*NEW* Middle Class Scholarship 2.0
The state of California has modified the Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) effective for the 2022-2023 academic year. While the name stays the same, the program has changed.
California's MCS provides a scholarship to undergraduates and students pursuing a teaching credential with family income and household asset ceiling of $217,000 for 2023-24 academic year. The California Student Aid Commission uses data from our 23 campuses, the FAFSA or CADAA to make awards. Any federal, state, institutional, or private grants and scholarships received will affect the value of your Middle-Class Scholarship.
To be eligible, the student must be enrolled at a California State University or University of California and be a California resident or an eligible AB540 student and must file a
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or
California Dream Act application by the May 2 deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year. Additionally, students must meet the new enrollment and satisfactory academic progress requirements listed below. Students who are eligible will see Middle Class Scholarship included in their awards.
What Has Changed?
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Scholarship award amounts will vary by student and by school.
Award amounts will be based on the cost of attendance for the school of the student's choice and the following program requirements: federal, state, institutional and private scholarship aid, a self-help student contribution of $7,898 (applied to all students), and a parent contribution for dependent students with a household income of over $100,000. Under this formula, award amounts will vary widely among students, with each student's award reflecting their costs and available resources. -
First Time Freshmen deciding between campuses:
Newly admitted students deciding between campuses may be offered Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0 awards that are different values at each campus because each campus has their own unique cost of attendance. For more information about what is included in your cost of attendance visit your campus financial aid website. -
Estimated Awards
Campuses will include estimated awards in your financial aid package until final eligibility determinations are made by the California Student Aid Commission. Your award is subject to change if your other aid programs change (increase/decrease) and if your eligibility for the program changes. -
Credential Students
Students enrolled in an eligible teaching credential program may be eligible for up to one-year of Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0. -
Enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress
To be eligible for a Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0 award, students must be enrolled in at-least 6-units of coursework required for your degree. Students must also meet their CSU campus' Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. For more information please visit your campus financial aid website. -
Withdrawing
Students who withdraw from coursework may be subject to return all or part of their Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0 award in addition to any other federal, state, or institutional aid received. Withdrawing from coursework may also affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress, students considering withdrawing from all or some of their courses should visit their respective campus for guidance and resources.
For more information on the program and eligibility requirements visit the
California Student Aid Commission's site about the Middle Class Scholarship. Per California Education Code section 70022, the MCS program income and asset ceilings are to be adjusted annually using the percentage change in California per capita personal income from the preceding year.