CCA Scholarships + Cal Grant Support

Cal Grant Awards

Cal Grant Types

Eligibility Requirements

California Dream Act Application

WebGrants 4 Students

Cal Grant FAQs

CSAC (California Student Aid Commission) Contact Information

Receiving a Cal Grant makes a difference. When you combine CCA scholarships with Cal Grants and federal grants you may receive up to 85% of your tuition covered each year depending on your (and your family's) financial circumstances.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for one of the following Cal Grant Programs:

High School Entitlement Award (E1)

This award is for current high school seniors and recent high school graduates.

Who is considered for this award?

• Current High school seniors and last year’s high school graduates.
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements (Please see below).

Click on the following link for more information: Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award

Transfer Entitlement Award (E2)

This award is for students who plan to transfer directly from a California Community College to a 4-Year University that offers a bachelor degree in the academic year that they are applying for the award.

Who is considered for this award?

• Students who plan to transfer directly from a CA Community College to a 4-year University that offers a bachelor degree in the award year. There cannot be a gap in enrollment between attendance at the California Community college and the 4-Year University.
• Students who are under the age of 28 by December 31 of the award year.
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements (Please see below).
• Students who graduated from a CA high school after June 30, 2000 and were California residents (or if you applied through the Dream Act application, living in California) at the time of high school graduation.
  • OR Students that did not graduate from high school, but were a California resident on their 18th birthday (if you applied through the Dream Act application, living in California) on their 18th birthday.

*There may be additional forms or verification students may need to complete in order to confirm their eligibility.

Click on the following link for more information: Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award

Competitive Award (C1 or C2)

This award is for students who are not eligible for Cal Grant Entitlement Awards. This is a competitive award and limited to 13,000 awards each academic year. Students are selected for this award based on a score that is generated from information obtained from their FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, and their GPA.

According to CSAC, the scoring components include: GPA, Parent Education Level, Access Equalizer, Student or Parent Household Status, Family Income and Household Size. Only the students who get the top 13,000 scores will receive an award.

Who is considered for this award?

• Students who are not awarded a Cal Grant Entitlement award.
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements (Please see below).

Click on the following link for more information: Cal Grant Competitive Award

***Community College Entitlement Award (E3) - NOT ELIGIBLE AT CCA

This award is for students attending a California Community College (CCC).

Transferring with a California Community College Entitlement Award into a Private Institution

• Students awarded a California Community College Entitlement award are NOT allowed to transfer the award or use their remaining eligibility at a Private College.
• If a student transfers to a Private College, their award will be withdrawn and they will be reconsidered for Cal Grant eligibility to determine whether they meet either the Transfer Entitlement or Competitive eligibility requirements, if they applied by the March 2nd priority Cal Grant deadline.

Click on the following link for more information: Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award

Cal Grant A

This award provides tuition and fee assistance to undergraduate California residents who seek to earn a bachelor's degree. Awards are based on cumulative GPA and financial need. Students must be enrolled in at least half-time to be eligible.

• Incoming New Students:
  • Qualifying students can receive grants up to $9,358 per academic year, renewable up to four years.
    
• Continuing Cal Grant A Recipients:
  • must file a FAFSA each year, maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average and meet the income and asset requirements as determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) each year.
  • are not required to resubmit verification of their grade point average to the California Student Aid Commission each year.
  • must maintain good academic standing, in addition to ongoing financial need.

Cal Grant B

This award provides a living allowance stipend and tuition and fee assistance to undergraduate California residents who seek to earn a bachelor's degree. Awards are based on cumulative GPA and significant financial need. Recipients are generally from disadvantaged economic/educational backgrounds. Students must be enrolled in at least half-time to be eligible.

• Incoming New Students:
  • Awards for first-year students provide up to $1,648 for books and living expenses.
  • The living allowance stipend is applied directly towards tuition and fees, however, the student can submit a request to have the funds disbursed directly to them to help pay for books and supplies.
  • When renewed or eligible beyond the first year, awards also include tuition and fee assistance of $9,358 in addition to the living allowance stipend of $1,648.
    
• Continuing Cal Grant B Recipients:
  • must file a FAFSA each year, maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average and meet the income and asset requirements as determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) each year.
  • are not required to re-submit verification of their GPA (grade point average) to the CSAC each year.
  • must maintain good academic standing, in addition to ongoing financial need.

Students must complete the following requirements in order to be considered for Cal Grant by the deadline.

• FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application (if you are DACA/Dreamer student) - See below for more information.
• GPA Verification Form (if you apply to be considered for a new Cal Grant award recipient)

Please visit Cal Grant Eligibility Requirements for more information.

Annual Deadline: March 2

The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), to potentially receive certain types of financial aid such as: Cal Grant and institutional scholarship.

• Please visit California Dream Act FAQ's for Students and Parents for more information.

• Students should create a WebGrants 4 Students account to monitor and manage their state awarded financial aid.
• WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) will let students check the status of their state grants, and take necessary steps to secure their aid.
• Please check the Reference Guide available for WebGrants 4 Students.

Can my Cal Grant Award eligibility be renewed or extended?

Depending on your level of education during your first term of grant payment, the award may be renewed for up to four years of full-time attendance.

*College seniors are not eligible to renew a Cal Grant unless enrolled in a mandatory five-year undergraduate program (Only applicable to BArch Architecture program at CCA - Please visit Request for Cal Grant Fifth Year Benefits for more information).

Can I place my Cal Grant on hold while taking a leave of absence?

If you’re not enrolled at least half time for any term, you must request a leave of absence from the Cal Grant program. Please visit How Do I Place My Cal Grant on Hold (Leave of Absence)? for more information.

What is the difference between the federal Pell Grant and Cal Grants?

Pell Grants are federal grants and Cal Grants are state grants, and students with financial need are typically considered for both types of grants. Some Cal Grants have a minimum GPA requirement while federal Pell Grants do not. You could qualify for both a Pell Grant and a Cal Grant.

If you have any questions regarding your Cal Grant eligibility and/or technical issues around WebGrants 4 Students account, please contact CSAC for further assistance.

Hours:

• Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM through 4:00 PM
• Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Phone: 888-224-7268

Email: Studentsupport@csac.ca.gov

Website: https://www.csac.ca.gov/