After waives of fee hikes and subsequent protests at California’s public universities, students from middle class families could be getting tuition cuts thanks to a state-sponsored Middle Class Scholarship program that will go into effect next school year.
New, transfer and returning undergraduate students at the state’s top public universities – California State University or University of California campuses – may be eligible for college tuition discounts between 10 and 40 percent.
The scholarships are based on a sliding scale. Students whose families earn up to $100,000 per year are eligible for up to a 40 percent tuition/fee discount and students whose families earn up to $150,000 per year are eligible for at least a 10 percent tuition/fee discount.
The MCS program was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in July and students will start benefiting from the extra funds by fall 2015. The application period opened Jan.1.
To apply, students should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov or a California Dream Act Application at www.csac.ca.gov. The application period varies depending on the student’s desired campus.
For frequently asked questions about the scholarship, click here.
