Grant Information

Cal Grant

Cal Grant is a tuition-specific, state entitlement award, funded by California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). You must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, financial need, and be a resident of California.

The following are Cal Grant award types PLNU participates in:

  • Cal Grant A Entitlement
  • Cal Grant A Transfer Entitlement
  • Cal Grant A Competitive
  • Cal Grant B Entitlement
  • Cal Grant B Transfer Entitlement
  • Cal Grant B Competitive

CSAC notifies new Cal Grant recipients whether they have been awarded an Entitlement or Competitive Cal Grant. Before a Cal Grant award can be added to a student's Financial Aid Award Letter at PLNU, the Student Financial Services Office must review the data provided by the student and parents on the FAFSA to make sure that the student is financially eligible.

Applying for the Cal Grant

A student applies for a Cal Grant by submitting both a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a verified grade point average (GPA) on or before the statutory deadline. For most students, the deadline is March 2. Receipt of both the FAFSA record and the GPA, by CSAC, constitutes a complete Cal Grant application.

Read more about the FAFSA.

GPA Verification

At PLNU, a high school senior or a student with 24 or less units of college credit, the GPA verification needs to be requested of and submitted by the student’s high school. For an applicant who is a college student with more than 24 units (36 quarter hours) of college credit, the GPA verification needs to be requested of and submitted by their current college/university which may be PLNU or the college from which the student is transferring from.

Test scores can be submitted in lieu of a GPA in certain circumstances. This would most likely apply to students that have been homeschooled. The acceptable tests are the General Educational Development Test (GED), the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I). CSAC does not accept the SAT II subject tests or the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).

See how Verification works.

Renewal Cal Grants

Renewal Cal Grant recipients must requalify under the financial income ceilings each subsequent academic year. In addition, renewal Cal Grant recipients must maintain at least $1,500 of need (based on the FAFSA) for each subsequent academic year. Students may renew a Cal Grant award for up to four academic years (eight semesters). Submission of a verified GPA is not required to renew a Cal Grant. Students who received a Cal Grant at another institution and are transferring to PLNU will need to submit a school change with CSAC. This can be done at webgrants4students.org, completing a Form G-10 (Grant Record Change Form for Schools), or contacting CSAC at (888) 224-7268.

General Cal Grants Eligibility

To be eligible for and receive payment for any Cal Grant award, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
  • Be a California resident
  • Attend a Cal Grant participating California college or university
  • Demonstrate financial need at his or her college
  • Have family income and assets below the ceilings
  • Have met U.S. Selective Service requirements
  • Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree, certificate or first professional degree
  • Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree before receiving a Cal Grant (except for extended Cal Grant A or B awards, teaching credential programs)
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant
  • Not be in default on any student loan
  • Not be incarcerated

Initial eligibility for a Cal Grant award is based on information from the student’s FAFSA.

California Residency for Cal Grant Eligibility

California residency for unmarried students who are not 18 years of age by the application deadline cycle for which they are applying, is based on the residency status of a parent or non-parent adult responsible for their direct care and control. To qualify as a non-parent adult, he or she must have had continuous direct care and control of the student for at least two years prior to the application cycle deadline for which they are applying. Unmarried students under 18 are legal California residents if:

  • a parent is a legal California resident at the application deadline for which the student is applying, or
  • the student has lived for two years with a responsible non-parent adult and that adult is a legal California resident at the application cycle deadline for which he/she is applying.

For example, students whose parents are living overseas are considered California residents if they are minors and have been living under the direct care and control of a California resident for at least two years as of the application cycle deadline for which they are applying or their parents have maintained their California residency during their absence from the state.

All married students, regardless of their age, and all unmarried students 18 or older must establish their own residency. If they will be 18 on or before the application cycle deadline for which they are applying, they must be a legal California resident at the application deadline for which they are applying. They also must be in the United States legally and be able to establish U.S. residency based on their status with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Cal Grant A

Cal Grant A benefits provide for tuition and fees at PLNU. Award amounts are determined through the state budget process and may change annually. There are three Cal Grant A awards: Entitlement, Transfer Entitlement and Competitive.

Cal Grant A Entitlement Award

Every graduating high school senior who has at least a 3.0 high school GPA, meets all the Cal Grant requirements, is a California resident at the time of graduation, and applies by March 2 either the year that he/she graduates or the following year is guaranteed a Cal Grant A Entitlement award.

