Why am I only getting the Cal Grant B even though I qualify for Cal Grant A?

Why am I only getting the Cal Grant B even though I qualify for Cal Grant A? - California Student Aid Commission (2024)

A student may meet the eligibility requirements for both the Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B awards,howevera student may be paid for one type of Cal Grant award at a time. Cal Grants pay different amounts, dependent on whether the student is attending a UC, CSU, community college or private institution. Cal Grant A pays the same tuition & fee amount each year for up to four years. Cal Grant B pays astipend only in the freshman year. For subsequent years, a student may receive the stipend, plus tuition equal to the Cal Grant A, for a total of four years.

2021-22Award Amounts

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Cal Grants | CSU

$1,648stipend your first year for books and supplies, then increases after the first year to total the stipend amount plus tuition and statewide fees, in the same amount as Cal Grant A listed above at the respective school.

For example: Cal Grant B vs A at UC

Grant Type	Freshman	*Sophomore**	Junior	Senior	Total Award
A. Tuition	$12,570	$12,570	$12,570	$12,570	$50,280
B- Stipend Tuition	$1,648 $0	$1,648 +$12,570	$1,648 +$12,570	$1,648 +$12,570	$44,302

For example: Cal Grant B vs A at CSU

Grant Type	Freshman	*Sophomore**	Junior	Senior	Total Award
A. Tuition	$5,742	$5,742	$5,742	$5,742	$22,968
B- Stipend Tuition	$1,648 $0	$1,648 +$5,742	$1,648 +$5,742	$1,648 +$5,742	$23,818

If you feel it would be in your best interest to switch from the Cal Grant B to the Cal Grant A, please contact your Financial Aid Advisor (FAA) at your school. CSAC requires the student to meet with their FAA who will review the student’s financial aid package to see if it would be in the student’s best interest to switch Cal Grant awards. Some factors that the FAA might consider are tuition-only scholarships, tuition remissions, veterans’ benefits, or other sources of funding, prior to switching from a Cal Grant award.

Why am I only getting the Cal Grant B even though I qualify for Cal Grant A? - California Student Aid Commission (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Cal Grant and Cal Grant B? ›

Competitive Cal Grant A awards paid tui- tion and mandatory systemwide fees of up to $12,294. Competitive Cal Grant B awards paid $1,670 in living expenses in the first year, and $1,670 in living expens- es plus tuition and mandatory sys- temwide fees of up to $12,294 beginning in the second year of eligibility.

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Why am I not getting Cal Grant A? ›

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 ...

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How much money does Cal Grant B give? ›

Cal Grant B – $1,648*: You can use your $1,648 access award as a living allowance to help pay for books and other community college costs. Cal Grant C – $1,094: A student must be enrolled in an occupational or technical program to qualify for the Cal Grant C.

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Can you change Cal Grant B to A? ›

Program changes, such as requesting a change from Cal Grant B to Cal Grant A, may only be requested by new Cal Grant recipients before any payments have been made. A program change will not be processed without the signature of a school financial aid officer.

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