Cal Grant Application
New Cal Grant Applicants
Cal Grants
are awarded to new applicants through the FAFSA application. You must file your FAFSA and have the appropriate high school or college submit your GPA Verification to the California Student Aid Commission
(CSAC) by March 2nd for the following academic year. You may download the Cal Grant GPA verification form
from CSAC. See below to determine where to submit your GPA verification form for completion.
To qualify for a Cal Grant award, you must meet established income and asset ceilings.
CSAC awards Cal Grants based on the information you report on your FAFSA and sends award information to the campus financial aid office in an electronic roster. Before we may process a Cal Grant payment, we must confirm your eligibility by reviewing your grade level, financial need, admission and enrollment. Your Cal Grant eligibility could change after we have completed our review.
Who Must Complete Your Cal Grant GPA Verification
To be considered for a Cal Grant you must have your GPA verified by the appropriate college or high school office. The following information explains where to submit your GPA Verification form based on your current high school or college status, click the text that best suits your status.
Graduating High School Students & College Students With Fewer Than 24 College Units Earned
To qualify for a Cal Grant, your high school must verify your GPA and submit it to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Your GPA verification form must be postmarked by March 2 for the following academic year. Complete the GPA Verification form and submit it to your high school at least three weeks before the March 2 deadline to ensure sufficient time for processing. The GPA Verification form is available from most high school counseling centers and college financial aid departments, including the Office of Financial Aid at CSUF.
Continuing CSUF Students
The Office of Financial Aid will automatically send your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You are classified as a sophomore, junior or senior at CSUF
- You have a current FAFSA on file at CSUF
- You have earned at least 24 units at CSUF
Your GPA is calculated on all completed college work, excluding nontransferable units and courses not counted in computation for admission to a California public institution of higher education that grants a baccalaureate degree.
Prospective Transfer Students
If you have earned at least 24 college units and wish to apply for a Cal Grant to attend CSUF as a transfer student, you must submit your GPA Verification Form to your previous college or university for completion. Allow at least three weeks before the March 2 deadline to ensure sufficient time for processing.
RENEWAL CAL GRANT APPLICANTS
Cal Grants may be renewed for up to four years of full-time enrollment. If you are currently receiving a Cal Grant and wish to renew your grant for the next academic year, we recommend you complete your FAFSA by the March 2nd priority filing date.
CSAC will automatically notify us if you are eligible to renew your Cal Grant. We will confirm your eligibility by reviewing your grade level, financial need and enrollment. We will include your Cal Grant renewal award as part of your total financial aid award package.
CAL GRANTS FOR TEACHER CREDENTIAL STUDENTS
If you received Cal Grant A or B as an undergraduate student, you may be eligible for one additional year of Cal Grant to pursue your teacher credential certificate.
You must complete and submit a G-44 form, "Request for Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program Benefits" to CSAC. If your request is approved, CSAC will notify us of your additional year of eligibility via electronic roster. We will confirm your eligibility by reviewing your grade level, financial need and enrollment.
