State Grants

Cal Grant A

Covers tuition and fees at four-year colleges
Award amounts vary by college type:

• Up to $12,630 at a University of California (UC) campus
• Up to $5,742 at a California State University (CSU) campus
• Up to $9,084 at independent colleges

Eligibility Requirements:

• GPA Requirement:
  • High school GPA: 3.0+
  • College GPA: 2.4+
• Must be enrolled in a program that leads to an associate or bachelor’s degree or qualifies you for transfer from a community college to a four-year program.

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Cal Grant B

Provides a living allowance and tuition assistance after the first year
Award amounts:

• Living Allowance: Up to $1,672 (for books, supplies, transportation, and living expenses)
• Tuition & Fees Assistance (after the first year):
  • Up to $12,630 at a UC campus
  • Up to $5,742 at a CSU campus
  • Up to $9,084 at independent colleges

Eligibility Requirements:

• GPA Requirement: 2.0+
• First-year students receive the living allowance only; tuition assistance begins in the second year.

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Cal Grant C

Supports students in Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs
Award amounts:

• Up to $1,094 for books, tools, and equipment
• Up to $2,462 for tuition and fees (if attending a non-community college)

Eligibility Requirements:

• No GPA requirement, but submitting one is encouraged.
• Available for up to two years.
• Students may need to complete the Cal Grant C Supplement in Web Grants 4 Students.

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Cal Grant for Students with Dependent Children (SWD)

Additional aid for Cal Grant recipients who have dependents under 18

Award increases:

• Cal Grant A: Up to $6,000
• Cal Grant B: Up to $6,024
• Cal Grant C: Up to $4,000 for books & supplies

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must self-certify eligibility in the Web Grants portal.
• Award amount depends on enrollment status (full-time, 3/4 time, or half-time).
• Maximum of four years of funding (Foster Youth may receive up to eight years).
• Students must have unmet financial need to receive the full award. Other financial aid (such as Federal Loans or Work-Study) may impact eligibility.

Next Steps:

1. Check your Web Grants portal for the SWD self-certification.
2. Follow up with your college's financial aid office if you have questions about unmet need.

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Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award

For students transferring from a community college to a four-year institution

• If you did not receive a Cal Grant at your community college, you may still qualify for a Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award.

The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) provides additional financial aid to Cal Grant B or C recipients attending a California community college. This grant helps offset educational costs and encourages full-time enrollment. Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grant Amounts

• SSCG1L : $2,596 per year ($1,298 per semester) for students enrolled in 12–14.5 units .

• SSCG2L : $5,404 per year ($2,702 per semester) for students enrolled in 15 or more units .

• Total Possible Award : Students enrolled in 15+ units receive both grants for a combined total of $8,000 per year ($4,000 per semester) .

• Award amounts are based on financial need and cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.

Eligibility Requirements To qualify, students must:

• Be awarded a Cal Grant B or C and be eligible for payment.

• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress based on federal standards.

• Be a California resident or exempt from non-resident tuition.

• Enroll in at least 12 college-level units per term .

Disbursement Information

• SSCG refunds are paid on the second scheduled payment date of each term.

• Payments are based on the official unit enrollment at the time of disbursement.

• Award payments cannot exceed unmet need.

Up to $5,000 per year for current or former foster youth to help with college and living expenses.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the Chafee Grant, you must:

• Be a current or former foster youth who was in foster care at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18.
• Be under 26 years old as of July 1st of the award year.
• Be enrolled in an eligible college, university, or career/technical school.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Not be in default on a federal student loan.

Foster youth can check their Chafee Grant application and award status 24/7:

• Phone : 1-888-224-7268 (Interactive Voice Response System)

• Website : www.chafee.csac.ca.gov

Who is Eligible?

• Submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or meet AB540 criteria
• Be a California resident at the time of high school graduation (or meet AB540 criteria)
• Have a Social Security number or meet AB540 criteria
• Attend a qualifying California college
• Demonstrate financial need based on college costs
• Have family income and assets below the state-established ceilings
• Meet the minimum GPA requirement for the specific Cal Grant
• Be enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Not owe a refund on a state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan
• Register with the U.S. Selective Service (if required)

Priority Deadline: March 3

To maximize your chances of receiving a Cal Grant award, you must submit:

• FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
• GPA Verification

Deadline: March 3

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Missed the March 3 Deadline?

If you plan to attend a California Community College in the fall, you still have a chance to apply for a Competitive Community College Cal Grant.

Extended Deadline: September 2

• File your FAFSA or Dream Act Application by September 2
• Submit your GPA Verification before September 2

Note: Cal Grant awards are limited, so applying as early as possible increases your chances of receiving funding.

Step 1: Create or Log Into Your WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) Account

1. Visit the WebGrants 4 Students portal: mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov
2. If you applied using the CA Dream Act (CADAA), create your account using your Dream Act ID number.
3. If you already have an account, log in with your username and password (this is different from your FAFSA or CADAA account).
4. Scroll down to the "Cal Grant" Section
5. Select the School of Attendance Card & click on "School Change" button.
6. If you are unable to make a school change online, you may call their helpline and get help from there. 1-888-224-7268

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Step 2: Complete Any Required Forms

Your Cal Grant award may be on hold until you complete certain forms in WG4S.

For High School Seniors (E1)

Complete the High School Graduation Certification Form

• After graduating, log into WG4S.
• Click on Cal Grant > High School Graduation Certification.
• Enter your graduation date and submit the form.

