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The Middle Class Scholarship
The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) program is designed for undergraduate students with family incomes and assets (each) up to $226,000 (for the 2024-25 academic year). Scholarship amounts are based on a sliding scale according to your family’s income and the other kinds of support you receive. Learn more at csac.ca.gov. You must meet all eligibility requirements as well as the March 2 deadline.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
- Undergraduate students
- Students who are eligible to complete a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
- U.S. Citizens, eligible non-citizens
- California residents or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
- Meet the Income and Asset Ceilings.
Annual Amount
- 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:
- Other available gift aid that the student is eligible for (i.e. federal, state, institutional or 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.
- These three factors, collectively, are referred to as a students’ “available resources.” These amounts are deducted from the student’s total cost of attendance to determine the MCS award.
Enrollment Requirements and Census Date
A student’s enrollment status can determine your grant eligibility and census date plays a big part. We encourage you to review your enrollment requirements to plan appropriately.