The Cal Grants program offers need-based students aid to attend four-year colleges or universities, technical schools or career colleges in California. The California Student Aid Commission administers the program, which offers different types of grants for students who hold California residency. As of July 2011, you can receive a maximum of $11,124 per school year, depending on the Cal Grant for which you apply. The program extends eligibility to students pursuing occupational training or undergraduate degrees. Certain Cal Grants only allow you to use awards for tuition and school fees, while others also provide funding for textbooks, transportation costs and living expenses while attending school.

The CSAC offers multiple programs designed to encourage students to pursue certain high-need fields. The Child Development Grant Program offers need-based funding to students who plan to enroll in programs that lead to administrative and teaching careers in child development and child care. If you receive a Child Development Grant, you must agree to work in a California children’s center after graduation. If you plan to pursue a career as a registered nurse, the State Nursing Assumption Program of Loans for Education for Nurses in State Facilities can help pay your student loans. The SNAPLE NSF program pays up to $20,000 in student loans but requires you to work in a state health care facility after you graduate. The CSAC also offers the Assumption Program of Loans for Education, which pays a maximum of $11,000 in student loans for students pursuing teaching careers. The APLE program requires you to teach in a California school after you complete your education program.

If you receive unemployment benefits, you may meet eligibility requirements for the Federal Pell Grant program. The Pell Grant offers need-based funding, which you can use to pursue an undergraduate degree or attend a technical school. The U.S. Department of Education sponsors the Pell Grant and you can receive up to $5,550 for the 2011-12 school year. The Pell Grant typically offers funding for individuals who have not previously earned an undergraduate degree and program guidelines allow you to attend school on a part- or full-time basis.

If you qualify for the DOE’s Pell Grant program and still need additional funding, you may also qualify for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. The FSEOG provides funding for undergraduate students with exceptional need for assistance who receive the lowest educational contributions from their families. As of July 2011, the FSEOG program offers awards ranging from $100 to $4,000 per school year, which you can receive along with Pell Grant funding.