Grants are a form of gift aid that do not need to be repaid and are most often awarded based on financial need. Concordia offers a range of institutional, federal, state, and LCMS grants to help make your education more affordable.
Concordia University’s institutional aid must go towards institutional charges, such as tuition, fees, university housing, and meal plans. It does not cover university class fees, fines, etc. Academic and Athletic Scholarships and Department Awards, including need-based aid, are known as Concordia institutional aid.
Use the sections below to explore the types of grants available to undergraduate, graduate, teaching, and nursing students.
Concordia University Need-Based Grants, All New Students
Concordia offers several institutional grants to new undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA.
First Generation Grant
First Generation Grant
Award Range:
Up to $ 2000
Requirements:
FAFSA required. Awarded to students who are the first in their family to attend college and demonstrate financial need.
Additional Notes:
Awarded to students who are the first in their family to attend college and demonstrate financial need. Renewable for 4 to 8 semesters based on class level. Students must maintain full-time status and cumulative 2.0 GPA.
Friends of Concordia
Friends of Concordia
Award Range:
Amount determined by financial need.
Requirements:
FAFSA required. Must demonstrate financial need.
Additional Notes:
Renewable for 4 to 8 semesters based on class level. Students must maintain full-time status and cumulative 2.0 GPA.
Lutheran Student Grant
Lutheran Student Grant
Award Range:
Amount determined by financial need.
Requirements:
FAFSA required. Must demonstrate financial need.
Additional Notes:
Renewable for 4 to 8 semesters based on class level. Students must maintain full-time status and cumulative 2.0 GPA.
State and Federal Grants, All Students
Concordia offers several institutional grants to new undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA. These grants include Cal Grants, Pell Grants, FSEOG, and Federal Work Study opportunities.
Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A
Award Range:
$9,358
Requirements:
FAFSA must be submitted by March 2nd. Must be a California resident and California high school graduate. GPA Verification postmarked by March 2.
Additional Notes:
Intended for low- and middle-income students who have not completed more than 9 semesters of college work. Awarded for tuition and fees only or up to FAFSA need. Based on GPA and need.
Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B
Award Range:
Freshman year (0-29 units): $1,648 Any other year (30+ units): $11,006
Requirements:
FAFSA must be submitted by March 2nd. Must be a California resident and California high school graduate. GPA Verification postmarked by March 2.
Additional Notes:
Intended for very low-income students who have not completed more than 1 semester or 16 units of part-time college work. Awarded for tuition and fees only or up to FAFSA need. Based on GPA and need.
Awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Award Range:
Up to $1,000
Requirements:
FAFSA required. Must have a completed Financial Aid file.
Additional Notes:
Limited funding available. Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis; based on FAFSA need.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study
Award Range:
Up to $4000
Requirements:
FAFSA required. Must have a completed Financial Aid file.
Additional Notes:
Limited funding available. Offered on a first-come, first-served basis to students with FAFSA need. You must obtain a student employment position. Money you earn from that position will be paid directly to you for the hours you work, or can be applied directly towards your bill
Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth
Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth
Award Range:
Up to $6,000
Requirements:
FAFSA must be submitted by March 2nd. Must qualify for and be awarded a Cal Grant A or B.
Additional Notes:
Amount added to Cal A or B award. Student must be verified as an eligible foster youth by the California Department of Social Services.
Non-Concordia University Grants, All Students
Many outside organizations offer grants to help students fund their education. These awards vary widely in amount, eligibility, and application processes.
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Grants
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Grants
Award Range:
Amounts vary; determined by each individual district.
Requirements:
Application required. Check with individual LCMS District for additional applications.
Additional Notes:
Awarded to LCMS students preparing for full-time church work and enrolled at synodical university.
Outside Grants
Outside Grants
Award Range:
Amounts vary; determined by each individual agency.
Requirements:
Deadlines and application procedures vary with each individual agency.
