Grants are a type of financial aid that is awarded to a student and is not required to be paid back. The amount of grant money awarded is based on demonstrated financial need which is determined by the information provided on your FAFSA application.

To establish need and apply for all grant programs, students must complete the FAFSA application. You must be a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident or on a special visa such as parolee and you must have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is a federal grant to use towards educational expenses. There is no minimum number of units required although award is based on the number of units enrolled. For example, if a student is enrolled in 6 units (half-time), the student will only receive half of the Pell Grant they are eligible for. The Pell Grant is awarded based on financial need. A student must complete the FAFSA to be considered.

Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant

The Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant is only available for students who are eligible for the Pell Grant. It is reserved for students with an exceptional financial need. The award is much smaller than the Pell Grant and is usually awarded to those with a 0 EFC. Funds are limited so it is awarded based on earliest application date until all funds have been exhausted. You must be enrolled for at least 6 units to receive the grant.

Cal Grant

While Cal Grants are from the State of California, they are based on the FAFSA application. The results are sent to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) if a California school is listed at which time the CSAC will determine a student’s eligibility and notify the school.

You must apply before March 2 to be considered for the Cal Grant entitlement program. Community college students can apply up to September 2 to be considered for the competitive grant program.

There are three Cal Grants. Cal Grant A is for university students and is held in reserve for community college students. Cal Grant B is for community college students. Cal Grant C is for students enrolled in a vocational program including those offered by LBCC. Each one can be received up to 4 years.  

Please visit the CSAC website for more information on this program including how they determine eligibility.

Student Success Completion Grant

The purpose of the SSCG grant is to provide the student with additional financial aid to help offset the total cost of community college attendance and to encourage full-time attendance and successful on-time completion. To qualify for the SSCG, a student must:

• Be eligible for a Cal Grant B or C award
• Meet federal satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
• Have an unmet need to receive the SSCG
• Maintain full-time attendance

A maximum of $2,596 annually at one thousand two hundred ninety-eight dollars ($1,298) per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll and attend 12 through 14.99 units per term.

A maximum of $8,000 annually at four thousand dollars ($4,000) per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll and attend 15 units per term.

Funds for this program are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Early application is strongly advised.

Chafee Grant

If you are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school.

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

• Not have reached your 26^th birthday as of July 1^st of the award year

AND

• Be a current or former foster youth who was a dependent or ward of the court, living in out-of-home foster care placement, between the ages of 16 and 18

OR

• Be a youth who was placed in out-of-home care by a tribe or tribal organization between the ages of 16 and 18

Please visit California CHAFEE GRANT for Foster Youth website for more information.

California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG)

Encourages California Dream Act Application (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.  The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,500 per semester or up to $1,000 per quarter) to 2,500 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 8 semesters or up to 12 quarters while they have an active Cal Grant B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant B award.

Eligible Applicants: 

• Students must apply for this annually
• Students must attend a qualifying institution
• Students must have sufficient unmet financial need
• Students must complete community or volunteer service hours in that academic year
• Students shall perform at least 150 hours per semester or 100 hours per quarter of community or volunteer service.

Students can volunteer with any of the organization(s) on the List of Service Organizations or with any organization not on the list if it meets the criteria for a qualifying service organization. Organizations not on the List of Service Organizations, can complete and submit the Service Organization Registration form found on the DSIG Forms webpage: https://www.csac.ca.gov/dsig/forms