Grants

Grants do not need to be repaid as long as the student remains eligible. Full-time enrollment for grant funding is 12 or more units per quarter/term for undergraduates and graduate students (9 or more units for medical students, 10 or more units for law students). Undergraduates are required to pass 39 units per academic year to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. All students are advised to read the SAP Standards for Financial Aid available online at financialaid.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/students/SAP.html. Students taking less than the required number of units may be billed for aid received.

Grant funding is awarded based on eligibility and fund availability. While students may not receive grant funding from each of the funds discussed here, they may receive the amount of grant funding for which they are determined to be eligible.

Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are for undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree, or who are enrolled at least half time in a teaching credential program. The Department of Education determines the student's eligibility for Pell Grant by reviewing their FAFSA to produce an Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is indicated on the Student Aid Report (SAR). The amount the student receives is based on his or her EFC, the cost of attendance, whether the student is attending full-time or part-time and whether the student attends school for a full academic year or less. Students may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at the same time.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
SEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need (students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution), and gives priority to students who receive Pell Grant. Due to limited funding, not every eligible student will receive SEOG; however, if eligible, they may receive another form of grant.

Academic Competitiveness Grant Program (ACG) and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)
ACG and SMART make funds available for low-income college students who meet general Pell Grant program guidelines, as well as additional specified criteria.

• ACG is awarded to first- and second-year college students who have successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program.
• SMART grants are awarded to third- and fourth-year college students who major in mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or critical foreign languages.

Visit the our ACG/SMART page for details about this grant program.

Cal Grants A, B, and C
Students apply for Cal Grant when they submit the FAFSA. A copy of the FAFSA is sent to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), which determines eligibility for Cal Grants and notifies the student with a California Aid Report (CAR). First-time Cal Grant applicants are required to submit a GPA Verification form directly to CSAC as part of the application process. The student must notify the Financial Aid Office (send a copy of the letter) if they accept (or are denied) a Cal Grant award. Students who receive Cal Grants, for which they are ineligible, will be required to repay the funds received.

• Cal Grant A is credited to pay Registration Fees
• Cal Grant B awards for first-year students are limited to a quarterly stipend toward living expenses. When renewed, Cal Grant B may also cover part of the registration fees and tuition.
• Cal Grant C is limited to students in the School of Medicine Nurse Practitioner program.

Cal Grant B access funds will be applied towards outstanding student balances unless request is made prior to disbursement to release funds directly to the student.

Cal Grant A and B recipients who plan to enroll in a Teaching Credential Program (TCP) may be eligible to renew their Cal Grant award for an additional year. The additional year of payment is provided to students who are seeking an initial teaching credential and cannot be used for other graduate level courses of study. Students will need to file a G-44 form with CSAC for this program. Visit the CSAC web site at www.csac.ca.gov and click on WebGrants for Students for more information, or to check on the status of your application, view your payment history, or update your address.

California Chafee Grant
The California Chafee Grant Program gives money to current or former foster youth to use for career and technical training or college courses. You don’t have to pay this money back as long as you are in school. The Chafee Grant Program, also known as the Education and Training Voucher (ETV), is a federally funded program and is subject to availability of federal funds each year. Students can obtain information and apply online at www.chafee.csac.ca.gov.

University Grants
University Grant (UC Grant) is awarded to undergraduates who have grant eligibility according to the Education Finance Policy. UC Grant funds are limited and awarded based on the FAFSA filing date to undergraduates who are eligible and whose financial aid and all required documents are received and complete. Awards are based on availability of funding at the time a student’s completed file is processed. UC Grant funding is not available to cover out-of-state registration fees.