Additional Notes:
Requires individual research through business, foundations, churches and civic organizations. See Scholarships.
Teaching Grants
Students enrolled in a teacher credential program at Concordia may qualify for teaching-related grants. Note that students in the M.Ed. program are considered graduate students and are not eligible for state or federal grants
Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A
Award Range:
$9,358
Requirements:
FAFSA must be submitted by March 2nd. Complete the G-44 Form and submit to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Additional Notes:
Students must have received a Cal Grant as a traditional undergraduate in the year prior to credential program. Awarded for tuition and fees only or up to FAFSA need. Must be in first preliminary credential program.
Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B
Award Range:
Up to $11,006
Requirements:
FAFSA must be submitted by March 2nd. Complete the G-44 Form and submit to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Additional Notes:
Students must have received a Cal Grant as a traditional undergraduate in the year prior to credential program. Awarded for tuition and fees only or up to FAFSA need. Must be in first preliminary credential program.
Students must be in a preliminary credential program, M.Ed with preliminary teaching credential (eligible for credential portion only), MAED School Counseling or MAED School Psychology programs (receiving pupil personnel services credential) to be eligible. Must be enrolled in Fall or Spring semester of the current application year. For additional information on the GSTG, visit the California Student Aid Commission.
Concordia University Irvine LCMS Credential Students
Church Career Scholarship
Church Career Scholarship
Award:
25% of tuition
Requirements:
Application Required. Students must have graduated from a Concordia University Irvine undergraduate program, complete Lutheran Teacher Certification, and teach in a Lutheran School upon completion of credential program.
Additional Notes:
Must be a member of an LCMS congregation with the intent to serve or continue serving as a full-time church worker and enrolled in the credential program. MEd+credential students may apply through teaching semester only.
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Grants
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Grants
Award Range:
Amounts vary; determined by each individual district.
Requirements:
Application required. Check with individual LCMS District for additional applications.
Additional Notes:
Awarded to LCMS students preparing for full-time church work and enrolled at synodical university.
Nursing Program Grants
Nursing students may qualify for grants if working toward their first bachelor’s degree. Students in the second-degree ABSN program are not eligible for federal or state grants.
Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A
Award Range:
$9,358
Requirements:
FAFSA must be submitted by March 2nd. Must be a California resident and California high school graduate. GPA Verification postmarked by March 2.
Additional Notes:
Intended for low- and middle-income students who have not completed more than 9 semesters of college work. Awarded for tuition and fees only or up to FAFSA need. Based on GPA and need. Must be working toward first bachelor’s degree.
Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B
Award Range:
Freshman year (0-29 units): $1,648 Any other year (30+ units): $11,006
Requirements:
FAFSA must be submitted by March 2nd. Must be a California resident and California high school graduate. GPA Verification postmarked by March 2.
Additional Notes:
Intended for very low-income students who have not completed more than 1 semester or 16 units of part-time college work. Awarded for tuition and fees only or up to FAFSA need. Based on GPA and need. Must be working toward first bachelor’s degree.
FAFSA required. Must be working toward first bachelor’s degree.
Additional Notes:
Awarded to students with financial need who are enrolled in a Title IV school.
Outside Grants for Church Work
In addition to Concordia-sponsored funding, LCMS church work students may also qualify for grants through LCMS districts, congregations, and partner ministries.
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod District Grants
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod District Grants
Award Range:
Amounts vary; determined by each individual district.
Requirements:
Application required. Check with individual LCMS District for additional applications.
Additional Notes:
Awarded to LCMS students preparing for full-time church work and enrolled at synodical university.
Home Congregation Grant
Home Congregation Grant
Award Range:
Amounts vary depending on the funding available.
Requirements:
Check with your Home Congregation for details.
Additional Notes:
Any student, regardless of denomination, can check with their church to see if funding is available. Complete the Home Congregation Grant Application so that any funding is taken into consideration when finalizing your student bill.
