An FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Both the student and one parent must each have an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA online. Visit https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA will be available starting October 1, 2020 - March 2, 2021.
Cal Grant A assists with tuition and fees at public and independent colleges, and some occupational and career colleges. At the University of California and the California State University, the award covers up to full system-wide fees. Your coursework must be for at least two academic years.
There are two Cal Grant A awards: Entitlement and Competitive. There is also a Cal Grant A award for students transferring from a California Community College to a four-year college.
If you receive a Cal Grant A but attend a California Community College first, your award will be reserved for up to three years until you transfer to a four-year college, if you continue to qualify. If you list a California Community College before a four-year California college on your FAFSA, it will be assumed the community college is your first choice. If you receive a Cal Grant A, it will be placed in reserve for your first year unless you transfer to a tuition or fee-charging college and activate your award. When you transfer, be sure to let your school know you have a reserve grant.
Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B provides a living allowance and tuition and fee assistance for low-income students. Awards for most first-year students are limited to an allowance for books and living expenses. When renewed or awarded beyond the freshman year, the award also helps pay for tuition and fees. The awards for tuition and fees are the same as those for Cal Grant A. For Cal Grant B, your coursework must be for at least one academic year.
There are two types of Cal Grant B awards: Entitlement and Competitive. There is also a Cal Grant B award for students transferring from a California Community College to a four-year college.
Cal Grant B Entitlement AwardCal Grant C
Cal Grant C awards assist with tuition and training costs for occupational, technical, and vocational programs. The award includes up to $547 for books, tools and equipment — and up to $2,462 more for tuition and fees if you’ll be attending a school other than a California Community College (community colleges don’t charge tuition and your fees will be waived as a Cal Grant recipient). Funding is available for up to two years, depending on the length of the program. To qualify, you must enroll in an occupational, technical, or vocational program that is at least four months long at a California Community College, an independent college, or a vocational/career school. Even though a GPA is not required to apply for a Cal Grant C, you are still encouraged to submit yours because it can only help your chances of receiving an award.
In order to determine an applicant’s eligibility for a Cal Grant C, additional information must be provided on the Cal Grant C Supplement form. Supplements are scored based on your work experience, educational history, vocational aptitude, and occupational goal (see Senate Bill 451 info below).
Only if you are potentially eligible for the award will you receive an e-mail or letter notification and access to complete the online Cal Grant C Supplement in WebGrants for Students. You will have 30 days from the date of notification to complete this form. If you are unable to complete the Cal Grant C Supplement online, a paper copy of the form is available at http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=80. The paper Supplement must be completed and submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by the deadline.
Cal Grant C award offers will be made by the end of June.
Senate Bill (SB) 451 requires the California Student Aid Commission (Commission) to give "priority" in granting Cal Grant C awards to students pursuing occupational or technical training in areas that meet two of the following three criteria: high employment need, high employment growth, and high wage.
Through extensive consultation with the Employment Development Department (EDD) and its subsidiary, Labor Market Information Data Library (LMID), the Director at the Center for Strategic Economic Research, and the Dean of the Industry Partnership Practices Unit at the Community College Chancellor’s Office, the Commission used the occupational data and projections to determine which occupations met the requirements set forth by SB 451.
Students who select a priority occupation on the Cal Grant C Supplement Form (in WebGrants for Students or on the paper form) will receive 35 additional points in the scoring criteria.
SOC Code | Occupation |
---|---|
49-3023 | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
47-2031 | Carpenters |
15-1099 | Computer Specialists, All Other |
15-1041 | Computer Support Specialist |
35-2014 | Cooks, Restaurant |
33-2011 | Fire Fighters |
39-9031 | Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors |
29-2061 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
43-6013 | Medical Secretaries |
23-2011 | Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
33-3051 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers |
25-2011 | Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education |
29-1111 | Registered Nurses |