Navigating the Middle Class Scholarship at CSUSB: Requirements and Opportunities

For many students, the cost of higher education can be a significant barrier. California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students achieve their academic goals. Among these, the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) is a key resource for eligible students. This article will provide a detailed overview of the MCS program at CSUSB, including eligibility requirements, award amounts, and other important information.

Understanding the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)

The Middle Class Scholarship is designed to make college more affordable for California's middle-class families. The state of California has modified the Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) effective for the 2022-2023 academic year. While the name stays the same, the program has changed. It provides a scholarship to undergraduates and students pursuing a teaching credential with family income and household asset ceiling. The California Student Aid Commission uses data from our 22 universities, the FAFSA or CADAA to make awards. The MCS can significantly reduce the cost of attendance for eligible students.

Eligibility Requirements for the Middle Class Scholarship at CSUSB

To be eligible for the Middle Class Scholarship at CSUSB, students must meet several requirements:

Residency: To be validated for a Cal Grant, you must be a California resident and be enrolled in and/or paying California college fees.
Income and Assets: For the 2023-2024 academic year, the family income and household asset ceiling is $217,000.
Application: Students must file either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the May 2 deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year. File your FAFSA before March 2 to secure financial aid and make your CSUSB dreams come true.
Enrollment: To be eligible for a Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0 award, students must be enrolled in at-least 6-units of coursework required for your degree.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): To be validated for a Cal Grant, you must meet federal regulation standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), you must meet federal regulation standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Students must also meet their CSU campus' Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.

Award Amounts and Disbursement

Scholarship award amounts will vary by student and by school. Award amounts are determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). MCS amounts may be reduced at any time during the academic year if CSAC determines that the funds appropriated by the state are insufficient to cover the cost of the projected MCS awards across all CSU and UC campuses. Award amounts are based on the cost of attendance for the school of the student's choice and the following program requirements: federal, state, institutional and private 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. Any federal, state, institutional, or private grants and scholarships received will affect the value of your Middle-Class Scholarship. If a student is awarded any other aid after MCS has been awarded, this may affect the MCS eligibility and the award may be adjusted accordingly. The final award amount will also be based on your unit enrollment and students must carry at least half time (6 units) enrollment to be eligible. MCS disbursements are released after final enrollment confirmation at census date of each term. If you remain eligible you will receive your MCS refund 7-10 business days after census date.

Newly admitted students deciding between campuses may be offered Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0 awards that are different values at each campus because each campus has their own unique cost of attendance. Campuses will include estimated awards in your financial aid package until final eligibility determinations are made by the California Student Aid Commission. Students who are eligible will see Middle Class Scholarship included in their awards.

Read also: Your Guide to CSUSB Financial Aid

Impact of Other Financial Aid

Any federal, state, institutional, or private grants and scholarships received will affect the value of your Middle-Class Scholarship. The MCS considers all other sources of financial aid a student receives. This includes:

Federal Pell Grant: If you are an undergraduate student working towards your first Bachelor's degree you may be eligible for a Pell Grant. Pell Grant is a federal grant that does not need to be repaid unless a student withdraws from school. To be considered for Federal Pell Grant, students must complete the FAFSA and the amount offered is based on financial need. Students must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The annual amounts vary based on financial need with a maximum award. The award amount is determined based on a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the Cost of Attendance (COA) and your enrollment status each term. Pell Grant eligibility has a lifetime eligibility meaning a student may only receive the funds for 6 years at full-time enrollment, as long as they meet eligibility requirements for the funds. Students may verify their Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility via the NSLDS For Students site.
State University Grant (SUG): To be considered for SUG, you must meet California state residency requirements and you must be enrolled at least half-time (6 undergraduate units each term). You must meet federal regulation standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). You must be pursuing an undergraduate degree and have not exceeded 225 combined transfer and CSUSB earned units to be considered for a SUG award. The maximum award is up to the tuition fee cost and the award amount is determined based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from your FAFSA. Campus-based fees are not covered by SUG. You may not receive SUG if you are receiving another type of aid that pays your tuition fee costs. If you are enrolled through the CSUSB College of Extended Learning you are not eligible to receive a SUG award.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is designed to assist undergraduate students. You will be considered for an SEOG award if you are a student with exceptional financial need who applies for financial aid through the FAFSA. You must meet federal regulation standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The CSUSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is responsible for selecting the recipients of this award and for determining the amount of the award based on computed need. The estimated average annual award is $750.
Educational Opportunity Program Grant (EOPG): This grant provides assistance to economically and educationally disadvantaged undergraduates. To be considered for this award, you must be a California resident who is admitted to CSUSB through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Eligibility is determined by the criteria of the federal financial aid programs. You must meet federal regulation standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). You must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units to receive the award. If you have EOP admission questions, you may contact their office at 909-537-5042.
Chafee Grant: To apply, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), students must also complete and submit the California Chafee Grant Application, which is available online at California Chafee Grant or by calling toll free (888) 224-7268, press 3.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Athletic Grants-In-Aid: These grants are administered through the athletic department. A student with exceptional athletic talent may be eligible for a grant to cover a portion or all the cost of education.

Additional Financial Aid Resources at CSUSB

Besides the Middle Class Scholarship, CSUSB offers a range of other financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. Exploring multiple options is often the best way to reduce costs-and almost every student can qualify for some form of support.

