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State Aid Programs

Fee Waiver

California College Promise Grant (CCPG)

The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is a state-sponsored program that waives enrollment fees for qualifying students who are California residents. The CCPG is only available at California Community Colleges. CCPG applicants do not have to be enrolled in a minimum number of units – whether you take 0.5 units or 21 units, your enrollment fees will be waived. CCPG applicants only need to apply once per year for the fees to be waived for the academic year (fall, spring, and summer).

The CCPG pays for enrollment fees only. Students are responsible for all other fees that apply (health fee, course material fees, parking permit, student ID, etc.). Assistance for the purchase of books and supplies must be applied for separately by submitting a FAFSA or Dream Act application.

How to Apply

To apply for the CCPG, students must complete the application, which can be accessed through myGateway and clicking on the financial aid tab on Webstar. Students may qualify under different methods. Students only need to qualify for one method to have their fees waived. Students who submit a CCPG application may also need to submit proof of prior year income, such as 1040 Federal tax return and W2s. Electronic signatures for the CCPG application are available for dependent student’s parents.

  • Method A – designed for students on public assistance programs: TANF/CalWORKs, SSI/SSP (Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Program), SSAI, SSAS, or General Assistance. Certification must be obtained from the appropriate agency and documentation will be required to verify your eligibility. Most documentation must be dated within the last 60 days. Students apply for this method through myGateway.
  • Method B – designed for low-income students whose PPY (prior prior year) income was within qualifying income guidelines. Students apply for this method through myGateway. Federal tax returns may be required.
  • Method C – awarded to students who applied through the FAFSA or Dream Act application and demonstrate a financial need of $1,104 or more. Students who qualify under Method C do not need to complete a separate CCPG application via myGateway.
  • Method D – designed for students under the age of 25 who can verify that they have been without residence (homeless) in the last 24 months. They will select “yes” on the application in myGateway and provide proof to the Financial Aid Office for verification.
  • Method F – designed for Dependents of Disabled or Deceased California Veterans or National Guard, recipients and children of recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, or dependents of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Certification must be obtained from the appropriate agency and documentation will be required to verify your eligibility. Most documentation must be dated within the last 60 days.

Additional Information

  • The Financial Aid office reviews your application.
  • You must be a California resident.
  • The CCPG will cover fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters.
  • The CCPG only covers enrollment fees, it is not a book award or book grant, and it is not a loan.
  • If you apply for the CCPG after you pay your fees, you may be reimbursed, as long as you complete and submit your application prior to the end of the semester. Reimbursement comes in the form of a check in the mail from the Bursars office.
  • If a student is determined later to have been ineligible for a CCPG who was already awarded, the CCPG will be automatically cancelled and the fees reassessed to the student’s account.

Requirements for the CCPG Fee Waiver

The CCPG requires students to meet Academic and Progress Standards:

  • Academic Standard: a CCPG recipient must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
  • Progress Standard: a student must complete more than 50% of cumulative courses attempted.

All students must maintain both standards to continue to receive the CCPG. If these standards are not met for two consecutive semesters, then the students will lose their CCPG eligibility. Current and former foster youth 24 years old or younger are exempt from the Academic and Progress standards.

Grants

Cal Grant

Cal Grants are offered by the State of California and administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Like Pell Grants, Cal Grants do not have to be repaid. Cal Grants are available for undergraduate students who are enrolled in at least six units per semester and who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree – unless pursuing the Bachelor’s Degree in Funeral Service at Cypress College. You may not receive Cal Grant funds from more than one college at a time. To apply for a Cal Grant, you will need to complete the FAFSA or the CA Dream Act Application.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply.

To apply for a Cal Grant, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Dream Act application by March 2 each year. (There is a second deadline of September 2 for community colleges only, but we recommend submitting my March 2 to qualify for maximum possible aid).

Step 2: Verify your GPA.

Students must also verify their GPA with the state each year. March 2 is the priority deadline, and Community Colleges have a second chance deadline to submit a GPA verification on September 2 each year. This will allow students who complete 16 units after summer session to apply for a Cal Grant.

