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Types of Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid Programs 

Federal Aid Programs are financial aid programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education. These programs are available to students who submit a FAFSA.

The Pell Grant is a federal need-based grant funded by the Department of Education that does not need to be repaid. The FAFSA determines a student’s financial need, and therefore, what amount, if any, of the Pell Grant a student is eligible for.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federal need-based grant funded by the Department of Education that does not need to be repaid. It is available to students who are Pell Grant recipients and have exceptional financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federal need-based student employment program funded by the Department of Education in which students earn funds. The FAFSA determines a student’s financial need, and therefore, a student's eligibility.

Federal Direct Loans (FDL) are federal funds that a student borrows from the Department of Education and must be repaid. The FAFSA determines a student’s financial need, and therefore, what type of loan(s) a student is eligible for.

 

State Financial Aid Programs

State Aid Programs are financial aid programs funded by the State of California. These programs are only available to California Residents and AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 Eligible Students who submit either a FAFSA or a California Dream Act.

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG, formerly know as BOGW) is a state fee waiver program designed to provide education assistance to eligible California residents and AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 eligible students attending a California Community College. 

The Cal Grant is a state need-based grant funded through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that does not need to be repaid. It is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational/career training. The FAFSA or CA Dream Act and a GPA Verification determine a student’s eligibility.

The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a state need-based grant funded through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that does not need to be repaid. It is available to community college Cal Grant B or C recipients who are enrolled full-time in 12 or more units per semester. 

The Chafee Grant is a state program funded through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that does not need to be repaid. It is for current or former California Foster Youth pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational/career training.

AB19/California College Promise is applied as a waiver of enrollment fees to first-time college students who enroll full-time.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled for a semester during your first or second financial aid award year at Cuesta College, while not receiving aid through the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) fee waiver. You must be enrolled full-time (12 or more units) at the freeze date for the semester. AB19 will then show as applied approximately 10 days following the freeze date. Funding is limited, and we may not be able to apply the fee waiver after the freeze date.

 

Institutional Programs

Institutional Aid Programs are financial aid programs funded by Cuesta College or outside entities/donors.

Cuesta College Promise program is a scholarship program available to all San Luis Obispo County high school graduates. The Cuesta Promise covers tuition for all local graduates, including California residents or AB540 students, who come straight to Cuesta following their graduation two years of fee-free (two consecutive fall and spring semesters).

Like grants, scholarships don't have to be repaid and you don't need to work to earn them. However, scholarships are often competitive and are awarded on the basis of academic merit. 

Scholarships come in two basic types: inside and outside. Inside scholarships are those that are managed and awarded within the college itself (like the Cuesta College Scholarship program), while outside scholarships are awarded by entities other than the college. 

The Cuesta Assistance for Student Emergencies (CASE) Fund offers crucial financial assistance to students dealing with emergency situations.

Fee waivers remove the necessity to pay registration or other fees, but do not provide any extra money that can be used for other items.