Types of Grant Aid
Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. Grant programs for both entering and continuing UC Merced students are awarded each year.
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Federal Grants
- Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate financial aid applicants who have not yet received a baccalaureate degree.
- Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are need-based grants provided to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Priority is given to students with exceptional financial need. [top]
Cal Grants
Cal Grants are offered by the State of California to residents of California who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) determines eligibility for grants, which are based on academic achievement and financial need. Students must meet GPA requirements and family income and asset requirements. If the student is eligible for a Cal Grant and a different institution is listed on their award notification, the student must submit a Grant Record Change form (G-10). If the student is eligible for a Cal Grant at UC Merced, the award will transfer and the student will receive an updated communication from CSAC. [top]
- Cal Grant A is available to entering and continuing students who are enrolled at least half time and is awarded based on financial need and GPA. You must be a California resident, undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and meet the family income and asset requirements of the program. Awards cover system wide fees.
- Cal Grant B is initially awarded to low-income students who are enrolled at least half time. First year awards are usually limited to non-fee costs: subsistence stipends for books, supplies and living expenses. A Cal Grant B may also cover system wide fees when renewed. You must be a California resident, undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 2.0, and meet the family income, asset and disadvantaged background requirements of the program. [top]
Golden Bobcat Grants/Scholarships
Golden Bobcat Grants and Scholarships are available for eligible undergraduate students with funding provided by the Regents of the University of California and the State of California. Award amounts are determined based on family income and financial need. To qualify, students must meet the FAFSA priority deadline of March 2 prior to the award year and all relevant document deadlines. Students must also otherwise qualify for student financial aid. [top]
Access Grants
Access Grants are available for eligible undergraduate students with funding provided by the Regents of the University of California and the State of California. These grants are designed to provide enough gift aid to cover annual fee increases for students who meet relevant income guidelines but who do not qualify for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Program. To qualify for an Access Grant, students must meet the FAFSA priority deadline of March 2 prior to the award year and all relevant document deadlines. Students must also otherwise qualify for student financial aid. [top]
California Dream Act
The California Dream Act of 2011 consists of two bills: Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130) and Assembly Bill 131 (AB 131). AB 130 was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on June 25, 2011, and AB 131 was signed into law by Gov. Brown on Oct. 8, 2011. [top]
- AB 130 was effective Jan. 1, 2012, and allows students attending UC Merced who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under another law, Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), and who are ineligible for federal financial aid, to be eligible to receive those UC Merced scholarships that are derived from private, non-state funds.
- AB 131 (the second part of the Dream Act), goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013, and allows students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition under AB 540 and who are ineligible for federal financial aid to receive all grants and scholarships that are derived from UC Merced or state funds. [top]
