Types of Financial Aid: Grants

Grant Money = Free Money, with obligations.

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to eligible undergraduates working on a first bachelor’s degree. Award amounts vary based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your enrollment status. Your EFC is based on information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is intended for undergraduate students who have high financial need as determined by the FAFSA. To be considered for FSEOG, you must also be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Please complete your FAFSA early, because FSEOG is awarded until we run out of our federal allocation.

Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) are available for students who are eligible based on financial need, citizenship status, "rigorous" high school curriculum, and other qualifications. If a student is eligible, this grant will be awarded by the Financial Aid Office.

SMART Grants are awarded to students in certain majors, with financial need, and many other criteria. The Financial Aid Office will award a SMART Grant to students who are eligible.

State University Grant (SUG)
The SUG is a state funded program that provides grant money to assist with state university fees. SUG is awarded to California residents who have financial aid need. If you receive other grants designated to pay State University fees (e.g., Cal Grant, Cal Vet fee waiver) your SUG will be replaced by those grants.

Cal Grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). To qualify, you must be a California resident. If applying for the first time, complete the FAFSA and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. If you are a Cal Maritime student and have completed 24 units of undergraduate units, click on GPA Verification Form to download the form. Complete what you can, then take it to the Records Office to have the form completed at least two weeks before the March 2nd deadline.

For the latest CSAC information, visit the CSAC Web site (www.csac.ca.gov), or call 1-888-224-7268 (1-888-CAGRANT).

Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A awards money to middle- and low-income undergraduates. New awards are limited to students who will be freshmen, sophomores or juniors. Cal Grant A covers a portion of student registration fees and eligibility is tied to the cost of attendance at individual schools.
Cal Grant A may be renewed until you have completed four years in college. You must continue to meet eligibility standards.

Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B helps low-income undergraduate students by providing a living allowance, or stipend. First year recipients get stipend only. Cal Grant B renewal recipients receive stipend plus a portion of registration fees. Cal Grant B may be renewed up to four years if you continue to meet eligibility requirements. Extensions are allowed for campus designated fifth-year programs.