A grant is a type of financial aid that you don’t need to pay back. They are gifts from the federal government, state government, and college and private sources to help cover the costs of education. Grants are typically awarded to you based on your demonstrated need, academic achievement, or other set criteria.

To apply for a grant, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Learn more about applying for aid 

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Federal Grants

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Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need. The amount awarded is based on your financial need, cost of attendance, and your enrollment status (full-time or part-time). While you can transfer your Pell Grant to another school, you cannot receive Pell Grant from two schools for the same enrollment period.

LancerBook Advance

The Office of Financial Aid offers the LancerBook Advance program at the beginning of each term. LancerBook is an advance on your upcoming term Federal Pell Grant. To qualify for the LancerBook Advance you must be awarded a Federal Pell Grant, be making Satisfactory Academic Progress, and be enrolled in classes for the upcoming term. If you qualify, you may receive an advance on your Federal Pell grant to purchase your books. If you choose to use the LancerBook Advance, your Federal Pell Grant refund will be reduced by the amount of the purchases you make at the Bookstore. LancerBook is available the first 3 weeks of the term.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG Program helps cover educational costs that the Pell Grant Program cannot. Due to limited funds, this program is typically offered only to students with exceptional financial need who meet the priority funding deadlines.

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State Grants

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Cal Grant A

Cal Grant A is not available at PCC, but you should still apply if you plan to attend a 4-year college. While at PCC, your Cal Grant A will be in reserve and activated upon transfer to a 4-year school, unless you qualify for the Student with Dependent Children Access Award or Foster Youth Access Award. California residency is required. For general information visit the Cal Grants Web page for information.

Cal Grant B

Cal Grant B is available to students who are disadvantaged or from low-income families. This grant will provide you with an annual Access Award amount to help cover living costs and it can be transferred to a 4-year college. To be eligible you must be a California resident. For more information about this program, visit the Cal Grant Website.

Cal Grant C

This Cal Grant is available to low and middle-income students enrolled in occupational, technical, and vocational career training programs. For more information, visit the Cal Grant website.

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

The Student Success Completion Grant pays Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C recipients additional grant money to help you take more classes per year. Students enrolled in 12-14.99 semester units are eligible for $1,298 per semester ($2,596 annually). Students who are enrolled in 15+ semester units can receive $4,000 per semester ($8,000 annually).

To be eligible for the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG), a student must:

• Be a Cal Grant B or Cal Grant C recipient
• Have unmet financial need
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Be attending full-time (12 units or more) at a California Community College.

Community college students who are California residents and who miss the priority deadline can apply by September 2 to receive consideration for competitive Cal Grant awards. Students completing the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) must apply by priority deadline in order to receive Cal Grant consideration.

New award amounts for current/former Foster Youth

SSCG for Current and Former Foster Youth Students Senate Bill 117 – Higher Education Trailer Bill (2023-2024) updated California Education Code (CEC) §88931 and increased the SSCG award amount for current and former foster youth as defined in CEC § 69433.6. 

Effective for the Fall 2023 term, former foster youth, who enroll in 12 or more units and meet all other eligibility requirements are eligible for $5,250 per semester. For the purposes of awarding a SSCG, “current or former foster youth” means a person whose dependency was established or continued by the court on or after the date on which the person reached 13 years of age.

* Additional Application Requirements for Cal Grants

To apply for a Cal Grant, you must submit a FAFSA/CADAA, plus a verified Cal Grant GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by the published deadline dates. If you have less than 24 college credits, your high school will need to complete the GPA Verification Form for you. If you have 24 or more college credits, PCC will automatically send your GPA electronically as long as you have attended at least one term in the last academic year.

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PCC Program Grants

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California College Promise Grant (CCPG)

This program will waive your enrollment fees if you are a qualifying California resident. To qualify, you must meet certain income requirements or other eligibility requirements outlined on the application. 

Learn More About Applying for the California College Promise Grant