For Transfer Students (E2)

Complete the Transfer Entitlement Certification

• Log into WG4S and go to the Cal Grant main page.
• Click on Transfer Entitlement Certification.
• Answer all required questions, including confirming the school you will attend.
• Submit the form electronically.
• Check your account a week later to confirm your school has been updated.

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Step 3: Confirm or Update Your School of Attendance

Your Cal Grant is awarded based on the school listed in WG4S. If you are attending a different school, you must update it:

1. Log into WG4S.
2. Click Submit School Change.
3. Select your correct school from the drop-down list.
4. Click Submit Change.
5. Allow one week for the change to take effect.

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Step 4: Complete Any Additional Forms (If Required)

If notified in WG4S, you may need to submit additional forms:

Cal Grant C Supplement Form (For Career Technical Education Students)

• Log into WG4S and go to the Cal Grant main page.
• Click Cal Grant C Supplement Form.
• Answer all questions, including confirming your school and program.
• Submit the form electronically.
• Your program must be a CTE (Career Technical Education) program to qualify.
• Check if your program qualifies – CTE programs have an asterisk (*) next to them.

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Step 5: Follow Up With Our Financial Aid Office

Your school must verify your eligibility before disbursing Cal Grant funds.

• Contact your financial aid office to confirm all requirements are met.
• Ensure your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application is up to date.
• Check if any additional steps are required by your school.

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• Complete all forms by the required deadlines to avoid delays in your award.
• Check your WG4S account regularly for any updates or new forms to complete.
• Your financial aid office will verify your eligibility before disbursing funds.

For more information, visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website

March 3rd Deadline (Priority Deadline)

-Our college can provide GPA verification only if you have completed 16 or more units (excluding Basic Skills or ESL courses) prior to the Spring term.

-Automatic Certification:

• Currently attending LPC students who meet this requirement will have their GPA automatically submitted electronically.
• Do not submit an individual GPA verification form—it will not be processed.
  -If you were already awarded a Cal Grant in a previous year, you only need to re-file a FAFSA, not a GPA verification form.

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September 2nd Deadline (For Community College Students)

-Our college can provide GPA verification only if you have completed 16 or more units (excluding Basic Skills or ESL courses) prior to the Fall term.

-Automatic Certification:

• Currently attending LPC students who meet this requirement will have their GPA automatically submitted electronically.
• Do not submit an individual GPA verification form—it will not be processed.
• If you were already awarded a Cal Grant in a previous year, you only need to re-file a FAFSA, not a GPA verification form.

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Special Exceptions – When to Submit a Paper GPA Verification Form

You must submit a paper GPA verification form if:

1. You completed fewer than 16 units of non-Basic Skills or ESL courses at Las Positas or any other college before Fall.

   • You must submit your GPA verification form directly to your high school (Las Positas College cannot assist you).

2. You completed between 16-24 combined units from LPC and another college prior to Fall.

   • You must:
     • Submit official transcripts from your prior college(s) to the LPC Admissions Office.
     • Submit a GPA verification form to the Financial Aid Office along with a note requesting GPA combination.
   • Plan ahead! Admissions requires two weeks to process your combined GPA.

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Important Reminders

Students who graduated from high school a year prior and have not yet received a Cal Grant must submit their GPA to CSAC again before March 3rd for consideration.

• Do not rely on your high school’s prior submission from senior year.
  -If mailing any forms to CSAC, obtain a Certificate of Mailing from the Post Office as proof you met the March 3nd deadline.

Cal Grant GPA Alternatives

Some students do not have a GPA, but certain test scores can be used instead. If this applies to you, submit your test score along with the GPA Verification Form.

Who Needs to Submit Test Scores?

Students with a GED:

• Submit your GED score directly to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Students from non-traditional or unaccredited schools:

• If you graduated from a school that:
  • Does not provide grades,
  • Is not accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) or another regional accrediting agency,
  • Does not have a University of California-approved course list,
  • You must submit your ACT, SAT, or GED score instead of a GPA.

Home-Schooled or Charter School Students:

• Submit your ACT, SAT, or GED score.

Students Who Graduated from High School More Than Five Years Ago:

• You may provide:
  • SAT or ACT score, OR
  • A re-established GPA from your grades at a California Community College.

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How to Submit Your Scores

• Attach your ACT, SAT, or GED score to your GPA Verification Form and submit it to CSAC.
• GED scores must be sent directly to CSAC.

For more details, visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website: www.csac.ca.gov.

Students on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard may defer their Cal Grant for up to three years by submitting a Deferment Request Form to:

California Student Aid Commission
Attn: Active Duty Deferment Processing
P.O. Box 419027
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9026

Cal Grant Duration Cal Grant B recipients can receive funding for up to four years of full-time enrollment . Eligibility is determined based on the student’s educational level at the time of their first Cal Grant payment and is reduced each term funds are used.

You can apply for a Cal Grant in any of the following ways:

• • Within one year after high school graduation – Even if you begin working before college.

  • As a community college transfer student – Must be under age 28 .

  • As a high school senior .

  • Within one year of earning a GED.

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• Change Form For Students Cal Grant Program
• Cal Grant GPA Verification Form & GPA Submission Details (PDF)
• What are the Cal Grant Award Amounts?
• Cal Grant Income Ceiling
• Understanding My Cal Grant (PDF)
• Eligible and Ineligible Cal Grant Colleges
• How Do I Renew My Cal Grant?
• Cal Grant Frequently Asked Questions

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• Student Success Completion Grant Explained
• Q&A for Students from the Chancellor’s Office
• Student Fact Sheet from the Chancellor’s Office
• SSCG Flowchart (PDF)