Every figure is for a student starting in fall 2027. We work each one out again whenever we update the site.

Paying for college in California

What the state and its colleges give families, who gets it, and how to apply. See every California college priced for your income

From the state

Cal Grant A Cal Grant B Middle Class Scholarship Dream Act Native American Opportunity Plan

Across state lines

Western Undergraduate Exchange

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From the state

California's programs. Most come through the FAFSA or the state's own aid application; a few have their own.

Cal Grant A

For California students with a 3.0 high school GPA and financial need, under an income and asset limit. Every student who meets the rules is guaranteed an award. It pays full systemwide tuition and fees at UC and CSU: $15,588 at UC and $6,838 at CSU in 2026-27. Apply by March 2 of the senior year.

Sources: California Legislative Information, California Legislative Analyst's Office, CSU Bakersfield Financial Aid and California Student Aid Commission

“(3) The student attains a high school grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale.”

“For each applicant, the award amount shall not exceed the amount of the calculated financial need.”

“Each student who meets the Cal Grant A qualifications as set forth in this article shall be guaranteed an award.”

“submitted or postmarked no later than March 2 of the academic year of high school graduation or its equivalent”

— California Legislative Information, checked 2026-10

“Cal Grant A awards cover full systemwide tuition and fees at public universities”

“Maximum Annual Award for a New, Full‑Time Undergraduate Student, 2026‑27 Tuition Awards Cal Grant A and B UC $15,588”

“WASC‑accredited for‑profit institutions 8,056 CSU 6,838”

— California Legislative Analyst's Office, checked 2026-10

“Systemwide Tuition Fee $6,838 $6,838 $6,838”

— CSU Bakersfield Financial Aid, checked 2026-10

“2026-27 CAL GRANT PROGRAM INCOME CEILINGS Cal Grant A and C Cal Grant B”

— California Student Aid Commission, checked 2026-10

Cal Grant B

For California students with a 2.0 high school GPA and financial need, under a lower income limit than Cal Grant A. The first year pays up to $1,648 for books and living costs. Later years add tuition, usually as Cal Grant A does. Students with children and foster youth get $6,000.

Sources: California Legislative Information, California Legislative Analyst's Office and San José State University Financial Aid and Scholarship Office

“(3) The student attains a high school grade point average of at least 2.0 on a four-point scale.”

— California Legislative Information, checked 2026-10

“In the 2025‑26 award year, the annual household income cap for a dependent student from a family of four is $135,900 to qualify for Cal Grant A or C awards and $71,500 to qualify for Cal Grant B awards.”

“Cal Grant B awards provide the same amount of tuition coverage as Cal Grant A awards in most cases, while also providing an “access award” for nontuition costs such as food and housing.”

“Cal Grant B Students with dependent children $6,000 Foster youth 6,000 Other students 1,648”

— California Legislative Analyst's Office, checked 2026-10

“shall award access grants in a student’s first academic year. In subsequent years, the award shall include an additional amount to pay tuition or fees, or both”

— California Legislative Information, checked 2026-10

“Awards for most first-year students are limited to an allowance of up to $1,648 for books and living expenses.”

— San José State University Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, checked 2026-10

Middle Class Scholarship

For California undergraduates at public universities, with no need test: a dependent student's household can earn up to $250,000. Students at private universities are not eligible. It is not a set amount, and it can go toward housing and food as well as tuition.

Sources: California Student Aid Commission and California Legislative Analyst's Office

“Dependent students and Independent students with dependents other than a spouse $250,000”

— California Student Aid Commission, checked 2026-10

“Under the revamped program, students still do not have to demonstrate financial need.”

“Lastly, under the revamped program, students at private universities remain ineligible for MCS awards.”

“Unlike other state financial aid programs, MCS is not a set award amount.”

“Under the revamped program, students may use their MCS awards for tuition or nontuition expenses, such as housing and food.”

— California Legislative Analyst's Office, checked 2026-10

California Dream Act

A student who spent three or more years in California schools and meets the state's other requirements pays the in-state rate at Cal State. The same student can apply for the state's financial aid programs. The University of California has equivalent requirements.

