Apart from scholarships and loans, another way to finance your studies as a student is through need-based financial aid. If you’re studying in California, Cal Grants are the largest source of state-funded financial aid every student can leverage on.
Cal Grant is a financial aid program administrated by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) providing aid to California undergraduates, vocational training students, and those in teacher certification programs.
Cal grants are categories into A, B, and C. In this piece, we will look into the details of Cal grant B including all you should know before applying for the grant.
What is Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B is an award is given to low-income students as a living allowance and partial tuition assistance. Freshmen get up to $1,672 in books and living expenses; thereafter the prices are the same as for Cal Grant A.
According to Wikipedia, Cal Grant B increased up to $6,000 a year As of 2019 the grant, and was due to a new bill passed July 2019. Beginning in 2019‑20, Cal Grant recipients with dependent children qualify for larger access awards (of up to about $6,000 per year) at the public segments (UC, CSU, and CCC).
Cal Grant recipients who enroll full-time at CCC are also eligible for additional assistance (up to $4,000 per year) through the Student Success Completion Grant. To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must complete at least one academic year of courses
To qualify for Cal grant B, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, come from a disadvantaged or low income family. The money may be used for tuition and access costs at eligible schools with programs of more than one year in length.
In the first year, this grant can only be used for access costs like living expenses, transportation, supplies, and books. Starting with the second year, this award may also be applied to tuition.
Benefits of Cal Grant B
- Pays up to $1,656 per academic year for entrance fees such as living expenses, transportation, supplies, and books.
- Provides grants to fund your tuition, tuition, and other training costs in an eligible training program of at least one academic year.
- Pays tuition and fees for students attending 4-year Cal Grant eligible college beginning in their sophomore year.
- Pays an enrollment fee of up to $1,656 at a CCC until you move to a school that charges tuition/fees and claims both tuition/fees and admission fees.
Cal Grant B Amount
At a CCC (CA Community College)– $1,656
- You can use your $1,656 access award as a living allowance to help pay for books and other community college costs.
At a CSU (California State University)
- Freshman year – $1,656: You can use your $1,656 access award amount as a living allowance to help pay for books and other college costs.
- Cal Grant B (any other year) – $7,398: This amount includes the access award amount (described above) and an additional amount to cover the systemwide tuition and fees. ($1,656+$5,742= $7,398).
At a UC (University of California)
- Freshman year – $1,656: You can use your $1,656 access award amount as a living allowance to help pay for books and other college costs.
- Any other year – $14,226: This amount includes the access award amount (described above) and an additional amount to cover the systemwide tuition/fees. ($1,656+$12,570= $14,226).
At a Private Non-Profit School
- Freshman year – $1,656: You can use your $1,656 access award amount as a living allowance to help pay for books and other college costs.
- Any other year – $10,740: This amount includes the access amount (described above) and the additional amount provided for tuition and fees. ($1,656+$9,084= $10,740).
At a Private For-Profit School (WASC Accredited)
Freshman year – $1,656: You can use your $1,656 access award amount as a living allowance to help pay for books and other college costs.
Any other year – $9,728: This amount includes the access amount (described above) and the additional amount provided for tuition and fees. ($1,656+$8,056= $9,712).
At a Private For-Profit School (Non WASC Accredited)
Freshman year – $1,656: You can use your $1,656 access award amount as a living allowance to help pay for books and other college costs.
Any other year – $5,656: This amount includes the access amount (described above) and the additional amount provided for tuition and fees. ($1,656+$4,000= $5,656).
Ensure you follow up with the financial aid office at your school to inquire about other grants they may qualify for that can help cover the base tuition cost.
Cal Grant B Requirements
Below are the basic eligibility requirements for Cal Grant B Programs.
All Cal Grant recipients must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or AB 540-eligible
- Be a California resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time you receive a Cal Grant or AB 540-eligible student
- Meet U.S. Selective Service requirements (males)
- Enroll in and attend a Cal Grant-eligible California school
- Maintain at least half-time enrollment status
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school
- Not owe a refund on any state or a federal educational grant or have defaulted on a student loan
- Not be incarcerated
- Have financial need at an eligible California school
- Not have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher degree (e.g., master’s) or the equivalent
- Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
- Not exceed parent or student income or asset ceiling
SEE ALSO: Student Finance: A Complete How-to-Apply Guide
Cal Grant B Access
The key to receiving a generous Cal grant B package rests largely on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, better known as the FAFSA. This is the document that schools use to determine federal aid, including Federal Direct Loans and scholarships.
Follow the procedure below to apply for Cal Grant B.
- SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA OR CADAA: Unless you’re an undocumented, dream act-eligible student, then submit the CA Dream Act Application.
- FILE YOUR GPA: File a certified grade point average (GPA) with us no later than September 2nd for a Community College Competitive Cal Grant award.
- LOGIN TO WG4S: After processing your FAFSA or CADAA application, you’ll receive an email letting you know it’s time to create your WebGrants4Students account.
Cal Grant B Disbursement and Payment Information
Your school is responsible for verifying that you meet certain Cal Grant program eligibility requirements and may require you to provide documentation prior to making payment to you.
Your school will determine your actual Cal Grant amount based on:
- Financial hardship
- Participation costs
- Registration status
CSAC pays Cal Grant funds directly to your school, not to the student directly. They will never request your bank or credit card information to process Cal Grant funds. You never have to pay to receive your Cal Grant award, and we never call students to ask for personal identification information. Never send money to someone who claims they need money to pay off your financial aid.
Contact your school’s financial assistance office to learn more about the schedule and procedures for the financial disbursement.
As a Cal Grant recipient, you can receive full-time scholarship payments for up to four years. The length of your entitlement depends on your level of education at the time you received your first Cal Grant payment. Your entitlement will decrease with every installment you receive.
Your school can pay you in several ways, and you have a choice between how you pay for your Cal Grant award and other financial support. Make sure you make the best choices to get the full amount of your prizes.
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