Cal Grant

The State of California, through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) sponsors the Cal Grant A, B, and C Programs for undergraduate students.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

  • Enrolled at least half time (6 units) in order to receive a portion of the payment
  • Maintaining federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • California Resident or is exempt from paying nonresident tuition

How do I Apply

To apply for Cal Grant and Student Success Completion Grant you must complete both steps by the March 2nd Deadline.

Step 1

Step 2

Follow the 4 steps to cash to complete the financial aid process

Deadlines and Application Process

The deadlines are March 2nd and September 2nd of each year for community college students.

What happens next?

After you submit your FAFSA or Dream Act Application and your GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission they will determine if you are eligible and give you a Preliminary Award Letter. Once you receive your award it is important to create a Webgrants account to ensure you do not have to complete any required forms in order to receive your Cal Grant. 

Check the the status of your Cal Grant

mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov or call at 1 (888) 224-7268

Note: The state generally will do this starting in the month of May but can award you through out the year.

Helpful Hint!

Students awarded a Cal Grant B or C and in some cases A will automatically receive the Student Success Completion Grant at the community college level. 

Student Success Completion Grant
Even more Financial Aid available than ever!

Up to 8000 a year in financial aid

Cal Grant Award Types

Held in Community College Reserve (CCR) for up to two years, until transfer to a 4-year university. Can be used for tuition and fees at public and private colleges as well as some occupational and career colleges.

The only students eligible to receive a disbursement are individuals who have a child under the age of 18 years old that they are supporting or Foster Youth Access award.  To get this Cal Grant, you need to be working toward a bachelor's degree.

  • For low to middle income students
  • 3.00 high school GPA minimum
  • May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length resulting in an associate or baccalaureate degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent
  • Can only be used for tuition and fees

Student's with dependent child under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level. 

Fall - Spring Award $6,000

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units $3,000
9 - 11.5 Units $2,250
6 - 8.5 Units $1,500
Less than 6 units Not eligible for disbursement

Cal Grant A at the University Level

The Cal Grant A can only help you pay tuition at the university level only. 

Note: If awarded at a California Community College, will be held in reserve up to two academic years until student transfers to a tuition charging institution 

Provides low-income students with a living allowance and assistance with tuition and fees. Students receive an allowance of up to $1,648 for books and living expenses and students with a dependent child under the age of 18 will receive an allowance of up to $6,000. 

  • For low income students
  • 2.00 high school GPA minimum
  • May be used for a program that is at least one academic
    year in length resulting in an associate, baccalaureate
    degree or certificate of at least 24 semester units or the
    equivalent
  • Includes an additional annual Access Award amount (living expenses)
  • Sophomore through Senior years the student will receive tuition and fees plus Access Award at tuition charging institution

Annual Award Amount

You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level.

Fall - Spring Award $1,648

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units $824
9 - 11.5 Units $618
6 - 8.5 Units $412
Less than 6 units Not eligible for disbursement

Student's with dependent child(ern) under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

Fall - Spring Award  $6,000

 
Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units $3,000
9 - 11.5 Units  $2,250
6 - 8.5 Units $1,500
Less than 6 Units  Not eligible for disbursement

Cal Grant B at the University Level

Cal Grant B also helps pay tuition and fees.

Helpful Hint: Save 2 years of your for the university level.

Awards help pay for tuition and training costs at occupational or career colleges. This $1,094 award is for books, tools and equipment. You may also receive additional funds for tuition at a school other than a California Community College. To qualify, you must enroll in a vocational program that is at least four months long at a California Community College, private college, or a vocational school. Funding is available for up to two years, depending on the length of your program.

Annual Award Amount

Fall - Spring Award $1,094

 

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units $547
9 - 11.5 Units $410
6 - 8.5 Units $273
Less than 6 units Not eligible for disbursement

 

Student's with dependent child under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

Fall - Spring Award $4,000

 

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Units Enrolled Per Semester Award Amount Per Semester
12 or More Units $2,000
9 - 11.5 Units $1,500
6 - 8.5 Units $1,000
Less than 6 Units Not eligible for disbursement

 

Cal Grant Competitive Awards

Cal Grant A and B Competitive Awards are for students who aren't eligible for the entitlement awards. The main difference is that these awards are not guaranteed.

Cal Grant A Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA  who are from low-and middle-income families. These awards help pay tuition and fees at qualifying schools with academic programs that are at least two years in length.

Cal Grant B Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 2.0 GPA who are from disadvantaged and low-income families. These awards can be used for tuition, fees and access costs at qualifying schools whose programs are at least one year in length. If you get a Cal Grant B Competitive Award it can only be used for access costs in the first year. These costs include living expenses, transportation, supplies and books. Beginning with the second year, you can use your Cal Grant B Competitive Award to help pay tuition and fees at public or private four-year colleges or other qualifying schools.

Requirements for a Cal Grant

  • Be a California Resident or AB 540 Eligible
  • Submit the FAFSA or Dream Act Application and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by deadline
  • Are attending or going to be attending a qualifying California college
  • Have not already earned a bachelor's or professional degree
  • Have financial need at your college
  • Have family income and assets below the ceilings
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress at your college
  • Are in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
  • Are enrolled at least half-time
  • Have registered with the U.S. Selective Service, if required to do so
  • Do not owe a refund on any state or federal grant
  • Are not in default on any student loan

To renew your Cal Grant, you must re-apply for financial aid, continue to have financial need, make satisfactory academic progress, and be enrolled in at least 6 units.

GPA Requirments What you need to know
Applicants must file a FAFSA and GPA (Grade Point Average) Verification form by the deadline.  A GPA verification form must be completed by your high school or by the last college you attended. GPA's are sent electronically to the California Student Aid Commission by the Cerritos College Financial Aid Office for students who have at least 16 degree applicable units at Cerritos College and have attended Cerritos College in the last year.  It is the students responsibility to verify with the Financial Aid Office that their GPA was sent electronically.

To Learn More visit california student aid commission at csac.ca.gov

For further information please contact the Financial Aid office at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2397  or e-mail us at finaid@cerritos.edu .