What are cal grants?

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants to qualified California residents who meet minimum GPA requirements and demonstrate financial eligibility as determined by the FAFSA or CADAA. Authorization to disburse Cal Grants is dependent on the governor signing the state budget and payment being sent by CSAC to Chico State.

Once a student has been awarded a Cal Grant, students do not need to request a GPA verification to be sent to CSAC. Cal Grants will be renewed routinely each year for students who meet the basic requirements and who maintain financial aid eligibility based on their FAFSA or CADAA information. A FAFSA or CADAA renewal must be filed for each year.

CSAC requires notification of the following changes:

Use WebGrants for Students(opens in new window) (WGS) to update your information and monitor and manage your Cal Grant. The California Student Aid Commission contacts students via email so it is critical that you keep this information current on your WGS account. School changes, address changes, and leave of absence requests can all be made online at WebGrants. To confirm graduation status, access the High School Graduation screen which is accessible from the WebGrants menu.

Paper form required for the following:

Name and Social Security number changes must be made on a Grant Record Change Form(opens in new window), which may be downloaded and returned to CSAC.

Cal Grant A is awarded to undergraduates with verified GPA eligibility whose family income and assets fall within the ceilings established by CSAC(opens in new window). At public colleges such as Chico State, Cal Grant A provides assistance with the state university fee and is available for up to eight semesters for a bachelor’s degree. Cal Grant A may be extended for an additional year for students pursuing a teaching credential or who are in a designated five-year program.

Cal Grant B provides low-income students with assistance with the state university fee and is available for up to eight semesters for a bachelor's degree. Cal Grant B may be extended for an additional year for students pursuing a teaching credential or who are in a designated five-year program. Cal Grant B also provides a living allowance of up to $1656 for books and living expenses.

Cal Grant students who have dependent children may be eligible for an access award of up to $6,008 per year. The Students with Dependent Children (SWD) Grant increases the Cal Grant award by up to $6,000 for qualifying Cal Grant A recipients and $6008 for Cal Grant B recipients.

To qualify, the student must have dependent children that are under 18 years of age for whom they provide more than half of their financial support during the academic year, and certify SWD eligibility through their WebGrants 4 Students Account.

There are three kinds of Cal Grants — A, B and C — but you don’t have to figure out which one to apply for. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application 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 — for 2018-2019, Cal Grants are up to $12,570 at a University of California campus, up to $5,742 at a California State University campus, and up to $9,220 at independent colleges

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 qualifies you for transfer from a community college to a bachelor’s degree program

Cal Grant B

Provides a living allowance of up to $1,648, 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 living expenses, 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 (up to $12,570 at a UC campus, up to $5,742 at a CSU campus and up to $9,220 at independent colleges for 2018-2019)

requires at least a 2.0 GPA

Interested in a technical, vocational or career education?

Cal Grant C

Assists with the costs of a technical or career education

provides up to $1,094 for books, tools and equipment—and up to $2,462 more for tuition and fees if you’ll be attending a school other than a California Community College (community colleges don’t charge tuition and your fees will be waived as a Cal Grant recipient)

is available for up to two years

If you qualify, you’ll receive an email or letter notification to complete the online Cal Grant C Supplement in Web Grants for Students by the deadline. Even though a GPA is not required to apply for a Cal Grant C, you’re still encouraged to submit yours because it can only help your chances of receiving an award.

For the Cal Grant A or B Entitlement awards:

If you receive a letter stating you were disqualified for a Cal Grant and you feel this was in error, you may be able submit an appeal depending on the reason. In your appeal, please state why you feel you are eligible and submit all documentation supporting your appeal. If you believe you were denied due to an error, be sure to submit any documentation supporting the correction of that error. If you don’t have any documentation to support your corrections, you may submit an appeal. However, the Commission may not be able to overturn the denial. You will need to work with your college or high school because you’ll also need certification from your school verifying your request to correct any errors.

For Cal Grant A or B Competitive awards:

If you’re applying for a Cal Grant A Competitive award or Cal Grant B Competitive award (you’re not a current high school senior or a recent graduate) and you received a disqualification letter, you’ll need to reapply next year unless you’re planning to attend a California Community College in the fall. If you’ll be attending a community college in the fall and correct your Student Aid Report before the Cal Grant September 2 deadline. If you receive your denial after the September 2 deadline, you’ll need to apply again next year.