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Middle-Class Scholarship

California’s Middle-Class Scholarship provides a grant to undergraduates and students pursuing a teaching credential. The California Student Aid Commission uses data from our 22 campuses and the FAFSA or CADAA to make awards. Any federal, state, institutional, or private grants and scholarships received will affect the value of your Middle-Class Scholarship.

For the 2026–27 award year, the Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) eligibility ceilings for income and assets are as follows:

Dependent students (and independent students with dependents other than a spouse):

  • Maxi​mum household income: $250,000
  • Maximum household assets: $250,000

Independent students without dependents:

  • Single: Income ceiling $144,000, asset ceiling $119,000
  • Married (no dependents): Income ceiling $165,000, asset ceiling $119,000

To be eligible, the student must be enrolled at a California State University or University of California and be a California resident or an eligible AB540 student and must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application by the priority application deadline date. Additionally, students must meet the new enrollment and satisfactory academic progress requirements listed below. Students who are eligible will see Middle Class Scholarship included in their offer letter.

  1. Scholarship award amounts will vary by student and by school.
    Award amounts will be based on the cost of attendance for the school of the student’s choice and the following program requirements: All recipients are expected to contribute a fixed student self‑help amount of $8,616, which is deducted from their Cost of Attendance alongside any other gift aid. Additionally, for dependent students whose household income exceeds $100,000, MCS includes a parental contribution equivalent to 33% of the expected parental contribution, also deducted from the award calculation.
  2. First Time Freshmen deciding between campuses:
    Newly admitted students deciding between campuses may be offered Middle-Class Scholarship awards that are different values at each campus because each campus has their own unique cost of attendance. For more information about what is included in your cost of attendance visit your campus financial aid website.
  3. ​ Estimated Awards
    Campuses will include estimated awards in your financial aid package until final eligibility determinations are made by the California Student Aid Commission. Your award is subject to change if your other aid programs change (increase/decrease) and if your eligibility for the program changes.
  4. Credential Students
    Students enrolled in an eligible teaching credential program may be eligible for up to one-year of Middle-Class Scholarship.
  5. Enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress
    To be eligible for a Middle-Class Scholarship award, students must be enrolled in at least 6 units of coursework required for your degree. Students must also meet their CSU campus’ Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. For more information, please visit your campus financial aid website.
  6. Withdrawing
    Students who withdraw from coursework may be subject to return all or part of their Middle-Class Scholarship award in addition to any other federal, state, or institutional aid received. Withdrawing from coursework may also affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students considering withdrawing from all or some of their courses should visit their respective campus for guidance and resources.

For more information on the program and eligibility requirements visit the California Student Aid Commission‘s site about the Middle Class Scholarship. Per California Education Code section 70022, the MCS program income and asset ceilings are to be adjusted annually using the percentage change in California per capita personal income from the preceding year.