Paying for college can be difficult, but California has always been a leader in providing eligible students with an affordable college education.
The Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship are two great state programs to help California families afford college: Cal Grant, a need-based state financial aid program, has been a big part of making college affordable for many California families. Qualified students can receive up to $12,570 in funding to attend almost any college in California – awards vary depending on economic need, grades and the college you attend. During the 2015-16 school year, the California Student Aid Commission offered nearly billion dollars in Cal Grants and other financial aid to approximately 320,000 eligible students.
The Middle Class Scholarship Act is a newer program for students who do not qualify for Cal Grants but are still priced out of college. It offers sliding-scale discounts of up to 40 percent for families who earn $150,000 or less and don't qualify for Cal Grants, which support lower-income students. Students must have at least a “C” average.
Students apply just as they would for a federal loan or a Cal Grant, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2. They must also have a C average. Don't delay! The deadline to apply is March 2.
For more information and assistance with your application, please call my office at (707) 552-4405.