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Cal Grants

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) administers the Cal Grant program, a California-specific financial aid award that helps pay for college tuition and fees. Cal Grants do not need to be paid back.

The priority application date for 2024-25 is May 2, 2024​.

In addition to meeting the financial criteria and general Cal Grant eligibility requirements, applicants must:

Types of Cal Grants

Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award

The Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award is for current high school seniors and recent high school graduates. To be considered, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and their Cal Grant GPA verification by the annual deadline.

The priority application date for 2024-25 is May 2, 2024​. ​

There are two types of these grants:

Cal Grant A:

  • Requires a minimum 3.00 high school GPA
  • May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length that results in an associate degree or bachelor’s degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent
  • Helps pay for college tuition and fees

Cal Grant B:

  • Requires a minimum 2.00 high school GPA
  • May be used for a program that is at least one academic year in length that results in an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree or a certificate of at least 24 semester units or the equivalent
  • Awards most first-year students a living allowance only, which may be used to pay for living expenses, books, supplies and transportation, as well as tuition and fees
  • ​When renewed for the student’s sophomore through senior years, pays for tuition and fees, as well as including an annual Access Award amount for living expenses

After submitting the FAFSA or CADAA, applicants will automatically be considered for the appropriate Cal Grant award based on their GPA and financial need. Cal Grant awards are determined by the California Student Aid Commission.

Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award

The Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award is for students who plan to transfer directly from a California community college to a four-year university that offers bachelor’s degrees. To be considered, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and their Cal Grant GPA verification by the annual deadline.

The priority application date for 2024-25 is May 2, 2024​. ​

To be eligible, students must:

  • Plan to transfer directly from a California community college, in the award year, to a four-year university that offers bachelor’s degrees. There cannot be a gap in enrollment between attendance at the California community college and the four-year university.
  • Be under the age of 28 by December 31 of the award year
  • Meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements
  • Have graduated from a California high school after June 30, 2000, and been a California resident (or, if applying with the CADAA, living in California) at the time of high school graduation; or, if the student did not graduate from high school, have been a California resident (or, if applying with the CADAA, living in California) on their 18th birthday

There are two types of these grants:

Cal Grant A:

  • Requires a minimum 2.40 community college GPA
  • May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length that results in an associate degree or bachelor’s degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent
  • Helps pay for tuition and fees

Cal Grant B:

  • Requires a minimum 2.40 community college GPA
  • May be used for a program that is at least one academic year in length that results in an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree or a certificate of at least 24 semester units or the equivalent
  • In the student’s sophomore through senior years, pays for tuition and fees, as well as including an annual Access Award amount for living expenses

After submitting the FAFSA or CADAA, applicants will automatically be considered for the appropriate Cal Grant award based on their GPA and financial need. Cal Grant awards are determined by the California Student Aid Commission.

Cal Grant Competitive Award

The Cal Grant Competitive Award is for students who are not eligible for entitlement awards. These are competitive awards; the scoring components are GPA, parent education level, access equalizer, student or parent household status, and family income and household size. Only the students who receive the highest 13,000 scores receive this award each academic year. To be considered, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and their Cal Grant GPA verification by the annual deadline.

The priority application date for 2024-25 is May 2, 2024​. ​

To be eligible, students must:

There are two types of these grants:

Cal Grant A:

  • Requires a minimum 3.00 high school GPA or a minimum 2.40 community college GPA
  • May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length that results in an associate degree or bachelor’s degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent
  • Helps pay for tuition and fees

Cal Grant B:

  • Requires a minimum 2.00 high school GPA or a minimum 2.40 community college GPA
  • May be used for a program that is at least one academic year in length that results in an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree or a certificate of at least 24 semester units or the equivalent
  • Awards most first-year students a living allowance only, which may be used to pay for living expenses, books, supplies and transportation, as well as tuition and fees
  • In the student’s sophomore through senior years, pays for tuition and fees, as well as including an annual Access Award amount for living expenses

After submitting the FAFSA or CADAA, applicants will automatically be considered for the appropriate Cal Grant award based on their GPA and financial need. Cal Grant awards are determined by the California Student Aid Commission.

Visit the California Student Aid Commission website for more information about the Cal Grant program.

Cal Grants – Frequently As​​​​​ked Questions

Can Cal Grants be renewed or extended?

Eligible students may receive up to a maximum of four years of full-time grant payments. The actual number of years of eligibility will depend on the student’s class level at the time an award is initially received. Students who are enrolled in a mandatory five-year undergraduate program or who enroll in a teacher credential program may qualify for a fifth year of Cal Grant eligibility. Renewal applicants must continue to meet financial eligibility criteria.

What are the Cal Grant award amounts?

The award amounts may vary from year to year. The California Student Aid Commission updates the Cal Grant amounts each year.

Are there additional resources for students with dependent children?

Yes. Students with dependent children may be eligible to receive increased Access Award funding in addition to the base Cal Grant award amount. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, consult the California Student Aid Commission‘s list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Are there additional resources for students who are current or former foster youth?

Yes. The CSU offers a number of resources to support students who are currently or were previously in the foster care system. In addition, there are California Student Aid Commission grants ​specifically designed to support foster youth in seeking higher education. These include the Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award and the California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth. More information is available in the Financial Aid for Foster Youth section of the Calstate.edu website.

What if my question isn’t answered here?

You are always welcome to contact the financial aid office(s) of the campus(es) you’ve applied to or the campus you attend with any questions you may have. The California Student Aid Commission website also maintains a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

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