California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Grants (Cal Grant)

The Grants are the State of California funded for California resident undergraduate students. You must submit your FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the March 2 deadline.

Cal Grant award types:

Cal Grant A

Purpose: Provides tuition and fee assistance. Awarded to students enrolled in associate or baccalaureate degree programs.

Students who received Cal Grant A award, and choose to attend a California Community College, will have their awards reserved for up to three years until they transfer to a four-year tuition/fee charging institution.

• Cal Grant A Entitlement
  • Be a California resident at the time of graduation;
  • Minimum 3.0 California high school GPA and meet all the Cal Grant requirements;
  • Financial need;
  • Meet the required income and asset ceilings;
  • Apply by March 2;
  • Up to $9,223 at private university.

• Cal Grant A Transfer Entitlement
  • Eligible students must have a minimum 2.4 California community college GPA;
  • Must transfer in the same academic year as awarded;
  • Meet the financial and eligibility requirements;
  • Must transfer to and receive award payment at an eligible institution;
  • Must be under age 28 at the time of transfer;
  • Apply by March 2.

• Cal Grant A Competitive - Limited number of awards
  • Students from low- and middle-income families;
  • Special consideration given to disadvantaged students;
  • Graduated from high school or its equivalent during or after the 2000-2001 academic year;
  • Did not receive an Entitlement Cal Grant award;
  • Have reestablished their GPAs and qualify for a Cal Grant B;
  • Are continuing college students;
  • Apply by March 2.

Cal Grant B:

Purpose: Provides for access costs (living expenses, books, supplies and transportation) only up to $1,473. Awarded to first-year students; in subsequent years, students receive access costs and tuition and fee awards in the same amount as Cal Grant A.

• Cal Grant B Entitlement
  • Be a California resident at the time of graduation;
  • Minimum 2.0 California high school GPA and meets all the Cal Grant requirements;
  • Financial need;
  • Meet the required income and asset ceilings;
  • Apply by March 2;
  • Up to $9,223 at private university.

• Cal Grant B Transfer Entitlement
  • Eligible students must have at least a 2.4 California community college GPA;
  • Must transfer in the same academic year as awarded;
  • Meet the financial and eligibility requirements;
  • Must transfer to and receive award payment at an eligible institution;
  • Must be under age 28 at the time of transfer;
  • Apply by March 2.

• Cal Grant B Competitive - Limited number of awards
  • Students from low-income families;
  • Special consideration given to disadvantaged students;
  • Graduated from high school or its equivalent during or after the 2000-2001 academic year;
  • Did not receive an Entitlement Cal Grant award;
  • Have reestablished their GPAs and qualify for a Cal Grant B;
  • Are continuing college students;
  • Apply by March 2.

General Cal Grant Eligibility

To be eligible for or receive payment for any Cal grant award, a student must meet the following requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
• Be a California resident;
• Attend a Cal Grant participating California college or university;
• Attend no less than half-time enrollment
  (if you drop below half-time status, to retain Cal Grant eligibility, file a Leave of Absence at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov)
• Demonstrate financial need at his or her college;
• Have family income and assets below the ceilings;
• Have met U.S. Selective Service requirements;
• Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree, certificate or first professional degree;
• Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree before receiving a Cal Grant;
• Have a valid social security number;
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school;
• Not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant;
• Not be in default on any student loans;
• Not be incarcerated.

California Dream Act Cal Grant Financial Aid Eligibility:

• Must have attended a California high school for a minimum of three years;
• Graduate from a California high school or pass the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or obtain a General Equivalency Diploma (GED);
• Enroll in an accredited and qualified California college or university;
• Fill out an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as eligible.

How to apply for a Cal Grant:

• Initial eligibility for a Cal Grant award is based on information from the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a verified grade point average (GPA) (or GED, SAT or ACT score). Both must be submitted to the California Student Aid Commission either on or before the March 2 deadline.
  
  
• California Dream Act eligible AB 540 and AB 131 students must complete the secure online California Dream Act application at www.caldreamact.org and submit verified GPA (or GED, SAT or ACT score) for the Cal Grant program by the March 2 deadline.

CSAC Contact Information:

For more detailed information about CSAC awards, visit: www.csac.ca.gov or www.calgrants.org
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
WebGrants for Students: webgrants4students.org

CA Dream Act email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,
CA Dream Act online at www.caldreamact.org

Telephone: Toll-free (888) 224-7268,
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m.

General Correspondence and Appeals:

California Student Aid Commission
Student Support Services Branch
P.O. Box 419027
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027
FAX: 916-464-8002

California National Guard Education Assistance Award (CNGA)

If you are an active member in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia you may be eligible for a state-funded program designed to provide an educational incentive to improve your skills, competencies, and abilities.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be an active member who has served two (2) years in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia;
• Agree to remain an active member throughout the participation period in the program;
• Agree to use the award to obtain a certificate, degree, or diploma that you currently do not possess;
• Be enrolled in, registered at, or accepted to a qualifying institution;
• Agree to maintain enrollment of a minimum of three (3) academic units per semester, or the equivalent, at a qualifying institution;
• Agree to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA); and
• Be a resident of California for at least one year.

To apply, log in to this website at https://nationalguard.csac.ca.gov

For more information go to: www.calguard.ca.gov