Understanding SFSU's Middle Class Scholarship Eligibility

An improved Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) is now available, stemming from a year-old budget agreement. This scholarship aims to support students from middle-income families in affording the cost of higher education at San Francisco State University (SFSU).

Expansion of Eligibility

The initial Middle Class Scholarship was available to students with a family income of up to $150,000. The new implementation broadened eligibility to include students with a family income of up to $201,000. This expansion helps more people get into college.

How the Middle Class Scholarship Works

The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) 2.0 considers three components when determining award amounts. It's important to note that MCS 2.0 is subject to adjustments during the award year, and any changes to the MCS formula may result in an award amount adjustment.

Other Available Gift Aid

Students should be aware of other gift aid they may be eligible for. Gift aid includes grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid, as long as the requirements to keep them are maintained.

One student, Garcia, stated, "At first, I thought it was a scam, but after I looked into more, I was like, ‘this is an actual thing.'" Garcia will be awarded $3,318, which is an increase in the aid he received last year.

State Grants

State Grants are funded by the State of California to support California residents and AB 540/SB 68 eligible students. The State priority deadline is usually on March 2nd of every year but can be subject to change by California legislature. Financial aid applications (FAFSA or CADAA) submitted after the State priority priority deadline are not guaranteed any State-based aid.

State University Grant (SUG)

SUG funding is limited to the University's allowed budget. It is a gift aid for Undergraduate, Credential, and classified Graduate California residents or AB 540/SB 68 eligible students. This Grant pays for tuition and registration fee costs (Local fees not included). Amounts are prorated (Adjusted) based on a student's enrollment. An EOP Grant renewal for the sixth year of study must be based on special circumstances (Ex. Illness, military service, family hardship, or where additional units are required for the major).

Summer Session Grant (SEG)

SEG is gift aid for Undergraduate California residents or AB 540/SB 68 eligible students who are attending the Summer session. In order to be considered, students must have been awarded either the Cal Grant A or the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) during the Fall/Spring semesters. In order for the SEG to disburse, half-time enrollment is required (6 units or more). NOTE: SEG funding is limited to the University's allowed budget.

Cal Grant A

Cal Grant A is gift aid for Undergraduate California residents or AB 540/SB 68 eligible students. This award assists low and middle income students with tuition and registration fee costs. Amounts offered on students' financial aid awards are assumed to be enrolled full-time. Students who are enrolled in less than 12 units will receive a prorated (Adjusted) amount. Students who are already receiving either a third party waiver or SUG are ineligible to receive the Cal Grant B Fee at the same time.

Cal Grant B

Cal Grant B is gift aid for Undergraduate California residents or AB 540/SB 68 eligible students. This award assists disadvantaged and low-income families with tuition and registration fee costs. Amounts offered on students' financial aid awards are assumed to be enrolled full-time. Students who are enrolled in less than 12 units will receive a prorated (Adjusted) amount. Here at SF State, we automatically disburse a student's Cal Grant B Access award to their local fees at the start of each semester. However, students have the right to request that their Cal Grant B Access award be refunded to them instead of being applied to their current balance. NOTE: Students will still be responsible for any unpaid bills in their account that the Cal Grant B Access would otherwise have reduced or cleared.

California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth

The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth (Chafee Grant) is free funding for current or former California foster youth. Awards can be up to $5,000 per academic year. To qualify, foster youth dependency of the court must have been established between the ages of 16 and 18. Students of all ages with experience in foster care are eligible for support through the Guardian Scholars Program.

SFSU Scholarships

The scholarships listed below are San Francisco State University scholarships offered by various colleges, departments, and offices.

To apply for, or be considered for nomination/recruitment based campus scholarships, click the “Sign In” button to begin. You must have a SF State ID number to be able to sign in and begin your scholarship application. Once you complete the General Application, scholarships that are currently “open” will be recommended to you if you meet the basic criteria (e.g., gpa OR class level OR major). Read the scholarship eligibility requirements and questions carefully to determine if you are qualified BEFORE applying. The General Application you completed will be kept until July of each year. You must complete and sign a new General Application at the beginning of the Fall semester. OR click the “Show Filters” button to search by: “Scopes” (scholarships grouped by department or office; for example, English, College of Business, Office of Student Financial Aid, Alumni Association, etc.). This is a good search to find scholarships offered to all majors or all majors within a College.

