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State Grants

To be eligible for a state or institutional grant, aid recipients must be a resident of the State of California (or have been approved for the AB 540 non-resident tuition waiver).  In addition to residency status, each grant has specific requirements.  Students are automatically considered for these grants when they complete their financial aid application (either the FAFSA – for FAFSA-eligible students, or the California DREAM Act Application – for Dream Act-eligible students). All grants are awarded according to a student's eligibility and financial need, as determined by the information you submitted on your financial aid application.

Students who received a Social Security Number through the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrival (DACA), and who qualify for AB 540, should complete the CA Dream Act Application in order to be considered for state financial aid.

Grant Program Basic Eligibility Criteria
Cal Grant
Undergraduate students
  • Depends on family income and asset amounts
  • Minimum GPA requirements
  • Assists with payment of State Tuition Fee
  • Need based, does not require repayment
  • New applicants must apply by March 2
  • CSAC notifies CSU Long Beach of eligible students
State University Grant (SUG) Undergraduate, Credential, Master's and PhD students
  • Depends on Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • Assists with payment of State Tuition Fee
  • Funds are very limited
  • Need based, does not require repayment
  • Apply by March 2
  • Effective Fall 2013 – MUST be enrolled at least half-time at census in order to maintain funding
  • Effective Fall 2013 – students enrolled in degree objective for which they already hold a degree/credential are not eligible to receive funds (students pursuing a 2nd BA, 2nd Credential, 2nd Master's)
  • Effective Fall 2013 – A SUG Unit Maximum, based upon the number of units a student has completed, will be implemented.
  • Effective Fall 2013 –students enrolled in stand-alone Certificate programs are not eligible to receive funds
Graduate Business Grant (MBA Fees Grant)
Graduate Business students
  • Must be admitted and enrolled in the MBA Program
  • Must be enrolled in courses assessed the additional MBA per unit fee
  • Depends on Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • Must be enrolled in at least 6 units of MBA Units
  • Need-based, does not require repayment
Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP Grant)
Undergraduate students admitted through EOP
  • Must be admitted through EOP Admission process
  • Depends on Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • Apply by March 2
Chafee Grant (EOP Grant)
Undergraduates
  • Specifically for current and former foster youth
  • Not have reached age 22 as of July 1 of the award year
  • Need-based, does not require repayment
  • Supplemental Chafee application required

Cal Grant

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants to qualified California residents who meet minimum GPA requirements and demonstrate financial eligibility as determined by the appropriate financial aid application (FAFSA for Federal Aid eligible students; California Dream Act Application for those students who qualify for the AB 540 Non-Resident Tuition Waiver AND are not eligible for federal student aid). Authorization to disburse Cal Grants is dependent on the governor signing the state budget and payment being sent by CSAC to CSU Long Beach.

There are two types of Cal Grants awarded at CSU Long Beach – Cal Grant A (Entitlement Awards) and Cal Grant B (Competitive Awards). The eligibility criteria for the Cal Grants are established by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Both grants provide assistance with the State Tuition Fee and are available for up to eight semesters for students pursuing a bachelor's degree. The Cal Grant B also provides a living allowance of up to $1,473 for books and living expenses.

In the awarding process, Cal Grant fee paying awards supersede the State University Grant (SUG), therefore recipients of the Cal Grant fee award cannot be awarded the SUG – as both grants assist with the State Tuition Fee.

To be considered for a Cal Grant award, students must complete the appropriate financial aid application (FAFSA or California Dream Act Application) and a Cal Grant GPA Verification by March 2. Current recipients of a Cal Grant who are applying for a renewal of the grant do not need to complete the GPA verification.

Additional information on the Cal Grant is available on the California Student Aid Commission's website.