Cal Grant A California Community College Transfer Entitlement Award

High school seniors who graduate after June 30, 2000, attend a California Community College, and then transfer to a qualifying baccalaureate degree-granting institution may be eligible for a California Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant A. Eligible students must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA (of at least 24 semester units, or the equivalent, of degree credit), meet the financial and eligibility requirements, be under age 24 at the time of transfer, and apply by March 2.

Cal Grant A Competitive Award

Other students who meet all the Cal Grant eligibility requirements and who have at least a 3.0 GPA may compete for a Cal Grant A Competitive award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration family income, parents’ educational level, GPA, time out of high school, high school performance standards and other factors, such as whether the student comes from a single-parent household or is a former foster youth.

Cal Grant B

Cal Grant B is for students with exceptionally high need (based on the FAFSA). The award for most first-year students covers living expenses, books, supplies and transportation, but not tuition and fees. When renewed or awarded beyond the freshman year, the grant covers tuition and fees. The tuition and fee award amounts are the same as those for Cal Grant A. Award amounts are determined through the state budget process and may change annually. A very limited number of new recipients may receive a Cal Grant B for tuition and fees, in addition to an access grant, for their first year. These students have exceptional financial need and have been determined to be among the most disadvantaged. Coursework must be for at least one academic year, and students must be enrolled at least half time. There are three Cal Grant B awards: Entitlement, Transfer Entitlement, and Competitive.

Cal Grant B Entitlement Award

Every graduating high school senior who has at least a 2.0 high school GPA, meets all Cal Grant requirements, is a California resident at the time of graduation, and applies by March 2 either the year that he/she graduates or the following year is guaranteed a Cal Grant B Entitlement award.

Cal Grant B California Community College Transfer Entitlement Award

High school seniors who graduate after June 30, 2000, attend a California Community College and then transfer to a qualifying baccalaureate-degree granting institution may be eligible for a California Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant B. Eligible students must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA (of at least 24 semester units, or the equivalent, of degree credit), meet the financial and eligibility requirements, be under age 24 at the time of transfer and apply by March 2.

Cal Grant B Competitive Award

Other students who meet all the Cal Grant eligibility requirements and who have at least a 2.0 GPA may compete for a Cal Grant B Competitive award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration family income, parents’ educational level, GPA, time out of high school, high school performance standards and other factors, such as whether the student comes from a single-parent household or is a former foster youth.

California Dream Act

The California Dream Act of 2011 allows undocumented and documented students who meet the requirements to apply for and receive CA state financial aid.  

Who is Eligible?

  • You are undocumented (Or have a U-Visa or Temporary Protected Status)
  • You do not qualify for the FAFSA (Not a US citizen or eligible non-citizen)
  • You attended 3+ years of school in California + graduated from a California high school (or equivalent) (AB 540)
  • You will be registering or enrolling at a qualifying California college
  • NEW! Students from Mixed-Status Families: U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens whose parent(s) or spouse are undocumented

Students can apply online for a Cal Grant and other state aid using the CA Student Aid Commission's secure CA Dream Act Application at caldreamact.org. Applications are typically due on March 2nd. 

The information you provide when you complete the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) is never shared with any federal agencies and is only used to determine your eligibility for financial aid offered by the state and colleges in California.

 

Most of this information is from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website. For more information on the California Dream Act, please visit the website at csac.ca.gov. 

Federal and State Grants

Federal Grants

Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant assists undergraduate students who have high financial need. Award amounts are based on the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) and enrollment status.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

SEOG is a “campus-based” award for undergraduate students receiving Pell Grant. Because funding is limited, not all eligible students will receive a SEOG award.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

The TEACH Grant requires you to agree to complete a teaching service obligation as a condition for receiving the grant. If you do not complete this obligation, the TEACH Grant will be converted to a loan that you must repay, with interest. To learn more about this grant, visit the Federal Student Aid Website’s page. 

To see if you have eligibility for any of these federal grants, please complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.

State Grants

Chafee Grant

The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth gives money to eligible foster youth. Payment on an eligible Chafee Grant Award is not guaranteed as funding is limited. Payments are made on a first-come first-served basis. For more information about requirements and eligibility, please visit csac.ca.gov/chafee.

Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents’ Grant

The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD) provides a need-based educational grant to dependents and spouses of all CA peace officers, firefighters, law enforcement, and Department of Corrections employees who lost their lives or were totally disabled in the line of duty. For more information about requirements and eligibility, please visit csac.ca.gov/faforfirst.

