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If you are planning on attending a college or university in California, you may qualify for a Cal Grant. This is money from the state of California to use towards your education that you do not have to pay back.
How do I apply for a Cal Grant?
Submit a FAFSA or CADAA by the March 2, 2026 deadline.
Submit GPA verification.
If you are a graduating senior and submit the FAFSA or CADAA, you don't have to worry about this part- your high school automatically sends GPA verifications to the California Student Aid Commission for all students.
If there is some sort of special circumstance (e.g. graduating early), you may have to submit a Cal Grant GPA verification form.
Create an account on the Student Aid website to view and claim your award.
General eligibility requirements:
U.S. Citizen or meet AB-540 eligibility
Be a California resident for at least one year
Attend a Cal Grant eligible school at least half-time
All California community colleges, UC's and CSU's are eligible, but some private colleges are not. Check out a complete list of eligible schools here.
Types of Cal Grants
There are three different types of Cal Grants. Though you may qualify for more than one type, you may only receive aid from one. When you submit the FAFSA or CADAA, that information is sent to the California Student Aid Commission to determine which Cal Grant you are eligible for based on income, GPA, and the type of institution you plan to attend.
Cal Grant A
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Low to middle income (see income ceilings)
Minimum 2 year program
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
Maximum awards:
UC's: $12,570, CSU's: $5,742, private non-profits: $9,220
Can only be used towards tuition and fees
Cal Grant B
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Lower income (see income ceilings)
Minimum 1 year program
$1,648 Access Award only during freshman year (to be used for living expenses)
Awards for tuition and fees given starting in the 2nd year of college (in addition to the Access Award)
Cal Grant C
No minimum GPA
Low to middle income (see income ceilings)
Minimum 4 month program
Maximum awards:
Community colleges: $1,094 for books/supplies
Eligible private/vocational schools: $2,462 for tuition/fees plus $547 for books/supplies
Special consideration for priority occupations
Other Grants Offered by the California Student Aid Commission
Other Grants Offered by the California Student Aid Commission
For undergraduates, including students pursuing a teaching credential
Income/assets must be less than $201,000
Must be enrolled at a UC or CSU at least half time
Maximum awards:
MCS scholarships are not set amounts and may vary by student and institution. The award amount is determined after you are awarded any federal, state, and institutional need-based grants for which you are eligible. The final award amount will be based on the number of students eligible for the MCS statewide and the funding allocated by the State Budget. Typically covers between 10% and 40% of tuition and fees.
Automatically considered after submitting FAFSA or CADAA
For foster youth (current or former; at least 1 day between the ages of 16-18)
Up to $5,000 per year
Can be renewed until the age 26 (but only 5 consecutive years)
Can be used at any Cal Grant eligible college or an institution that is not located in California with a three-year cohort default rate that is less than 15.5 percent and a graduation rate greater than 30 percent.
All CSU's, UC's and California community colleges are eligible. Some private colleges are eligible while others are not. Check out complete list of Cal Grant eligible schools here
Can receive Chafee and Cal Grant in the same year
Must submit FAFSA or CADAA and an additional Chafee Grant application
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