
Cal Grant A is a type of grant that can be used to fund tuition and fees at a public or private college in California. It's available to students who are residents of the state and meet certain eligibility requirements.
The Cal Grant A award can be used at a four-year college, including the University of California and California State University systems. Additionally, it can be used at certain private colleges and universities.
The maximum amount of the Cal Grant A award varies depending on the student's family income and other factors. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the maximum award was $12,171 for students attending the University of California system.
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Eligibility
To be eligible for a Cal Grant A, you must be a California resident or AB 540 eligible. You must also be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
You'll need to attend a Cal Grant eligible school, and not have earned a bachelor's degree. Additionally, you cannot be in grant repayment or in default on a student loan, and you must not be incarcerated.
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To receive payment, you must enroll at least half-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Here are the basic eligibility requirements for a Cal Grant A:
- Be a California resident or AB 540 eligible
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Attend a Cal Grant eligible school
- Not have earned a bachelor's degree
- Not be in grant repayment or in default on a student loan
- Not be incarcerated
- Enroll at least half-time to receive payment
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive payment
You can receive a Cal Grant award for a maximum of 4 years (400% eligibility).
Award Types
The Cal Grant A award has several types, each with its own set of eligibility requirements.
The Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award is available to students attending a California Community College. Applicants must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and have a verified Cal Grant GPA submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by September 2.
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Community College Entitlement Award Transfer
If you've received a Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award, you might be wondering what happens if you transfer to a different school. The good news is that you can transfer your award to a University of California (UC) or a California State University (CSU) if you've been paid the Cal Grant at the community college level for at least one semester.
To transfer your award, you'll need to meet the specific requirements for your new school.
Transferring to a UC or CSU: If you've received a Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award and you're transferring to a UC or CSU, you can transfer your award and use your remaining eligibility. This is a great perk if you're looking to continue your education at a four-year university.
Transferring to a Private College: Unfortunately, if you're transferring to a private college, you won't be able to transfer your Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award. If you transfer to a private college, your award will be withdrawn, and you'll be reevaluated for Cal Grant eligibility based on the Transfer Entitlement or Competitive requirements.
Award Types
The Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award is a type of award available to students attending a California Community College. They must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and have a verified Cal Grant GPA submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by September 2.
Award Information
Award Information can be accessed online at WebGrants for Students, where you can set up your account and click on "Cal Grants" to view your award information.
To confirm your Cal Grant Award, make sure Cal Poly is listed as your school of attendance on your WebGrants for Students account.
If you don't see your award, check your account to see if it's on hold, and follow the instructions to release the hold. Additionally, check your Cal Poly To-Do list to see if you've been selected for verification, and submit the requested documents as soon as possible to confirm your eligibility for the Cal Grant and award.
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Community College Award
If you're a California resident attending a community college, you might be eligible for the Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award. This award is based on a verified Cal Grant GPA submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by September 2.
To be eligible, you'll need to submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. It's a good idea to get this done early, as the deadline is September 2.
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You can use this award at a California Community College, and if you're planning to transfer to a University of California (UC) or a California State University (CSU), you might be able to transfer the award with you. If you're transferring to a Private College, however, the award will be withdrawn, and you'll need to reapply.
Here's a quick rundown of what happens when you transfer:
- Transferring to a UC or CSU: If you've received a Cal Grant at the community college level for at least one semester, you can transfer the award.
- Transferring to a Private College: The award will be withdrawn, and you'll need to reapply.
Award Information
To access your Cal Grant Award information, you can log in to WebGrants for Students and click on "Cal Grants." If you don't see your award, check if Cal Poly is listed as your school of attendance.
You can create your account on CSAC's site WebGrants for Students to verify your award status. Make sure to check if your award is on hold, as there should be instructions on how to release the hold.
If you've been selected for verification, submit the requested documents as soon as possible. This will allow your Cal Grant and award to be confirmed.
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Here are the steps to take if your Cal Grant is on hold:
- Create your account on CSAC's site WebGrants for Students and make sure Cal Poly is listed as your school of attendance.
- Check your WebGrants for Students account to see if your award is on hold. There should be instructions regarding how to release the hold.
- Check your Cal Poly To-Do list. If you have been selected for verification, submit the requested documents as soon as possible as we are not able to confirm eligibility for your Cal Grant and award it until after verification is completed.
Review the fact sheet provided by the California Student Aid Commission for more information on managing your Cal Grant Award.
Enrollment and Disbursement
To receive your Cal Grant A, you'll need to be enrolled in at least 12 units. If you're enrolled in less than 12 units, your grant will be pro-rated and you won't receive the full amount at the beginning of the quarter.
Your Cal Grant A award will be based on your enrollment status at the end of the add/drop period. If you increase to 12 or more units during this time, you'll automatically receive the full amount.
You can check the Cal Grant Pro-Rated Amounts per Quarter table to see how your award will be affected by your enrollment status. Here's a breakdown of the amounts you can expect:
Disbursement of your Cal Grant A funds may be delayed until the university receives funds from the State Controller's Office. Your award cannot exceed the cost of basic tuition and fees when combined with other financial assistance.
Application and Aid
Cal Grant A is a competitive award that requires a separate application from the FAFSA.
To be eligible, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in a program that is at least 12 units in length.
The award is based on a student's GPA, and the more competitive the program, the higher the GPA requirement.
Students can check the eligibility requirements for their specific program on the California Student Aid Commission website.
Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's essential to apply early.
Students who receive a Cal Grant A award can use it to cover tuition and fees, as well as other education-related expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get Cal Grant A?
You received a Cal Grant A because you met the eligibility and financial requirements, as well as any minimum GPA requirements, after submitting the FAFSA or CADAA application by the deadline. This award is a non-repayable grant that helps fund your college education.
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