 

Institutional Grants

Point Loma Forward Grant 

The Point Loma Forward Grant (Need Grant) is awarded to students with financial need and who meet all eligibility requirements. To be considered, the student must file a FAFSA. The student must be packaged with all forms of need-based aid before being packaged with a Point Loma Forward Grant. Students may be eligible for a Point Loma Forward Grant up to $5,000. *Please Note: Student athletes receiving an athletic scholarship are not eligible to receive a Point Loma Forward Grant.

Point Loma Community Grant

The Point Loma Community Grant is awarded to students with financial need who do not qualify for an academic scholarship. To be considered, the student must file a FAFSA. The student must be packaged with all forms of need-based aid before being packaged with a Point Loma Community Grant.  Students may be eligible for a Point Loma Community Grant up to $5,000. *Please Note: Student athletes receiving an athletic scholarship are not eligible to receive a Point Loma Community Grant.

Church Scholarship, Nazarene Grant-in-Aid, and District Grants

The Nazarene Matching Grant program is for Nazarene students from the Southwest Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene (#9), which is comprised of the following Districts:  Anaheim, Arizona, Central California, Hawaii, Los Angeles, New Mexico, Northern California, Sacramento, Southern California, SW Latin American, and Western Latin American.

The program consists of three awards: the Church Scholarship, the Nazarene Grant-in-Aid, and a District Grant. To receive these three awards, the student’s home Nazarene church must send PLNU a Church Scholarship check (up to $250 per year). PLNU matches this with the Nazarene Grant-in-Aid (up to $250 per year) and also applies the appropriate District Grant (amounts vary). A student whose home Nazarene church does not participate in the matching grant program may still be able to receive District Grant funds if the church’s pastor sends a written request to the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office on church letterhead.

For students living on-campus, these three awards can be used to help pay tuition and mandatory fees or on-campus room and board charges. For students living off-campus, the awards are restricted to tuition and fees. Neither the Church Scholarship nor the Nazarene Grant-in-Aid can be refunded to the student. However, for off-campus students whose total financial aid exceeds semester charges, the student may use District Grant funds to purchase meal tickets, provided that a FAFSA has been filed and the student demonstrates remaining financial need.

Students may receive the Church Scholarship, Nazarene Grant-in-Aid and District Grant during the fall and spring semesters only, for up to ten regular semesters. Full-time enrollment (12 units or more per semester) is required through the end of the Refund Period.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the church and request that it send the Church Scholarship check to PLNU. If the church does not send the money, the Church Scholarship, Nazarene Grant-in-Aid, and District Grant will be removed from the student’s financial aid package.

The student should contact the church as early as possible during the academic year to find out if there are any special eligibility requirements (i.e., a minimum period of church attendance, church involvement, etc.) or if it requires submission of an application form.

Associated Student Body (ASB) and Resident Assistants (RA)

Students who serve as officers in ASB or Resident Assistants are awarded stipends for their service and treated as Financial Aid. Both ASB and RA awards are treated as need-based if the student’s financial aid package includes any form of federal or state need-based aid. This means that an ASB or RA award may have to be reduced or in rare cases, canceled to prevent the student from being funded in excess of financial need.

RA awards are based off the maximum meal per-week plan. Please note that if the student changes to a lesser meal plan, the difference may not be refunded.

The contact person for ASB awards is the Director of Community Life. The contact person for Resident Assistantships is the Associate Dean of Residential Life.

Departmental Awards

Each year, various academic departments award a limited number of departmental scholarships to selected students. Students should contact their academic department for applications and deadlines. Students in their freshman year are not eligible for these awards.

Tuition Discounts

Pastor or Missionary Child Discounts are for Dependent Students Only

A student is "dependent" based on the FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency

Missionary Child Discount

The Missionary Child Discount provides a percentage discount on tuition charges for dependent children of Nazarene and non-Nazarene full-time missionaries. This includes both U.S. citizens whose parents are assigned outside the United States as missionaries, educators, or General Board appointees, and foreign nationals whose parents are appointed as missionaries outside of their home country or who are assigned by the General Board. To be eligible for this discount, the student must qualify as a "dependent" student and be enrolled full-time (12 units or more).

Pastor’s Child Discount

The Pastor’s Child Discount provides a percentage discount on tuition charges for children of full-time career pastors (e.g. senior pastor, licensed pastoral position, or ordained pastoral position).

Complete the Application for the Pastor or Missionary Child Discount so the financial aid team can review it. For questions, contact the Student Financial Services Office at (619) 849-2538.