Source: California Legislative Information

“shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at the California State University and the California Community Colleges if the student meets all of the following requirements”

“(A) A total attendance of, or attainment of credits earned while in California equivalent to, three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:”

— California Legislative Information, checked 2026-10

“is eligible to apply for, and participate in, any student financial aid program administered by the State of California to the full extent permitted by federal law”

“or who meets equivalent requirements adopted by the Regents of the University of California”

— California Legislative Information, checked 2026-10

Native American Opportunity Plan

For California residents who are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe and study at the University of California. Financial aid and other grants fully cover in-state systemwide tuition and student services fees. It does not cover summer session.

Source: UC Irvine Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

“The University of California's Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students who are also enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes.”

“Native American Opportunity Plan does not cover summer session tuition and fees.”

— UC Irvine Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, checked 2026-10

California also has grants for career and technical programs, foster youth and veterans’ families. See the Student Aid Commission's list.

From the colleges

What each college gives for grades, what it promises on aid, and its full price.

College	Merit scholarships	Promise on aid	Full price a year
Art Center College of Design private	Scholarships go to students with financial need and outstanding visual and academic ability, by committee, from a portfolio and a FAFSA on file by February 1 for fall. There is no GPA requirement for entering students, and amounts vary.	—	$87,880
Azusa Pacific University private	None published	—	$65,243
Biola University private	Freshman academic scholarships of $15,000 to $25,000 a year, by unweighted high school GPA and optional test scores. There is no separate application, and the scholarship renews each year with a minimum GPA. The university shows no table of GPA cutoffs.	—	$69,225
Cal Poly Humboldt public	In state: the Humboldt First Scholarship pays $1,000 a year, automatically, to first-time freshmen who graduate from high school in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino or Trinity county. It renews for up to four years with satisfactory progress. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay an estimated $12,708 a year in tuition and fees, about $7,238 less than the regular out-of-state price. The discount comes automatically with admission, and every program is open.	Green & Gold Guarantee: any gap in tuition and fees after aid is covered for a student with a Student Aid Index of 7000 or less and a Pell Grant	$25,730
Cal Poly Maritime Academy public	Out of state: Cal Poly Maritime Academy's MIST program gives students who seek a U.S. Coast Guard license the California resident tuition rate. It is open to students from Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, and it limits how many take part.	—	$33,000
Cal Poly Pomona public	Cal Poly Pomona has hundreds of scholarships from donors, colleges and departments. Students apply once, from October 1 to March 2, and committees choose the recipients. Out of state: students from the exchange states who get it pay $11,957 a year in tuition and fees, against $22,668 without it. The university awards it only to students in the top 10-15% of their academic program, with no separate application.	—	$27,385
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo public	Applicants are considered automatically for most university-wide and college-based scholarships. The need-based ones also need a FAFSA or California Dream Act application. Generally, a student should have at least a 3.0 GPA, and the university publishes no table of amounts.	—	$37,265
California Baptist University private	$14,000 to $18,000 a year, from a 2.95 GPA*	—	$61,439
California Institute of Technology private	No merit aid program. All scholarships and grants are based on financial need, and the award depends entirely on how much help a family needs.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay No-loan aid package for families with income under $100,000 Tuition-covering aid package for families with income under $200,000 Expanded undergraduate aid investment, under-$100,000 band, effective with the Fall 2024 entering cohort Expanded undergraduate aid investment, under-$200,000 tuition band, effective with the Fall 2024 entering cohort	$98,439
California Lutheran University private	In state: the Public Price Promise is a $34,000 scholarship for 2026-27, the difference between Cal Lutheran's cost and the average cost at the University of California. First-year students from a California high school with an admission GPA of at least 3.9 get it automatically, and it renews at the same rate. An Admission Merit Scholarship of $15,000 to $33,000 a year for first-year students, offered automatically on academic performance and other factors in the application review. Presidential Scholarships go up to full tuition and need an application by the November 15 deadline. Out of state: a $5,000 grant toward annual on-campus housing for every newly admitted student who lives outside California, renewable all four years while living in the residence halls.	—	$76,826
