WHAT IS A CAL GRANT

Cal Grant A

  • will help pay for tuition and fees at four-year colleges

  • award amounts vary by type of college — for 2016-2017, Cal Grants are up to $12,240 at a University of California campus, up to $5,472 at a California State University campus, and up to $9,084 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 $1,656 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 $12,240 at a UC campus, up to $5,472 at a CSU campus and up to $9,084 at independent colleges for 2016-2017)

Interested in a technical, vocational or career education?

Cal Grant C

  • assists with the costs of a technical or career education

  • provides up to$547 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.

Complete and submit the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application byMarch 2*of each year.

The 2017-18 FAFSA application opens October 1, 2016