International Students: Eligibility For Cal Grant

The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. It is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training. To be eligible for a Cal Grant, applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens or meet AB540 eligibility criteria. They must also submit a high school GPA, FASFA or CADAA to the California Student Aid Commission by April 2nd. So, can international students apply for the Cal Grant?

Who is eligible for a Cal Grant?

The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. There are three types of Cal Grants: A, B, and C. Eligibility for a Cal Grant is based on the following criteria:

Financial Need and Academic Progress

Applicants must meet the financial, eligibility, and minimum GPA requirements of the program. The minimum GPA requirement is 2.4, and applicants must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school.

Citizenship Status

To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens, or meet AB540 eligibility criteria.

Age and Education Status

Cal Grants are available to current high school seniors, recent high school graduates, and former and current foster youth up to 26 years old.

Type of College and Course of Study

Cal Grants are for students attending Universities of California, California State Universities, California Community Colleges, or qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California. The grant is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree, an associate degree, or vocational or career training. The grant amount varies depending on the type of college. For the 2018-2019 academic year, Cal Grants were up to $12,570 at a University of California campus, up to $5,742 at a California State University campus, and up to $9,220 at independent colleges.

Application

Applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application CADAA by the deadline, along with their high school GPA.

What are the application requirements?

To apply for a Cal Grant, you must meet the following requirements:

FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application:

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application by the specified deadline. The deadline is usually April 2nd for high school seniors and recent graduates. For community college students transferring to a four-year university, the deadline is also April 2nd.

GPA:

Provide your high school or college GPA. The minimum GPA requirement is 2.4. If you are currently in college, you must submit your high school GPA for verification.

Citizenship or AB540 Eligibility:

Be a U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or meet the AB540 nonresident tuition exemption criteria.

Academic Progress:

Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards established by your school. Failure to meet these standards may result in ineligibility for the Cal Grant.

School Enrollment:

Be enrolled or planning to enroll in an eligible California postsecondary institution, such as a University of California, California State University, California Community College, or qualifying independent or career college.

Degree or Program Type:

Pursue an undergraduate degree or vocational/career training program.

Financial Criteria:

Meet the specified financial criteria and income standards.

Selective Service System Registration (SSS):

While it is no longer a requirement for males between 18 and 25 years of age to register with SSS to receive state financial aid in California, it may impact future opportunities and benefits.

Additional Requirements for Former Foster Youth:

For the Cal Grant B Foster Youth award, applicants who are current or former foster youth have until their 26th birthday to apply.

Please note that you don't need to specify the type of Cal Grant (A, B, or C) you are applying for. Your eligibility for the different types will be determined based on your application responses, GPA, the type of college you list, and your high school graduation status.

What is the deadline for applications?

The deadline for submitting a Cal Grant application depends on the type of college you plan to attend and the academic year for which you are applying.

California Community College Students

For students attending a California Community College, the Cal Grant application deadline is typically September 2. However, if the deadline falls on a holiday, it may be extended to the following day, as was the case in 2024 when the deadline was moved to September 3 due to Labor Day.

Four-Year University Students

For students transferring from a California Community College to a four-year university, the Cal Grant application deadline is usually April 2.

Foster Youth Students

The Cal Grant B Foster Youth award is available to current and former foster youth up to their 26th birthday.

General Deadlines

The FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are typically released in October, and the state priority deadline for the following academic year is usually March 2. However, the release date and priority deadline may vary from year to year. For example, for the 2024-2025 academic year, the release was delayed until December 2023, and the priority deadline was extended to May 2, 2024.

What are the different types of Cal Grant?

The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be repaid. There are three types of Cal Grants: A, B, and C. However, applicants don't need to figure out which one to apply for. Their eligibility is based on their FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application responses, their verified Cal Grant GPA, the type of California colleges they list on their application, and whether they're recent high school graduates.

The Cal Grant A is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training. The award amount varies by type of college. For 2018-2019, Cal Grants provided up to $12,570 at a University of California campus, up to $5,742 at a California State University campus, and up to $9,220 at independent colleges. To be eligible, applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA if applying with their high school GPA, or a 2.4 GPA if applying with their college GPA.

The Cal Grant B is for students who are current or former foster youth, allowing them to be eligible for increased Cal Grant amounts. Foster youth students may renew their Cal Grant B awards for up to eight years of full-time attendance.

The Cal Grant C is for students pursuing an occupational or technical program. There is no GPA requirement for this grant, but submitting a GPA can increase the chances of receiving an award.

Can I reapply for a Cal Grant?

The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be repaid. Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements.

Cal Grant recipients are eligible for a maximum of four years of Cal Grant eligibility. Renewal applicants must continue to meet financial eligibility criteria. Renewal applicants must also have completed and submitted a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by the Cal Grant deadline and have enough Cal Grant program eligibility remaining.

Recipients who do not meet the eligibility criteria are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment. However, Cal Grant recipients who were ineligible for a renewal award during the prior year because they exceeded income and asset ceilings or did not demonstrate financial need may be eligible to receive a renewal award if they meet all eligibility requirements for the renewal academic year and have remaining program award eligibility.

Foster youth students may renew their Cal Grant B awards for up to eight years of full-time attendance.

Frequently asked questions