Scholarships & Financial Aid
Government Grants & Loans
Grants are a form of financial aid you do not have to pay back (unless you withdraw from school). They can be based on how much financial aid you need or on your high school grades. Loans are financial aid that must be repaid with interest.
Federal Grants
The federal government offers grants based on need to undergraduates. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be used for federal grants and loans. Types of federal grants include:
State Grants
The Cal Grant is a grant funded by the state of California to help students pay for college expenses. They do not need to be paid back. Recipients must meet eligibility, income and academic requirements.
The Health Professions Education Foundation provides loan repayment assistance and scholarships to students and health professionals. They work to provide a culturally and linguistically competant health workforce dedicated to delivering direct patient care in California's underserved communities.
School Grants
Many schools have scholarship funds that students can apply for using a form called the financial aid PROFILE. The PROFILE can be requested along with an application for admissions.
- Community College Grants
- Your School: Contact the financial aid department at your school directly to ask about scholarships and grants that may be available to you.
Federal Loans
The federal government is the largest source of student loans. Since applying for these loans is free, you should apply if you meet the basic qualifications. In general, a student must demonstrate financial need, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and have a high school diploma or GED. The U.S. Department of Education then determines how much the student�s family can afford to pay and loans the student funds to cover the remaining costs at favorable interest rates. Learn more from the U.S. Federal Student Aid website or the Department of Education�s book Federal Student Aid at a Glance, which is available in English and Spanish. You can get a copy of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program funds undergraduate and graduate students who work part-time on or off campus. The program encourages community service work, or work related to your area of study. Check with your training program�s financial aid office to see if this option is available.