Cal Grants are one of the smartest ways to get cash for college. For starters, it’s money you don’t have to pay back. And secondly, it’s guaranteed. If you’re a graduating high school senior or recent graduate, meet academic, financial and eligibility requirements and submit two forms by March 2, you are guaranteed a Cal Grant!
How Much Money Are We Talking About?
With a Cal Grant you can get up to $9,700 a year to pay for college expenses at any qualifying California college, university or career or technical school in California. Depending on which Cal Grant you get, the money can be used for tuition, room and board, even books and pencils. The best part is, it’s yours to keep and you don’t have to pay it back.
Here’s How to Get It
All you have to do is submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between January 1 and March 2 and submit a verified Cal Grant GPA anytime between November and the March 2 deadline. If you meet the income, eligibility, and GPA requirements, the cash is yours.
To submit a verified Cal Grant GPA, first check with your school to see if they will do it for you. If not, you can go online and download a GPA Verification form, fill out the student section and take it to your school. Don’t let a little paperwork stand between you and a Cal Grant.
Available Cal Grants
There are several types of Cal Grant awards. Chances are, there’s one that’s just perfect for you. Each of the Cal Grants listed below are for students pursuing an undergraduate associate’s or bachelor’s degree or an occupational training program. For even more details, surf your way over to the California Student Aid Commission’s Web site.
If you are a high school senior, a recent high school graduate or you just got your GED, and you meet all the requirements and you apply by March 2, you are guaranteed to receive a Cal Grant Entitlement award.
Cal Grant A
Entitlement awards can be used for tuition and fees at public and private colleges as well as some private career colleges. At CSU and UC schools, this Cal Grant covers up to the full system wide fees of $2,772 and $6,636, respectively. If you are attending a private college, it pays up to $9,708 toward tuition and fees. To get this Cal Grant, you need to be working toward a two-year or four-year degree.
Cal Grant B
Entitlement awards provides low-income students with a living allowance and assistance with tuition and fees. Most first-year students receive an allowance of up to $1,551 for books and living expenses. After the freshman year, Cal Grant B also helps pay tuition and fees in the same amount as a Cal Grant A. For a Cal Grant B, your coursework must be for at least one academic year.
Cal Grant C
Awards help pay for tuition and training costs at occupational or career colleges. This $576 award is for books, tools and equipment. You may also receive up to an additional $2,592 for tuition at a school other than a California Community College. To qualify, you must enroll in a vocational program that is at least four months long at a California Community College, private college, or a vocational school. Funding is available for up to two years, depending on the length of your program.
Competitive Awards
Cal Grant A and B Competitive Awards are for students who aren’t eligible for the Entitlement awards. The main difference is that these awards are not guaranteed.
- Cal Grant A Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are from low-and middle-income families. These awards help pay tuition and fees at qualifying schools with academic programs that are at least two years in length.
- Cal Grant B Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 2.0 GPA who are from disadvantaged and low-income families. These awards can be used for tuition, fees and access costs at qualifying schools whose programs are at least one year in length. If you get a Cal Grant B Competitive Award it can only be used for access costs in the first year. These costs include living expenses, transportation, supplies and books. Beginning with the second year, you can use your Cal Grant B Competitive Award to help pay tuition and fees at public or private four-year colleges or other qualifying schools.
