You Can Afford College – Types of Financial Aid

Don’t let finances get in the way of your dreams. Get help covering college costs like tuition, books, and even rent with a variety of financial aid options designed to support your educational and career aspirations. Explore the possibilities and find the financial resources you need to succeed.

Financial Assistance That DOES NOT Require Repayment

When you submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), you are automatically considered for federal and state grants. U.S. citizens complete the FAFSA, while undocumented students need to submit the CADAA.

California – State Aid Programs:

Federal Aid Programs:

Cal Grant

Students are automatically considered for a California State Cal Grant A, B, or C when they file the FAFSA application prior to March 2nd of the previous school year, and indicate that they are a California Resident, as long as a GPA verification is filed.

Community college students who missed the March 2nd deadline can still file a FAFSA by September 2nd and GPA verification and will be considered for a competitive Community College Cal Grant. Complete the GPA verification before September 2nd.

Cal Grants are need-based grants provided by the State of California. To qualify, a student must be a California resident, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, obtain a social security number and be attending (or plan to attend) an eligible institution in California. Awarding of grants is based on financial need and academic performance, and funds are limited.
A student may receive only one Cal Grant, either Cal Grant A, B or C. The three grants are targeted to assist three distinct groups of applicants and are mutually exclusive.

Student Success Completion Grant

The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a grant that is given to eligible Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C students that are enrolled full-time (12 or more units). Students can receive $1,298 per semester when enrolled in 12-14.9 units. Students enrolled in 15 or more units per semester can receive $4,000.

Cal Grant A

Provides tuition assistance for a student attending a four-year institution. A Cal Grant A pays full enrollment fees at a CSU or UC (up to $12,630), and pays up to $9,084 tuition at a private institution. If you qualify for a Cal Grant A but choose to attend a California community college before transferring, you can reserve your award for up to three years until you transfer to a tuition/fee charging college, provided you continue to qualify.

Cal Grant B

Cal B is awarded to very low income students with minimum 2.0 GPA.
Cal Grant B provides a living allowance ($1,648/year) for very low-income students at a California Community College. The enrollment status of the student i.e. full time, three-quarter time or half-time will proportionately affect the amount of money actually received.

More than half of all new Cal Grant B awards are for students who will be attending a California community college. When renewed by second, third and fourth-year students at a four year institution, a Cal Grant B will also cover all of tuition and fee costs at a CSU or UC, and up to $9,708/year at a private four year institution.

Cal Grant C

Cal Grant C is awarded to community college students majoring in vocational programs. The grant is $1,094/year; the enrollment status of the student i.e. full time, three-quarter time or half-time will proportionately affect the amount of money received by eligible students.

CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT SERVICE INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM (DSIG)

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) Program encourages California Dream Act Applicant (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant A award that met Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $2,250 per semester or up to $1,500 per quarter) to 1,667 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 A or B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant award.

Click here for me information

Cal Grant GPA Verification Procedures

In general, our college is able to provide a GPA Verification ONLY if you completed 16 units (this does NOT include Basic skills or ESOL courses) prior to Fall term. All currently attending College of Alameda students who completed 16 or more units (not including Basic Skills or ESOL) prior to Fall term will be automatically certified electronically. Do not submit an individual form as it will not be completed. Students who have already been awarded a Cal Grant for a previous year need only refile a FAFSA form, not a GPA verification form.

You should complete a paper GPA verification form if:

You completed less than 16 units of non-basic skills or ESOL classes at College of Alameda or any other college prior to Fall; you must request a GPA verification directly from your high school!
Your combined units from College of Alameda and a prior college are between 16 – 24 units prior to Fall. You must submit your official transcript from the prior college to the College of Alameda admissions office, and submit your GPA verification form to the financial aid office with a note to combine your prior college GPA. A combined GPA will be calculated for you. You must allow 2 weeks for Admissions to calculate your combined GPA, so please plan ahead!

For further information visit the Cal Grant Program website

California Student Aid Commission

1-888-224-7268

Cal Grant Forms

https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/Help/Forms.asp

WebGrants for Students

The California Student Aid Commission has created this website just for you, the student. The goal is to provide you with the tools you need to establish and manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee Grant. Get detailed application and award status information on your Cal Grant or Chaffee Grant 24 hour/day, 7 days/week!

Please visit WebGrants for Students

California College Promise Grant (CCPG) and California College Promise Program (CCPP)

California College Promise Grant (CCPG):
Formerly known as the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver, the CCPG is designed to waive enrollment fees for low-income students. This program ensures affordability for eligible students attending Laney College or other California community colleges.

California College Promise Program (CCPP):
The CCPP is tailored to assist middle- to high-income students who may not qualify for the CCPG or other low-income support services, such as EOPS. It offers comprehensive support services, including counseling, financial aid, and resources like the AB 19 retention grant and emergency funds. The CCPP supports full-time students enrolled in 12 or more units, helping them overcome barriers and achieve academic success.

By providing tailored assistance through these programs, Laney College is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable for all students, regardless of their financial background.

The California College Promise Is A Commitment To:

Increasing the number and percentage of high school students who are prepared for and attend college directly from high school.
Increasing the percentage of students who earn associate degrees or career technical education certificates.
Increasing the percentage of students who successfully transfer from a community college to the California State University or the University of California.
Reducing and eliminating achievement gaps for students from groups that are underrepresented at the California Community Colleges.

