Cal Grants

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants to eligible California residents based on financial need determined on your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.

In order to qualify for a Cal Grant, you must file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and verify your high school GPA by March 2 of your senior year. If you have a current Cal Grant award, you don’t need to complete a GPA verification every year, but you do need to file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application yearly.

Basic Eligibility Requirements for all Cal Grants

All Cal Grant recipients must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or California AB 540-eligible.
• Be a California resident or AB 540-eligible student at the time of high school graduation and at the time you receive a Cal Grant.
• Meet U.S. Selective Service requirements (males).
• Enroll in and attend a Cal Grant-eligible California school.
• Maintain at least half-time enrollment status.
• Have financial need at an eligible California school.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school.
• Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate.
• Not have earned a bachelor's degree or higher degree (e.g., master's) or the equivalent.
• Not exceed parent or student income or asset ceiling.
• Not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant or have defaulted on a student loan.
• Not be incarcerated.

Types of Cal Grants

Cal Grant A

Cal Grant A is available to eligible students with financial need who graduated from high school in 2000-2001 or later with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. This grant pays the tuition fee portion of in-state resident fees, which is currently $5,742.

Cal Grant B

Cal Grant B is available to eligible students with financial need who graduated from high school in 2000-2001 or later with a minimum GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. This grant is given to low-income students and includes a living allowance not to exceed $1,672 for an academic year. These funds can be used for books and supplies, transportation expenses, and living expenses.

Additionally, in your second through fourth years of study, you are eligible to receive Cal Grant B funds for the tuition fee portion of the in-state resident fees, which is currently $5,742.

Cal Grant Award Information

Award information is available online at WebGrants for Students. To set up your account (if you haven't already done so), log in and click on "Cal Grants."

If you believe you have been awarded a Cal Grant and do not see it on your Cal Poly award, please check the following items before contacting our office:

1. Create your account on CSAC's site WebGrants for Students and make sure Cal Poly is listed as your school of attendance.
2. Check your WebGrants for Students account to see if your award is on hold. There should be instructions regarding how to release the hold.
3. Check your Cal Poly To-Do list. If you have been selected for verification, submit the requested documents as soon as possible as we are not able to confirm eligibility for your Cal Grant and award it until after verification is completed.

Cal Grant Enrollment Specifications

If you are enrolled in less than 12 units, your Cal Grant will be pro-rated, and you will not receive your money at the beginning of the quarter. If you increase to 12 or more units during the add/drop period, you will automatically receive the full amount. If you remain with less than 12 units, your Grant will be pro-rated based on the number of units in which you are enrolled at the end of the add/drop deadline for the quarter. You will receive the pro-rated amount approximately 10 days after the add/drop revision deadline.

Cal Grant Pro-Rated Amounts per Quarter