California State University-Bakersfield public	Cal State Bakersfield's scholarships come from corporations, nonprofits and donors. Recipients are usually chosen by a competitive application, by academic achievement, financial need, or the donor's own criteria. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay no more than 150% of the resident tuition rate. They need a 3.00 GPA in 10th through 12th grade college-prep courses, and every major is open except Pre-Health and Nursing.	—	$28,394
California State University-Channel Islands public	In state: the President's Scholars Program is for first-time freshmen who live in California, with a GPA of at least 3.75. Students apply through the campus portal, and the scholarship renews for up to four years. Cal State Channel Islands gives scholarships to undergraduates by financial need, academic merit, or both. They are private funds that do not have to be repaid. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of the standard resident tuition. Only the majors the university lists are eligible, and the rate is not open to a second bachelor's degree, a credential or a graduate program.	Channel Islands Tuition Promise: tuition and mandatory fees covered for a student with a Pell Grant and a Student Aid Index of 5,000 or less (10,000 or less from fall 2027)	$29,761
California State University-Chico public	Chico State's Wildcat Scholarships go to more than 1,000 incoming and continuing students a year, over $1.6 million in all. Students apply from January 2 to February 15, and need-based awards also require the FAFSA or Dream Act application. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150 percent of the state university fees and all of the campus fees. Other out-of-state students pay $420 a unit more, in addition to the state fees.	—	$26,922
California State University-Dominguez Hills public	The Honors Scholarship pays $2,500 to $3,000 a year to incoming students who meet academic requirements. The Presidential Scholarship pays full tuition and fees, plus other benefits, to students chosen for academic excellence, involvement and leadership. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay a reduced tuition: $5,128.50 a semester for a full-time student, or $6,064.86 with the mandatory fees. A student from another state who does not take part pays $471 more for each unit.	Toro Tuition Pledge: tuition and mandatory fees covered for up to four years for a student with a Student Aid Index of 10,000 or less and a Pell Grant	$30,773
California State University-East Bay public	Cal State East Bay offers hundreds of its own scholarships through one application, the Pioneer Scholarship application. Admitted and current students can apply, and the general application closed April 3, 2026. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of the California resident rate for tuition. There is no limit on how many students can get it, any open major qualifies except a fully online one, and it lasts every year until graduation.	—	$31,228
California State University-Fresno public	The President's Honors Scholarship goes to each student admitted to the Smittcamp Family Honors College. For 2026-27 it is $6,000 a year, plus a $6,422 housing stipend for those in the residence hall, for up to eight semesters. Fresno State awards over a thousand scholarships, more than 6 million dollars, to incoming and continuing students. They come from colleges, departments and organizations, each with its own criteria, and students apply for them.	—	$23,818
California State University-Fullerton public	One application matches Cal State Fullerton students to the scholarships they qualify for. Incoming freshmen also have a separate President's Scholars application. Cal State Fullerton pays over $21 million a year in scholarships and awards, to new and continuing students. Students apply for scholarships and are nominated for awards. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay up to 150% of resident tuition. The university joined the exchange for fall 2026, and says more information will be available soon.	—	$32,057
California State University-Long Beach public	President's Scholarships, the most prestigious merit awards, go to students picked from a pool of top students admitted to the University Honors Program. Each is an individualized award package, and there is no table of amounts.	—	$29,981
California State University-Los Angeles public	President's Scholars get $2,500 to $6,800 a year, renewable for up to four years. They are chosen from incoming Honors College freshmen, with no separate application, and generally have a high school GPA of at least 3.75. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of in-state tuition: about $5,675.54 a term, against about $9,618.04 for other states. Awards go by academic profile and major, and seven majors are left out, among them Nursing and Psychology.	—	$31,642
California State University-Monterey Bay public	Cal State Monterey Bay's financial aid office keeps a list of scholarships, and students apply to each one. The ones on its page are for particular majors, such as nursing and agricultural plant and soil science. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of the in-state tuition rate. An admitted student must send in the exchange contract, and the discount is renewable for up to four years.	Otter Promise: tuition and mandatory campus fees covered for a student with a Student Aid Index of 15,000 or less	$28,314
California State University-Northridge public	The Matador Scholarship Program has about 102 scholarships of $100 to $8,000, for students with financial need and a GPA of at least 3.0. Students apply from February through May. The GE Honors Rising Scholar Award gives $5,000 to 10 first-time freshmen in the GE Honors Program. They need a high school GPA of at least 3.75, and financial need of at least $5,000. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of resident tuition: $5,873.50 a term with fees, against $11,229 for other states, a saving of $10,711 a year. Every major is open, and the rate lasts six years or until the degree.	—	$25,839
