Grants

The Pell Grant is available to Undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor's or Professional degree. Award amounts are based on the student's level of financial need and enrollment status for each term.

The SAI is an estimated measure of how much the student and his/her family are able to contribute towards the educational expenses for the current academic year. The federal processor uses the information reported on the FAFSA to calculate the SAI using a formula specified by law. Pell Grant award amounts will vary depending upon the student’s SAI.

Students must be enrolled full-time (12 units or more) to receive a full-time Pell Grant award per term. If the student is enrolled less than full-time, the disbursement will be prorated at the time of disbursement. As a result of any enrollment changes, the final Pell grant disbursement may increase or decrease. A decrease may result in a student bill.

The maximum Pell Grant is offered to you in GET. The amount offered is based on full-time enrollment. If you enroll in less than Full Time (12 units), your Pell Grant will be prorated.

FEDERAL PELL GRANT FOR TEACHING CREDENTIAL STUDENTS

Students admitted into a post-baccalaureate teaching credential program are required to be enrolled at least half-time (6 units) in credential coursework required by the State of California. Pell Grant disbursement will occur after Census once coursework is confirmed.  Effective 23-24, post- baccalaureate credential students pursuing a credential offered via the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) are ineligible for Federal Pell Grant. 

LIFETIME LIMIT FOR PELL GRANTS (PELL LEU)

Pursuant to federal regulations, a student's eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant is 12 semesters. This equates to a 6-year limit to receive Federal Pell Grant funds for undergraduate and teaching credential candidates. Pell Grant funds used as an undergraduate student "count" against potential Pell Grant eligibility as a Credential student.

For information on how the lifetime limits for Pell Grants are calculated for the "equivalent of six years" visit the Federal Student Aid website.

This grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Funding for this grant is very limited; first priority is given to students with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) who receive a Pell Grant and who apply by the priority application filing deadline.

The TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Program provides grants for students who intend to teach in high-need fields in low-income schools. The program is available only to students admitted into an eligible PBAC teaching credential or graduate program at Cal State L.A. Effective 23-24, post-baccalaureate credential students pursuing a credential offered via the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) are ineligible for TEACH Grant funds.  Additional information is available on the TEACH grant webpage. 

CAL GRANT A

Cal Grant A provides need-based grant funds to low-and middle-income students to offset tuition fee costs for students. Eligibility is based on grade point average and financial need. Cal Grant A recipients must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to be considered for the grant in addition to meeting the appropriate grant income and asset ceilings established by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units. 

CAL GRANT B

Cal Grant B is a need-based grant available to high-potential students from low-income, disadvantaged families to help offset tuition fee and other costs. Cal Grant B recipients must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA to be considered for the grant in addition to meeting the appropriate grant income and asset ceilings established by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

For grant recipients in their first year, Cal Grant B pays an Access Award to assist with non-tuition costs (living expenses). Recipients in subsequent years of study receive the stipend as well as an award to offset tuition fees. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units.

CAL GRANT ACCESS AWARD FOR FOSTER YOUTH

To qualify for the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth, a student must meet eligibility criteria established by the California Student Aid Commission. Eligible Cal Grant A and B students may receive an access award of up to $6,000.

CAL GRANT ACCESS AWARDS FOR STUDENTS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN

Cal Grant students who have dependent children may be eligible for a Students with Dependent Children (SWD) award of up to $6,000.  The Students with Dependent Children (SWD) Grant increases the Cal Grant award by up to $6,000 for qualifying Cal Grant A and B recipients. To qualify, the student must have dependent children that are under 18 years of age for whom they provide more than half of their financial support during the academic year. More information about grant eligibility is available on the California Student Aid Commission website.

CAL GRANT FUND DISBURSEMENT PRORATION RULES:

In accordance with the disbursement rules established by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), Cal Grant funds must be prorated for students who are enrolled less than full-time 12 units. These proration rules apply to all programs – Cal Grant A, B, and B-Stipend. The proration rules for all Cal Grant programs are as follows:

For more detailed information about CSAC awards, visit the California Student Aid Commission website.

The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) 2.0 program provides Undergraduate and Credential students with a scholarship to attend Cal State L.A. Students are required to meet criteria and certain financial aid standards established by the California Student Aid Commission. For consideration, students are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) before March 2nd. Award amounts will be based on the institution's Cost of Attendance and the following:

1. Any other gift aid for which the student is eligible (i.e., federal, state, institutional, or scholarship aid)
2. A self-help student contribution of $7,898 (applied to all students)
3. 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 2.0 award. Under this formula, award amounts will vary widely among students, with each award reflecting their costs and available resources. For more information visit the California Student Aid Commission.

The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) 2.0 is enrollment based and will be prorated based on enrolled units at census. 

