Financial Aid Programs
MSJC offers several financial aid programs to assist students with paying for college, each highlighting specific eligibility requirements. Grants are awarded based on financial need and come from either the federal government, State of California or California Student Aid Commission. Please read the information provided below and contact the Financial Aid Office with general questions about available programs.
Federal Financial Aid Programs
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are available to students who have not yet earned a baccalaureate or professional degree and who demonstrate financial need. Your exact award amount will vary based on your needs, the cost of attendance and if you are a full or part-time student. Your specific award will be prorated if you are enrolled in less than 12 units per semester.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are open to students who demonstrate exceptional need. Funds for this grant are extremely limited and are provided until all available funds are depleted. To receive this grant award, students are encouraged to apply early and be enrolled in at least 6 units each semester.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study (FWS) provides students with the opportunity to find on-camppus employment and potentially earn up to the amount of FWS funding reflected on their financial aid Offer Letter. Federal Work Study funds are limited, and students need to be enrolled in at least 6 units to be eligible. It’s recommended that students file their FAFSA early and answer “yes” to the question about interest in work-study to maximize chances of receiving this award.
Federal Direct Student Loans
Federal Direct Student Loans are available to eligible students whose financial needs cannot by met by other sources. A student must be enrolled in at least 6 units and complete the financial aid application process to demonstrate eligibility for the loans. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships, work-study or other sources that do not require repayment prior to considering loans. Excessive borrowing can cause hardship for students and may prevent them from completing their education goals. Please review our Student Loan Guide for more information.
State Financial Aid Programs
California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is an enrollment fee waiver for California residents or those eligible for AB540 who meet income criteria. Unlike other aid programs, CCPG is not a cash award. To be considered, students must supply their FAFSA/CADAA applications each year. If eligible, CCPG covers tuition for fall, spring and summer terms.
CCPG eligibility may be impacted by academic standing. If a student is placed on academic/progress probation/dismissal for two consecutive terms, they will be deemed ineligible for a CCPG waiver the following term.
CCPG “C” award recipients applying for EOPS or CALWORKS programs at MSJC, may wish to complete the CCPG application in addition to your FAFSA if you or your parents are receiving cash assistance from TANF/CalWorks, SSI/SSP, or General Assistance.
If you received a CCPG based on your initial FAFSA or CA Dream Act application, but are later determined ineligible, you will need to pay any incurred registration fees.
*If you have been determined a non-resident student, non-resident tuition is considerably higher than in-state tuition. Therefore, payment plan options are available. Once you have registered for classes, you must visit the Enrollment Services office prior to the payment deadline to set up a payment plan. Unless you are approved for Financial Aid, a 25% deposit of tuition is required at the time your payment plan is setup. Please come prepared to pay this amount.
Cal Grant
Cal Grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission for California residents. To be eligible, students are encouraged to apply by the deadline and be enrolled in at least 6 units. Awards will be prorated if a student is enrolled in less than 12 units each semester.
Cal Grant awards, are typically limited to four academic years. Students are encouraged to complete 15 units per semester or 30 semester units per academic year to receive Cal Grant for their entire program.
Students who have filed their most recent FAFSA or California Dream Application can go online and check the status of their Cal Grant application by logging onto the WebGrants for Students and creating an account. The site allows you check on your Cal Grant application, view the status of your Chafee application, update your address, view payment history, and inform MSJC of your intent to change schools.
California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Applicants, who are receiving a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service for additional aid. Eligible students can receive up to $3,000 per academic year. For more information, please visit The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Chafee Grant
The California Chafee Grant Program provides need-based grants to Foster Youth and former Foster Youth to use for vocational training or college courses. To be eligible, students must have been a Foster Youth between age 16 and 18, not have reached their 26th birthday as of July 1 of the award year, and have been eligible to receive services from the Department of Social Services Independent Living Program (ILP).
Eligible students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards; those who are not meeting SAP standards may receive Chafee Grants for up to two years. Students have a right to appeal their loss of aid eligibility due to not meeting SAP standards. Chafee Grant applications can be submitted online.
Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)
Student Success Completion Grants provide students with supplemental financial aid to help offset the total cost of community college attendance and encourage full-time enrollment and successful on-time program completion. Students taking 15 or more units, can receive up to a maximum award of $8,000. To qualify, students need to be eligible for a Cal Grant B or C award, meet federal satisfactory academic progress (SAP), have an unmet financial need, and maintain full-time attendance.
Scholarships
The MSJC Foundation, off-campus agencies, and donors all award scholarships to students. Each available scholarship requires students to fill out a separate application, in addition to their financial aid. Eligibility and enrollment requirements will vary by donor. Visit the MSJC Scholarship site for more information.