Is there a California state scholarship program for college? (Oxnard: apartment, rent)

[t-town]

Hi,

I'm from Florida, and here we have a scholarship program for graduating seniors that will pay either 100 or 75 percent of college tuition. It is called the Florida Bright Futures scholarship. I would like to go to college in california (specifically LA), and I was wondering if there is a similar program. I've already graduated from High School and will be starting college in the fall.

Thank you in advance!

[Jill61]

Find a California Scholarship | OEDb

[katenik]

The state is broke! Once upon a time, they might have given you a little money to offset the higher cost of out-of-state fees and mix up the student body a bit, but don't count on that now. CA is not going to give non-resident kids a dime when the state can barely maintain programs for residents. Didn't I hear recently that CalState canceled traditional summer school this year, and any students wishing to take courses this summer must do so via the much more expensive extension program?

[JTGJR]

Nothing sponsored by the state. Your only chance is if you apply for a state school and they offer you some form of scholarship based on either athletic or scholastic achievement. Most likely, scholarship money is gone at this point in the calendar year so your best bet is to look for financial assistance in the form of loans. My daughter has been accepted at Loyola Marymount University to the tune of $50K per year. Unfortunately, no scholarships despite a 3.5 gpa.

[missionhome]

I don't think there is a "state" scholarship. There are tons of private scholarships from companies and nonprofits, etc... but none that I know of from the state.

Even Cal Grant, the state's largest form of financial aid for students is in danger of being eliminated and that is for residents. Also, I hope you already know where you are going to school and have researched financial aid through that school.

Also, as an FYI: Tuition is much higher in California for the public universities as an out of state student. UCLA for example is around $25,000 for tuition, room, and board for an IN STATE student. An out of state student, which you will be, you will pay more than $40,000 for the same education.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Some schools may have programs. I am aware of a program at the Junior College level in Ventura County. If you graduate from high school in Ventura County you can attend Ventura, Oxnard, or Moorpark College for the 1st year and not have to pay tuition or other fees. Normaly the cost of fees, tuition, to attend full time for California Junior College averages about $640 a year. In comparison the California State University system would average $3,600 a year while the University of California system would cost $8,000 a year in fees and tuition. Prices are for legal California residents that have established residency for at least a year's time. Prices listed do not include text books and materials fees, or living expenses that you may have. One thing that you may think about is to establish residency, complete your first 2 years at a Junior College and transfer to the 4 year school. Transfer students to a Cal State school that have completed the first 2 years at a Junior college in California have Number One priority over all other transfer students. The best part is that no one has to know that you did the first 2 years at a Junior College. Just a thought.

[t-town]

If I was to establish my residency after a year, and then go into a college would I be able to receive the cal grant? Or is it only for students going straight in after high school?

[missionhome]

Originally Posted by t-town

If I was to establish my residency after a year, and then go into a college would I be able to receive the cal grant? Or is it only for students going straight in after high school?

You are not eligible. One of the requirements is that you are a California resident when you graduate high school. I assume you are graduating high school in Florida, which automatically makes you not able to get the Cal Grant.

Also, getting residency is not the easy, especially for a kid fresh out of high school (which I think you are). It is easier for someone in their 20's. Residency often takes 2 years for most people to establish due to the finanical independence rule. It can be done in 1 year, but this is usually people in their 20's who have been working a few years and have enough saved up.

Here is what you need to do to be a California resident for tuition purposes:
1. Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

2. Physical Presence: You must remain physically present in California 365 days (one year) before the term in which you are applying as a resident

3. Intent (the tough one): You must have come here with the intent to make California your home as opposed to coming to this state to go to school. Physical presence within the state solely for educational purposes does not constitute the establishment of California residence, regardless of the length of your stay. You must demonstrate your intention to make California your home by severing your residential ties with your former state of residence and establishing those ties with California. If these steps are delayed, the one year duration period will be extended until you have demonstrated both presence and intent for one full year.

****Intent is the tough one. This means your parents CAN NOT claim you on their taxes and YOU must pay for tuition ALL on your own. Basically your parents can't support you financially any more. You must make enough income at a job IN California to prove that you will be able to handle the cost of tuition at the university. If you make $10,000 a year and the cost of the university you are attending is $18,000 you need to prove you got enough grants, etc... to cover the remaining $8,000. Also, remember you will be living in the most expensive state in the country. If you get some job at Starbucks and make $14,000 a year, almost ALL your income will be going just toward rent to live here (because your parents can't pay for your apartment) and you will have nothing left in your savings for university tuition.

Good luck, but this is a very complex process designed to discourage those who just want to come to CA for school and the return to another state. They really want you to prove CA will be your new home after college. I hope you are ready to be financially independent of your parents.

[t-town]

thank you for the great information...this makes me totally re-think my intention of moving out there...although I would want to make california my permanent home, it sounds like it would be too hard for me to do that during college. Staying in Florida sounds like it would be the smart decision for me, especially since Florida Bright Futures pays for 75% of my college tuition, and for the remaining 25% I have Florida pre-paid, which my parents have been paying since I was born. I would love to live in California, but maybe that can wait. I like Florida too so it's not like it will be agonizing. =)