Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid (except TEACH Grant if you do not meet the teaching service requirements). Students must meet eligibility requirements for federal student aid and they must demonstrate financial need for all grant programs (except the TEACH Grant). California State University Grants and other State Grants are limited to California residents only. Application procedures for these grants may require additional forms aside from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the funds for these awards may be available only on a limited basis.
Federal Grants
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
National SMART Grant (NSG)
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
California State University Grants
Educational Opportunity Program Grant (EOP)State University Grant (SUG)
State Grants
Cal GrantsCalifornia Chafee Grant
California Child Development Grant Program
FEDERAL GRANTS:
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)- Title IV grant for Pell eligible
students in their 1st and 2nd year of study who have completed rigorous
secondary education studies and who are enrolled full time.
Federal Pell Grants are available to students working on their first undergraduate degree with one exception. Teacher credential candidates who maintain half-time enrollment status at the 5th year undergraduate level (6 units) may also be eligible. Federal annual awards limits for Pell Grant are affected by factors such as an applicant’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), enrollment period and enrollment units. Students cannot receive a Pell Grant at two schools for the same term.
Application Needed:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) grant is awarded to students working on their first undergraduate degree who demonstrate exceptional financial need and apply by the March 2nd priority filing date. Awards are given on a first come, first serve basis. Students who did not meet this date are still encouraged to fill out the FAFSA because awards will be given until funds are exhausted.
Application Needed: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Application Period: File FAFSA each year by March 2nd to meet early filing priority date
Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART
Grant) - Title IV grant for Pell eligible students in their 3rd and 4th year
of study who have maintained at least 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 grade scale in their
1st two years and who are enrolled full time in eligible academic programs
for Math, Science and Foreign Languages.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The new Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for graduate and undergraduate students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families. Students may receive up to $16,000 for undergraduate study and up to $8,000 for graduate study. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be reduced. The grant is also available for post-baccalaureate teacher certification coursework.
IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLETE THE FOUR-YEAR TEACHING OBLIGATION, YOU WILL HAVE TO REPAY THE GRANT WITH INTEREST!!!
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY GRANTS:
Educational Opportunity Program Grant (EOP)
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) serves low income students, and students disadvantaged because of economic and educational background. The program provides admission, academic and financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students. Only students who are admitted to the University by the EOP admission process are eligible to be considered for an EOP grant. Students are considered for EOP based on their EFC and the availability of funds. CSUN receives a certain allocation of funds. Funding for this program is extremely limited.
More EOP Admissions Information
The State University Grant (SUG) is available to undergraduate, credential and graduate students who are determined eligible by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department. Students must be California residents. Students are considered for SUG based on their EFC and the availability of funds. Students are encouraged to file their FAFSA by the March 2nd priority filing date. Students receiving fee waivers, vocational rehabilitation, sponsored fees are not eligible for this grant.
STATE GRANTS:
The Cal Grant A and B programs are administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and they are only available to California residents. Cal Grants provide long-term assistance toward earning a first undergraduate degree. Cal Grant A pays tuition costs. Cal Grant B pays tuition and also provides an additional yearly allowance for books and other expenses.
Students must file a FAFSA by March 2nd and be sure that their GPA verification is also submitted by March 2nd. The GPA verification form on the CSAC website contains all the instructions.
- New CSUN students currently attending High School must have their GPA verification sent by their High School. CSUN will not send the High School GPA verification.
- New and continuing CSUN students with less than 24 college units and not currently receiving a Cal Grant must submit a GPA verification form from their previous college attended (if 24 units have been earned) or from their high school.
- CSUN will send the GPA verification by the end of February for those students who show at least 24 college units, are not currently receiving a Cal Grant, and have a valid FAFSA on file for the current school year and are currently enrolled at CSUN.
- Current Cal Grant recipients do not need to submit a GPA Verification form.
- The Chafee Grant is an award up to $5,000 a year for college
- Contact your caseworker or Independent Living Program Coordinator if you need help completing the FAFSA and Chafee Applications
- You must stay in school to keep your Chafee Grant (If you enroll less than half time or get low grades, you could lose your grant.
- a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- a Chafee Grant Application online at wwww.chafee.csac.ca.gov or by calling toll free 888-224-7268
More information found at the Cal Grants Web site
Cal Grants Frequently Asked Questions
If you are or were in foster care and have financial need, you may qualify for a California Chafee Grant.
Students are required to file the following:
California Child Development Grant Program
The Child Development Grant is a need-based grant designed to encourage students to enter the field of child care and development in a licensed children’s center. Students who plan to enroll at least half-time in coursework leading to a Child Development Permit as teacher, master teacher, site supervisor or program director, are eligible to apply. To receive funding, students must sign a Service Commitment Agreement stating they will provide one year of full-time service in a licensed children’s center for each year they receive the grant.
Additional information and application procedures can be found at the California Student Aid Commission Web site (http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=110)
(Click on logos to go to Federal and State aid sites.)