California State University-Sacramento public	Sacramento State awards nearly $4 million a year in its own scholarships. Students fill out one application, which matches them to scholarships and shows the ones that need more information. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of the California resident tuition rate: $13,076 a year in tuition and required fees. New students only, Nursing majors are left out, and it lasts five years for a first-year student.	—	$32,041
California State University-San Bernardino public	The Presidential Academic Excellence Program takes 20 new freshmen a year, by invitation after admission. It pays tuition and fees that grants leave unpaid for four years, and the first year's room and meals. Students apply by February 1. Cal State San Bernardino considers students for its campus scholarships through one application in its student portal. Awards may weigh grades, financial need, field of study, leadership and other experience. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay no more than 150% of resident tuition fees. They must meet all admission requirements and send the exchange application to the university directly.	—	$27,094
California State University-San Marcos public	Cal State San Marcos offers donor scholarships through one general application with four short essay questions. The priority period is October 1 to February 1, and applications are accepted through May 1. Out of state: students from the exchange states can enroll at 150 percent of resident tuition, which saves approximately $7,886 a year. It is open to first-time freshmen in any undergraduate program except Nursing, and transfer students may be eligible.	—	$26,634
California State University-Stanislaus public	Stanislaus State administers about 180 scholarships for incoming and continuing students, by academic merit, financial need, major, or service. Students complete one general application, and most need a GPA of at least 3.0. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay a reduced tuition rate. They must ask for it before their first term, and they can keep it for four years or until the bachelor's degree, whichever comes first.	—	$25,459
Chapman University private	Merit scholarships toward tuition, awarded at admission without regard to need, on test scores, the strength of the curriculum and the committee's judgment. They renew for eight semesters with a 2.75 GPA.	—	$94,530
Claremont McKenna College private	Two merit awards for entering freshmen, chosen from finalists: the McKenna Achievement Award of $15,000 a year, and the Frank Seaver Leadership Scholarship, which pays full tuition. Neither is set by a GPA.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay	$104,248
Concordia University-Irvine private	$12,000 to $22,000 a year*	—	$63,630
Dominican University of California private	$16,000 to $28,000 a year, from a 2.6 GPA (not guaranteed)*	—	$76,302
Fresno Pacific University private	$9,000 to $19,000 a year* Out of state: an Out of State Student Scholarship of $4,000, listed among the university's other grants and scholarships.	—	$52,832
Harvey Mudd College private	Merit scholarships for first-year students, offered by the Office of Admission mainly on academic achievement, whatever the family's need. Some awards, like the President's Scholars Program, have their own application. Transfer students are not eligible.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay	$106,976
La Sierra University private	The La Sierra University Grant for first-time freshmen pays $5,000 to $15,000 a year, set by GPA and by the Student Aid Index. National Merit finalists get 100% of tuition and standard fees, semi-finalists 50%.	—	$57,486
Loyola Marymount University private	Academic scholarships for first-year students. Every applicant is considered automatically, on GPA, the rigor of the curriculum, class standing or test scores. The university publishes no table of amounts, and awards last up to eight semesters.	—	$97,600
Mount Saint Mary's University private	$18,000 to $29,000 a year*	—	$75,323
Occidental College private	A limited number of merit scholarships from $10,000 to $40,000 a year, awarded at admission for exceptional academic achievement. Every applicant is considered automatically, and the awards renew for eight semesters with a 2.0 GPA.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay	$97,152
Otis College of Art and Design private	Scholarships from $7,000 a year up to 50% of tuition, set by academic and artistic merit in the application and portfolio, and named in the acceptance letter. They renew each year with a 2.0 GPA and full-time enrollment. The college publishes no table of amounts.	—	$83,496
Pepperdine University private	The George Pepperdine Achievement Award pays $16,000 to $35,000 a year to first-year students, and Regents Scholars $40,000 to $45,000 a year, each for up to four years. The university's table gives no GPA that earns an amount.	—	$100,560
Pitzer College private	A limited number of Trustee Scholarships of $5,000 a year for first-year students with specific academic qualifications. Every first-year applicant is considered automatically, and the award renews for eight semesters with a 2.0 GPA.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay; Pitzer Opportunity Grant: 100% of tuition for household income and family assets of $120,000 or less	$99,170
