Federal Grant Opportunities
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.
You should start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Schools use the information on the FAFSA® form to determine your eligibility for a Pell Grant, and if so, how much you’re eligible to receive. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grant awards.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
The FSEOG program is administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school. Not all schools participate. Check with your school’s financial aid office to find out if the school offers the FSEOG.
To get an FSEOG, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form so your college can determine how much financial need you have. The financial aid office will award FSEOGs to students that have the most financial need. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.
TEACH Grant
A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires you agree to complete a teaching service obligation as a condition for receiving the grant, and if you don’t complete the service obligation, the TEACH Grant will be converted to a loan that you must repay, with interest.
To be eligible for a TEACH Grant, you must do the following:
- Meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate, post baccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program.
- Be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program.
California Grant Opportunities
Cal Grant
The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program. Grants are for students attending Universities of California, California State Universities or California Community Colleges, or qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.
There are three kinds of Cal Grants — A, B and C — but you don’t have to figure out which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your application, and whether you’re a recent high school graduate.
California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth (Chafee Grant) awards up to $5,000 a year to eligible foster youth. The Chafee Grant may be used at any eligible California college or university, or career or technical school. Students attending schools in other states may also qualify. A student’s receipt of a Chafee Grant award shall not exceed five years (whether or not consecutive).
How to Apply:
STEP 1: Submit a Chafee Application
STEP 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA)
Interested students can still apply for the 2021-22 academic year through August 1, 2022. Current Chafee Grant applicants do not need to submit a Chafee Application annually.
• The 2023-24 application will open on October 1, 2022.
Awardees are notified in July for the current Academic Year.
Golden State Teacher Grant Program
The Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) awards up to $20,000 to students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.
Students must:
- Complete their program and obtain their credential within 3 years from the first distribution of GSTG funds.
- Commit to work at a priority school in California for 4 years within 8 years of completing their program.
How to Apply:
STEP 1: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid) or CA Dream Act Application (CA Dream Act Application).STEP 2: Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Application.
The 2022-23 GSTG application is now open. We will continue to accept applications until March 31, 2023, or until all funds have been awarded, whichever occurs first.
The 2023-24 GSTG application is now open. We will continue to accept applications until March 31, 2024, or until all funds have been awarded, whichever occurs first. Processing for 2023-24 awards will begin in August 2023.