Cal Grants are some of the most generous entitlements California offers to low- and moderate-income college students--as much as $9,700 per year to qualified students who maintain at least average grades. And, despite the State's budgetary problems and cuts in almost every other area of public higher education, it looks like Cal Grants will survive untouched this year. In fact, it is expected that more than $600 million in grants will be available for the school year beginning Fall, 2004. That's enough money to fund up to 220,000 grants of varying amounts for California college students.

This is good news at a time when steep tuition increases are projected for students at the University of California, California State University, and community college campuses. According to Carole Solov, a sponkeswoman for the California Student Aid Commission, "There is money available for college."

Cal Grants, which were first offered in the mid-1950s, award "free" money to financially needy students in California who recently graduated high school with a 2.0 GPA or are community college students under the age of 24 who are transferring to a 4-year school with at least a 2.4 GPA. These grants do not have to be repaid. Funds can be used at practically every private, public, and vocational postsecondary institution in the state.

Attention California residents: millions of Cal Grants go unclaimed. As a result, just last month, $50 million of unused Cal Grant money had to be returned to the state's general fund. Don't miss out on your share, if you qualify. For more information, visit the California Student Aid Commission's web site. To fill out the federal forms necessary to apply for Cal Grants, click here.

Tip: In addition, to learn about other financial aid programs available, be sure to check out Reference Service Press's line of award-winning financial aid directories.