Grants & Scholarships

Federal Aid

PELL GRANT

Must have a FAFSA on file and be seeking your first bachelors degree. Pell Grant is based on enrollment status and financial need - as determined by the FAFSA. Award is up to $7,395/year. 

For more information on Pell Grant, click here.

 

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)

Must have a FAFSA on file. Priority in awarding is given to incoming students with the highest need (-$1,500 SAI). Award up to $2,000/year. Funds are limited.

For more information on the FSEOG, click here.

 

FEDERAL WORK STUDY (FWS)

What is Federal Work Study (FWS)?
FWS is a form of financial aid that allows eligible students to earn money through part-time, on-campus jobs. The funds are paid directly to you as you work, and they can help cover personal or educational expenses.

Do I have to participate in Federal Work Study?
No. FWS is completely optional. If you don’t want to work on campus, that’s totally fine—your other aid will not be affected. After the fall semester begins, we’ll determine who has secured an on-campus job and adjust FWS awards accordingly.

How do I know if I received Federal Work Study?
Log in to InsideCBU to view your financial aid offer.

How do I find an FWS job?
All student jobs are posted on Handshake, which you can access through the CBU Career Center. Apply directly to open positions that interest you.

Do I have to get a job right away?
No. Most students apply for jobs at the beginning of the fall semester. The Financial Aid Office will monitor participation and adjust awards as needed later in the term.

How do I get paid?
You’ll be paid through CBU payroll for the hours you work. FWS funds do not apply directly to your tuition bill—they are earned as wages.

What if I don’t get hired or don’t want to work?
That’s okay! If you don’t work, you simply won’t earn the FWS funds listed in your offer. Your award will be updated later in the semester based on actual participation.

Do I need to use the funds I receive from the job to pay for education related expenses?
While you're welcome to use your earnings for books, supplies, or other educational costs, the money you earn through Federal Work Study is yours to use however you choose.

Who can I contact with questions?
Contact your Financial Aid Counselor or Amy Gwilt with any FWS-related questions.

For more information on Federal Work Study, click here.

IASG/CFH (Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant/Children of Fallen Heroes)

The IASG and CFH scholarships allow for the full Pell Grant if you are not already eligible based on your SAI. The IASG is for students whose Parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. The CFH scholarship is for students whose parents were public safety officers (police/fire/etc.) and died in the line of duty. 

For more information on the IASG, click here.

Institutional Aid

Enrollment and Residency Requirements apply to all undergraduate students who receive Institutional Financial Aid which includes, but is not limited to, scholarships, grants, and discounts offered by California Baptist University. The CBU Enrollment and Residency Requirements Policy is available in the Student Handbook.

 

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Award amounts listed are for students enrolling for the first time at California Baptist University in Fall 2024. Please refer to previous catalogs for scholarship/grant awarding information for enrollment that began prior to fall 2024.

***Merit scholarship amounts and criteria for the 2024-2025 school year are subject to change.***

INCOMING FRESHMEN

Trustees Scholarship - $17,000
4.0 GPA and above

Presidents Scholarship - $16,000
3.9 - 3.99 GPA 

Deans Scholarship - $15,000
3.3 - 3.89 GPA 

Directors Scholarship - $13,000
2.95 - 3.29 GPA

 

The maintenance GPA for all academic scholarships is 2.0.

 

INCOMING TRANSFER

Transfer Platinum - $13,000
3.75 GPA and above

Transfer Gold - $12,000
3.5 - 3.74 GPA 

Transfer Blue - 11,000
3.0 - 3.49 GPA 

Transfer Bronze - $9,000
2.5 - 2.99 GPA

To be considered a transfer student you must have completed 24 or more units from a regionally accredited college or university. Renewable if the minimum maintenance GPA is maintained. The maintenance GPA for all academic scholarships is 2.0.

 

**Remember to notify the Financial Aid Office if your number of enrolled units is changed or adjusted, as this could affect your Financial Aid award letter.**

 

PARTICIPANT SCHOLARSHIPS

Must be declared major and or minor:

  • Bachelors of Applied Theology (BAT) Scholarship 951-343-4248
  • College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design 951-552-8910
  • Journalism Scholarship 951-343-4964
  • Construction Management 951-343-4972

Active participation required:

  • Athletic Scholarship 951-343-4318
  • Theater Scholarship 951-343-4319
  • Music Scholarship 951-343-4251
  • Speech/Debate Scholarship 951-343-4964

Returning students only:

  • 24/25 Donor Scholarships- Please visit Scholarship Universe to apply. Deadline extended to April 21, 2024.

 

OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS

CBU Promise - Beginning in Fall 2024, incoming students are guaranteed at least $8,000 in CBU Gift aid.

CBU Grant  Based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA and coordinated with all other sources of aid. Therefore, if a student receives additional federal, state  or institutional funds, the CBU Grant may be reduced or eliminated.

Ministers Kin Scholarship - up to $3,250 per year As determined by the Undergraduate Admissions office. 

Multi-Sibling Scholarship - $2,000 per year For families with two or more dependent siblings enrolled in CBU’s Traditional Undergraduate Program. Click here for more info.

