How to Apply For a Cal Grant

The Cal Grant program is the largest source of state funded student financial aid in California. It provides aid to California undergraduates, vocational training students and those in teacher certification programs.

The grant award is based on GPA, financial need and university/college of attendance. Students must apply by March 2 of their senior year in order to receive the award for the following fall.

FAFSA

If you’re a California resident and plan on attending an accredited school in the state, you may be eligible for a Cal Grant. These grants are aimed at low-to-moderate income families and can cover a significant portion of the cost of attending a public university, community college or an eligible private campus or vocational program.

The best way to start the process of applying for a cal grant is by submitting the FAFSA. The federal government has a website that allows you to fill out the FAFSA online, and the application is available as early as October 1 each year for the following academic year.

You should submit the form as soon as possible because it can take some time for the Department of Education to review your application and send out financial aid letters. You should also be aware of your state’s and your school’s deadlines.

In general, the FAFSA application is used to determine your eligibility for need-based federal aid. It’s important to fill out the form correctly and thoroughly, so that you can receive the maximum amount of help you qualify for.

The FAFSA asks you about your income, assets and other financial information. The data you provide helps the federal government to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the amount of money you need to meet your education expenses.

It’s important to understand that the EFC will be different for each family. It will be lower for families with few assets and higher for those with more.

Students should be sure to check their income and assets carefully when completing the FAFSA, because the amount of aid they receive will be directly tied to their family’s income. If your family’s income has dropped or increased, you may be able to adjust your application by discussing it with the financial aid office at your school.

If you have more than one child enrolled in college, you should also complete the FAFSA for each child. This will help the federal government to calculate your eligibility for need-based aid and the amount of aid you can afford for each student.

CADAA

A state-sponsored financial aid program for qualified California students. Applicants are required to fill out the requisite forms and submit proof of citizenship and residency in the form of a doc or two. This may include but is not limited to a valid drivers license or other official identification documents such as passports and social security cards. For the most part, the state funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Depending on the type of aid being applied for, the award can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand a year in tuition, fees and textbooks.

A plethora of resources are available to assist with your financial aid application and enrollment planning needs. The best place to start is your college counseling office or the campus student success center, where a counselor can help you navigate all of your questions and concerns. In addition to advising, your advisor may have information about state and federal financial aid programs to share with you. The aforementioned offices are also the best place to go for information on state scholarships, internships and other state-sponsored financial aid programs that may be of interest to you.

WebGrants4Students

The first step in applying for a cal grant is to create an account at WebGrants4Students. This portal will allow you to check your application status, print a copy of your California Aid Report, view your award history and payment details. It also allows you to make school changes, address changes and post leave of absence requests.

Students who received a Cal Grant award in the past should use their Cal Grant ID number to establish their WG4S account. New students should also reset their password after creating their WG4S account.

To determine your eligibility for a cal grant, you must submit the FAFSA or CADAA by March 2. Then, you will need to complete a GPA Verification Form and a Cal Grant A/B/C Award Form (for students receiving the Cal Grant A). You will need to sign up for a WG4S account in order to receive your Cal Grant and any other state awarded financial aid.

CSAC determines your eligibility based on the information you provide on your FAFSA and/or CADAA, your verified GPA, the type of colleges you list on your CADAA, whether you’re a recent high school graduate and your household income. Once you’re approved for a cal grant, you will receive an email from CSAC to create your WG4S account.

Once you’ve established your WG4S account, you can monitor and manage your cal grant and/or Chafee accounts. Your WG4S account will let you view updates, make school changes, address changes, satisfy any outstanding requirements and post your leave of absence requests.

The Cal Grant program provides funds for college tuition and fees. The award amount is adjusted based on the number of units you’re enrolled in each semester. Generally, the maximum award is $9,358 for Cal Grant A and up to $11,006 for Cal Grant B.

If you are a first-time student (freshman) or transfer student, you must submit a GPA verification form directly to CSAC by March 2 as part of the application process. CSAC will then evaluate your eligibility and notify you via a California Aid Report.

Cal Grant FAQs

The Cal Grant is a need-based state grant that does not need to be paid back. It is designed to help California residents attend a qualifying university, community college or independent college in the state. The state offers three types of Cal Grants to assist students in their quest for a bachelor’s degree, teaching credential or certificate program.

CSAC awards these grants to help students meet educational costs without having to borrow money. There are two ways to apply for the Cal Grant: applying through the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Both programs are free and easy to complete. All you need to do is submit the application and your high school’s verified GPA by the March 2 deadline.

To qualify for a Cal Grant, you need to be a resident of the state of California and have a minimum grade point average of 2.0. If you do not have a 2.0 GPA, you must provide an ACT, SAT, GED or HiSet test score in lieu of your high school GPA.

If you are an undocumented student, you must apply for a California Dream Act Application instead of the FAFSA. You can download the CADAA application from the CSAC website or by contacting the CSUF Office of Financial Aid.

The CADAA application has more detailed income, asset and GPA requirements than the FAFSA. In addition, CADAA applicants must have a valid social security number.

You can also create a WebGrants 4 Students account on the CSAC website to track your financial aid, check your eligibility, and manage your Cal Grant account online. The WG4S account will let you view and update your application, submit school changes and make corrections to your record.

All new and continuing Cal Grant recipients must monitor their WG4S account to ensure that all required documents are submitted and their eligibility is confirmed by CSAC. If not, a Cal Grant payment will be delayed until all necessary requirements have been met.

To apply for a cal grant, you must be a resident of the state of California, have a minimum grade point average of 2.0, and have financial need. You must complete the FAFSA or CADAA by the March 2 deadline and have your high school’s verified GPA submitted to CSAC.