Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)
General requirements include California residency, enrollment at a participating UC or CSU campus, a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, and annual income and asset limits. Eligibility and award amounts may vary with dependency status, family size, cost of attendance, other grants, and legislative updates; an old headline income figure is not enough to determine eligibility.
About Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)
The Middle Class Scholarship helps undergraduate students attending University of California or California State University campuses. Its name may sound like an automatic award for every middle-income family, but an offer depends on the current-year criteria and the campus’s need calculation.
General requirements include California residency, enrollment at a participating UC or CSU campus, a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, and annual income and asset limits. Eligibility and award amounts may vary with dependency status, family size, cost of attendance, other grants, and legislative updates; an old headline income figure is not enough to determine eligibility.
CSAC directs campuses to calculate 2026–27 awards using an updated methodology rather than a flat amount per student. The calculation considers the total cost of attendance, expected family contribution, and other scholarships or grants. The final result can differ for students in the same family or at different campuses. Submit the FAFSA or CADAA each year within CSAC’s calendar, list the UC or CSU campus you plan to attend, and respond promptly to verification requests. Check both WebGrants 4 Students and the campus financial-aid portal. The university communicates the final amount and may recalculate it if enrollment or financial information changes.
Who it serves and what it can cover: General requirements include California residency, enrollment at a participating UC or CSU campus, a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, and annual income and asset limits. Eligibility and award amounts may vary with dependency status, family size, cost of attendance, other grants, and legislative updates; an old headline income figure is not enough to determine eligibility.
How to apply or get help: Submit the FAFSA or CADAA each year within CSAC’s calendar, list the UC or CSU campus you plan to attend, and respond promptly to verification requests. Check both WebGrants 4 Students and the campus financial-aid portal. The university communicates the final amount and may recalculate it if enrollment or financial information changes. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Public student-aid program