The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training, and do not have to be repaid (as long as you complete your courses successfully). Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program. Grants are for students attending Universities of California (UC), California State Universities (CSU) or California Community Colleges (CCC), or qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.
Cal Grant A & B generally cover up to 4 years of full time attendance (typically 2 years of that at a community college). In order to graduate within 4 years a student must take at least 15 units per semester.
GENERAL CAL GRANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen or AB 540 eligible
- Be a California Resident for 1 year
- Attend a qualifying California college (Cal Grant eligible school)
- Not have earned a bachelor’s or professional degree
- Not be in grant repayment or in default on a student loan
- Not be incarcerated
- Enroll at least half-time (6 or more units) to receive payment
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive payment
HOW TO APPLY
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (DAA).
- To be considered for a High School Entitlement Award, applications are due by March 2nd (except for Foster Youth, students have until September 2nd to submit applications). To be considered for a California Community College Entitlement/Competitive award, applications are due by September 2nd.
- The most important deadline for Cal Grants is March 2. Be sure you submit your FAFSA and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the March 2 Cal Grant application deadline. If you’ll be attending a California Community College in the fall and missed the March 2 deadline, you have a second deadline of September 2.
- Foster Youth students attending a California Community College can apply for a High School Entitlement award through September 2nd (rather than March 2nd).
- Submit a high school GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2nd (for High School Entitlement Award) or September 2nd (for Community College Entitlement/Competitive Awards). Foster Youth students have until September 2nd to submit their GPA for a High School Entitlement award.
- California Community College students can be considered for an Entitlement or Competitive award if GPAs are submitted by September 2nd
Once you submit your completed FAFSA/DAA and one of the following: high school GPA, College GPA, ACT, SAT, GED, TASC or HISET exam, you will be considered for the appropriate Cal Grant award based on GPA, financial need and college of attendance.
CAL GRANT Community College ENTITLEMENT AWARD
Who is considered for a Community College Entitlement award:
- Students enrolled at a California Community College in their award year
- Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements, which can be found at https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants
- Deadline is September 2 of each award year
- Students receiving an award may remain eligible to receive their award after they transfer to a UC or CSU ONLY if they first receive a payment at a California Community College (Exception: Cal Grant A students in CC reserve)
CAL GRANT HIGH SCHOOL ENTITLEMENT AWARD
Who is considered for a High School Entitlement award:
- Current high school seniors and last year’s high school graduates
- Current GED recipients
- Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements, which can be found at https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants
- Deadline is March 2 of each award year
CAL GRANT COMPETITIVE AWARDS
Who is considered for a Competitive Award:
- Students who are not awarded a Cal Grant Entitlement award
- Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements
- Students who complete a FAFSA or Dream Act Application
***Competitive applicants are all students who do not meet Entitlement criteria
Competitive awards are limited to 13,000 awards each academic year. To be considered for the award, you must meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements and complete a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. Only students who are not awarded a Cal Grant Entitlement award can be considered.
The scoring components are: GPA, parent education level, access equalizer, student or parent household status, family income and household size. Only the students who get the top 13,000 scores will receive an award.
TRANSFERRING WITH A CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTITLEMENT AWARD
- Transferring to a University of California (UC) or a California State University (CSU): If a student was paid the Cal Grant at the community college level for at least one semester, they may transfer the award and utilize their remaining eligibility.
- Transferring to a Private College: Students awarded a California Community College Entitlement award cannot transfer the award to a Private College. If a student transfers to a Private College, the award will be withdrawn, and students will be reevaluated for Cal Grant. Students must meet either the Transfer Entitlement or Competitive eligibility requirements.
CAL GRANT AWARD TYPES
Cal Grant A:
- For low to middle income students
- 3.00 high school GPA or 2.40 college GPA minimum
- May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length resulting in an associate or baccalaureate degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent
- Can only be used for tuition and fees
- If awarded at a California Community College the award will be held in reserve up to two academic years until the student transfers to a tuition charging institution, unless the student qualifies for the Student with Dependent Children Access Award or Foster Youth Access Award.
Cal Grant B:
- For low income students
- 2.00 high school and college GPA minimum
- May be used for a program that is at least one academic year in length resulting in an associate, baccalaureate degree or certificate of at least 24 semester units or the equivalent
- Offers an award amount to assist with tuition and fees with an additional annual Access Award amount to assist with living expenses.
Cal Grant C:
- For low to middle income students
- No GPA requirement
- Must be used for an occupational or technical program that is at least 4 months in length
- Covers up to 2 years of full time attendance
- Cal Grant A and B eligibility is determined before Cal Grant C eligibility
- Eligible students must complete the Cal Grant Supplement form if required by CSAC
CAL GRANT FAQ
Reviewing the California Student Aid Commission’s Cal Grant Frequently Asked Questions can answer most of your questions. Explore additional information with these resources:
WEBGRANTS FOR STUDENTS
Applicants and current Cal Grant awardees should check their Cal Grant status on the web using Webgrants.
Go to My Grant Info. Students will need to create an account. All students are encouraged to use the Webgrants for Students website to track their application status online. Students may use Webgrants to:
- Check if your application data has been received by CSAC
- Check your award status and view your payment history
- See how your Cal Grant might change if you attend a different school
- Report a Leave of Absence if you were awarded but will not be attending
Additional Cal Grant Information:
CSAC Student Support Services
888.224.7268
studentsupport@csac.ca.gov
My grant info login
