The e Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) provides undergraduate students with a scholarship to attend a University of California (UC), California State University (CSU) or California Community College Bachelor’s degree program. Administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), to be considered for the Middle-Class Scholarship, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application by March 2nd each year.
The Middle-Class Scholarship program is available for new, transfer, and returning undergraduates, and students pursuing a teaching credential with family income and assets not exceeding certain amounts (subject to California State Budget Approval) for the 2025-26 academic year for those who attend a University of California campus. Please refer to the Middle Class Scholarship web page for those details.
If you are selected to receive a Middle-Class Scholarship, you will be notified by CSAC mid to late August. You can monitor your award by creating an account at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/.
Eligibility Requirements
When determining eligibility, CSAC takes into account the student’s total cost of attendance and all available resources awarded to the student.
The student’s “available resources” consist of three collective factors:
- Other available gift aid/ resources that the student is eligible for (i.e. federal, state, institutional or scholarship aid),
- A self-help student contribution of $8,154 (applied to all students), and
- If Dependent, a household income of over $100,000.
The student's “available resources” will be deducted from the student’s total cost of attendance to determine the MCS award. Under this formula, MCS amounts may vary widely among students. If the student’s combined grant funding from federal, state, institutional, and private sources is already greater than or equal to the amount of their MCS eligibility, the student will be ineligible for the scholarship. In some instances, students receiving a Cal Grant may also be eligible for MCS funds.
Please note: MCS amounts may be reduced at any time during the academic year if a recipient receives additional federal, state, institutional or private funding after the MCS is offered. Students' financial aid offers may be updated throughout the year based on late scholarship awarding, eligibility changes or corrections to the financial aid application, including housing and enrollment changes. As a result, MCS amounts may be adjusted multiple times, including after funds are disbursed and refunded to student accounts. The MCS may also be subject to adjustment based on withdrawing after the start of the semester or dropping below full-time enrollment.
Students are notified through email to review their financial aid offer and student account on UC Merced Connect when there are changes to their financial aid.
For more information on MCS please visit the CSAC website at https://www.csac.ca.gov/middle-class-scholarship.
For more information about the program, please visit the California Student Aid Commission Middle Class Scholarship web page. If you are selected to receive a Middle-Class Scholarship, you will be notified by CSAC. You can monitor your award by creating an account at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/.
