STEP 1: SUBMIT THE FAFSA OR CADAA
The 2024-25 Better FAFSA/Better CA Dream Act application will be open by December 31, 2023. The Commission’s Frequently Asked Questions about Better FAFSA/Better CADAA are available online.
Deadline: May2, 2024
Secondary Deadline: September 3, 2024, applicable for Community College students.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Students who are US Citizens, permanent residents, or eligible non-citizens should complete the FAFSA. Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA, anyone who’s required to provide information on the FAFSA form will need to create a
Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)This includes the student and if applicable, the student’s spouse, a biological/adoptive parent, or parent’s spouse (if remarried). All contributing individuals must provide consent to have information transferred onto the FAFSA form. If consent is not given, the FAFSA form will remain incomplete, and the student will be ineligible for federal student aid.
CADream Act Application (CADAA)
Undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid/expired), U Visa holders, students with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and who meet AB 540 requirements can complete the CA Dream Act Application. Students completing the CADAA must finalize eligibility for AB 540 with their college – this important step allows students to pay in-state tuition and receive state financial aid. Students should work with their financial aid office to confirm eligibility and submit any necessary documentation to prove eligibility.The CA Dream Act Application is used to apply for state financial aid, like Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship as well as institutional aid from colleges like the Blue and Gold Scholarship or the State University Grant (SUG).Information provided on the CADAAis not shared with the federal government and it is not used for immigration enforcement. CSAC will work to the fullest extent of the law to protect all students that share their information through the CADAA.
IMPORTANT: Information that is provided on the FAFSA and CADAA is used to determine a student’s financial aid eligibility. Should a parent or spouse provide information on the FAFSA or CADAA, it does not make them financially responsible for the student’s educational costs.
STEP 2: CONFIRM GPA SUBMISSION TO CSAC
Priority Deadline: March 4, 2024
Secondary Deadline: September 3, 2024, applicable for Community College students.
First time applicants or students without a current Cal Grant award, must have a GPA on file with CSAC to be considered for a Cal Grant award. Students with an existing Cal Grant award do not need to submit a GPA to CSAC. CSAC accepts verified GPAs from high schools, adult schools, community colleges and 2/4 year colleges. A test score (SAT, ACT, GED, TASC, HiSET) can be submitted in lieu of a GPA if the student was homeschooled, attended an unaccredited school or calculation of a GPA on a 4.00 scale is not possible. Test scores can be submitted by completing the Cal Grant GPA Verification form.
Students can confirm submission of their GPA by creating a WebGrants 4 Students account.
STEP 3: CREATE A WEBGRANTS 4 STUDENTS ACCOUNT
Students can create a WebGrants 4 Students account after their FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application is submitted. Students can check the status of their GPA (if required) and manage or check the status of their state financial aid awards.
All students should create a WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) Account
Students should create a WG4S account to monitor and manage their state awarded financial aid.
After a student’s FAFSA or CA Dream Act Applicationis processed, they will receive an email from CSAC letting them know it’s time to create their WebGrants 4 Students account. WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) will let students check the status of their state grants, and take necessary steps to secure their aid. It’s important to note that a student’s WG4S account does not replace their school or FAFSA accounts and they may need more than one account to successfully apply for financial aid.
Stay up-to-date on deadlines and requirements by reading all correspondence from CSAC, FAFSA and your school of attendance.
Make sure a Grade Point Average (GPA) has been submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)
All students will need to ensure their GPA has been submitted to CSAC.
The best way to do this is by creating a WebGrants 4 Students account and logging in to confirm we have a GPA on file. All students must ensure CSAC has their GPA on file by the March 2 deadline.
STUDENT & FAMILY RESOURCES
Students and their families are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize financial aid opportunities. This is empowering information that could make all the difference in a student’s decision to attend college.
FAQs
Once you complete the form, forward the completed form in a PDF format to studentsupport@csac.ca.gov. Once received, please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.
What is the maximum income to qualify for a Cal Grant? ›
Cal Grants Have Financial and Academic Eligibility Criteria.
For example, in the 2022‑23 award year, a dependent student from a family of four must have an annual household income of under $116,800 to qualify for Cal Grant A or C, and under $61,400 to qualify for Cal Grant B.