Scholarships

CSUSB offers numerous scholarships based on various criteria such as academic achievement, major, and community involvement. Here are some examples of scholarships available at CSUSB:

Associated Students, Incorporated Scholarship: For an undergraduate student: a 2.0 GPA cumulative and a 2.0 GPA for the previous CSUSB quarter attended.
California State University Future Scholars Program: Awards Twenty-Eight (8) $1,000 scholarships to California students with disadvantaged backgrounds.
CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement: Scholarship recipients must demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for and commitment to their undergraduate degree at CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. Each campus can nominate 2 students but 1 must be a STEM student.
The Glenn and Dorothy Dumke Fellowship: Preference will be given to projects that involve research about the State of California. Use the award to pursue research projects within the Dumke Collection or other collections housed within the CSU archives at CSU Dominguez Hills, the Center for California Studies at CSU Sacramento, or other special collections within the CSU system. The CSU Chancellor's Office makes the selection of the finalist.
Jack H. Brown College (JHBC) Scholarships: Two (2) first-time freshman/transfer students joining the College may be recognized every year with an award of up to $4,000 per year of grants for two or four years (whichever is relevant). One freshman/transfer student who is a veteran of the US Armed Forces may be recognized with an award of up to $4,000 per year of grants for two or four years (whichever is relevant).
James H. and Helen H. Rainwater Scholarship: Priority is given to students who graduated from San Bernardino High School; secondary priority is given to students who graduate from a high school in San Bernardino.
Sheila and Jack Clarke Jr. Scholarship Endowment: Preference for student(s) that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and community.
Ernie Ball Scholarship: The Ernie Ball scholarship funds will cover any educational costs exclusive of basic tuition fees with a minimal award of $500.00 per student. will award scholarships for up to five (5) years per student.
Food Industry Sales Association (FISA) Scholarship Endowment Honoring Jack H. Brown: Student must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration.
Drs. Eri Fujimoto and Suzanne E. Whitehead Scholarship Fund: Scholarship Fund provides support for an employee and/or family member for The California State University, Palm Desert or San Bernardino campuses.

Grants

Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant: Bureau of Indian Affairs Grants provide money to help defray the costs of education for students of Native American heritage. A student may apply who: is certified by a tribal agency to be at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut; has unmet financial aid eligibility; is working toward a graduate or undergraduate degree; completes all of the application requirements.
Child Development Grant Program: The Child Development Grant Program is need-based and designed to encourage students to enter the field of child care and development in a licensed children's center.
California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP): If you are active member in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia, you may be eligible for a state-funded program designed to provide an educational incentive to improve your skills, competencies, and abilities. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year.

Other Programs

Educational Assistance Program for Employees: The Educational Assistance Program for Employees in San Bernardino provides a structured way for eligible employees to enhance their skills through educational programs. This program is designed for full-time regular employees who have completed at least one year of service. Eligible courses must be related to the employee's current job or a degree program that aligns with their career growth. Reimbursement is limited to tuition and registration fees, with a tiered reimbursement structure based on the grade received, rewarding higher grades with a higher percentage of reimbursement. Employees must submit a tuition reimbursement form prior to course commencement and obtain approval from their supervisor and the human resources department. They must also provide proof of payment and an official transcript upon course completion. Ultimately, if the employee leaves the company within two years after receiving reimbursement, they are required to repay the amount received.
Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program: The Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program is the largest program in the nation which is designed to increase the diversity of the pool of qualified faculty candidates. The CDIP will lend participants who are full-time doctoral students up to $10,000 annually to a limit of $30,000 over a five-year period. The recipients may enroll in any approved doctoral program at an accredited university in the United States or abroad. After completion of the doctoral degree, a CDIP participant is extended a 12-month grace period before loan repayments begin. If the participant obtains a full-time instructional faculty position in the CSU, the loan principal and interest are "forgiven" at the rate of 20% for each year of service. After five years of full-time faculty service, the entire loan amount can be forgiven.

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid at CSUSB

The first step in securing funding for your student’s education is completing the right application. Most families will use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. Some students, depending on their situation, will instead complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Every student must submit one of these applications to be considered for aid.

Step 1: Apply for Admission. Create an OpenCCC account.
Step 2: Dual Enrollment Concurrent Enrollment Packet. Fill out the Dual Enrollment Concurrent Enrollment Packet Questionnaire for the semester you would like to take classes. Students must list SBVC on the FAFSA using federal school code # 001272.
Complete the FAFSA or CADAA: The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid, including the Pell Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship. The CADAA is for students who are AB540 eligible.
Submit a GPA Verification form: In order to apply for the Cal Grant, both a FAFSA or California Dream Act application and a GPA Verification form are required.
Explore Scholarship Opportunities: Research and apply for scholarships through CSUSB and external organizations.

Maintaining Eligibility

Students who withdraw from coursework may be subject to return all or part of their Middle-Class Scholarship 2.0 award in addition to any other federal, state, or institutional aid received.

Read also: Explore CSUSB Alumni Perks

Resources and Support

The CSUSB Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is here to support both you and your student. Our team can answer questions, guide you through applications, explain what aid your family qualifies for, and walk you through the disbursement process-so you’ll know how and when funds are received.

CSUSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships: This office provides comprehensive support to students and families navigating the financial aid process.
FAFSA and CADAA Workshops: CSUSB offers workshops to help students and families complete the FAFSA and CADAA applications.

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