What Cal Grant Actually Covers

Cal Grant is California's state grant program that pays tuition and fees at public universities, private colleges, and career schools in the state. The program does not cover room and board, books, or living expenses — only what you owe the school itself for enrollment. The amount you receive depends on which school you attend, your family income, and which Cal Grant type you may have access to for.

California funds three main Cal Grant programs: Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, and Cal Grant C. Cal Grant A and B are the largest and cover students at four-year universities and community colleges. Cal Grant C is smaller and covers students in career training programs like nursing, welding, or cosmetology. Each has different income limits and covers different amounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Cal Grant A and B pay tuition and fees at California public universities and private colleges, with the amount depending on the school you choose and your family's income.
  • You must be a California resident, a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen, and enroll at least half-time at a school that participates in the program.
  • The Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act process (CADAA) is how you start the process — Cal Grant uses that information to determine what you may receive.
  • Cal Grant awards are made once per year, usually in spring, and you must reapply or renew each year you want the money.
  • If you miss the important date or do not meet income limits, you may still be able to use other state grants or institutional aid from your school.

Income Limits and How Much You Receive

Cal Grant A and B have income cutoffs that change each year. For 2024–2025, Cal Grant A covers families earning roughly up to $84,000 per year, though the exact limit depends on family size. Cal Grant B covers families earning up to about $106,000 per year. These numbers shift annually based on inflation, so you should check the California Student Aid Commission website for the current year's limits.

The actual grant amount varies by school. At a University of California campus, Cal Grant A might cover $5,700 to $12,000 per year in tuition and fees. At a private college, the same grant might cover $9,200 to $16,000 per year. At a California State University campus, it covers roughly $3,700 to $7,000 per year. Community colleges charge less, so your Cal Grant covers a larger portion of the total cost.

Cal Grant B works differently in the first year. In year one, it gives you a living expense allowance instead of tuition coverage — usually around $1,500 to $2,000. Starting in year two, it switches to covering tuition and fees like Cal Grant A does. This structure is meant to help students who need money to enroll in the first place.

Who Can Receive Cal Grant

You must be a California resident to receive Cal Grant. This usually means you have lived in California for at least one year before you enroll, though some students with different circumstances may may have access to. You must also be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or certain other may be able to access noncitizens — the California Student Aid Commission lists the specific immigration statuses that may have access to.

You must be enrolled at least half-time (usually 6 units per semester at a community college, or 12 units at a four-year school) at a school that participates in the Cal Grant program. Most California public universities and community colleges participate, as do many private colleges and career schools. Your school's financial aid office can tell you whether it is a participating institution.

You cannot have already earned a bachelor's degree. Cal Grant is for students working toward their first four-year degree or a career certificate. If you already have a bachelor's degree and want to pursue a second one, you are not may be able to access.

How to Start: FAFSA or California Dream Act process

The first step is to fill out either the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act process (CADAA). The FAFSA is the standard form used across the United States and asks about your income, assets, and family situation. The CADAA is an alternative form for students who are not may be able to access to fill out the FAFSA — usually because they do not have a Social Security number or are undocumented.

You submit one or the other, not both. If you can fill out the FAFSA, that is the form to use. If you cannot because of immigration status, use the CADAA instead. Both forms are free. The FAFSA opens October 1 each year, and the CADAA opens the same day. The important date to submit for the current school year is usually March 2, though some schools have earlier important date.

When you fill out the form, you list the schools you want to attend. The form goes to those schools, and the schools' financial aid offices use it to determine what state and federal aid you may receive. You do not explore directly to Cal Grant — the state processes the information from your FAFSA or CADAA and notifies you of your award.

When You Find Out and What Happens Next

Cal Grant awards are usually announced in spring, typically March through May. You will receive a notification from the California Student Aid Commission telling you whether you received a grant and for how much. If you received an award, the money goes directly to your school, not to you. Your school applies it to your tuition and fees bill first, and any remaining balance is credited to your account.

You must accept your award. When you receive the notification, it will tell you how to accept it — usually through an online portal or by signing and returning a form. If you do not accept it by the important date your school sets, you may lose the award for that year.

Cal Grant is renewable each year, but you have to take action. You must submit a new FAFSA or CADAA each year, maintain satisfactory academic progress at your school (usually a 2.0 GPA or higher), and continue to meet income and enrollment requirements. If you do not reapply, the grant ends.

What to Do If You Miss the important date or Do Not may have access to

If you submit your FAFSA or CADAA after the March 2 important date, you may still receive Cal Grant, but awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis after the important date. If the state has already distributed all available funds, you will not receive an award that year. Some schools have their own earlier important date, so check with your school's financial aid office.

If your family income is above the Cal Grant limits, you may still be able to receive other aid. Your school may offer institutional grants or scholarships from its own funds. You may also be may be able to access for federal Pell Grant if your income qualifies, or for federal student loans. Ask your school's financial aid office what other options are available to you.

If you are a California resident but do not meet other requirements — for example, you are not a citizen or may be able to access noncitizen — you may still be able to attend a California school and pay in-state tuition. Some schools also offer their own aid to students who do not may have access to for state grants. Contact the schools you are interested in to learn what they offer.

Cal Grant A Versus Cal Grant B: Which One You Might Get

You do not choose between Cal Grant A and B — the state assigns you to one based on your income and the school you attend. Cal Grant A is for students whose family income is lower, and it covers tuition and fees from year one. Cal Grant B is for students whose family income is slightly higher, and it gives you a living allowance in year one, then switches to tuition coverage in years two through four.

In practice, Cal Grant A is worth more money over four years because it covers tuition from the start. Cal Grant B is designed to help students who need money to enroll in the first place but whose families earn slightly more. If you are assigned to Cal Grant B, you still receive aid — it is just structured differently.

Cal Grant C is separate and covers students in career training programs. The income limits are higher, and the awards are smaller — usually $576 to $3,168 per year depending on the program. If you are pursuing a certificate in a field like nursing, dental hygiene, or skilled trades, you may be may be able to access for Cal Grant C instead of A or B.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay Cal Grant?

No. Cal Grant is a grant, not a loan. You do not repay it. Once the money is applied to your tuition and fees, it is yours to keep. This is different from federal student loans, which you must repay with interest after you graduate.

What happens to my Cal Grant if I change schools?

Your Cal Grant follows you to another California school as long as the new school participates in the program. You do not have to reapply. However, the amount may change because different schools charge different tuition. Contact your new school's financial aid office to make sure the transfer is processed correctly.

Can I use Cal Grant at a school outside California?

No. Cal Grant only covers tuition and fees at schools located in California. If you attend a school in another state, you are not may be able to access for Cal Grant, though you may be may be able to access for federal aid like Pell Grant or federal loans.

What if I attend school part-time?

You must be enrolled at least half-time to receive Cal Grant. If you drop below half-time enrollment, you lose your award for that term. Some schools define half-time differently, so check with your school's financial aid office about what enrollment level qualifies.

Do I lose my Cal Grant if my grades drop?

Yes, if your grades fall below satisfactory academic progress — usually a 2.0 GPA — you may lose your Cal Grant. You also have to complete a certain number of units each year to stay may be able to access. If you fall behind, contact your school's financial aid office to learn what you need to do to regain may be able to access.