OP, what grade are you in?
What is OP? 
Will be a senior in HS in the fall
Original Poster - you. 
Just wondering in case there was any chance of National Merit. At any rate, try to get that SAT up (like everyone else is saying.) So you don’t care about prestige really, you’re just going for the $$$?
simply having a sister in college does not qualify you for Cal Grants.
Does your sister qualify for a Cal Grant NOW? If not, why not?
Cal Grants are not based on EFC.
I care about prestige, but I don’t have a chance. I’m just trying to find a college that matches my personality (like when you walk in and it just feels right). I couldn’t find any and there are so many I’m going crazy. Due to that, I decided to just go for money’s sake. Personally, if it was the ‘perfect’ school for me, i’d be willing to be in debt for it. 
It’s just hard to know what you want.
“if it was the ‘perfect’ school for me, i’d be willing to be in debt for it”
You, the student, can only borrow the following amounts:
Freshman yr: $5500
Sophomore yr: $6500
Junior yr: $7500
Senior: $7500
You want to minimize debt as much as possible, but these amounts are reasonable.
Anything on top of that, your parents would have to either borrow themselves (federal PLUS loan, high interest but reasonable terms) or cosign for you (private loans, the worst). If your parents have a low income, it’s not recommended they take on too much debt or any at all.
No school is worth excessive debt.
I think I misunderstood the earlier post.
Your sister is currently getting a Cal Grant? If so, and you have the stats, then you’ll also get a Cal Grant.
You do realize that the Cal Grant can only be used in Calif, right? You do realize that it only covers the tuition at a Calif public univ? Right? You do realize that it is only a small grant towards a private in Calif, right?
Do you know what your sister’s EFC is? If not, please ask her and tell us what that is. Will she be in college WHEN you’re in college or will she have graduated by then or soon after?
Do your parents pay ANYTHING towards your sister’s college costs?
You have a few threads going and they’re not going to get you what you want. Alaska? Unaffordable and expensive transportation. There are a couple of UMaine directionals that offer low tuition and merit, but you’d still have room and board, personal expenses, and books…and pricey transportation costs from Calif.
I think you need to concentrate on some Calif publics. You want to be a teacher (If I remember correctly).