CAL GRANT FOR NEW STUDENTS

CAL GRANT FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

What is a Cal Grant?

A Cal Grant is money for college you don’t have to pay back. To qualify, you must meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements.

There are two kinds of Cal Grants: A and B, but you don’t have to figure out which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your FAFSA and whether you’re a recent high school graduate.

Cal Grant A

• Will help pay for tuition and fees at four-year colleges.
• Award amounts vary by type of college.
• Has a GPA requirement. If you’re applying using your high school GPA, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA; if applying using your college GPA, you must have at least a 2.4 GPA.
• Requires that your course of study leads directly to an associate or bachelor’s degree, or qualify you for transfer from a community college to a bachelor’s degree program.

Cal Grant B

• Provides a living allowance of up to $1551, in addition to tuition and fee assistance after the first year, at a two or four year college.
• Pays most first-year students a living allowance only, which may be used to pay for books, supplies and transportation, as well as tuition and fees.
• When renewed or awarded beyond your first year, you’ll receive the living allowance as well as a tuition and fee award.
• Requires at least a 2.0 GPA.

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How do I qualify for a Cal Grant?

• Submit the FAFSA and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Be a California resident.
• Attend a qualifying California college.
• Not have a bachelor's or professional degree.
• Have financial need at the college of your choice.
• Have family income and assets below the minimum levels.
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate.
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half time.
• Have registered with the U.S. Selective Service if required to do so.
• Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan.

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How do I apply for a Cal Grant?

You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the March 2 Cal Grant application deadline.

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How do I submit my GPA?

Some schools electronically submit a list of verified GPAs directly to the Commission. If your school does so, it will not be necessary for you to submit the paper GPA Verification Form. However, you should confirm that your school will submit your GPA—and did submit it—because you’re responsible for making sure your verified Cal Grant GPA is submitted to the Commission by the Cal Grant application deadline.

• New entering freshman:  If you have less than 36 units in college, you may request your high school to submit your GPA electronically to CSAC. You must also submit your high school graduation date to CSAC to qualify for Cal Grant.
  
  
• New Transfer:If you completed at least 36 units in college, and you entered in fall we will have submitted your college GPA for you. However, it will not include course work not added into your overall cumulative GPA. *Note: The deadline to submit your GPA is the same as FAFSA - March 2nd.

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When will I know if I’ve received a Cal Grant?

After you apply, you can track the status of your Cal Grant application online by using WebGrants for Students; https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov Log on to set up your personal, confidential account.

If you met the Cal Grant application requirements and qualify for a Cal Grant, you’ll receive an award letter, also known as the California Student Aid Report, or CAR. If you qualify for a Cal Grant Entitlement award and your application was received on time and needs no corrections, you should receive a CAR by the end of March or early April. If you have not heard from the Commission by April 30th, please call toll free 888-224-7268 or email studentsupport@csac.ca.gov to check your applicatio.

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What is the Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award?

High school seniors who graduate after June 30, 2000, go to a California community college and then transfer to a qualifying baccalaureate-degree granting college may be eligible for a Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement award (also known as the California Community College Transfer Entitlement award). This award is either a Cal Grant A or B.

To qualify, you must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA, meet the Cal Grant financial and eligibility requirements, be under 28 years of age as of December 31 of the award year and apply by March 2. “You must transfer from a California Community College to a bachelor’s degree-granting school in the award year for which the award is offered”.

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How do I make changes or corrections to my California Aid Report?

If you’re a new Cal Grant applicant and received a letter that states you were placed “on-hold”, you will need to use the Cal Grant Application Correction Form; and provide corrected data.

http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/CGAppCorrection0809G-23.pdf

Complete the G-23 form with all the requested changes, and submit it right away to have further consideration for the Cal Grant. Any delay in returning this form will result in either a delay in the processing of your application or possible disqualification

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What happens if I’m “disqualified” or determined to be ineligible for a Cal Grant?

If you receive a letter stating you were disqualified for a Cal Grant, but you believe you qualify for a Cal Grant and have a valid reason to appeal, you may request to have your application reviewed again. The Commission will not make professional judgments on financial information or decisions regarding your dependency status.

If you feel that your financial information or dependency status should be re-evaluated, please see your school financial aid office to discuss professional judgment. The Commission will only accept financial corrections or changes to dependency status directly from your school.

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What are the Cal Grant income and asset ceilings for the school year?

Each year the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) publishes income and asset ceilings for the Cal Grant programs. These ceilings are subject to change until the annual state budget is passed each year in July. You can find current income and asset ceilings at www.csac.ca.gov.

