California State Grants

• Cal Grant A – Provides grant funds to help pay for tuition/fees at qualifying institutions offering baccalaureate degree programs. If you received a Cal Grant A but choose to attend a California Community College first, your award will be held in reserve for up to three years until you transfer to a four year college.
• Cal Grant B – Provides subsistence payments for new recipients in the amount of $1,648* for a full-time, full year award (*2021-2022 award year amount).
  • Payments are reduced accordingly for three-quarter and half-time enrollment for each payment period.
  • Cal Grant B recipients who transfer to a tuition/fee-charging school after completing one or two years at a community college may have their grant increased to include tuition and fees as well as subsistence.
• Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award – This award is for eligible CA Community College students who are transferring to a four-year college and are under the age of 28 as of December 31st of the award year.

• Cal Grant A and B competitive awards are used for the same purpose as the entitlement awards, except that they are not guaranteed and the number of awards is limited.
• Cal Grant C recipients are selected based on financial need and vocational aptitude. Students must be enrolled in a vocational program at a California Community College, private college, or career technical school in a course of study lasting from four months to two years. The 2021-2022 Cal Grant C maximum award amount was $1,094.

The SWD is a grant for students who have dependent children under the age of 18 by July 1, 2021 for whom they provide more than half of their support during the academic year. The award is worth up to $6,000 for Cal Grant A and B recipients and up to $4,000 for eligible Cal Grant C recipients. (Amounts are for academic year 2021-2022)

The FYA is for current and former foster youth student in California whose dependency was established or continued by the court on or after the youth’s 16th birthday and who is no older than 25 years of age a the commencement of the academic year. The award is up to $6,000 for qualifying Cal Grant A and B recipients and up to $4,000 for qualifying Cal Grant C recipients. (Amounts are for academic year 2021-2022)

The SSCG is a supplemental grant with the purpose of providing students with additional financial aid to help offset the total cost of community college and to encourage full-time attendance and successful on-time completion. Students must be receiving a Cal Grant B or C and is enrolled at least full-time per term. A maximum of $1,298 annual at $649 per term for eligible students who enroll and attend 12 through 14.99 units per term. A maximum of $4,000 annually at $2,000 per term for eligible students who enroll and attend 15 units per term.

Student eligibility:

• Be a child (natural or adopted) or spouse, at the time of death or injury of a California peace officer or law enforcement officer; firefighter; or officer or employee of the Department of Corrections or the Department of Youth Authority.
• Be enrolled in a minimum of six units at a California post secondary institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office at the institution in which the student is enrolled.

The grant will be in an amount equal to the amount provided to a student who has been awarded a Cal Grant. Awards may be used for tuition and fees, books, supplies, and living expenses.

For more information and to obtain an application:

• Go to www.csac.ca.gov, Commission Programs or email @email
• Call the California Student Aid Commission’s Specialized Program Branch at (888) 224-7268, option #3, or
• Submit a request in writing to:
  • California Student Aid Commission Specialized Programs P.O. Box 419029 Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9029

Child Development Grant Program is for students who plan to teach or supervise at a licensed children's center.

Selected grant recipients attending a two year post-secondary institution are eligible to receive up to $1,000 per academic year. The grant is renewable for an additional year and is awarded to students attending a public or private two or four year college in California. To learn more about this program and to apply online, visit the California Student Aid Commission website at www.csac.ca.gov, or call (888) 224-7268, option #3.

The California Chafee Grant is a federal grant administered by the California Student Aid Commission. It provides assistance to current or former foster youth to use for college courses or vocational school training. Eligible students may receive up to $5,000 per academic year.

To learn more about this program and to apply online, visit the Commission website at www.csac.ca.gov, or call (888) 224-7268, or email your questions to @email with “Attn: Chafee” in the subject line, or write the commission or mail your application to:

California Student Aid Commission Specialized Programs Operations Branch Attn: California Chafee Grant Program P.O. Box 419029 Rancho, Cordova, CA 95741-9029 FAX: (916) 526-7977

What is a Chafee Grant?

The CNG EAAP is a program for active members in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia designed to provide an educational incentive to improve skills, competencies, and abilities. To qualify, you must:

• Be an active member who has served two (2) years in the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, or the Naval Militia;
• Agree to remain an active member throughout the participation period in the program;
• Agree to use the award to obtain a certificate, degree, or diploma that you currently do not possess;
• Be enrolled in, registered at, or accepted to a qualifying institution;
• Agree to maintain enrollment of a minimum of three (3) academic units per semester, or the equivalent, at a qualifying institution;
• Agree to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA); and
• Be a resident of California for at least one year.

For more information go to: www.calguard.ca.gov