What is a Cal Grant?

Cal Grants are funded by the State of California with a small portion of funding from the Federal Government through the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP).

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. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.

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 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.

The awards do not have to be paid back.

The Cal Grant award may be withdrawn or award amounts may change as a result of the final state budget.

California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)   is the State agency charged with administering the Cal Grant Program and only CSAC has the authority to make an official Cal Grant award offer. Any award estimates made by a college are not official until confirmed by CSAC.

If you are a Cal Grant recipient, you may receive up to the equivalent of four years of full-time grant payments. The phrase “program length” refers to the number of academic terms that you may be eligible to receive Cal Grant payments. The duration of your eligibility will be based on your educational level at the time you receive your first Cal Grant payment. Your eligibility will be reduced by each term that you receive payment.

 You must attend a Cal Grant eligible school to receive your award. CSAC disburses Cal Grant funds directly to your school and does not pay funds directly to the student.

CSAC will never request your bank or credit card information to process Cal Grant funds. Check with your school financial aid office to find out about their financial disbursement schedule and procedures.

Types of Cal Grants

Eligibility

How to Apply

How to Check if you received a Cal Grant

Requesting a Leave of Absence (enrolled less than half-time)

Renewing your Cal Grant (A, B or C)

2012/2013 Proposed Budget Changes

Disqualification Fact Sheet

CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT (CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION)