Cal Grant
Students are automatically considered for a California State Cal Grant A, B, or C when they file the FAFSA application prior to March 2nd of the previous school year, and indicate that they are a California Resident, as long as a GPA verification is filed.
Community college students who missed the March 2nd deadline can still file a FAFSA by September 2nd and GPA verification and will be considered for a competitive Community College Cal Grant. Complete the GPA verification before September 2nd.
Cal Grants are need-based grants provided by the State of California. To qualify, a student must be a California resident, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, obtain a social security number and be attending (or plan to attend) an eligible institution in California. Awarding of grants is based on financial need and academic performance, and funds are limited.
A student may receive only one Cal Grant, either Cal Grant A, B or C. The three grants are targeted to assist three distinct groups of applicants and are mutually exclusive.
Student Success Completion Grant
The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a grant that is given to eligible Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C students that are enrolled full-time (12 or more units). Students can receive $1,298 per semester when enrolled in 12-14.9 units. Students enrolled in 15 or more units per semester can receive $4,000.
Cal Grant A
Provides tuition assistance for a student attending a four-year institution. A Cal Grant A pays full enrollment fees at a CSU or UC (up to $12,630), and pays up to $9,084 tuition at a private institution. If you qualify for a Cal Grant A but choose to attend a California community college before transferring, you can reserve your award for up to three years until you transfer to a tuition/fee charging college, provided you continue to qualify.
Cal Grant B
Cal B is awarded to very low income students with minimum 2.0 GPA.
Cal Grant B provides a living allowance ($1,648/year) for very low-income students at a California Community College. The enrollment status of the student i.e. full time, three-quarter time or half-time will proportionately affect the amount of money actually received.
More than half of all new Cal Grant B awards are for students who will be attending a California community college. When renewed by second, third and fourth-year students at a four year institution, a Cal Grant B will also cover all of tuition and fee costs at a CSU or UC, and up to $9,708/year at a private four year institution.
Cal Grant C
Cal Grant C is awarded to community college students majoring in vocational programs. The grant is $1,094/year; the enrollment status of the student i.e. full time, three-quarter time or half-time will proportionately affect the amount of money received by eligible students.
Cal Grant GPA Verification Procedures
In general, our college is able to provide a GPA Verification ONLY if you completed 16 units (this does NOT include Basic skills or ESOL courses) prior to Spring term. All currently attending College of Alameda students who completed 16 or more units (not including Basic Skills or ESOL) prior to Spring term will be automatically certified electronically. Do not submit an individual form as it will not be completed. Students who have already been awarded a Cal Grant for a previous year need only refile a FAFSA form, not a GPA verification form.
In general, our college is able to provide a GPA Verification ONLY if you completed 16 units (this does NOT include Basic skills or ESOL courses) prior to Fall term. All currently attending College of Alameda students who completed 16 or more units (not including Basic Skills or ESOL) prior to Fall term will be automatically certified electronically. Do not submit an individual form as it will not be completed. Students who have already been awarded a Cal Grant for a previous year need only refile a FAFSA form, not a GPA verification form.
You should complete a paper GPA verification form if:
- You completed less than 16 units of non-basic skills or ESOL classes at College of Alameda or any other college prior to Fall; you must request a GPA verification directly from your high school!
- Your combined units from College of Alameda and a prior college are between 16 – 24 units prior to Fall. You must submit your official transcript from the prior college to the College of Alameda admissions office, and submit your GPA verification form to the financial aid office with a note to combine your prior college GPA. A combined GPA will be calculated for you. You must allow 2 weeks for Admissions to calculate your combined GPA, so please plan ahead!
For further information visit the Cal Grant Program website
California Student Aid Commission
1-888-224-7268
Cal Grant Forms
https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/Help/Forms.asp
WebGrants for Students
The California Student Aid Commission has created this website just for you, the student. The goal is to provide you with the tools you need to establish and manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee Grant. Get detailed application and award status information on your Cal Grant or Chaffee Grant 24 hour/day, 7 days/week!
Please visit WebGrants for Students