Understanding State University Grant Eligibility

Each CSU campus has established local awarding policies and priorities for the State University Grant. 

Cal Poly Pomona SUG Eligibility

At Cal Poly Pomona, our priority is to award a State University Grant equal to the amount of the Systemwide Tuition Fee to eligible students who meet the following:

• Apply for financial aid by the Cal Poly Pomona SUG priority filing deadline (lOctober 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 year only)
• Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that falls within the Pell Grant eligibility range (For 2023 – 2024 the eligible EFC range is $0 - $6,656)
• Are classified as either a California Resident, or have an approved AB540 status with Cal Poly Pomona, at the time of packaging
• Enrolled in a program that is eligible for State University Grant funding and is assessed the Systemwide Tuition Fee (Graduate Students admitted in a Conditional Status, Open University, programs offered through the College of the Extended University, and the Education Doctorate (EdD) program are not eligible for SUG funding)
• Are not receiving a Cal Grant or other grant, scholarship or waiver designated to cover the tuition fee
  • Students receiving other aid specifically designated for the tuition fee (e.g., Cal Grant, Athletic Grant Fee Awards, Fee Waivers, etc.) will have their SUG reduced or canceled accordingly.

Students are encouraged to complete their aid application and submit all requested documentation as soon as possible. All applicants will be considered automatically, but not all eligible students will receive SUG due to limited funds.

The State University Grant (SUG) is designated specifically for the systemwide tuition fee:.  The amounts offered are based on the tuition fee charged for enrollment in 7 units or more:

• Undergraduate Degree Tuition Fee: $2,871 per semester ($5,742 per academic year)
• Teaching Credential Tuition Fee:  $3,330 per semester ($6,660 per academic year)
• Graduate Degree Tuition Fee:  $3,588 per semester ($7,176 per academic year)

The amount of your SUG award cannot exceed your tuition fee when combined with other financial assistance designated to pay your tuition fee (such as Cal Grant Tuition Grant, Vocational Rehabilitation, Fee Waiver, etc.).

The amount of SUG awarded is:

• Conditional, based on availability of funds from the state
• Subject to change based on information regarding a student’s standing that could reduce or cancel an award.
• Canceled if you are enrolled less than half time (as of the end of the Add Period)
• Canceled if you do not meet the Cal Poly Pomona SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Standards for Aid Applicants.

Students must be enrolled at least half-time in order to receive a SUG payment for any semester. Final enrollment for a semester is measured at the end of the Add Period (typically the 10th day of classes).  

• Undergraduate students: enrollment in 6 or more units is required. 
• Credential Students: enrollment in 6 or more units (of required Credential Coursework) is required 
• Master’s Degree Students: enrollment in 3 or more units is required. 
• Doctoral Degree Students:  The Education Doctorate (EdD) Program is not a SUG-eligible program 

Enrollment at a level below the specified units will result in cancellation of your University Grant for the semester. 

Effective with the Fall 2013 semester, the California State University has established eligibility limitations on a student’s ability to receive a State University Grant. These limitations are designed to ensure that students receiving state funding develop and maintain a timely path toward the completion of program/degree requirements.  

Students pursuing their initial Undergraduate degree are eligible to receive a SUG award for a maximum of:  

• Freshman Admits: 150 total earned units* 
• Transfer students with less than 75 transfer units: 150 Total Earned units (CPP + Transfer)*
• Transfer students with 75 or more transfer units: 75 earned CPP Units 

Undergraduate programs that have a published length of more than 120 semester units will have the Earned Unit maximum adjusted based on the published program length (125% of the published length of the program). To calculate 125% of your degree units, multiply the total units required for your degree by 1.25 

* The following types of units are not considered against the Undergraduate Student Earned Unit Maximum: 

• Pre-Baccalaureate or Remedial Coursework that does not carry baccalaureate credit 
• Test Credit (AP, IB, etc.) and Military Credit 

Be aware:  SUG Unit Maximum is based upon earned units while the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for the Receipt of Financial Aid is based upon attempted units. 

Effective with the Fall 2013 semester, the California State University has established eligibility limitations on a student’s ability to receive a State University Grant. These limitations are designed to ensure that students receiving state funding develop and maintain a timely path toward the completion of program/degree requirements.  

Students pursuing their initial Credential are eligible to receive a SUG award for a maximum of 30 total earned semester units (or the equivalent) while enrolled as a Post-Baccalaureate Credential student. This maximum is based solely on those courses required by the state of California to earn the Credential.  The unit maximum includes all earned units from a prior credential program (that was not completed) and any applicable transfer units.  

The maximum does not include any units completed in a non-credential post-baccalaureate degree program (Master’s; Doctorate). 

The following Credential Programs at Cal Poly Pomona have an expanded Earned Unit Maximum for SUG eligibility, based upon the required units for program completion: 

Note: Students pursuing a credential that have previously completed a credential program at Cal Poly Pomona or any other university are not eligible to receive a State University Grant (SUG). 

Effective with the Fall 2013 semester, the California State University has established eligibility limitations on a student’s ability to receive a State University Grant. These limitations are designed to ensure that students receiving state funding develop and maintain a timely path toward the completion of program/degree requirements.  

Students pursuing their initial Master’s degree have an earned unit maximum of 125% of the published unit requirement for their degree. To calculate 125% of your degree units, multiply the total units required for your degree by 1.25. 

This maximum includes all earned units from the term of admission to a graduate degree program and any applicable transfer units. The maximum does not include units earned while classified as a Credential or Second-baccalaureate student. 

Note: Students pursuing a second Master’s or any Doctorate degree are not eligible to receive a SUG award.  

The CSU provides State University Grant funding only for the completion of a student’s initial degree/credential at the following educational level (initial Bachelor’s; initial Credential; initial Master’s). Students pursuing a second Bachelors, second Credential, second Masters, or any Doctoral degree are not eligible to receive a SUG award. 

Note: This limitation applies to the completion of a previous degree received at Cal Poly Pomona or any other college/ university. 

Additionally, students enrolled in a stand-alone Certificate Program are not eligible to receive State University Grant funding.