Point Loma Nazarene University private	For fall 2027, first-time freshmen get $13,000 to $26,000 a year in merit awards if they meet any two of three tests: unweighted GPA, weighted GPA, or SAT or ACT. The lowest award, Bresee, starts at a 3.25 GPA unweighted; the highest, President's Gold, at 3.95.	—	$69,829
Pomona College private	No scholarships for grades or other achievement. Pomona says it does not offer athletic, academic, merit or other achievement-based scholarships, and every student is considered for the same need-based aid.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay	$100,687
Saint Mary's College of California private	First-year merit scholarships of $26,000 to $38,000 a year, set by the official weighted GPA and awarded at acceptance with no extra form. They apply each year for four years of full-time study, and they do not apply to Nursing. The college publishes no GPA cutoffs.	—	$85,546
San Diego State University public	In state: a limited number of merit scholarships, by invitation only. The High-Achieving Scholarship is usually $1,000 to $9,000 or more a year. The Merit Scholarship, for local students with a 4.30 GPA, is typically $7,500 to $10,000. The Presidential Scholars Program is worth up to $30,000 over four years. Out of state: the SDSU Advantage Scholarship Program gives competitive merit scholarships to highly qualified non-resident students, awarded for four years on academic performance. The Opportunity Scholarship is a one-time award to a select group of them.	—	$33,629
San Francisco State University public	San Francisco State keeps its campus scholarships in one database. Current and prospective students complete a general application there and apply for each campus scholarship online. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay the California resident rate for tuition and fees: $8,824 a year, about $11,304 less than other out-of-state students. Nursing majors are left out, and the rate lasts as long as it takes to graduate.	—	$34,829
San Jose State University public	San Jose State's financial aid office runs three kinds of scholarships: campus, department and private. Students apply for the campus ones through the Spartan Scholarships application. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of resident tuition: $12,972 a year in tuition and fees, against $20,612 for other states. First-year students need a 3.0 GPA in college-prep courses, the award lasts four years, and only the majors SJSU lists are open.	—	$34,725
Santa Clara University private	Merit awards for first-year students, reviewed at admission with no separate application. The Presidential at Entry Scholarship pays full tuition and renews with a 3.5 GPA. The Provost Scholarship pays half tuition, and the Dean's Scholarship varies. Both renew with a 3.0 GPA.	Santa Clara Promise: the full gap between its costs and what the family can pay, for California first-years with family income of $150,000 or less, from fall 2027	$90,620
Scripps College private	Admission scholarships of $15,000 to $30,000 a year, awarded on academic performance and school or community involvement. Every first-year applicant is considered automatically, the amounts are fixed, and they last four years. About 23% of students get one.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay A Scripps Grant of at least $30,000 a year for families with total income of $250,000 or less and typical assets, from 2027-28	$99,397
Sonoma State University public	Sonoma State's scholarship application is for new and continuing students with a GPA of at least 3.0 who enroll full time. Admission is not required when they apply, and the application runs from November 1 to February 1. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay the resident rate times 150%: $12,926 a year in tuition and fees, against $23,636 for other states. New students only, Nursing majors are left out, and it is limited to five years.	—	$29,067
Stanford University private	No scholarships for grades. All university scholarship funds are awarded on the basis of financial need, and no separate application is required for any of them.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay No expected parent contribution for families with income below $100,000 and typical assets All tuition charges covered for families with income below $150,000 and typical assets, for a student living on campus	$97,906
The Master's University and Seminary private	$7,500 to $11,000 a year, from a 3.0 GPA*	—	$61,291
University of California, Berkeley public	The Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship goes to a select group of entering students, with a minimum award of $2,500 a year. Every applicant is considered automatically, from California or elsewhere. Scholars with financial need get support up to their full need.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$44,491
University of California, Davis public	The Regents Scholarship is $7,500 for specially selected first-year students, with a stipend for those who show financial need. It renews with a 3.25 GPA. Applicants are considered from the UC application, with no other documents.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$42,719
University of California, Irvine public	Distinguished Scholarships, the Regents', the Directors' and the Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship, for entering students. No application is needed, because the admissions office considers every new student from the UC application. The university publishes no amounts here.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$42,412
