Federal and State Financial Aid Grants

• Cal Grant A: Pays for tuition and fees at a four-year institution and up to $5,742 annually for upper division course fees and basic student fees for students in Foothill's Dental Hygiene bachelor in science (B.S.) degree program. Students with dependent children will also receive the cost of living allowance of up to $6,000. Students not in Foothill's Dental Hygiene B.S. program may place the award on reserve for up to two years while attending community college.
• Cal Grant B: A student awarded Cal Grant B may receive the cost of living allowance at community college (up to $1,648 per year; or, for students with dependent children, $6,000 per year); upon transfer to a four-year institution, they continue to receive the cost of living allowance plus the tuition award in the same amount as the Cal Grant A.
• Cal Grant C: Recipients enrolled in approved vocational or technical programs may receive up to $1,094 per year or, for students with dependent children, up to $4,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

If you are awarded a Cal Grant A or B, entitlement award or a competitive award.

• Entitlement Awards - These awards are guaranteed for students who meet the program requirements and deadlines. There are three Entitlement Cal Grant Programs:
  1. Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award.
  2. Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award.
  3. Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award.
• Competitive Awards: These awards are not guaranteed and are limited to 13,000 awards statewide each academic year. Students not eligible for entitlement awards will be considered if they meet the program requirements and March 2 priority deadline. Competitive Cal Grants may only be awarded at California State Universities, Universities of California or eligible Private Colleges. Students attending a California Community College will not be considered.

You can find detailed information about each of the Cal Grant Entitlement and Competitive Programs on the California Student Aid Commission's (CSAC's) Cal Grant Programs webpage.

On July 1, 2018 California adopted new, expanded eligibility requirements for the State’s largest financial aid program, the Cal Grant, to make the program more accessible to foster youth.

• Application Window Extension: Foster Youth now have extended time to apply for an entitlement Cal Grant. Instead of having to apply within a year after high school graduation, foster youth are able to apply for an entitlement Cal Grant if they meet other eligibility Criteria and have not reached their 26th birthday as of July 1 of the award year.
• Time Limit Extension: The maximum length of time a foster youth is eligible for a Cal Grant has been extended from the equivalent of 4 years to 8 years of full-time status enrollment in an undergraduate program, provided that minimum financial need continues to exist. 
  • Please note: You do not need to be enrolled full time to receive Cal Grant funds. If you are enrolled half-time or 3/4-time status, your award will be prorated.
• Application Deadline Extension: The deadline for the Cal Grant entitlement application has been extended from March 2nd to September 2nd for foster youth attending community college.

Who is eligible to apply?

• California Dream Act Application students who have an active Cal Grant B award. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award 2,500 eligible students each academic year. The grant will be available to students for up to 12 quarters or 8 semesters. *Note: Foothill is on the quarter system.

What are the benefits?

• Earn up to an extra $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,000 per quarter or $1,500 per semester) by completing community or volunteer service hours (minimum 100 hours per quarter or 150 hours per semester) at an eligible organization. View a list of eligible organizations.

How do I apply?

• Complete a California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program application. Students will be notified by email if and when they are registered into the program.

If registered into the program, how do I get paid?

• After completing service hours for the term, request payment from the California Dream Act Service Incentive Program. Access the payment request and instructions.

For more detailed information about the program, visit CSAC’s California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program webpage.

View the DSIG Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet.

Who is eligible to apply?

• California Dream Act Application students who have an active Cal Grant B award. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award 2,500 eligible students each academic year. The grant is available for up to 12 quarters or 8 semesters. Note: Foothill is on the quarter system.

What are the benefits?

• Earn up to an additional $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,000 per quarter or $1,500 per semester) by completing community or volunteer service hours (minimum 100 hours per quarter or 150 hours per semester) at an eligible organization. View the list of eligible organizations on the CSAC website – Eligible Service Organizations.

How do I apply?

• Complete the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program application. Access the application and instructions on the CSAC website – DSIG Application. Students will be notified by email if and when they are registered into the program.

If registered into the program, how do I get paid?

• After completing service hours for the term, submit a payment request through the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program. Access the payment request form and instructions on the CSAC website – DSIG Payment Request.

For more detailed information, visit the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program webpage.

Review the DSIG Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for additional guidance.