FAFSA or CA Dream Act 

Fund your future

Start at studentaid.gov and fafsa.gov or the California Student Aid Commission at csac.ca.gov. 

Workers

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Types of aid 

Pell Grants are federally funded, need-based awards available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Grants are awarded on a sliding scale based on a student's expected family contribution from the FAFSA and enrollment. Pell Grants are awarded assuming full-time enrollment. The Pell Grant is only available up to six years based on enrollment. The award may be adjusted according to actual enrollment at the Census deadline for the term.

  • Full-time: 12 or more units
  • Three-quarters-time: 9 to 11.9 units
  • Half-time: 6 to 8.99 units
  • Quarter-time: 3 to 5.99 units

Beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent/guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. All Title IV aid awarded to such eligible students must be based on a calculated Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of zero. Download the form to apply.

SEOG Grants are federally funded, need-based awards available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree and have exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients with the greatest need and those who have completed their FAFSA by March 2. These funds are awarded directly by Cal Maritime and limited to the total amount allocated to the college by the U.S. Department of Education.

Provides need-based grant assistance to low- and middle-income California resident students to offset tuition fee costs for high school graduates with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Recipients must also meet financial requirements. Students must file the FAFSA  or CADAA and the Cal Grant GPA verification form by March 2. For 2023-2024, the estimated maximum Cal Grant A award for California State University students is $5,742 for undergraduates. These awards are limited to the total amount of the CSU State Tuition Fee for full-time students. The Cal Grant A is only available up to four years. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

Provides need-based grant assistance to high-potential California resident students from low-income, disadvantaged families to help offset tuition fees and other costs for high school graduates with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Recipients must also meet financial requirements. Students must file the FAFSA or CADAA and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by March 2. In 2023-24, the maximum access grant is $1,648 and the tuition fee awards are the same as Cal Grant A ($5,742) for student enrolling at CSU campuses. The Cal Grant B is only available up to four years. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

Provides need-based awards to cover a portion of the California State University Tuition Fee for eligible undergraduate students who are California residents or are otherwise determined as eligible. System-wide, the priority is to award a SUG at least equal to the amount of the State Tuition Fee of $5,742 to eligible, first-time undergraduate students.

In order for students to be eligible for SUG awards, they must meet the following:

  • Students must be enrolled at least half-time
  • Students must not have accumulated more than 125% units earned in their CSU undergraduate careers
  • Students pursuing a second bachelor's degree are not SUG eligible (the CSU will only fund the first degree)

The Middle Class Scholarship is a grant to help undergraduate California resident students with family incomes up to $217,000 and family assets up to $217,000. Students must file the FAFSA  or CADAA by March 2. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

2023-24 Estimated Cost Of Attendance for California Residents
  On Campus Off Campus With Parents or Relatives
Tuition**** $5,742 $5,742 $5,742
Campus Fees* $2,028 $2,028 $2,028
Housing & Food $13,976 $13,852 $9,664
Medical Insurance** $1,570 $1,570 $1,570
Books, Supplies, Course Materials, Equipment  $1,032 $1,032 $1,032
Transportation $1,106 $1,764 $1,610
Personal/Misc $1,880 $2,602 $2,398
Estimated Loan Fees*** $58 $58 $58
Estimated Uniform Expenses $2,440 $2,440 $2,440
Orientation Fee  $385 $385 $385
Total $30,217

$31,473

$26,927

  • $14 Health facility 
  • $30 Port Pass (campus ID) 
  • $130 Instructional related activity
  • $210 Associated student body 
  • $740 Health services 

The costs associated with TSGB and IE are not factored into the standard budget. Students can estimate to spend between $5,800 - $6,500. Financial aid may be available for qualifying students to help with the costs associated with enrollment in those programs, and summer financial aid awarding will be done after students register for summer classes.

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • California Dream Act Application (CADAA)