Alan Pattee Scholarship (tuition waiver)
State of California (Alan Pattee Scholarship Act, Education Code 68120), applied by UC, CSU and community college campuses
No tuition or mandatory fees at any UC, CSU or California community college for surviving children and spouses of California law enforcement officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.
- How much
- waiver of all mandatory systemwide tuition and fees and mandatory campus-based fees at UC, CSU and California community colleges
- Who qualifies
- Surviving child or spouse of a California law enforcement officer or firefighter who died in the line of duty
- Deceased must have been a California resident whose principal duties were active law enforcement or fire suppression/prevention for a public agency. Children of contractors: undergraduate only, and income within the Cal Grant B ceiling.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, transfer students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Apply any time No published deadline; requested through the campus financial aid office
- How to apply
- Contact the campus financial aid office
- You may be asked for the death certificate and a letter of support from the deceased parent's former employer
- What you'll need
- See how to apply
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) and page 2
The details
Under Education Code section 68120 (the Alan Pattee Scholarship Act, 1970), UC, CSU, the California Community Colleges and their campuses may not charge mandatory systemwide tuition/fees or mandatory campus-based fees to a surviving spouse or surviving child (natural, adopted, or qualifying stepchild) of a person who was a California resident, worked for a public agency (or as a contractor/contractor employee for one, or as a federal firefighter serving in California), whose principal duties were active law enforcement or fire suppression and prevention (not clerical), and who was killed or died from an injury or industrial illness from those duties. Children of contractors must also be undergraduates at UC/CSU or community college students and be within the Cal Grant B income and asset limits. Does not cover books, housing, or other non-fee costs.
More money from California
- Cal Grant A2026-27 max: UC $15,588 (2026-27 cohort), CSU $6,838, CCC bachelor's program $3,024, private institutions $4,000-$9,358
- Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)up to $8,000 per year (15+ units/semester); $2,596 per year (12-14.99 units/semester)
- Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Programup to $5,000 (one-time)
- Cal Grant C2026-27 max: community college $1,094 (books/supplies); private schools $2,462 tuition/fees + $547 books/supplies
- Cal Grant B2026-27: $1,648 access award (first year); from year two also tuition/fees up to $15,588 at UC, $6,838 at CSU, $4,000-$9,358 at private schools
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, Nevada, Oregon
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.