State & Institutional Grants
Grants are considered "Gift Aid" and are funded by federal and state governments, foundations, corporations, and/or non-profit organizations. Recipients are typically determined based on financial need, or in connection with a research proposal or project. The proceeds of the grant are used to help offset recipients' cost of education and/or research expenses.
State University Grant (SUG)
The State University Grant (SUG) is unique to the California State University (CSU) system and is funded from a percentage of CSU system-wide student tuition fee revenues. Limited allocations are provided to campuses based on their enrollment levels and other student data. Award amounts may vary by EFC and available funds. SUG funds are normally awarded for the fall, winter, and spring terms only. General eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Be admitted to and enrolled at least half-time at a CSU campus as an undergraduate, Teacher Credential, or graduate student;
- Be classified as a California resident for financial aid and tuition fee payment purposes;
- Pay the State University Tuition Fee (e.g., students enrolled in Extended University courses are not eligible, nor are students who do not pay SUF because of some other form of aid);
- Have a valid FAFSA on file for the corresponding academic year;
- Demonstrate financial need according to the FAFSA need analysis;
- Not be in default of a student loan;
- Not owe a repayment of previously received student aid;
- Be making satisfactory academic progress according to the standards established for financial aid purposes by the CSU campus; and
- Have an eligible EFC according to the CSU campus SUG awarding methodology.
Priority awarding consideration will be given to students who are considered:
- undergraduate students;
- "on- time" financial aid applicants;
- have an EFC less than $4,000;
- enrolled at least half- time;
- have not received a grant, scholarship, or waiver designated for fees;
- have not exceeded 150% of the unit requirement for graduation from their first undergraduate, teacher credential, or graduate degree program.
Please Note: Students receiving other aid specifically earmarked for fees (e.g., Cal Grant, Athletic Grant Fee Awards, Fee Waivers, etc.) will have their SUG award reduced or canceled accordingly.
Cal Grant Program
The Cal Grant Program is a state-funded educational opportunity grant program administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to assist students in paying for a college education. Funds are awarded for the fall, winter, and spring terms only. These awards do not need to be repaid by the student. Cal Grant awards may be renewed for up to three additional years if the recipient continues to meet the income, asset, unmet need, enrollment, academic progress, and FAFSA filing parameters outlined by the California Student Aid Commission. Recipients of these awards may also apply for a fifth year of funding while enrolled in eligible teaching credential programs.
Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards
This award provides grant funds to help pay tuition/tuition fees for California residents at qualifying for-credit instructional programs of not less than two academic years. These awards are guaranteed for those students who have a high school GPA of no less than 3.0 and meet the established program eligibility criteria. The final filing deadline is March 2 for the upcoming academic year.
Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards
This award provides grant funds for access costs for low-income students in an amount not to exceed $1,551. This grant is to be used to pay living expenses and expenses related to transportation, books and supplies. Beginning with the second year of Cal Grant B benefits, Cal Grant B also helps pay for tuition/tuition fees for California residents attending qualifying institutions offering a baccalaureate degree. These awards are also guaranteed for those students who have a high school GPA of no less than 2.0 and meet the established program eligibility criteria. The final filing deadline is March 2 for the upcoming academic year.
California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards
This award is offered to California Community College students who were not awarded Cal Grant As or Bs within a year of graduating from high school, but meet certain requirements at the time of transfer from a California Community College to a qualifying institution offering a baccalaureate degree. These awards are also guaranteed for those students who have a Community College GPA of at least 2.4 and meet the established program eligibility criteria. They can represent the equivalent of either a Cal Grant A or B award.
Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards
This award is to be used for the same purposes as the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement award, except that it is not guaranteed. The award is based on a competitive basis and intended for students who did not receive an entitlement award and are from low- and middle-income families. The final filing deadline is March 2 for the upcoming academic year.
Fifth-Year Benefits Award
Cal Grant recipients may apply for a fifth year of funding while enrolled in eligible teaching credential programs. Interested students should contact the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) at phone (888) 224-7268 and complete a G-44 Request Form.
Cal Grant FAQs: this link provides commonly asked questions and answers concerning the Cal Grant program.
