Competitive Cal Grant A and B Entitlement Awards

    2008 - 2009

Award Description:

• 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.

• The number of new Competitive Cal Grant A and B awards to be issued each year is 22,500.

• 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.

General Cal Grant Eligibility Requirements:

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 post secondary 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 Competitive Cal Grant A or B Award, applicants must:

• Meet the Cal Grant Program general eligibility requirements

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

• Demonstrate financial need equivalent to a maxim award plus $1,500 for Cal Grant A.

• Demonstrate financial need of at least $700 for Cal Grant B

• Enroll in an undergraduate academic program of not less than two academic years at a qualifying post secondary institution for Cal Grant A

• Enroll in an undergraduate academic program of not less than one academic years at a qualifying post secondary institution for Cal Grant B

• Submit a completed application by the application deadline*

*Applicants will be given the opportunity to compete for 22,500 Cal Grant A and B awards.

• DEADLINE: MARCH 2, 2008
  Fifty percent of these awards are available to all students, including California Community College students.  All students in this competition must apply by March 2, 2008.

• DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
  The remaining 50 percent of the Competitive Cal Grant awards are reserved for students who will be enrolled at a California Community College (CCC). These CCC competitors have been allowed a second application deadline of September 2, 2008.

The competitive selection criteria for these awards will afford special consideration to those students who are considered disadvantaged by those financial, educational, cultural, language, home, community, environmental, and other conditions that hamper access to a post secondary institution.  Additional consideration will be given to students who:

• Graduated from high school prior to the 2008-09 academic year

• Are pursuing a Cal Grant B award and reestablish their grade point average

• Did not receive entitlement awards

• Are continuing their college education

How to apply:

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

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.*

*Note: Applicants who plan to enroll at California Community Colleges have the option of applying by the March 2,2008 deadline or the later September 2, 2008 deadline.

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 (888) 224-7268.  Forms are generally made available by late Fall.

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

* Note: Applicants who plan to enroll at California Community Colleges have the option of applying by the March 2, 2008 deadline or the later September 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 April of 2008.

California Community College applicants who filed a completed FAFSA and GPA Verification Form by the September 2, 2008 deadline will be informed of their award status beginning in October of 2008.