dThe State of California, through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) sponsors the Cal Grant A, B, and C Programs for undergraduate students.
To apply for Cal Grant and Student Success Completion Grant you must complete both steps by the posted deadline.
Follow the 4 steps to cash to complete the financial aid process
The GPA Verification deadlines are March 2nd and September 2nd of each year for community college students.
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.
Note: The state generally will do this starting in the month of May but can award you through out the year.
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.
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.
You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level.
| Fall - Spring Award | $6,000 |
|---|
| 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 |
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.
You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level.
| Fall - Spring Award | $1,648 |
|---|
| 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 |
| Fall - Spring Award | $6,000 |
|---|
| 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 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. 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.
Cal Grant C Checklist:
Note: If you are not eligible for Cal Grant C Cerritos College will withdraw you from the program.
| Fall - Spring Award | $1,094 |
|---|
| 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 |
| Fall - Spring Award | $4,000 |
|---|
| 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 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.
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.
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.