Please Note: If you are a transfer student with Cal Grant eligibility, it is your responsibility to notify the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that you will be attending CSUB in a timely manner so that Cal Grant eligibility appears on the CSUB's Cal Grant eligibility roster. If you fail to notify CSAC of the change in school, and do not appear on CSUB's Cal Grant roster by the end of the academic year (June 30th), you should contact CSAC to find out about requesting a Cal Grant award Leave of Absence for the terms in which you did not receive Cal Grant funds so that your award eligibility is not canceled for future terms.
Chafee Foster Youth Grant
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), through an interagency agreement with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), administers the Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program. The Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program provides eligible California youth aging out of the foster care with financial assistance to attend a postsecondary institution in a Title IV-eligible program. Students may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 per year if they are enrolled in an eligible program. Funding is intended to supplement, not supplant, any grant funds that a student may otherwise be entitled to receive, nor may the total grant funding exceed the student's cost of attendance.
The Chafee Foster Youth Grant Application is available on the Commission's Web site at https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/default.asp. Only new Chafee applicants need to complete this application. Prospective Chafee students who cannot access the online application can download a paper application and mail or fax it to the Commission.
Renewal Chafee recipients must file a corresponding FAFSA and CSUB must submit a (Need Analysis Report) NAR by the deadline, in order for the student to be considered for the renewal award process.
Chafee Grant Program benefits must be coordinated with the applicant's other resources. The Financial Need Analysis Report will assist the Commission in determining the remaining financial need of the student. Remaining loan disbursements or work-study awards may be canceled to allow maximum Chafee Grant awards prior to completing the Report.
The Commission's Customer Service staff can be reached at (888)224-7268 #1 for general inquiries. For more information on the Chafee Grant Program and its benefits, please check the following web sites: http://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov, http://www.csac.ca.gov, or https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Grant
This is a state-funded program limited to Undergraduate students admitted to California State University, Bakersfield through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Eligible students must be:
- disadvantaged according to EOP criteria established by state regulations,
- enrolled at least half time, and
- a California resident
Awards are based on available funds, and may provide up to a maximum of $600 annually to a limited number of eligible students. Apply for EOP by contacting the EOP Office online or by phone at (661) 654-2275.
CSU Graduate Equity Fellowship
This program seeks to increase the diversity of students completing Graduate degree programs in the CSU and encourages continuation on to doctoral programs and consideration of university faculty careers. It provides fellowships for economically disadvantaged CSU students, especially from groups that are underrepresented among Graduate degree recipients in their areas of study, and promotes faculty mentoring and research opportunities. Fellowships are administered through the Office of Graduate Studies and Research on a competitive basis for Graduate students. Individual fellowship awards may range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $4,500 with an average award approximating $1,500.
Students may apply by:
- completing a FAFSA; and
- completing a Graduate Equity Fellowship Application available in the Office of Graduate Studies and Research (661) 654- 2231
CSUB MBA Grant
The CSU MBA tuition grant is funded from a percentage of CSUB MBA student tuition fee revenues. The maximum MBA tuition fee grant for a student shall not exceed the amount of the additional Graduate Professional Business Tuition assessed for the term. Funds are limited and awarded, beginning with the MBA students who have the lowest EFC, until exhausted.
To be considered for a CSU MBA tuition fee grant, graduate students must:
- be admitted and enrolled in the MBA program;
- be enrolled in MBA courses assessed the additional MBA per unit fee;
- be a California resident;
- have a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file;
- have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of no greater than sixty percent (60%) of the standard academic year cost of attendance for MBA students residing off-campus;
- have demonstrated financial need;
- maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress
Awarding
Based on this criteria, and available funding, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships identifies eligible candidates after Census Date each term, with priority being given to those students who submitted their FAFSA on or before March 2 and have the lowest EFCs. Recipients are notified by e-mail.
CalSWEC
The California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) offers up to $18,500 in funding to eligible students enrolled in the MSW program. For more information, please contact Bruce Hartsell at (661) 654-2106 or Rosa Gonzalez at (661) 654-6215.