Pell Grant

Students are automatically considered for a Federal Pell Grant when they file the FAFSA application. The Federal Pell Grant is money that a student does not need to repay. The student must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Pell grants range from $1,288 to $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year at College of Alameda.

The enrollment status of the student, i.e. full time, three-quarter time, half-time or less than half-time, will have a proportional effect on the amount of money a student will receive. For purposes of financial aid, enrollment status is defined as outlined in the table below.

Enrollment Status

Number of Units

Full-Time: 12 or more
3/4 Time: 9 – 11.5
1/2 Time: 6 – 8.5
< 1/2 Time: 5.5 or less

SEOG

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Students are automatically considered for a federal SEOG grant when they file the FAFSA application and complete their file. The Federal SEOG is also a program that does not need to be repaid. The student must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of a ‘-1,500’ Student Aid Index (SAI). Funds are awarded on a first come first served basis, based on file completion date, until available funds are exhausted.

Currently College of Alameda awards a maximum of $1,000/year, and only students who are enrolled at least 6 units or more are actually eligible to receive the funds. This program is designed for students showing exceptional need and Pell Grant eligibility.

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

Student Success Completion Grant

Additional to the Cal Grant B or C, the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a community college financial aid program for full-time Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C recipients enrolled in 12 or more units. The purpose of the SSCG grant is to provide students 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.

During the 2024-2025 award year, the SSCG pays Cal Grant recipients enrolled in at least 12 but fewer than 15 semester units $1,298 per semester ($2,596 annually). Cal Grant recipients enrolled in 15 or more semester units receive $4,000 per semester ($8,000 annually).

Eligibility Criteria:

Must be a Cal Grant B or C recipient
Must be enrolled full-time (12 units or more)
Must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
Must have unmet need

Scholarships Provide Funds That You DO NOT Need To Repay

Apply for scholarships with the Peralta Foundation. The Foundation supports academic excellence and success throughout the District by building partnerships in the region to raise funds for scholarships to committed students and financial support to the four colleges that comprise the District.

Peralta College Foundation

Additionally, Scholarships can be found in a variety of places outside of the college. Try these:

Oakland Promise College Scholarship: Financial assistance for Oakland public school graduates who attend Laney College or other higher education institutions.
East Bay College Fund – Great Expectations Scholarships: Scholarships for students from Oakland public schools, including those planning to attend Laney College.
Rotary Club of Oakland Scholarships: Scholarships for Oakland high school graduates pursuing higher education.
East Bay Consortium/Cal-SOAP Scholarships: Scholarships aimed at increasing the number of students from low-income families who attend college.
Scholarships that don’t require U.S. Citizenship

Be cautious when searching for scholarships to ensure your information is protected. Remember, you should never have to pay to find or apply for scholarships or financial aid. Learn more about identifying potential scams.

Get more ideas from Studentaid.gov

Assistance That You Earn & DOES NOT Need To Be Repaid

The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, helping you earn money for your education while gaining valuable work experience. Many positions connect to your field of study or support community service.

Visit the College of Alameda Work-Study Website

Financial Assistance That DOES Require Repayment

Federal Loans

Federal loans are low–interest loans originated through the Department of Education for students to help pay for the cost of a student’s education after high school. Accepting a loan means accepting responsibility for a long-term financial obligation for repaying the monies borrowed, including interest costs and fees. Before you request a loan, make sure you find out the true costs, interest rates, and how long it will take to repay the loan. Go to Peralta’s Student Loans page to get answers to questions regarding federal direct student loans.

Additional Support

There are a number of other support programs that can assist with financing your education and other expenses. Visit the individual websites for more information and apply!

Basic Needs

Basic Needs at College of Alameda takes a holistic, student-centered approach to helping students with the basics, so that they can focus on their education. Our services include three pillar programs: The Market, Tasty Tuesday, and The Boutique. When available, we also distribute: Emergency Food Grants, Emergency Aid, Wi-Fi Hot Spots, and we help connect students to other Basic Needs resources both within and outside the CoA community.

Go To College of Alameda Basic Needs

Extended Opportunities and Services (EOPS)

EOPS is a state-funded program that serves students from low-income, educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. A FAFSA or Dream Act is required to be eligible. In addition to academic, career, and personal counseling services, students are also provided the following financial resources:

Go To EOPS

CalWORKs

CalWORKs services include, but are not limited to, work-study opportunities, academic and personal counseling, as well as a cooperative partnership with the Department of Social Services. They provide students with the following financial resources:

Book Assistance: As funding permits, when not granted through the county
Bus Passes and/or Gas Card: As funding permits, must meet qualifications
Work Study Programs: Job referrals on and off campus

Go To CalWORKs

Cooperative Agencies and Resources for Education (CARE)

CARE is a state program that provides financial aid as well as counseling services. The program is specifically designed for students who are single parents, with a need for child care, transportation, and/or books and supplies. The grants range from $100 – $600 per academic year and do not need to be repaid. A FAFSA or Dream Act is required to be eligible.

Book Vouchers: As funding permits and when not granted through the county
Bus Passes or Gas Card: As funding permits, must meet qualifications
School Supplies: As funding permits
Meal Vouchers: Must have financial need
Child Care Grants: As funding permits, must be in good financial aid standing
Caps & Gowns: FREE cap & gown for CARE graduates

Go To CARE

NextUp

The NextUp program offers eligible current and former foster youth support and services that could include:

Help with books and supplies
Transportation
Tutoring
Food
Emergency Housing

Go To NextUp