University of California, Los Angeles public	Alumni Scholarships give freshmen merit awards of $6,000 to $20,000 over four years, and need-based grants may come with them. They have their own application, which opens in October and closes in early March.	Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan; Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$39,022
University of California, Merced public	The UC Regents' Scholarship goes to students chosen for academic excellence, leadership and exceptional promise. Every incoming student is considered automatically with no extra application, and financial need sets the dollar amount. Out of state: students from the exchange states pay 150% of UC Merced's resident tuition instead of the extra tuition charged to students from other states. Students from those states who start in 2027 also get a $4,000 scholarship a year for up to four years, and keep it with a 3.00 GPA.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$42,592
University of California, Riverside public	Entering first-year students are considered automatically for a Regent Scholarship of $10,000 for up to four years and a Chancellor's Scholarship of $5,000 for up to four years. Amounts may vary. Out of state: a Non-Resident Achievement Scholarship, for international and out-of-state first-year students, of up to $7,000 per quarter. Students are considered automatically when they apply, and amounts may vary.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$40,752
University of California, San Diego public	In state: Chancellor's Scholarships of up to $5,000 a year for four years, for entering first-year California residents with outstanding academic achievement. The grant part depends on financial need, shown by the FAFSA or the California Dream Act application. The Regents Scholarship pays $5,000 a year for four years, $20,000 in all, for outstanding academic achievement. It is open to entering freshmen from California or elsewhere, who apply through the UC application and need no other paperwork.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$41,279
University of California, Santa Barbara public	The Regents Scholarship pays $5,000 a year for four years to entering freshmen with outstanding academic achievement, typically the top two percent of admitted freshmen. Every admitted freshman is considered from the UC application, and it renews with a 3.20 GPA. Out of state: a scholarship of up to $15,000 a year for up to four years. It goes to students from other states who filed a FAFSA, chosen from the top eight percent of those admitted. There is no extra application.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$44,468
University of California, Santa Cruz public	Regents Scholarships of $5,000 a year, for up to four years. Every admitted first-year student is considered automatically, from any state, by a review of academic achievement. Out of state: Undergraduate Deans' Awards of $3,000 to $25,000 a year for out-of-state and international first-year students, considered automatically in admissions. The Caldwell Access Scholarship pays $5,000 to $50,000 a year to out-of-state students with financial need.	Blue and Gold: most California families with income up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover UC tuition (worth asking about)	$41,826
University of La Verne private	None published	—	$68,976
University of Redlands private	The Achievement Award pays up to $37,000 a year to students with superior academic records and a record of leadership. Every applicant is considered during the application review.	Redlands Promise full-tuition guarantee for a California senior with a 3.5 GPA who qualifies for a Cal Grant A Redlands UC guarantee: tuition of no more than $19,000 in the first year, for a California senior with a 3.0 GPA Redlands $27K in '27: tuition of no more than $27,000 in 2027-28, for an out-of-state senior with a 3.0 GPA	$88,835
University of San Diego private	Merit scholarships for first-year students. Every applicant is considered automatically, on grades, course selection and changemaker qualities, without regard to need. The university publishes no table of amounts, and awards renew for four years with a minimum GPA.	—	$92,461
University of San Francisco private	Merit scholarships from $17,000 to $37,000 a year for first-year students, set by the GPA in core academic subjects. Every applicant is considered automatically, the awards apply to tuition only, and they renew for up to four years.	—	$88,346
University of Southern California private	Highly competitive merit scholarships from a few thousand dollars up to full tuition, awarded on academic excellence, leadership, service and talent. Over 1,000 admitted students last year earned $10,000 a year or more. National Merit finalists who list USC first get $20,000 a year.	Says it covers 100% of what a family cannot pay; Tuition free for incoming first-year students from U.S. families with income of $80,000 or less and typical assets	$103,956
University of the Pacific private	Entering students who finish the application by January 15 are considered automatically. Scholarships are $22,000 (Regents), $18,000 (President's), $14,000 (Provost's) and $10,000 (Pacific) a year, chosen by GPA, test scores and other criteria.	—	$83,034
Vanguard University of Southern California private	Freshman academic scholarships of $10,000 to $26,000 a year. Every applicant is considered automatically, after a holistic review of the academic record and test scores if available, and awards renew for up to four years with a minimum GPA. The university publishes no GPA table.	—	$62,797
Westmont College private	First-year merit scholarships of $18,000 to $27,000 a year, set by GPA, test scores and the overall quality of the application, and named in the offer of admission. The Augustinian Scholarship, by invitation, covers 75% of tuition.	—	$81,016

