Cal Grant Entitlement Awards    

2008 -2009 Eligibility Criteria Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards All Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2, 2008  New Applicants must submit the GPA Verification Form no later than March 2, 2008.  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 hold his or her award in reserve for up to two years.  The Commission may hold the award in reserve for an additional year. Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards All Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2, 2008 New Applicants must submit the GPA Verification Form no later than March 2, 2008.  Provide grant funds for access costs for low income students in an amount not to exceed $1,551.  This grant is to be used for living expenses and expenses related to transportation, supplies and books.  Beginning with the second year of Cal Grant B benefits, Cal Grant B also helps pay for tuition/fees for California residents attending qualifying institutions offering baccalaureate degree programs. Awards are GUARANTEED  for those who meet the program eligibility criteria. Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards Applicants may file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by September 2, 2008. New Applicants may submit the GPA Verification Form no later than September 2, 2008. The Competitive Cal Grant A and B Awards are to be used for the same purposes as the Cal Grant A and B Entitlements awards, except that they are not guaranteed.  These awards will be offered on a competitive basis to those applicants who did not receive an entitlement award. Competitive Cal Grant A awards are intended for students from low- and middle income families.  These awards provide grant funds to help pay tuition/fees for California residents at qualifying institutions offering baccalaureate degree programs. Competitive Cal Grant B awards are intended for students from disadvantaged and low income families.  These awards provide grant funds for access costs for low income students in an amount not to exceed $1,551.  This grant is to be used for living expenses and expenses related to transportation, supplies and books. Beginning with the second year of Cal Grant B benefits, Cal Grant B also helps pay for tuition/fees for California residents attending qualifying institutions offering baccalaureate degree programs. California Community College Transfer Beginning in 2008-09, these awards will be offered to California Community College students who were not awarded Cal Grant As or Cal Grant Bs within a year of graduating from high school but meet certain requirements at the time of transfer from California Community Colleges to qualifying institutions offering baccalaureate degree programs. Awards are guaranteed for those who meet the program eligibility criteria. LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION http://www.csac.ca.gov/ Participant Forms and Applications This site contains information comparing the various CAL grant options available to students.