Grants for Undergraduates

Review a list of grants available to undergraduate students, and learn how to apply for them.

Notes:

File your FAFSA by March 2 each year to be considered for grants, which are all based on financial need.
Submit any additional documents requested by the Financial Aid Office before the May 21 deadline.
Any other application requirements are listed below, under each specific grant type. Each type of grant may have its own eligibility requirements.
The grant amounts listed in the table below are estimates, and depend on available funding.

Grant types and details:

Cal Grant A

Annual amount: Pays systemwide registration fees ($12,192 for 2011-2012)

Funded by: State of California (California Student Aid Commission)

Note: Amounts are set by the State government and are subject to change at any time. You must be enrolled full-time (12 or more units) to receive the full grant award.

How to apply:

File your FAFSA by March 2 and file any requested documents by May 21.
If you're already in college and are applying for a new Cal Grant, submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form before March 2.

Note: Additional documents may be requested from the Commission after a new Cal Grant is awarded. Failure to provide the documents will result in a loss of the Cal Grant. UCSD will not be able to replace lost Cal Grant with other university funding (grants, work study, loans).

More information:

If you're enrolled in less than 12 units, you'll receive a reduced amount of the Cal Grant fee award:

6-8 units = 1/2 the amount
9-11 units = 3/4 the amount
12+ units = the full amount

Cal Grant B

Annual amount: Pays systemwide registration fees ($12,192 for 2011-2012) and a subsistence stipend ($1,473). For the first year, you receive only the subsistence stipend.

Funded by: State of California (California Student Aid Commission)

Note: Amounts are set by the State government and are subject to change at any time. You must be enrolled full-time (12 or more units) to receive the full grant award.

How to apply:

File your FAFSA by March 2 and file any requested documents by May 21.
If you're already in college and are applying for a new Cal Grant, submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form before March 2.

More information:

If you're enrolled in less than 12 units, you'll receive a reduced amount of the Cal Grant fee and stipend awards:

6-8 units = 1/2 the amount
9-11 units = 3/4 the amount
12+ units = the full amount

Federal Pell Grant

Annual amount: $602 to $5,550

Lifetime Limit: Six years (18 quarters) or the equivalent. This includes amounts received at other colleges.

Funded by: U.S. Department of Education (Federal Student Aid)

More information:

If you're enrolled in less than 12 units, you'll receive a reduced amount of the Pell Grant:

6-8 units = 1/2 the amount
9-11 units = 3/4 the amount
12+ units = the full amount

To be eligible for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Grant, you must:

Demonstrate income at or below $80,000 with financial need, as determined for federal need-based aid programs
Be a California resident
Be in your first 4 years of attendance at UC (or your first 2 years if a transfer student) Meet other basic eligibility requirements for need-based financial aid
Apply for Cal Grant by submitting the Cal Grant GPA Verification to the Cal Grant Program