Enrollment requirement: “Full-Time” means 12 units for undergraduate students and 8 units for graduate students.
"Yes” means applicant must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream App and have financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
“Not a Requirement” means you do not have to file a FAFSA or CA Dream App to determine financial need.

To view a list of external scholarships offered by outside organizations and foundations, click External under Opportunities. Click the “Visit” link for more information. Kathryn A. Willie L. Brown Jr. Marjorie H. Ellanore and Maurice Bassan English Dept. Gail E. R. Jack R. and Marjorie J. Ernest C. Dillard Sr. This scholarship will be awarded Spring 2026.

The Role of the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA)

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) strives to support students throughout the financial aid process. OSFA has the overall responsibility of administering Federal or State financial aid and Scholarships awards at San Francisco State University. They determine the eligibility, awarding, and the conditions in which these awards may be disbursed. For any students who have received the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) award notification from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for the 2025-26 school year, they can expect to see their official MCS awards posted and disbursed during the month of November 2025. Fall class registrations have ended. For students who were awarded aid for the 2025-2026 school year (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026), the first disbursement date was on Wednesday - August 20.

Read also: Affording Chaminade Middle School

Grants: Need-Based Aid

Grants are "Need-based aid" that students do not have to repay as long as they maintain the requirements to keep them. Department of Education. To apply and be considered for these Grants, students must submit a Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) every year. As mentioned above, these Grants are need based. Meaning, not all students who file a FAFSA will be eligible for this type of aid. State Grants are funded by the State of California. Most funding for these awards are provided by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) or by the University itself at a limited budget.

Summer Financial Aid

Summer financial aid is based off the reported summer units amount but will be adjusted based on actual enrollment. Students enrolled in fewer units than originally reported will have their aid reduced. There will be no Summer disbursements from June 24 to July 8 due to the Fiscal year close out. Disbursements will resume the Wednesday after that. In order to be awarded financial aid for the Summer semester, students must report the total amount of units they will be enrolled for during the entire Summer session. NOTE: Summer 2025 financial aid awards will be posted on the 2024-2025 financial aid awards summary page once it is available in their Student Center. Year round Pell is available! Any Pell Grant disbursed during Summer will be included in their Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU). Requires a credit check approval for either the Parent or the student themself. There is a separate application for the Summer 2025 semester apart from the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 semesters. Requires a credit check approval from a lender outside of SF State. Students will be given a designated date on when they may register for their Summer classes as listed in their Student Center. Please visit the Registrar's Office to learn more about registration and important dates/deadlines for the Summer 2025 semester.

Contact Information

When it comes to any fees, payments, refunds, or direct deposit inquiries, please contact the Bursar's Office directly. They handle all the processing for those. The Office of Student Financial Aid is here to help you understand how the Summer financial aid process works here at SF State!

Additional Scholarship Information

This scholarship will be awarded for the upcoming academic year.

Be between the ages of 25-50.
Do you anticipate working a significant number of years after graduation?Please DESCRIBE your specific CAREER GOALS and CAREER PLANS in your PERSONAL STATEMENT BELOW.
Submit unofficial academic transcripts from ALL Community Colleges and other colleges attended.Please upload the academic transcript(s) as one file upload.
Provide a timeline that details your CUMULATIVE FIVE OR MORE years gap in your college education.The gap does not have to be consecutive years.PROVIDE A LIST OF THE SCHOOLS AND DATES ATTENDED.INCLUDE your high school, community colleges, 4 year colleges, and other colleges attended.SAMPLE timeline: Lincoln High School, August 1987- June 1991; City College of SF, Fall 1991 - Spring 1993; Laney College, Spring 1996; City College of SF, Fall 2011 - Spring 2013.

Personal Statement Questions

Describe the significant CHALLENGES, HARDSHIPS, AND/OR OBSTACLES in your life that have interrupted your education?
What has impacted your desire or ability to resume your education and your commitment to obtaining your degree?
Describe your academic achievements and educational goals?
Describe your "FINANCIAL NEED" and the difficulties you face in financing your education and explain how you are financing your education.

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