The Cal Grant

Cal Grants are awarded by the state of California and based on financial need and they do not need to be repaid. The award amounts are set by the state government and are subject to change at any time.

Cal Grant A

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• Undergraduate students
• Students who are eligible to complete a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
• U.S. Citizens, eligible non-citizens, or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
• Meet the Cal Grant Income and Asset Ceilings
• Meet other eligibility requirements set by the California Student Aid Commission

Annual Amount

• Pays systemwide registration fees.
• Registration fee amounts are set by the State of California government and are subject to change.

Lifetime Limit

• Cal Grant funding is limited to four academic years.
• In order to graduate in four years, you must complete 45 units or more per year.

Enrollment Requirements

• 12 or more units = full amount
• 9-11 units = ¾ of the amount
• 6-8 units = ½ of the amount
• Less than 6 units – not eligible

Application Requirements

New Cal Grant applicants need to submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification by the March 2nd deadline.

For grant information or requirements

Some Cal Grant recipients may need additional forms. Visit the WebGrants 4 Students website.

Cal Grant B

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• Undergraduate students
• Students who are eligible to complete a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
• US Citizens, eligible non-citizens, or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
• Meet the Cal Grant Income and Asset Ceilings
• Meet other eligibility requirements set by the California Student Aid Commission

Annual Amount

• Pays systemwide registration fees plus a subsistence stipend. The first year, you may be entitled to only the subsistence stipend.
• Registration fee amounts are set by the State of California government and are subject to change.

Lifetime Limit

• Cal Grant funding is limited to four academic years.
• In order to graduate in four years, you must complete 45 units or more per year.

Enrollment Requirements

• 12 or more units = full amount
• 9-11 units = ¾ of the amount
• 6-8 units = ½ of the amount
• Less than 6 units – not eligible

Application Requirements

New Cal Grant applicants need to submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification by the March 2nd deadline.

For grant information or requirements

• Some Cal Grant recipients may need additional forms.
• Visit the WebGrants 4 Students website.

Managing your Cal Grant Award

Review the fact sheet provided by the California Student Aid Commission.

Enrollment requirements and Census Date

A student’s enrollment status can determine your grant eligibility and census date plays a big part. We encourage you to review your enrollment requirements to plan appropriately.

• For FAFSA filers
• For CA Dream Applicants

Did you receive Cal Grant at full-time enrollment?

At the end of the term, we will verify that you attended all of the courses for which you were paid Cal Grant funds. If you did not attend one or more courses, we will reduce your grant amount accordingly and you will be billed. Receiving one or more non-passing grades with no record of attendance may also result in your Cal Grant being revised and could also result in a bill. Check the requirements for FAFSA applicants.

California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program -
The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Application (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $3,000 per academic year (up to $1,000 per quarter) to 2,500 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 12 quarters while they have an active Cal Grant B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant B award.

Eligible students must apply annually, attend a qualifying institution, have sufficient unmet financial need, and complete community or volunteer service hours in that academic year. Students shall perform at least 100 hours per quarter of community or volunteer service. Students can volunteer with any of the organization(s) on the List of Service Organizations or with any organization not on the list if it meets the criteria for a qualifying service organization.

For more information, visit CSAC's site