Free Money
Money for college that you don’t have to pay back.
What are Scholarships/Grants?
This is money you borrow to pay for college that must be paid back with interest.
What is a Student Loan?
You must live in this state for at least one year to be eligible for these grants.
What is California?
The primary cost paid to a college for taking classes.
What is Tuition?
Items like notebooks, pens, and a laptop used for your studies.
What are Supplies (or Books)?
This type of "free money" is usually awarded based on merit, like good grades or sports.
What is a Scholarship?
In this type of federal loan, the government pays the interest while you are in school.
What is a Subsidized Loan?
To qualify for Cal Grant A, a high school student usually needs at least this GPA.
What is a 3.0 GPA?
Mandatory charges that cover things like campus health centers or student activities.
What are Fees?
The cost of getting to campus, whether by gas, bus pass, or plane tickets.
What is Transportation?
This type of "free money" is usually awarded based on financial need.
What is a Grant?
These federal loans are specifically for parents of undergraduate students.
What are PLUS Loans?
Cal Grant C is designed specifically for students attending these types of schools.
What are Vocational/Trade/Occupational/Technical schools?
The cost of living in a dorm and eating at the campus dining hall.
What is Room and Board?
This category includes "hidden" costs like laundry, snacks, and movies.
What are Personal/Misc Expenses?
This is the most common federal grant for students with high financial need.
What is the Pell Grant?
The six-month period after you graduate before you must start making loan payments.
What is the Grace Period?
How do you apply to receive CalGrants?
FAFSA or CADAA
This is the document schools send you about the financial aid you'll receive at their school.
What is the Award Letter?
These costs are estimates because they change based on your personal lifestyle.
What is Cost of Attendance (COA)?
You may have to pay back a grant if you do this before the semester ends.
What is Withdrawing?
This term describes the status of a loan when a borrower fails to make payments as agreed.
What is Defaulting?
Cal Grant B is unique because it provides this extra "allowance" for living expenses.
What is the Access Award?
These two things are usually the most expensive parts of college.
What is Tuition and Room and Board?
Even if you live at home, you still have this indirect cost for your reading materials.
What are Books?