California Financial Aid

California financial aid can be obtained in various ways. Financial aid is provided to students in California who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Various universities and colleges provide financial aid to interested students. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships offered by the various colleges and universities.

California Student Aid Commission

California Student Aid Commission or CSAC is the primary organization in charge of funding for students. The Commission was set up in 1955, and since then it has evolved along with the requirements of students and the changing times. It takes care of the post-secondary education pursued by many students. It is the principal state agency watching over the various student aid programs, which are formulated to help students pursue their career. This commission has made education after secondary level easier for students.

The Commission runs a non-profit loan organization, which has provided over $2.4 million in loans and grants under various grant programs. EDFUND not only provides aid, but also offers other facilities like financial aid policy and consultancy for the students. EDFUND, in association with the colleges, universities and financial aid organizations, carries on it's operations.

There are fifteen members on the Commission. Among these fifteen members, the Governor appoints eleven of them, and they represent the various sections of the State's higher secondary education community, public and students. The Speaker of the Assembly and the Chair of the Senate Rules Committee appoint two members who act as the representatives of the people.

The Mission of the CSAC

The mission of the CSAC is to take education beyond high school level. They aspire to make education accessible to each and every Californian.

Certain amendments have been made to the laws and regulations pertaining to the Commission. A new rule has been implemented according to which funds would be provided for the students interested in pursuing nursing.

Programs Run by the Commission

The Commission runs various aid programs. Some of them are only for the residents of California and others are applicable internationally. The programs for the Californians are:

Cal Grant A- applicable for undergraduate students only.
Cal Grant B- applicable for undergraduate students only.
Cal Grant C- applicable for students pursuing vocational courses.
Cal Grant T- applicable for students who have taken up the teaching profession.
Robert C. Byrd-Honors Scholarship Program- applicable only for high school seniors.

The names of the programs applicable for national and international students are:

California Chaffee Grant Program- applicable for foster youth and former foster youth.
Child Development Grant Program- a program for the child's career.
Assumption Program of Loans for Education APLE-applicable for future teachers.
Federal Family Education Loan Program
Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program- applicable only for undergraduate students.
State Nursing Assumption Program of Loans for Education (SNAPLE).
National Guard Assumption Program of Loans for Education (NGAPLE).

Apart from these programs there is the Cal Grants program. This is a state funded grant program under which students are aided to pay their college expenses.

Other College Programs

The University of California has established various centers of financial aids for the students. The names of some of them are:

Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships
Riverside Financial Assistance
Santa Cruz Financial Aid Office
San Diego UCSD Financial Aid
Irvine Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Los Angeles Financial Aid Office
Merced Money Matters