I don't want loans. How do I get grant money?

Most grant funds are targeted to the highest need students who are from the lowest income families. Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students with expected family contributions less than $3,850. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are generally available to undergraduate students who qualify for Pell Grants with the lowest expected family contributions. Cal Grant eligibility is determined by the California Student Aid Commission. Cal Grant A awards are based on both academic achievement and financial need. Cal Grant B awards are directed to students from very low income families and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. More information on Cal Grants may be obtained from CSAC's Web site at http://www.csac.ca.gov/. University grant funds are offered to the neediest undergraduate students based on family income and financial need.

If you do not qualify for grant funding, you will be offered loan funds. It is your option to choose to accept or decline your loan. You may wish to increase the number of hours that you work or your parents may prefer to increase the amount of the contribution that they make available to you in order to avoid indebtedness. When you receive notification of your financial aid offer on GROWL, carefully read the information regarding the loan offered to you. If you have financial need, the interest on your student loan may be subsidized while you are enrolled and for the first six months after you are out of school. This provides you with the opportunity to defer the cost of your educational expenses by borrowing now and repaying later when you are out of school and have had time to begin working.