How do I email California Student Aid Commission? ›
If you have questions about financial aid call us toll free at (888) CA GRANT (888-224-7268), Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, or e-mail Studentsupport@csac.ca.gov.
What are three helpful hints for applying for the FAFSA three common mistakes? ›
You'll have a better chance at receiving money for college if you avoid several common mistakes when filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Such mistakes include not completing the form on time, not filling it out correctly, or forgetting to sign and submit.
Who qualifies for CSAC? ›
To be eligible for a Cal Grant, a student must: be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen; be a California resident; attend a qualifying California college; demonstrate financial need at the college; be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate; not have a Bachelor's or professional degree ...
How do I submit my GPA to CSAC? ›
All California residents must complete and submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). You will need to give this form to a high school official to have your GPA verified. Detailed instructions are available on the CSAC website.
Which Cal Grant gives the most money? ›
Cal Grant A is up to 12,570 dollars at a University of California campus, up to 5,742 dollars at a California State University campus, and up to 9,220 dollars at independent colleges. Cal Grant B provides a living allowance of up to 1,648 dollars, as well as tuition and fee assistance after the first year.
Can I get both FAFSA and Cal Grant? ›
You could qualify for both a Pell Grant and a Cal Grant. To apply for a Pell Grant, you must submit the FAFSA. For the Cal Grant, you must submit either the FAFSA or CADAA, and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the March 2 Cal Grant deadline.
How hard is it to get a Cal Grant? ›
Cal Grant A:
Requires a minimum 3.00 high school GPA or a minimum 2.40 community college GPA. May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length that results in an associate degree or bachelor's degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent.
What are the three different types of Cal Grant available? ›
Grants are for students attending Universities of California, California State Universities or California Community Colleges, or qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California. There are three kinds of Cal Grants — A, B and C — but you don't have to figure out which one to apply for.
How can I apply for one? Most students do not have to file a separate application for Cal Grants. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), they are automatically given a review for Cal Grant eligibility, as long as the commission receives a school-verified GPA record.
What is Cal Grant GPA? ›
Award requirements include financial and basic eligibility and a minimum 3.0 high school grade point average (GPA) or a minimum 2.4 college GPA.
How to get the most money from FAFSA? ›
Also remember that FAFSA isn't the whole picture when it comes to financial aid.
- File Early. Perhaps the easiest move you can make is to fill out the FAFSA as early in the year as possible. ...
- Minimize Your Taxable Income. ...
- Clarify Who Owns Your Assets. ...
- Don't Assume You Won't Qualify. ...
- FAFSA Isn't the Whole Picture.
The FAFSA will specifically ask “As of today what is the cash balance of checking, savings…” accounts for the student. Because the question is phrased “As of today” it leaves room for interpretation. If all money was pulled from checking and savings the day before the FAFSA was filed, the answer is zero.
What not to include on FAFSA? ›
Assets don't include
- the home in which you live;
- UGMA and UTMA accounts for which you are the custodian, but not the owner;
- the value of life insurance;
- ABLE accounts; and.
- retirement plans (401[k] plans, pension funds, annuities, non-education IRAs, Keogh plans, etc.).
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY CAL GRANT FUNDS? Your award begins the Fall semester/quarter of the school year that you are awarded. Your payments will be divided by the number of quarters or semesters that your school has.
How do I know if I received my Cal Grant? ›
for ONE STOP access to check the status and manage your Cal Grant Award. To create a WG4S account go to https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/. After you have created and signed into your account, you can claim your Cal Grant Award under the Cal Grant Section of the main page.
How does Cal Grant pay you? ›
CSAC disburses Cal Grant funds directly to your school and does not pay funds directly to the student. CSAC will never request your bank or credit card information to process Cal Grant funds. Grant award and we never call students to request personal identifying information.
Why am I not getting the Cal Grant? ›
Score Below Cutoff -- Based on the information you provided on your application, you did not score high enough for a Competitive Cal Grant award. Scoring is based on GPA, Total Income/Family size, number of years out of High School, College Education level, etc. Your overall score was lower than required to be awarded.