CBU Cal Grant B Assistance - $7,710 for the first year only - Only available to students who qualify for Cal Grant B.

 

**Remember to notify the Financial Aid Office if your number of enrolled units is changed or adjusted, as this could affect your Financial Aid offer.**

State Aid

CAL GRANT

FAFSA Deadline for 25/26 is April 2, 2025. GPA Deadline for 25/26 March 3, 2025.

1. Must have a completed FAFSA on file

2. Complete the GPA Verification Form

If you failed to meet the GPA submission deadline you can request a Late GPA Appeal using this form and explain the reason why your GPA was late in the Late Submission Appeals section no later than May 16, 2025. For Competitive Students, Late GPA Appeals must be submitted by March 23, 2025.

  • To confirm your GPA is submitted to CSAC, log in to your account at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/
    • Go to the Cal Grant panel and click on the 2025-2026 tab.
    • If your Award Status says "Awarded", your GPA is on file.
    • If it says "Pending", click the "To Do" button and check the Submit GPA row:
      • If it says "Submitted", no further action is needed.
      • If it does not say "Submitted", you need to submit your GPA.
  • If your GPA is not listed on your Webgrants account, you will need to complete and submit a GPA Verification Form
    • Complete the form, filling out the first page, then bring it to your:
      • Community college if you have 24 completed units on your community college transcript.
      • High School if you do not have 24 or more units on your community college transcript or have never attended college.
      • Your High School or community college will complete/submit the second page of the form. For more details, see www.csac.ca.gov or call 1-888-224-7268.

Award amount depends on the program for which you qualify (Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B) and the specific year of your initial award. For more information on Cal Grant, click here or create an account here.

CAL GRANT FORMS

CAL G8 Form "High School Certification" - Designed for students coming out of High School

CAL G6 Form "Entitlement Transfer" - Designed for students transferring from a community college

As a new recipient of CAL Grant, each student must complete one of the forms. Log in here to complete the G8 or G6 form online.

Note: If you need to complete the G8 Form, be sure to do so after you graduate from High School (no March 2nd deadline).

 

DREAMERS

CADAA Deadline for 25/26 is April 2, 2025 to be considered for Cal Grant eligibility.

If you meet AB540 requirements, submit a CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) to determine if you qualify for the Cal Grant.

  1. Submit the Dream Act Application
  2. Complete the GPA Verification Form

Your High School or current college will complete/submit the bottom portion. For details, see www.csac.ca.gov or call 1-888-224-7268.

Award amount depends on the program for which you qualify (Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B) and the specific year of your initial award. For more information on Dream Act, click here.

 

CHAFEE GRANT - up to $5,000/year

For students who are or were in Foster Care between age 16 and 18.

  1. Must have FAFSA on file
  2. Complete the Chafee Grant Application
  3. Meet the state requirements - click here to determine your eligibility or review the Chafee Fact Sheet

 

GOLDEN STATE TEACHER GRANT

The Golden State Teacher Grant Program application has re-opened for the 2024-2025 academic year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025). Due to recent state budget changes, updates from CSAC may impact eligibility, and we will share those details as we receive them.

To stay informed about the opening of the 2025-2026 GSTG application, please join CSAC's interest list for updates here.

The Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) awards students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential. For more information, please visit CSAC's site here: https://gstg.csac.ca.gov/.

Payment Contingency:
The Golden State Teacher Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants who have submitted a signed Service Agreement (SA). If funds are insufficient, the last grant recipient may receive a partial award of the remaining funds.

 

LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL DEPENDENTS (LEPD) GRANT

The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD) provides a need-based educational grant to dependents and spouses of employees who lost their lives in the line of duty or were totally disabled due to an accident or injury incurred in the performance of duty in the following professions:

  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice
  • Firefighters
  • Law Enforcement
  • Tribal Firefighters

The grant amount matches the Cal Grant Amount up to $11,006 per year. More information and the application to apply can be found here: https://www.csac.ca.gov/faforfirst

 

CalKIDS – Up to $1,500

$500 for students that attended a public school in California and were identified as low income. Additional funds for foster and homeless students.

Check here to see if you qualify: https://calkids.org/the-basics/who-is-eligible/.

You will need your Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), often found on high school transcripts, through your high school’s parent portal, or by contacting your high school.

Once registered, you can request funds be sent to CBU on your behalf. More information on the CalKIDS program can be found here: https://calkids.org/the-basics/.

Outside Scholarships

Receiving outside scholarship or grants is a great way to reduce your balance or the amount of loans you borrow in college. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate; and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid. Check out Federal Student Aid's information on how to avoid scams.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO CBU'S SCHOLARSHIP PAGE

Please consider the following sources:

    • a high school counselor
    • your library’s reference section
    • foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
    • organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
    • ethnicity-based organizations
    • your employer or your parents’ employers

Also check out the following document for more information: Scholarship Helpful Hints 

 

The Earnest Scholarship Fund: Click here to apply for a $5,000 scholarship.

W-9 Information

All W-9 requests and inquiries must be emailed to the finaid@calbaptist.edu.