Grants are need-based financial aid awards that do not need to be repaid. Cal State Monterey Bay participates in a variety of federal and state grant programs.
Federal Grants
These grants are awarded based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
The Federal Pell Grant is designed to assist students from low-income families to pay for education expenses. To be considered for the Pell Grant at CSUMB you will need to:
- submit the FAFSA
- be working on your first bachelor's degree or first teaching credential
- be admitted to and pursuing an academic program at CSUMB
You may also use your Pell Grant throughout the year to pay for fees in the winter and summer terms.
This grant is an additional award for first-time students who are eligible for the Pell award and demonstrate a higher need. You need to be enrolled as a full-time student (12 units) to be eligible to receive this award.
This award is for students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq and Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. The award does not need to be repaid and is equal to the maximum Pell Grant award. Eligibility requirements are:
- Complete a FAFSA
- Cannot be eligible for the Pell Grant
- Enrolled at least part-time (6 credits)
- Have a parent or guardian who died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001
- Were less than 24 years old at the time of parent/guardian's death
The Educational Opportunity Program Grant is available to undergraduate students admitted to CSUMB through the EOP Program.
Due to limited state funds, not all EOP students are selected for EOP grants. For additional information & deadline, visit the EOP Website.
Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program to provide grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.
At CSUMB, TEACH grants are available only to students admitted into an eligible teaching credential, approved graduate program, or liberal studies degree.
To qualify for the TEACH grant, a student must annually complete the following (in this order):
- FAFSA
- TEACH Entrance Counseling on the TEACH website
- TEACH Grant Request form on the Financial Aid Forms page
- Agreement to Serve on the TEACH website
Be aware that a federal TEACH grant will be converted into an unsubsidized Direct Loan if the student fails to meet all the requirements in the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve. Interest will be calculated retroactively based on the grant disbursement dates.
Students who complete their eligible program at CSUMB are required to complete TEACH Exit Counseling on the TEACH website.
State Grants
State grants are also awarded based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Grant recipients must also complete the Cal Grant GPA verification form by the state priority deadline.
The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) provides undergraduate students, including students pursuing a teaching credential, with a scholarship to attend a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campus.
MCS Income Ceilings change every year, please refer to the California Student Aid Commission for current eligibility criteria.
Scholarship award amounts will vary by student and by school. Award amounts will be based on the cost of attendance for the school of the student's choice and the following program requirements:
- other available gift aid that the student is eligible for (i.e. federal, state, institutional, or scholarship aid)
- a self-help student contribution of $7,898 (applied to all students)
- a parent contribution for dependent students with a household income of over $100,000
These three factors, collectively, are referred to as a student's “available resources.” These amounts are deducted from the student's total cost of attendance to determine the MCS award. Under this formula, award amounts will vary widely among students, with each student's award reflecting their costs and available resources.
You may receive the MCS award for up to 4 years depending on your education level when awarded. For more information visit the California Student Aid Commission website.
The State University Grant (SUG) is for students who are residents of California. Priority is given to undergraduate students who have a Student Aid Index (SAI) between 0-5,500.
Students receiving a tuition fee payment from other programs such as CSU Employee Fee Waiver, Vocational Rehabilitation, California Veterans Waiver, and Cal Grant A, B, are not eligible to receive an SUG.
The State of California offers state grants to eligible undergraduate and teacher credential students who are California residents.
Cal Grants are for payment of registration fees. Initial awards are based on financial need, grade point average, and income eligibility.
Renewals are based on financial need and satisfactory academic progress. Recipients of any California State Grant are notified of their eligibility in writing by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) in early Summer.
To be considered for the Cal Grant program, you must file a FAFSA or a California DREAM Act Application and submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (first-time freshman only) by the state priority deadline. To view your Cal Grant eligibility, log onto Webgrants for Students.
- CAL Grant A initial awards are available to undergraduate students with both need and academic merit. This grant is specifically to pay for state tuition fees. Cal Grant A is renewable for up to 4 years.
- CAL Grant B initially awards a living allowance for first-time freshmen demonstrating high financial need and academic merit. Renewal Cal B awards include both the living allowance plus the cost of tuition. Cal Grant B fee and access awards will be disbursed to your student billing account and will pay any outstanding fees. Any excess will be refunded to you.
In some cases, students may opt to receive the Cal Grant access grant without paying any outstanding charges. You will need to contact the Financial Aid Office in order to have this granted.
Chafee grants are for current/former foster youth. You may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for college. You can use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation, and rent while you're in school.
For more information visit the California Chafee Grant for foster youth website.
The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program provides need-based educational grants to dependents and spouses of California peace officers (Highway Patrol, marshals, sheriffs, police officers), Department of Corrections and California Youth Authority employees, and permanent/full-time firefighters employed by public entities who have been killed in the performance of duty or totally disabled as a result of an accident or injury caused by external violence or physical force incurred in the performance of duty.
Grant awards match the amount of a Cal Grant award and range from $100 to $12,192 for up to four years.
Visit the California Student Aid Commission website for more information.
Students who are active members of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia may be eligible for a state-funded program designed to provide an educational incentive to improve their skills, competencies, and abilities.
Visit the California National Guard website for more information.