California Middle Class Scholarship

The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) fills the gap between a California resident's cost of attendance at a UC, CSU, or CCC bachelor's-degree program and their other financial aid, for students whose household income and assets fall under an annually-set ceiling. There is no separate application — students are considered automatically from a timely FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application — and no stated GPA requirement beyond maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress. Awards last up to 8 semesters or 12 quarters.

Eligibility

DemographicsThe household income/asset ceiling is up to $234,000 for the 2025-26 cycle (up from $226,000 in 2024-25); a 2026-27 figure has not yet been published. Also requires not being in default on a student loan and not incarcerated.

Applying

No fixed amount — award is calculated per student based on cost of attendance minus other aid already awarded, and is further scaled by total state funding appropriated that year.