Cal Grant is California's primary gift-aid program, awarded automatically based on a timely FAFSA/CA Dream Act Application, a verified GPA (or qualifying test score), income/asset ceilings, and financial need — there is no separate application. Cal Grant A (2+ year bachelor's-track programs) requires a minimum 3.00 high school GPA (2.40 college GPA for transfer students); Cal Grant B (lower-income students, including many community-college students) requires a minimum 2.00 GPA and pays a living-expense access award in year one before covering tuition from year two onward; Cal Grant C funds occupational/technical programs with no GPA requirement but is competitive and limited in number. Awards last up to 4 years of full-time attendance (more for teaching-credential/5th-year programs).
Eligibility
DemographicsRequires California residency (or AB540 non-resident tuition exemption eligibility) and income/asset ceilings that vary by family size and award type. GPA thresholds: Cal Grant A needs 3.00 HS GPA (2.40 college GPA for transfer students); Cal Grant B needs 2.00 HS GPA (2.0 college GPA for CCC entitlement/competitive, 2.40 for transfer entitlement); Cal Grant C requires no GPA but is limited in number and awarded competitively.
Applying
2025-26 maximum annual awards: Cal Grant A — UC $14,934 (2024-25 cohort), CSU $6,450, CCC Bachelor's Degree Program $6,450, private institutions $4,000-$9,358 (varies by school), CC Reserve up to $9,358; Cal Grant B — same tuition coverage plus a $1,648 access/living award (paid alone in year 1); Cal Grant C — CCC $1,094/year, private institutions $547 books/supplies + $2,462 tuition/fees. 2026-27 dollar figures have not yet been published.