Low Income Programs/Aid/Scholarships for UCs

[Gumbymom]

You would answer 1 family member in college (which is you).

If your EFC is $0, then in addition to Federal Pell Grant which is the maximum amount for the year, you would be eligible for a Cal grant that should cover UC tuition.

There is also the MIddle Class Scholarship:

Award amounts are determined after a student is awarded any federal Pell Grant, Cal Grant and UC need-based grants for which the student is eligible. A student will be awarded a scholarship only if these awards, taken together, do not already exceed the amount that the student is entitled to under the MCS program.
The final award amount will be based on the number of students eligible for the scholarship statewide and the funding allocated for the program by the State Budget.
Many students with financial need will qualify for UC grants or Cal Grants that are worth even more than the amount provided by the MCS program. Think of the MCS award as a minimum level of grant and scholarship assistance – you may qualify for more, depending on your circumstances.

Here is an example of a UC Financial package with an EFC of $0 but please run the Net Price Calculators for all the UC’s since the packages can vary.

Cost of Attendance: $35,178
Expected Family Contribution: $0
Need: $35,178
Financial Aid Package
Cal Grant A: $12,570
Federal Pell Grant: $6,200
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan$3,500
University Student Loan: $2,000
Student’s Self-Help $2,500 (Work Study)
University Grant: $6,122
Waived Health Insurance: $2,286
Total Financial Aid Package=$35,178

Realize that you will probably need to take out the Federal Student loans and contribute to your college expenses by doing work study.