Cal Grant Program
Organization: California Student Aid Commission
Program Overview
Cal Grant is California's largest college financial aid program, awarding up to $16,000 per year to California residents attending in-state colleges. Over 100,000 new awards granted annually — every eligible applicant is guaranteed an award.
## About the Cal Grant Program Cal Grant is California's primary state-funded financial aid program, providing grants to California students attending in-state colleges and universities. Unlike many scholarships, Cal Grant awards are entitlements — every student who meets the eligibility requirements is guaranteed to receive funding. ### Award Details - **Cal Grant A**: Up to $16,000/year (4-year universities) - **Cal Grant B**: Up to $1,648 access award + tuition/fees (first year, then higher) - **Cal Grant C**: Up to $2,462/year for vocational/technical programs - **Application Deadline**: March 2 annually (National priority deadline) - **Application**: Via FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application ### Eligibility Requirements - California resident for at least 1 year - Applying to or attending an eligible California college, university, or vocational school - U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or CA AB 540 student (undocumented) - Meet income and asset ceilings (varies by award type) - Maintain satisfactory academic progress - For Cal Grant A: Minimum 3.0 GPA (2.0 for students with financial need below a threshold) - For Cal Grant B: Minimum 2.0 GPA ### How to Apply 1. Complete the FAFSA (fafsa.gov) or CA Dream Act Application (dream.csac.ca.gov) by March 2 2. Submit a verified GPA to CSAC (most high schools submit directly to CSAC) 3. No separate scholarship application needed The Cal Grant is automatically considered when students complete financial aid forms by the deadline.
Program Details
- Category: General Extracurricular
- Format: In-Person
- Cost: Free
- Grade Level: Grades 12-12
- Location: CA
- Application Deadline: March 2, 2027
- Country: USA
Related Topics
This program is relevant for students interested in: scholarship, california, need-based, state, financial-aid
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Learn More
Visit the official program website: California Student Aid Commission