Middle Class Scholarship distribution

Hi all,

I submitted my 2017-2018 FAFSA last year, and mailed in my GPA verification form for the MCS. My parents make ~120k/yr, so I believe I will qualify for some of the scholarship. I was wondering when the scholarship is distributed? I’m going to transfer to UC Irvine this coming Fall and I’m afraid that I won’t receive the aid because one of the requirements for eligibility states that I must be attending a UC or CSU. Not sure if prospective students count?

Of course it includes prospective students. Otherwise how could UCs offer aid to HS seniors who’ll be attending in the fall.

What is your FAFSA EFC? It sounds like your income is too high to qualify for grants unless you have a sibling attending college in the fall as well.

the funding for the ‘Middle Class Scholarship’ has been hit and miss over the past several years. We are theoretically eligible on an income basis and received it my son’s freshman year but not since (he is a 4th yr senior). They seem to have added an asset test which we exceed.
http://www.csac.ca.gov/mcs.asp

It sounds like a great promise but, I would think virtually any household with 120k in income would have a total asset base above the $156k threshold. Also - the amount varies based on the condition of the state budget between 10% of tuition and 40% of tuition - making it impossible to plan effectively.

There is also a proposal by Gov Brown to eliminate it entirely.
https://edsource.org/2017/brown-proposes-more-higher-ed-funding-but-phasing-out-middle-class-scholarships/575123

Honestly, i wouldn’t count on it.

@mom2collegekids my FAFSA EFC $11,941, and my little sister is going to be attending a community college this Fall.

@NCalRent that’s bad news! :< should I assume that UC Irvine’s NPC to be an overestimation of the grants they would offer then?

The program could be replaced, enhanced or repealed altogether in the coming years. I don’t know enough about your situation to recommend anything other than not counting on the middle class scholarship. Lots if variables go into your EFC and it is one of several financial aid that may show up as ‘grants’ in their NPC.

Okay I understand, thanks @NCalRent

Hoping for the best