The Office of Financial Aid

State Funded Sources

• Cal Grant Extension (5th Year)

  If you received a Cal Grant A or B as an undergraduate, you can often extend it for one additional year to cover your credential program. You must apply for this extension through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) within 15 months of receiving your last Cal Grant payment as an undergraduate student. Submit a CADAA or FAFSA and a G-44 Form to CSAC to be considered for a 5th year Cal Grant. 

  You may download the G-44 Form from CSAC here. 

  Once you complete the G-44 form, email it to CSAC at StudentSupport@csac.ca.gov with the subject line "G-44 TCP."

  CSAC will start processing the G-44 Form in July, annually. Please do not send this form to the UCR Financial Aid Office.

  Programs that can be considered for Cal Grant: M.Ed + TEP or TEP-only programs are considered. The M.Ed program on its own does not qualify students for the Cal Grant program. Cal Grant is applied toward TEP-only courses, not graduate courses.

  Deadlines date to apply: Complete your CADAA or FAFSA by March 2 annually and the G-44 form as soon as possible.

  Am I eligible for Cal Grant?

  M.Ed + TEP and TEP-only students may qualify fro an additional year of Cal Grant (for TEP only courses) if you answer "yes" to the following questions:

  • Did you receive Cal Grant as an undergraduate?
  • Did you complete a bachelor's degree?
  • Will you begin work on your very first teacher credential?
  • Will you be enrolled in the TEP program within 15 months of the end of the term in which you received your last Cal Grant disbursement? 

  If you answered "yes" to these questions, you may be eligible for Cal Grant!

  1. Complete a G-44 found online at CSAC.gov.
  2. Email completed form to the California Student Aid Commission at StudentSupport@csac.ca.gov with the subject line "G-44 TCP." Only CSAC can renew your Cal Grant.

  Tip! Enter Fall as your start term so that your Cal Grant payments are scheduled correctly. This will prevent delays!

• Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG)

  This provides up to $10,000 to students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program. In exchange, you must commit to teaching at a priority school in California for four years within eight years of completing the program. You may apply for the GSTG online at gstg.csac.ca.gov.

  Which program can be considered for GSTG: M.Ed + TEP or TEP-only programs

  Deadline to apply: Complete your CADAA or FAFSA by March 2, annually. Funding is awarded on a first come, first serve basis until funding is exhausted.

• California Dream Loan

  This provides up to $4,000 in a loan to students pursuing the TEP-only program.

  Which program can be considered for the CA Dream Loan: TEP-only program.

  Deadline to apply: Complete your CADAA by March 2 annually.

• Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)

  For students with family incomes and assets up to $250,000, this can cover a portion of tuition and fees.

  2026-27 Middle Class Scholarship Income Ceilings
  Dependent Students and Independent Students with Dependents Other than a Spouse	$250,000
  Independent Students
  Single, no dependents	$144,000
  Married, no other dependents	$165,000

  2026-27 Middle Class Scholarship Asset Ceilings
  Dependent Students1	$250,000
  Independent Students2	$119,000

  ¹This ceiling also applies to independent students with dependents other than a spouse.

  ²Independent single student with no dependents, or married with no dependents other than a spouse.

  Which program can be considered for MCS: M.Ed + TEP or TEP-only programs are considered. MCS is provided toward TEP-only courses, not graduate courses.

  Deadline to apply: Complete your FAFSA or CADAA by March 2 annually.

Federal Aid Programs

• Federal Pell Grant

  While typically for undergraduates, post-baccalaureate students in a teacher credential program (TEP) may be eligible if they are not pursuing a master's degree (i.e. credential-only path) and meet eligibility requirements. 

  Which program can be considered for Pell Grant: TEP-only program only.

  Deadline to apply: Complete your FAFSA by March 2 annually.

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program

  This is a federally funded program that provides up to $4,000 per year for students who intend to teach in a high-need field (like Special Education, Math, or Science) at a school that serves low-income students. If you do not fulfill the service requirement, this grant is converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

  Which program can be considered for TEACH Grant: M.Ed + TEP or TEP-only programs are considered.

  Deadline to apply: Complete your FAFSA or CADAA by March 2 annually.

• Direct Parent PLUS Loan

  TEP-only students who qualify may have a parent apply for the Parent PLUS Loan to help cover their educational expenses.

  Which program can be considered for PLUS Loan: TEP-only students who are classified as being dependent on the FAFSA are considered.

  Deadline to apply: Complete your FAFSA by March 2 annually.

• Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan(s)

  TEP-only students may receive up to $5,500 in federal Direct Loan(s) if they have not exceeded their aggregate loan eligibility of $31,000 for dependent students, or $57,500 for independent students.

  Which program can be considered for Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan: TEP-only students are considered.

  Deadline to apply: Complete your FAFSA by March 2 annually.

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  M.Ed + TEP students may receive up to $20,50 from this loan.

  Which program can be considered for Unsubsidized Loan: M.Ed + TEP program

  Deadline to apply: Complete your FAFSA by March 2 annually.

UCR School of Education (SOE) Scholarships

UCR offers several internal scholarships specifically for TEP students. These are often awarded based on merit, financial need, or specific teaching subjects.

• SOE Scholarships

  Scholarship Name	Target Audience
  Special Education Scholars	Covers the full cost of the M.Ed + Special Education credential for those committing to 4 years in Riverside/San Bernardino counties.
  President's Educator Fellowship	For students with financial need committed to working in CA public schools serving low-income families.
  Bridge to Success Fund	Emergency aid for credential students at risk of withdrawing due to financial hardship.
  John & Elizabeth Leonard Fund	Specifically for students pursuing a STEM teaching credential.
  RUSD Pipeline Scholarship	For STEM credential students who commit to teaching in the Riverside Unified School District for 3 years.

  Which program can be considered for scholarships: M.Ed + TEP or TEP-only programs.

  Deadline to apply: Contact the UCR School of Education Office.

Work-Study and Fellowships

• Federal Work-Study

  Need-based funding (up to $4,000) that allows you to earn money through part-time employment, often in education-related roles on or near campus.

  Which program can be considered for Work-Study: TEP-only program.

  Deadline to apply: Complete your FAFSA by March 2 annually.

• Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)/Teaching Assistant (TA)

  If you are pursuing the Master of Education (M.Ed.) alongside your credential, you may be eligible to work as a TA or GSR. These positions often include a tuition remission and a monthly paycheck.

  Which program can be considered for GSR or TA: M.Ed + TEP program

  Deadline date to apply: Contact the UCR Graduate Division Office