Financial Aid Opportunities for California Community Colleges
Begin by filing a FAFSA to determine financial aid eligibility. Youth who were in foster care for any period of time after the age of 13 qualify for “Independent Student Status” – are considered financially separate from their family. File your FAFSA
For all financial aid, the student must maintain satisfactory academic progress (GPA of 2.0 or higher).
California Promise Grant – Pays for all enrollment (tuition) fees at California Community Colleges. File your FAFSA
Must be a California resident
Must meet income limits – independent students (were in foster care after the age of 13) with no dependents must have the previous year income below $22,590 (for a household of one).
Federal Pell Grant – Maximum award for the academic year is $7,395 File your FAFSA
Students taking 12 or more credits can receive maximum financial aid. Students taking fewer than 12 credits can receive Pell grants for reduced amounts.
For an independent students who were in foster care after the age of 13, income and assets are not considered in this case.
Chaffee Grant – Maximum award for the academic year is $4,500 Submit a Chafee Application
Must have been in foster care (ward of the court) on or after 16 years of age.
Must complete the FAFSA and the California Chafee Grant Application.
Must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) at an eligible college, university, or career/technical school and meet satisfactory academic progress standards set by your school.
Must be under age 26 (as of July 1 of the award year) and may receive a Chaffee grant for up to 5 years.
CalGrant B – Typical award for the academic year is $1,648 (for single youth with no dependents) File your FAFSA
Be a California resident and enrolled at least a half-time basis (6 units)
Meet the United States Selective Service requirements for males.
Apply prior to the March 2 deadline.
- Independent students who were in foster care after the age of 13, may receive Cal Grant B for up to 8 years
- Must be under age 26 (as of July 1 of the award year.)
Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) – Maximum award for the academic year is $2,596 or $8,000
- Must be enroll full-time (12+ units per semester) for the academic year (both semesters)
- Must have applied for financial aid and awarded a Cal Grant B (or C)
- Maintained a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) or higher for the academic year
- annual award of up to $2,596 per year if you take 12 to 14.99 units per semester
- annual award of up to $8,000 if you take 15+ units per semester
EOPS & NextUp Programs – Can provides significant additional living expense funding, on the order of several $100 each month (or several times a semester). Find and apply to EOPS/NextUp Programs
Grant funding for EOPS/NextUp varies between community colleges
NextUp is open to students who
Were in foster care, in any state, for at least one day, on or after their 13th birthday.
Agree to an education plan with the future goal of enrolling in nine units
Are no older than 26 years of age at the beginning of any academic year