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When will I receive my Cal Grant funds?

Your Cal Grant funds will first go to your school. Your school will confirm your eligibility and release any funds due to you. The funds will be disbursed to BAR 10 days prior to the beginning of the term. You must be enrolled at least ½ time (6 units undergraduates) in order for financial aid to be released.

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On my California Aid Report (CAR), it states that I am eligible for both Cal Grant A and B and to contact my school. Can I choose Cal Grant A?

Yes, we recommend that you choose Cal Grant A. The first year's Cal Grant B award is for access costs only, expenses for transportation, supplies and books.

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Can I accept Cal Grant A in my first year and switch to Cal Grant B in my second year?

No, once funds are disbursed, you cannot switch your Cal Grant program.

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Renewing Your Cal Grant (A, B)

Near the end of each school year, a Cal Grant Renewal letter, which indicates either your eligibility to renew your award or announces the end of your eligibility, is sent to you. To continue to receive you’re Cal Grant:

• You must have financial need,
• You must have filed a current year FAFSA, listing your school of attendance,
• You must be attending a participating Cal Grant school,
• You must have remaining Cal Grant eligibility, and,
• CSAC must have received either a request for payment for all terms or a leave of absence (LOA) request.

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How do I renew my Cal Grant?

If you’ve already received a Cal Grant, whether or not you’re receiving payments or it’s on reserve, you don’t need to submit a verified Cal Grant GPA to renew your award for the next year. You’ll just need to submit the FAFSA.

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How can I track my Cal Grant?

You can track the status of your Cal Grant online by using WebGrants for Students; https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov Log on to set up your personal, confidential account. UCLA Financial Aid Office will determine whether you’re still eligible to receive your Cal Grant based on your financial need, so be sure to include your school on your FAFSA.

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When will I receive my Cal Grant funds?

Your Cal Grant funds will first go to your school. Your school will confirm your eligibility and release any funds due to you. The funds will be disbursed to BAR 10 days prior to the beginning of the term. You must be enrolled at least ½ time (6 unit’s undergraduates) in order for financial aid to be released.

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How do I get a leave of absence (LOA) from the Cal Grant program?

If you’re not enrolled at least half time for any term, you must request a leave of absence from the Cal Grant program. A leave of absence may be requested by calling toll free 888-CA-GRANT (888-224-7268) or going to WebGrants for Students.

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Can I use my Cal Grant for Summer School?

If you are considering using your Cal Grant for summer school attendance, you must complete a Request for Summer School Payment form (G-14) before the end of your summer term. This form is available at http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/G-142008-09.pdf Summer Cal Grant payment amounts are based on the regular school year grant and your financial aid. A note of interest; your summer tuition/fee charges will reduce your total program eligibility; if you take the summer payment option, you might not have enough remaining eligibility to assist you during your fourth year (assuming you entered the program as a freshman with four years eligibility).

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Can I request Cal Grant for fifth year benefits?

No, UCLA has no mandatory five-year programs for undergraduates.

A mandatory five-year program is an undergraduate program which requires all participants to complete more than four years of undergraduate study to obtain their degree.

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Can I use my Cal Grant if I’m planning to attend a teacher credential program?

If you have Cal Grant A or B and plan to enroll in a teacher credential program, you may be eligible to renew your Cal Grant award for an additional year. The additional year of payment is provided to students who are seeking an initial teacher credential and cannot be used for other graduate level courses of study. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a professional teaching preparation program at a school approved by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing within 15 months of the end of the term for which you last received a Cal Grant payment. Renewal recipients who have received a bachelor’s degree should:

• Enroll in a teacher preparation program at an institution approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing within 15 months of last receiving Cal Grant payments.
• Submit a Request for Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program (TCP) Benefits Form (G-44) http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/G-44.pdf.
• File a FAFSA so your school will be able to determine your grant renewal eligibility.
• The school verifies you are enrolled at least half-time in an approved teaching credential program.

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What is the Chafee Grant for foster youth?

If you are or were in foster care and have financial need, you may qualify for a California Chafee Grant. www.chafee.csac.ca.gov. You don’t have to pay this money back.  It can be used to help pay for educational purposes.  To qualify, you must be a current or former foster youth and not have reached your 22nd birthday as of July 1st of the award year.  The California Department of Social Services will determine your foster youth eligibility status.

• Up to $5,000 a year for college.
• Requires the FAFSA and the California Chafee Grant Application.
• Must stay in school to keep your Chafee Grant.
• Remember to establish your independent status on the FAFSA.

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