Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards

Award Description:

• Provide grant funds to help pay tuition/fees for California residents at qualifying institutions offering baccalaureate degree programs.

• Awards are guaranteed for those who meet the program eligibility criteria.

• If a student receives a Cal Grant A award but decides to attend a California Community College first, the student may choose to hold his or her award in reserve for up to two years.  The Commission may hold the award in reserve for an additional year.

All Cal Grant applicants must:

• Be California residents

• Be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens

• Meet U.S. Selective Service requirements

• Attend an eligible California qualifying postsecondary institution

• Be enrolled at least half-time.

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined at school of attendance

• Have family income and assets below the established ceilings

• Not be in default on any student loan

• Not owe any federal or state grant refund

Who can apply:

To be eligible for a 2008-09 Cal Grant A Entitlement Award, applicants must:

• Meet the Cal Grant Program general eligibility requirement

• Graduate from high school between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008

• Achieve a minimum high school grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• Submit a completed application and verified grade point average (GPA) by March 2, 2008

• Demonstrate financial need equivalent to a maximum award plus $1,500  (award maximums for 2008-09 were $1,428 at the California State University, $3,429 at the University of California, and $9,708 at independent institutions)

• Enroll in an undergraduate academic program of not less than two academic years at a qualifying postsecondary institution

How to apply:

• All Applicants Must File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

DEADLINE: MARCH 2, 2008
The FAFSA is the same application that is used nationwide for federal aid and other state and campus-based aid.  The application has both a paper and electronic version and can be filed beginning January 1, 2008.  The deadline for filing a FAFSA application for these awards is March 2, 2008.

For the purpose of applying to the Cal Grant Program, we would encourage all applicants to file an electronic application through FAFSA on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper versions of the FAFSA are available at high schools, career centers, libraries, and college financial aid offices.  Copies can also be obtained from the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

• All Applicants Must File a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form

Applicants may obtain a 2008-09 Cal Grant GPA Verification Form from high schools, and college financial aid offices.  Applicants may also obtain this form by calling the California Student Aid Commission at (916) 526-7590.  Forms are generally made available by late Fall.

All GPA Verification Forms must be filed by the March 2, 2008 deadline.

When Will I Be Told Whether I Have Received an Award?

Applicants who filed a completed FAFSA and GPA Verification Form will be informed of their award status beginning in April of 2008.