Cal Grant

"What is Cal Grant?" The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training, and does 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 AWARD TYPES

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.
- Click Cal Grant A, B, or C below to learn more -

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 Awards:

Cal Grant Entitlement Award (High School)

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 April 2 of each award year

Cal Grant Entitlement Award (Community College)

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)

Transferring your Cal Grant Entitlement Award from a Community College to a UC/CSU for a BA degree:

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 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.

General 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 April 2^nd(except for Foster Youth, students have until September 2^nd to submit applications). To be considered for a California Community College Entitlement/Competitive award, applications are due by September 2^nd.
The most important deadline for Cal Grants is April 2. Be sure you submit your FAFSA and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the April 2 Cal Grant application deadline. If you’ll be attending a California Community College in the fall and missed the April 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 2^nd(rather than April 2^nd).
Submit a high school GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by April 2^nd (for High School Entitlement Award) or September 2^nd (for Community College Entitlement/Competitive Awards). Foster Youth students have until September 2^nd 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 2^nd

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.

After You Apply

Applicants and current Cal Grant awardees should check their Cal Grant status using:
WebGrants 4 Students

All students are encouraged to use the WebGrants 4 Students website to track their application status online. Students will need to create an account then go to My Grant Info.
Students may use WebGrants 4 Students 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

Payment Options

Cal Grant awardees may elect to receive the full disbursement of their "Access" or "Book and Supplies" awards to use towards educational expenses instead of having it applied to any outstanding balances on their student account. By choosing the first option, Cal Grant awardees are responsible to resolve any account balances with Fresno City College. Cal Grant awardees have the ability to rescind their option at any time (up to their disbursement date). Please contact the financial aid office for more information."

Frequently Asked Questions (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:

Additional Cal Grant Information:

CSAC Student Support Services
888.224.7268
studentsupport@csac.ca.gov

My grant info login