Types of Financial Aid Programs

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG, formerly know as BOGW) is a state fee waiver program designed to provide education assistance to eligible California residents and AB 540/AB 2000/SB 68 eligible students attending a California Community College. 

The Cal Grant is a state need-based grant funded through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that does not need to be repaid. It is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational/career training. The FAFSA or CA Dream Act and a GPA Verification determine a student’s eligibility.

The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a state need-based grant funded through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that does not need to be repaid. It is available to community college Cal Grant B or C recipients who are enrolled full-time in 12 or more units per semester. 

The Chafee Grant is a state program funded through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that does not need to be repaid. It is for current or former California Foster Youth pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational/career training.

AB19/California College Promise is applied as a waiver of enrollment fees to first-time college students who enroll full-time.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled for a semester during your first or second financial aid award year at Cuesta College, while not receiving aid through the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) fee waiver. You must be enrolled full-time (12 or more units) at the freeze date for the semester.  Funding is limited, and we may not be able to apply the fee waiver after the freeze date.

Cuesta College Promise program is a scholarship program available to all San Luis Obispo County high school graduates. The Cuesta Promise covers tuition for all local graduates, including California residents or AB540 students, who come straight to Cuesta following their graduation two years of fee-free (two consecutive fall and spring semesters).

Like grants, scholarships don't have to be repaid and you don't need to work to earn them. However, scholarships are often competitive and are awarded on the basis of academic merit. 

Scholarships come in two basic types: inside and outside. Inside scholarships are those that are managed and awarded within the college itself (like the Cuesta College Scholarship program), while outside scholarships are awarded by entities other than the college. 

The Cuesta Assistance for Student Emergencies (CASE) Fund offers crucial financial assistance to students dealing with emergency situations.