* The finder and our college comparison show this scholarship when you enter your student's GPA.

Each college's page has a promise's conditions, in the college's own words. “Worth asking about” marks a program the college describes in words that stop short of a promise.

Full price: tuition and fees, housing and food, and books; in state at a public university. What your family would pay after grants depends on your income: the finder shows it.

3 more California colleges have no page here. For 0 of them, the federal data has no cost or no price by income. The rest mainly teach graduate students or run online programs. Show them

William Jessup University
National University
University of Massachusetts Global

Across state lines

The Western Undergraduate Exchange, run by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Coming to California from another western state

Students from the other western states pay no more than 150% of resident tuition at the public colleges that take part. Each college sets its own rules: a minimum GPA, majors it leaves out, early deadlines, or a limit on how many students get the rate.

In California, the 18 Cal State campuses and UC Merced take part, and the table shows what each gives. California's community colleges are on the list too, and this page covers four-year colleges. Cal State Fullerton joined for fall 2026.

Going from California to another western state

A California student can use it the other way, at public colleges in the other western states. The group that runs the exchange has a savings finder that lists each college and what the exchange saves there.

Source: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)

“pay no more than 150% of the institution’s resident tuition rate”

“Residents of the following states and territories are eligible to apply for WUE: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, as well as American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.”

“Each school administers WUE differently: Institutions may require a minimum GPA, exclude selected majors, have early application deadlines, and/or limit the number of students awarded the WUE rate.”

— Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), checked 2026-09 · its list of colleges

Guides to California's public universities

Each guide follows families at different incomes through one system, campus by campus.

Paying the rest

Your SmartTuition plan uses your savings, your 529, your loans and your award letter.

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How we worked these out

What a SmartTuition plan saves

The $6,500 in the “Pay less for college” box near the top of this page is the median saving over our California scenarios. Each scenario is a household in California at one of its colleges. Its income is one of 8 from $45,000 to $200,000, and its savings are none, $40,000 or $100,000 in a 529. We price each college at the aid it reports for the income.

Every scenario has parents with good credit and $500 a month toward college. A saving is the difference, over four years, between a SmartTuition plan and the standard approach: savings first, then loans for the rest. It counts loan interest and the federal tax credit. Credit matters: parents with fair credit borrow at a higher rate, which changes the saving.

A scenario where the parents would borrow more than $65,000 is left out, as is one at a college that reports no aid for the income. The figure is for a household that lives in California.

Costs: each college's own published price where it has one, otherwise the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, carried forward to fall 2027. Grants: each program’s own page. Scholarships: each college's own page, read by us and checked against it. SmartTuition.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any institution named here.