Student Loans: Impact On California Cal Grant Eligibility

The California Student Aid Commission offers three types of Cal Grants: A, B, and C. These grants are for students pursuing undergraduate, vocational, or career training and do not need to be repaid. To qualify for a Cal Grant, applicants must meet specific financial criteria, submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, and maintain a minimum GPA. However, it is unclear whether having a loan will affect an applicant's eligibility for a Cal Grant. Factors such as the type of loan, the loan amount, and the applicant's financial situation may play a role in determining eligibility. It is recommended to refer to the official California Student Aid Commission website or consult with a financial aid advisor for specific information regarding the impact of loans on Cal Grant eligibility.

Cal Grant eligibility requirements

The State of California offers Cal Grants to students attending eligible California institutions of higher education. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Grants are funds that do not have to be repaid if you complete your courses successfully. Cal Grant A & B generally covers up to 4 years of full-time attendance (typically two years at a community college).

There are three kinds of Cal Grants: A, B, and C. Eligibility is based on your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your application, and whether you're a recent high school graduate. Cal Grants are for students pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training.

To be eligible, you must submit the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline. You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria. You must also maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school. Recipients who do not meet these standards are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment. Additionally, you must not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan. Registration with the Selective Service System (SSS) for males 18-25 years of age is no longer required to receive state financial aid in California, but failure to register may impact future opportunities.

The Cal Grant C program provides funds to students pursuing an occupational or technical program. Students must apply for FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application to be eligible. There is no GPA requirement for this grant.

Cal Grant types

There are three types of Cal Grants: A, B, and C. Your eligibility for each is determined by your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your application, and whether you're a recent high school graduate.

Cal Grant A is for students who are not current high school seniors or recent graduates. It is a competitive award with a limited number of awards each academic year.

Cal Grant B has two components: the Cal Grant B Competitive award and the Cal Grant B Foster Youth award. The former is similar to Cal Grant A in that it is for students who are not current high school seniors or recent graduates. The latter is for current and former foster youth, allowing them to be eligible for increased Cal Grant eligibility. Foster youth students may renew their Cal Grant B awards for the equivalent of eight years of full-time attendance.

Cal Grant C provides free money to students pursuing an occupational or technical program. There is no GPA requirement for this grant, although submitting one can improve your chances of receiving an award. This grant provides up to $1,094 for books, tools, and equipment, and up to $2,462 for tuition and fees if you are attending a school other than a California Community College.

Cal Grant awards

Cal Grants are awarded to students pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training. There are three types of Cal Grants: A, B, and C. Your eligibility for a Cal Grant is determined by your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application responses, your verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges you list on your application, and whether you are a recent high school graduate. Awardees of the Cal Grant do not have to repay the grant.

The Cal Grant A Competitive award and Cal Grant B Competitive award are available to students who are not current high school seniors or recent graduates. The Cal Grant B award is also available to current and former foster youth, allowing them to be eligible for increased Cal Grant eligibility. The Cal Grant B award can be renewed for the equivalent of eight years of full-time study.

The Cal Grant C program provides financial aid to students pursuing an occupational or technical program. There is no GPA requirement for this grant. Students must apply for FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application to be eligible for this grant.

The amount awarded for a Cal Grant varies depending on the type of college. For the 2018-2019 academic year, Cal Grants provided up to $12,570 at a University of California campus, up to $5,742 at a California State University campus, and up to $9,220 at independent colleges. To be eligible, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for high school applicants and 2.4 for college applicants.

Applying for a Cal Grant

The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be repaid. It is administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and provides aid to California undergraduates, vocational training students, and those in teacher certification programs.

There are three types of Cal Grants: A, B, and C. You do not need to specify which one you are applying for, as your eligibility will be determined based on your application responses.

To apply for a Cal Grant, you must submit the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, along with your verified Cal Grant GPA, by the specified deadline. The deadline is typically April 2nd for students transferring from a California Community College to a four-year university, and September 2nd for students attending a California Community College.

In addition to meeting the financial criteria and Cal Grant requirements, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, or meet AB540 eligibility criteria.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by your school. Failure to meet these standards will result in ineligibility for Cal Grant payment during the specified terms.
• Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan.

It is important to note that registration with the Selective Service System (SSS) for males aged 18-25 is no longer required to receive state financial aid in California. However, failure to register may impact future opportunities and benefits.

Appealing a Cal Grant disqualification

If you have been disqualified from receiving a Cal Grant, you may be able to submit an appeal, depending on the reason for your disqualification. Here are some common reasons for disqualification and the steps you can take to appeal:

Disqualification due to incorrect, late, and/or incomplete GPA:

If you believe your GPA was reported incorrectly, you must get a corrected GPA certified by your school's financial aid office on school letterhead. The financial aid office can then submit an appeal on your behalf for a Cal Grant GPA correction.

Disqualification due to low score for a competitive award:

If you were not eligible for the Cal Grant entitlement program and were subsequently not awarded a competitive award due to a low score, you cannot be reconsidered for the competitive award. However, you may still reapply for the Cal Grant the following year.

Disqualification due to income/assets over the ceiling and unmet financial need:

If you believe your income was reported incorrectly or you have had a change in circumstances, you should contact your financial aid office to inquire about submitting a Professional Judgement (income appeal) to have your application reconsidered.

Disqualification due to incomplete or inaccurate information:

If you were found ineligible due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided on your FAFSA, CA Dream Act Application, or Cal Grant GPA Verification, you may need to complete the appropriate forms to notify the California Student Aid Commission of any changes to your information.

It's important to note that the appeal process may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your disqualification. Be sure to review the Cal Grant Appeals G-18 Form and other relevant resources provided by the California Student Aid Commission for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information.

Frequently asked questions