Applying for a Cal Grant Award is a two-step process. You must 1) submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, and 2) fill out and submit a FAFSA on or before the March 2 priority deadline.

If you have already missed the March 2 priority deadline and will be attending a community college during the school year, you may still be eligible for a second, more competitive Cal Grant selection process held in September of that school year.

*NOTE: If you list more than one college in Step 6 on your FAFSA application, only the college you listed first will receive notification of your new Cal Grant eligibility. (If you end up attending a college other than the first college listed in Step 6 on your FAFSA application, you may need to contact that college's financial aid office or contact the California Student Aid Commission directly (1-888-224-7268) for that school to receive your eligibility information).

You can get a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form at the Financial Aid office or at the Admission and Records office.

Cal Grant Guidelines

Are you...
Already in college?

Reestablishing your GPA?

Renewing your award?

Applying for a new Cal Grant but have completed less than 24 units at Cabrillo?

Were you denied a Cal Grant because of a Low Score?

What are Cal Grants?

Entitlement vs Competitive Awards

How will I know if I am awarded a Cal Grant?

California Student Aid Commission Contact Information

Already in college?
If you are already in college and are applying for a new Cal Grant, you must submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to be considered for an award. (The California Student Aid Commission does not retain GPA Verification Forms from prior years).

If you have already completed 24 units at Cabrillo, you do not have to complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. A list of the GPAs for all Cabrillo College students who have completed at least 24 units from January 1982 on is electronically submitted to the California Student Aid Commission.

*NOTE: If you have units at Cabrillo prior to 1982 to be included, you will need to submit a Cal Grant Verification Form Worksheet and a Cal Grant Verification Form to the Admissions and Records office (available from the Cabrillo Financial Aid office) by their deadlines (usually February and August).

If you have completed 24 units with Cabrillo and other college/university units combined, you must submit a Cal Grant Verification Form Worksheet and a Cal Grant Verification Form to the Admissions and Records office (available from the Cabrillo Financial Aid office) by by their deadlines (usually February and August). All grades will be included in the calculation of your GPA. Admissions and Records or Counseling must receive official academic transcripts from the other colleges/universities by their deadlines (usually February and August).

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Reestablishing your GPA?
You can improve or reestablish your GPA for Cal Grant B consideration by completing at least 16 but not more than 23 cumulative units of degree credit coursework with at least a 2.0 community college GPA at an accredited California Community College.

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Renewing your award?
If you already have a Cal Grant A or B or Community College Reserve award and wish to renew that award, please do not complete a GPA Verification Form. Instead, you must complete a FAFSA for the school year you wish to receive you Cal Grant and list the college you will be attending in Step 6 of the FAFSA application. If you list more than one college in Step 6 on your FAFSA application, the college you list first will certify your Cal Grant renewal eligibility. (If you end up attending a college other than the first college listed in Step 6, you may need to contact that college's financial aid office to obtain your renewal eligibility information).

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Applying for a new Cal Grant but have completed less than 24 units at Cabrillo?
You must either take the GPA Verification Form to your high school to be certified (see instructions with the GPA Verification Form) or submit GED or SAT test scores in lieu of GPA (see instructions with GPA Verification Form).

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All GPA Verification Forms must be postmarked by the March 2 Priority Deadline or by September 2 if you missed the March 2 deadline. Plan ahead. Contact your high school for processing timelines, if needed.

Entitlement vs Competitive Awards

Cal Grant A Entitlement Awards
Requirements include financial and basic eligibility, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and graduation from high school in 2002-03 or later. This Entitlement Award helps with fees at the California State University and the University of California, as well as tuition support at private California colleges and universities.

Cal Grant B Entitlement Awards
Requirements include financial and basic eligibility, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and graduation from high school in 2002-03 or later. This Entitlement Award provides up to $1,551 for books and living expenses for the first year. Beginning with the second year of Cal Grant B benefits, this award also helps pay for tuition and fees at public or private four-year colleges or other qualifying institutions.

California Community College Transfer Entitlement Awards
Students who meet financial and basic eligibility requirements, have a minimum 2.4 GPA from a California Community College, and graduate from high school in 2001-02 or later are eligible for this award when transferring from a community college to a four-year institution. This Entitlement Award is offered to California Community College students who were not awarded a Cal Grant within a year of graduating from high school, but meet certain requirements at the time of transfer from a California Community College to a qualifying institution offering baccalaureate degree programs.

Cal Grant A and B Competitive Awards
These awards are similar to the Cal Grant A and B Entitlement Awards, except that they are not guaranteed. Each year, 22,500 Cal Grant A and B Competitive Awards are available. Of these, 11,2509 awards are available to students who do not qualify for an Entitlement Award, but who file by the March 2 deadline and meet Competitive eligibility criteria. Community College students can compete for the remaining 11,250 awards during the September 2 application period.

Cal Grant A Competitive Awards are intended for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and are from low- and middle-income families. The awards provide grant funds to help pay tuition and fees at qualifying institutions offering academic programs of at least two years in length. Cal Grant B Competitive Awards are intended for students with a minimum 2.0 GPA and are from disadvantaged and low-income families. The awards are to be used for tuition, student fees, and access costs in a for-credit instructional program of not less than one year in length. The first year's Cal Grant B Award is for access costs only, including living expenses and expenses for transportation, supplies, and books. Beginning with the second year of Cal Grant B benefits, this award also helps pay for tuition and fees at public or private four-year colleges or other qualifying institutions.
Competitive Award Qualification Guidelines

Cal Grant C Awards
Cal Grant C Awards are available to help students with tuition, fees, and training costs for occupational or vocational programs. The $576 Cal Grant C award provides for books, tools, and equipment. Students planning to attend a school other than a California Community College may also receive up to $2,592 in assistance. To qualify for Cal Grant C Awards, students must meet basic eligibility requirements and be enrolled in a vocational program that is at least four months in length.

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How will I know if I am awarded a Cal Grant?
After you submit both the FAFSA and a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by the March 2 priority deadline, you will receive a Cal Grant eligibility notification letter from the California Student Aid Commission. (The deadline for the those who missed the March 2 priority deadline is September 2nd, if you will be attending a community college during the school year).

If you do not receive correspondence regarding your Cal Grant status from the Commission by April 30 contact the Commission immediately. If you have any questions, contact the Commission.

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California Student Aid Commission
Contact Information

By e-mail at: custsvcs@csac.ca.gov

By toll free telephone at:

1-888-CA GRANT (1-888-224-7268)

California Student Aid Commission
Grant Programs Customer Service
PO Box 419027
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027