How Will I Receive My Cal Grant Money

Cal Grant

The State of California, through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) sponsors the Cal Grant A, B, and C Programs for undergraduate students.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

Enrolled at least half time (6 units) in order to receive a portion of the payment
Receiving a Cal Grant B or C award
Maintaining federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
California Resident or is exempt from paying nonresident tuition

How do I Apply

To apply for Cal Grant and Student Success Completion Grant you must complete both steps by the MARCH 2nd Deadline.

Step 1

Complete FAFSA or Dream Act Application

Step 2

Submit GPA Verification Form

Follow the 4 steps to cash to complete the financial aid process

Deadlines and Application Process

The deadlines are March 2nd and September 2nd of each year for community college students.

What happens next?

After you submit your FAFSA or Dream Act Application and your GPA Verification Form to the state they will determine if you are eligible and give you a temporary award. Once you receive your award it is important to create a Webgrants account to ensure you do not have to complete any additional forms or confirm your school of choice.

Note: The state generally will do this starting in the month of May but can award you through out the year.

Helpful Hint!

Students awarded a Cal Grant B or C and in some cases A will automatically receive the Student Success Completion Grant at the community college level.

Cal Grant Award Types

Cal Grant A

Can be used for tuition and fees at public and private colleges as well as some occupational and career colleges. The only students eligible to receive a disbursement are individuals who have a child under the age of 18 years old that they are supporting. To get this Cal Grant, you need to be working toward a bachelor's degree.

For low to middle income students
3.00 high school GPA minimum
May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length resulting in an associate or baccalaureate degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent
Can only be used for tuition and fees

Student's with dependent child under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level.

Fall - Spring Award	$6,024

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester	Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units	$3,012
9 - 11.5 Units	$2,259
6 - 8.5 Units	$1,506
Less than 6 units	Not eligible for disbursement

Cal Grant A at the University Level

The Cal Grant A can only help you pay tuition at the university level only.

Note: If awarded at a California Community College, will be held in reserve up to two academic years until student transfers to a tuition charging institution

Cal Grant B

Provides low-income students with a living allowance and assistance with tuition and fees. Students receive an allowance of up to $1,656 for books and living expenses and students with a dependent child under the age of 18 will receive an allowance of up to $6,024.

For low income students
2.00 high school GPA minimum
May be used for a program that is at least one academic
year in length resulting in an associate, baccalaureate
degree or certificate of at least 24 semester units or the
equivalent
Includes an additional annual Access Award amount (living expenses)
Sophomore through Senior years the student will receive tuition and fees plus Access Award at tuition charging institution

Annual Award Amount

You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level.

Fall - Spring Award	$1,656

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester	Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units	$828
9 - 11.5 Units	$621
6 - 8.5 Units	$414
Less than 6 units	Not eligible for disbursement

Student's with dependent child(ern) under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

Fall - Spring Award	$6,024

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester	Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units	$3,012
9 - 11.5 Units	$2,259
6 - 8.5 Units	$1,506
Less than 6 Units	Not eligible for disbursement

Cal Grant B at the University Level

Cal Grant B also helps pay tuition and fees.

Helpful Hint:Save 2 years of your for the university level.

Cal Grant C

Awards help pay for tuition and training costs at occupational or career colleges. This $1,094 award is for books, tools and equipment. You may also receive additional funds 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.

Annual Award Amount

Fall - Spring Award	$1,094

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester	Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units	$547
9 - 11.5 Units	$410
6 - 8.5 Units	$273
Less than 6 units	Not eligible for disbursement

Student's with dependent child under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

Fall - Spring Award	$4,000

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester	Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units	$2,000
9 - 11.5 Units	$1,500
6 - 8.5 Units	$1,000
Less than 6 Units	Not eligible for disbursement

Cal Grant 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.

Requirements for a Cal Grant

Be a California Resident or AB 540 Eligible
Submit the FAFSA or Dream Act Application and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by deadline
Are attending or going to be attending a qualifying California college
Have not already earned a bachelor's or professional degree
Have financial need at your college
Have family income and assets below the ceilings
Maintain satisfactory academic progress at your college
Are in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
Are enrolled at least half-time
Have registered with the U.S. Selective Service, if required to do so
Do not owe a refund on any state or federal grant
Are not in default on any student loan

To renew your Cal Grant, you must re-apply for financial aid, continue to have financial need, make satisfactory academic progress, and be enrolled in at least 6 units.

GPA Requirments What you need to know
Applicants must file a FAFSA and GPA (Grade Point Average) Verification form by the deadline. A GPA verification form must be completed by your high school or by the last college you attended. GPA's are sent electronically to the California Student Aid Commission by the Cerritos College Financial Aid Office for students who have at least 16 degree applicable units at Cerritos College and have attended Cerritos College in the last year. It is the students responsibility to verify with the Financial Aid Office that their GPA was sent electronically.

Cal Grant Resources

California Student Aid Commission
Cal Grant Information
WebGrants for Students
Important Facts About Your Cal Grant
Cal Grant Renewal Important Facts
Cal Grant Disqualification Fact Sheet

For further information please contact the Financial Aid office at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2397 or e-mail us at finaid@cerritos.edu .