The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth (Chafee Grant) awards up to $5,000 a year to eligible foster youth. To be eligible for the Chafee Grant, a student must meet specific criteria established by the California Student Aid Commission. To qualify, students will need to submit a Chafee Application to the California Student Aid Commission directly. For more information on how to apply visit the California Student Aid Commission. 

GOLDEN STATE TEACHER GRANT

The Golden State Teacher Grant program (GSTG) is a state-funded program administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and is currently available to students who are 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. The goal of the Golden State Teacher Grant Program is to assist and place educators at “priority schools” as determined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Interested students must apply for the Golden State Teacher Grant directly via the California Student Aid Commission at: https://gstg.csac.ca.gov/. Students selected for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program are required to commit to teaching at a priority school, in California for four years, within eight years after completing a teacher preparation program. Additional information about the Golden State Teacher Grant Program is available on the California Student Aid Commission website. 

SUG is a state grant awarded to California residents who have an eligible Student Aid Index (SAI). Since funds are limited and subject to availability, it is important to submit a FAFSA/CADAA by the priority deadline.

SUG awards are based on full-time enrollment. In Fall and Spring, you must be enrolled in a minimum of half-time units to maintain eligibility. If you are enrolled half-time, the award amount will be adjusted automatically. Effective Summer 2025, you can enroll in a minimum of 1 unit to maintain eligibility. SUG  offered in Summer is subject to funding availability. The typical full-time annual SUG award is listed in the table below. Estimated award offers are subject to change.

Due to limited resources, the State University Grant (SUG) is not currently available to Graduate Degree seeking students during the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

Please note: SUG is awarded to assist with payment of state tuition fees. If your tuition fees are being waived or paid by another agency, such as Vocational Rehabilitation, you are not eligible for SUG. If you receive a SUG and are later notified that another source will pay your fees, such as a fee waiver, third party payment, or a Cal Grant, you will be required to repay the SUG.

State University Grant Lifetime Limits

The total earned units listed below will be used to determine your eligibility for a SUG disbursement.  If your total earned units exceed the limits below for your academic career, you will no longer be eligible for the SUG grant and your award will be canceled.

Undergraduate Students

• Undergraduate non-transfer students cannot have earned more than 150 semester units.
• Undergraduate transfer students with fewer than 75 semester units: total transfer units + Cal State LA units cannot exceed 150 earned semester units.
  Undergraduate transfer students with 75 or more semester units cannot have earned more than 75 semester units at Cal State LA.

Credential Students

• Credential students may receive SUG for their initial credential, up to a total earned units equivalent to 100% of unit requirements as published in the university catalog. 

Graduate Students

• 125% of the published requirement for degree (include all prior Master’s degree units, units earned through Extended Education, and graduate transfer units). To calculate your degree units, multiply the total units required by 1.25. Due to limited funding, the State University Grant (SUG) is not available to Graduate Degree seeking students during the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

Second Bachelor's, second Credential, Second Master's degree, or Unclassified status Students

The CSU provides SUG funding only for the completion of a student’s initial degree/credential at any educational level. Students who are pursuing a second degree (i.e., second Bachelor’s, second Master's, second Credential, or a second Ph. D.) or are admitted as an unclassified post-baccalaureate student are NOT eligible to receive SUG funding.

Please note: Remedial coursework, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Military credit, Pre-baccalaureate credit, and credit by examination will not count as earned units toward SUG limits.

This grant provides assistance to economically and educationally disadvantaged undergraduates. Recipients must be California residents who are admitted to Cal State LA through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). You must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units to receive the award. Students with EOP admission questions may contact Student Academic Services at (323) 343-4367. Funds are limited.

Education Doctorate students may qualify for the CSU Education Doctorate Grant. To be considered eligible for a CSU Education Doctorate Grant, students enrolled in the Education Doctorate program shall meet the following criteria: 

• Matriculated and enrolled in Ed.D program
• Must meet SAP
• Complete FAFSA on file
• SAI must not exceed 50% of the standard Cost of Attendance for Off Campus Ed.D students
• California Resident
• Must be paying the Education Doctoral Tuition Fee

Awarding and disbursement of the CSU Education Doctorate Grant shall be after the census date for each term.

To be considered eligible for a CSU Doctorate of Audiology Grant, students enrolled in the Doctorate of Audiology program shall meet the following criteria:

• Matriculated and enrolled in Doctorate of Audiology program
• Must meet SAP
• Complete FAFSA on file
• SAI must not exceed 50% of the standard Cost of Attendance for Off Campus Audiology students
• California Resident
• Must be paying the Doctoral of Audiology Tuition Fee

Awarding and disbursement of the CSU Audiology Doctorate Grant shall be after the census date for each term.