Types of Aid Available

Federal Pell Grant Program

Pell Grants are federally funded, need-based aid available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Pell Grants are awarded assuming full-time enrollment. The Pell Grant is only available up to six years (or 600%) based on enrollment. The award may be adjusted according to actual enrollment.

2023–24 Award Year
The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023–24 award year

2024–25 Award Year
The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2024–25 award year

Beginning with 2024-2025, the Pell Grant disbursement amounts will now be calculated using Enrollment Intensity - which is a percentage value based on the number of credits a student is enrolled for during a term.

The amount you get, though, will depend on

your Student Aid Index (2024-25 FAFSA form),
the cost of attendance,
your status as a full-time or less than full-time, and
your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.

Here are some examples of why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant:

You withdrew early from the program for which the grant was given to you.
Your enrollment status changed in a way that reduced your eligibility for your grant (for instance, if you switch from full-time enrollment to part-time, your grant amount will be reduced).
You received Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and who have not earned a bachelor’s degree to help pay for their education.

Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients with the greatest need and those who have completed their FAFSA by the California priority deadline. These funds are awarded directly by Cal Maritime and limited to the total amount allocated to the university by the U.S. Department of Education.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must submit a FAFSA application (CADAA applicants are ineligible) no later than the priority deadline.
Must be Pell Grant eligibe.
Priority will be given to students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of -$1,500. Students with higher SAI will be awarded on a sliding scale based on availability of funds.
Grant will be awarded during fall and spring semester primarily. Summer awards will be made based on funds available and as long as a student has not received the maximum annual amount of $700 already during fall/spr semesters.

Federal SEOG Grant Amount

At Cal Maritime, students will be awarded $700 for the 2024/2025 academic year or $350 per semester. Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority.

Full Award for the Academic Year = $700.00
Semester award amount = $350

Assuming a student meets all other applicable eligibility requirements, he or she may receive FSEOG funds at any enrollment status. There is no minimum required enrollment level.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

Effective with the 2024-25 award year, as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act, the Special Rule for Pell Grants replaces the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) and the Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) Scholarship with new or modified eligibility criteria for a student who is less than 33 years old as of the first January 1 of the FAFSA award year and whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while:

Serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 (i.e., IASG); or
Actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer (i.e., CFH).

Instead of an IASG or a CFH award, eligible students will receive a maximum Pell Grant regardless of their SAI (adjusted for enrollment intensity as needed).

Cal Grant A

Provides need-based grant assistance to low- and middle-income California resident students to offset tuition fee costs for high school graduates with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Recipients must also meet financial requirements. Students must file the FAFSA or CADAA by May 2, 2024 and the Cal Grant GPA verification form by March 2, 2024.
For 2024-2025, the estimated maximum Cal Grant A award for California State University students is $6,084 for undergraduates. These awards are limited to the total amount of the CSU State Tuition Fee for full-time students.
The Cal Grant A is only available up to four years. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

Cal Grant B

Provides need-based grant assistance to high-potential California resident students from low-income, disadvantaged families to help offset tuition fees and other costs for high school graduates with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Recipients must also meet financial requirements. Students must file the FAFSA or CADAA by May 2, 2024 and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by March 2, 2024.
For 2024-2025, the maximum access grant is $1,648 and the tuition fee awards are the same as Cal Grant A ($6,084) for student enrolling at CSU campuses.
The Cal Grant B is only available up to four years. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

Middle Class Scholarships 2.0

The Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) program provides undergraduate students a scholarship to attend Cal Maritime if their family incomes and assets are at or below $226,000. All California residents applying for financial aid are automatically considered for MCS. Award amounts will vary by student and by the institution.

Award amounts will be based on the institution's cost of attendance as well as:

Any other gift aid for which the student is eligible (i.e., federal, state, institutional or scholarship aid)
A self-help student contribution of $8,154 (applied to all students)
A parent contribution for dependent students with a household income of over $100,000

These three factors collectively are referred to as a student’s “available resources.” These amounts are deducted from the student’s total cost of attendance to determine the MCS award. Under this formula, award amounts will vary among students, as each award will reflect an individual student's costs and available resources. MCS award amounts will change if a student's cost of attendance or financial aid awards change throughout the year.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To receive a MCS, you must meet the following criteria:

File the FAFSA or California Dream Application by July 2 for the 2024-25 year. The deadline for other years is March 2.
Be a California resident in an undergraduate program.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or have AB 540 student status.
Be enrolled at least half-time and paying the CSU State University Tuition Fee.
Meet certain income and other financial aid standards.
Be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Not be incarcerated.
Not be in default on a student loan.
Students may receive the MCS award for up to 12 quarter terms depending on Education Level when awarded.

How to Apply

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application.

Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS)

CalKIDS gives money for college or career training to eligible students in California. There are two eligible groups:

Low-income* public school students enrolled in grades 1-12 during 2021-2022 academic year
Low-income* public school students enrolled in the 1st grade during 2022-2023 academic year and every year thereafter

Award Amounts:

$500 for low-income public school students
$500 more for foster youth
$500 more for homeless youth

To be eligible, your child must have been enrolled on Fall Census Day** and must also be identified as English Learner or low-income by the Local Control funding Formula. And, that information must be reported to the California Department of Education.

Claim a CalKIDS account

*Eligibility determined by Local Control funding Formula

**Fall Census Day is the first Wednesday in October of the academic year

State University Grants (SUG)

Provides need-based awards to cover the California State University Tuition Fee for eligible undergraduate students who are California residents or are otherwise determined as eligible.

For undergraduate students, the maximum State University Grant shall not exceed the sum of the State University Tuition of $6,084 for the 2024/2025 academic year ($3,042 per semester). Additionally, students can receive up to 50 percent of mandatory campus-based fees charged for the enrolled term(s).

In order for students to be eligible for SUG awards, they must meet the following:

File a Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
Be classified as a California resident or be granted the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption (AB 540 Exemption)
Pay State University Tuition (i.e., students enrolled in self-support courses are not eligible)
Demonstrate financial need according to the approved federal need analysis methodology
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) that does not exceed 50% of the campus standard Off-Campus (not with family) cost of attendance.
Be enrolled at least half-time ( 6 units)
Have not received a Cal Grant, a grant or scholarship designated for payment of fees, or a waiver of the mandatory State University Fee.

Summer State University Grant

Summer SUG is available to an otherwise eligible student meeting the criteria above. However, for state-supported summer session enrollment, an eligible student may enroll less than half-time and receive a SUG award; students may enroll in any number of state-supported summer units or summer sessions to qualify. Half-time enrollment remains a minimum requirement for SUG eligibility during the regular academic year. Students must meet all other eligibility requirements for the summer SUG program.

Summer SUG amounts will not exceed the tuition fee + 50% of the campus-based fees

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) assists undergraduate students admitted to Cal Maritime through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). This grant is available to eligible FAFSA or California Dream Act applicants.