State University Grant (SUG)

The State University Grant (SUG) is a state grant awarded by CSU Long Beach to California Residents who have an eligible EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Undergraduate, Credential, and Graduate students may be eligible for SUG.  Since funds are limited, it is important to apply by the March 2 priority deadline. 
SUG awards are offered based on full-time enrollment.  Please note that If you are enrolled half-time (6 units for Undergraduate & Credential Students; 5 units for Graduate Students), your SUG award will be adjusted to reflect your actual State Tuition Fee charge. 

In the awarding process, Cal Grant fee paying awards supersede the State University Grant (SUG), therefore recipients of the Cal Grant fee award cannot be awarded the SUG – as both grants assist with the State Tuition Fee.

SUG awards are not available to students who are not charged the State Tuition Fee (most CCPE programs and Open University) or to students whose State Tuition Fee is paid by a fee waivers, or other programs that pay the State Tuition Fee.

EFFECTIVE FALL 2013 – THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA WILL BE ADDED TO SUG ELIGIBILITY:

  1. 1. Students must be enrolled at least half-time at census in order to maintain SUG funding eligibility(6 units for Undergraduates & Credential Students; 5 units for Master's & PhD students).
  2. Students enrolled in a degree objective for which they already possess a degree are not eligible to receive SUG funding (i.e., 2nd Bachelor’s, 2nd Master's, 2nd Credential).
  3. SUG Limits will be implemented based on the number of units a student has completed (this will vary based on the degree objective).

Be sure to review complete information regarding the State University Grant (SUG) Eligibility Limitations imposed by the California State University

Graduate Business Grant (MBA Fees Grant)

The MBA Fee Grant assists needy students to meet the cost of the Graduate Professional Fee assessed by California State University professional business graduate programs. The per-unit fee ($254/unit) is charged for required courses taken by graduate students enrolled in fee-authorized State-Supported Professional Business Graduate Programs (MBA – Master of Business Administration).

  • The actual MBA Fee Grant award is determined by the total amount of state funding, expected family contribution (EFC), and the total number of CSU, Long Beach eligible students.
  • The maximum MBA Fee Grant award shall not exceed the amount of Graduate Business Professional Fees assessed for the term.

General Qualifications for the Graduate Business Grant

Eligibility for the Graduate Business Grant will be determined by CSU, Long Beach, using guidelines established by the CSU Board of Trustees. In general, students must meet the following conditions in order to qualify:

  • Have filed a financial aid application (FAFSA for FAFSA-eligible students; California Dream Act Application for Dream Act-eligible students) for the current academic year
  • Meet standard eligibility criteria for all Federal and/or California State financial aid, such as not being in default on a student loan, having financial need, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress
  • Be a California resident for fee payment purposes
  • Have been assessed a Graduate Business Professional Fee
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 MBA Units per semester
  • Students enrolled in the MBA program coordinated through CCPE are not eligible for the MBA Fee Grant.

Education Opportunity Grant (EOP)

The Educational Opportunity Program Grant is funded by the State of California to assist undergraduate students with financial need who have been admitted to CSU Long Beach through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).  Eligible students must be:

  • Disadvantaged according to EOP criteria established by state regulations
  • Enrolled at least half-time
  • A California Resident
Awards are based on available funds, and may provide up to a maximum of $600 annually to a limited number of eligible students.  Additional information on the EOP Program is available from the CSULB EOP website.

Chafee Grant

The California Chafee Grant Program is sponsored by the California Student Aid Commission and the state Department of Social Services for eligible foster youth and former foster youth.  Students who qualify may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 per year if enrolled in an eligible program.  In general, students must:

  • Be eligible, or have been eligible, for foster care between ages 16 and 18.
  • Not have reached age 22 as of July 1 of the award year.

Funding from the Chafee Grant is intended to supplement any grant funds that a student may otherwise be eligible to receive; however, the total grant funding may not exceed the student’s cost of attendance.  Chafee Grant benefits must be coordinated with a student’s other financial aid.  In some instances, remaining loan disbursements or work-study awards may need to be cancelled to allow maximum Chafee Grant awards to be received.

For more information on applying for the Chafee Grant, visit the California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth website.

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