Grants (cash), and/or Federal Pell Grants.
Get money.
Access funds to pay for classes, books, and supplies.
Financial aid money comes from your aid source (the federal government, state of California.) Tuition and fees will be paid directly by the state. Cal Grant and Pell Grant monies will be sent to the student via electronic debit card.
Get help filling out an application.
Starting October 1 through June 30, students and families can attend FREE Cash for College workshops across California for help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications.
Get free information and additional help .
Contact a school counselor, the financial aid office at your California community college, or the U.S. Department of Education. Free over-the-phone help is available any time during the application process. You should never have to pay for help
Important resources regarding financial aid is at California community colleges.
✓ FAFSA
Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for commmunity college.
✓ California Student Aid Commission
This is the CA state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, community colleges, and vocational schools in California.
✓ “I Can Afford College”
The “I Can Afford College” campaign is a statewide, financial aid awareness initiative sponsored by the CA Community Colleges. Its goal is make sure Californians know how to make college affordable.
✓ Your Community College Website
Your community college has valuable information on their website, including financial aid, enrollment, important deadlines, course catalogues, student support, and more.