The Cal Grant Program is a state-funded educational opportunity grant program administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to assist students in paying for a college education. Funds are awarded for the fall and spring terms only. These awards do not need to be repaid by the student. Cal Grant awards may be renewed for up to three additional years if the recipient continues to meet the income, asset, unmet need, enrollment, academic progress, and FAFSA filing parameters outlined by the California Student Aid Commission. Recipients of these awards may also apply for a fifth year of funding while enrolled in eligible teaching credential programs.
Cal Grant 'A' Entitlement Awards
This award provides grant funds to help pay tuition/tuition fees for California residents at qualifying for credit instructional programs of not less than two academic years. These awards are guaranteed for those students who have a high school GPA of no less than 3.0 and meet the established program eligibility criteria. The final filing deadline is March 2 for the upcoming academic year.
Note: The minimum financial need required for receipt of an initial Cal Grant A award shall not be less than the maximum
annual award value for the applicable institution, plus an additional $1,500. Since
'Cost of Attendance' depends on which institution the student attends, it is incumbent
upon the school, not the California Student Aid Commission, to determine if the student
meets the financial need
requirement.
Cal Grant 'B' Entitlement Awards
This award provides grant funds for access costs for low-income students in an amount not to exceed $1,672. This grant is to be used to pay living expenses and expenses related to transportation, books and supplies. Beginning with the second year of Cal Grant B benefits, Cal Grant B also helps pay for tuition/tuition fees for California residents attending qualifying institutions offering a baccalaureate degree. These awards are also guaranteed for those students who have a high school GPA of no less than 2.0 and meet the established program eligibility criteria. The final filing deadline is March 2 for the upcoming academic year.
California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards
This award is offered to California Community College students who were not awarded Cal Grant 'A's or 'B's within a year of graduating from high school but meet certain requirements at the time of transfer from a California Community College to a qualifying institution offering a baccalaureate degree. These awards are also guaranteed for those students who have a Community College GPA of at least 2.4 and meet the established program eligibility criteria. They can represent the equivalent of either a Cal Grant 'A' or 'B' award.
Competitive Cal Grant 'A' and 'B' Awards
This award is to be used for the same purposes as the Cal Grant 'A' and 'B' Entitlement award, except that it is not guaranteed. The award is based on a competitive basis and intended for students who did not receive an entitlement award and are from low- and middle-income families. The final filing deadline is March 2 for the upcoming academic year.
Fifth-Year Benefits Award
Cal Grant recipients may apply for a fifth year of funding while enrolled in eligible teaching credential programs. Interested students should contact the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) at phone (888) 224-7268 and complete a G-44 Request Form.
Cal Grant FAQs: this link provides commonly asked questions and answers concerning the Cal Grant program.
Please Note: If you are a transfer student with Cal Grant eligibility, it is your responsibility to notify the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that you will be attending CSUB in a timely manner so that Cal Grant eligibility appears on the CSUB's Cal Grant eligibility roster. If you fail to notify CSAC of the change in school, and do not appear on CSUB's Cal Grant roster by the end of the academic year (June 30th), you should contact CSAC to find out about requesting a Cal Grant award Leave of Absence for the terms in which you did not receive Cal Grant funds so that your award eligibility is not canceled for future terms.