The majority of financial aid awarded to Caltech undergraduates comes from grants. Grants are considered "gift aid", meaning that they do not have to repaid or earned. Because of this, grants are the most beneficial form of financial aid.
All scholarships and grants at Caltech are need-based, as the Institute does not have a merit aid program. Undergraduate students who fill out a financial aid application will be automatically considered for scholarships and grants from Caltech and the federal government. Grants are also available from state governments, but the application process varies by state.