To verify your GPA:

  • If you are a current student at Cypress College or registered in courses within the last 5 years and have completed at least 16 units at Cypress College*: we will automatically submit your GPA verification electronically.

    *    Please note that we are only able to verify units completed at Cypress College – even though Fullerton College is our sister school we are unable to include their units for Cal Grant GPA Verification.
  • If you completed at least 16 units at Cypress College but have not attended Cypress College within the last 5 years: please submit a GPA Verification Form to the Financial Aid Office.
  • If you have not completed at least 16 units at Cypress College: you will need to contact your previous school to have your GPA certified.

If you are not sure if your GPA was submitted, please check your Cal Grant tab in your WebGrants account or contact our office for assistance.

What types of Cal Grant are available at Cypress College?

There are four types of Cal Grants that a student might receive at Cypress College:

  1. Cal Grant A — designed for students transferring to a four-year college/university in California. If you receive a Cal Grant A, you will not receive funds while at Cypress College, unless you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Funeral Service. Your Cal Grant A will be placed on reserve by the state for up to two years until you transfer to a four-year college. You can confirm this information by logging into your WebGrants account.
  2. Cal Grant B Entitlement — designed for financially needy students who graduated from high school and who meet the grade point average and family income asset requirements as determined by the CSAC. Cal Grant B pays up to $1,648 per year while you are attending Cypress College.
  3. Cal Grant B Competitive — designed for students who meet the academic, family, income, and disadvantaged background requirements as determined by the CSAC. Cal Grant B pays up to $1,648 per year while you are attending Cypress College.
  4. Cal Grant C — designed for two-year vocational students. This grant is available for up to two years. If you qualify for this grant, please log into your WebGrants account and submit the online Cal Grant C Supplemental Form by the specified deadline.

How will I know if I’m awarded a Cal Grant?

If you file a FAFSA or Dream Act application and the GPA verification was submitted to the CSAC, you will receive a Cal Grant notification letter directly from the CSAC.

Once Cypress College receives the Cal Grant roster from the CSAC, we will confirm your eligibility prior to awarding and disbursing your Cal Grant.

Can I switch and receive different types of Cal Grant?

No. Once you have received your Cal Grant (A, B, or C), you cannot change your type of Cal Grant in the following years.

If you don’t want to receive your Cal Grant and save it – you can request a “Leave of Absence” for up to 2 years. This can be done through WebGrants 4 Students.

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

The Full Time Student Success Grant (FTSSG) and the Community College Completion Grant (CCCG) has combined into one award named the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG).

The amount of SSCG has increased for the 2022-23 aid year!

Cal Grant recipients may be eligible to receive up to $8,000 per year. Each semester’s disbursement will be based on the student’s enrollment, which must be at least full-time in order to receive a disbursement. Students enrolled in 12 units or more (but less than 15 units) will be eligible to receive $1,298 for the semester. Students enrolled in 15 or more units will be eligible to receive $4,000 for the semester.

Eligible students for this grant must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Must be receiving a Cal Grant Award
  2. Must enroll in 12 or more units per semester by the “Freeze Date”
  3. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. View the CC SAP Policy.

Students who qualified for the SSCG are encouraged to meet with their academic counselor to ensure that they have a comprehensive Student Education Plan and are on track to complete their program within the timeframe outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Click this link for more information: Student Success Completion Grant.

Chafee Grant

The Chafee Grant is available for former foster youth students who were in foster care between the ages of 16-18 years old. Eligible students must submit a one-time Chafee Grant application at chafee.csac.ca.gov and submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act application. Students must claim this award before you reach your 26th birthday as of July 1 of the award year. Please check your eligibility on your WebGrants account.

Support Services for our Students

WebGrants 4 Students (WGS)

WebGrants 4 Students (WGS) is your portal for Cal Grant, Chafee and Middle Class Scholarship awards. The California Student Aid Commission contacts students via email so it is critical that you keep this information current on your WGS account.