In terms of eligibility for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (study abroad), it requires that you be a recipient of a Pell Grant. I am currently receiving a Cal Grant B at UC Berkeley and am wondering if I am still eligible to apply? I’ve been on hold with the financial aid office for quite some time so any words of advice are kindly appreciated!
Why are you on hold?
A pell grant is money from the federal government based on information you provided on your FAFSA.
A CalGrant B is money from the state of California designated for low income students and is also based on your FAFSA application and your previous info from your California HS and/or your CCC information.
The Pell Grant should be listed on your declarations page of aid.
Did you receive a Pell grant? If not, you are not eligible.
I’m just cofused as to why I didn’t receive a Pell grant (since I am from low income), and what the main differences are between Pell and Cal Grants, besides from who they are disbursed from.
Why was your FAFSA EFC? That is what determines Pell Grant eligibility.
It is very possible to qualify for a Calgrant, and NOT qualify for the Pell.
For the Calgrant, your family income needs to be less than $80,000 a year.
For the full Pell of $5900, your FAFSA EFC needs to be less than $5000, I believe.
For an auto $0 EFC, your family income would need to be below $30,000, I believe.
Wow, thank you @thumper1
Based on what you said, I pretty much JUST miss the qualifications. My FAFSA EFC is around $6000 and our total family income (between my parents and I), is just above $30,000. That really sucks 
If you have an income just over $30,000 a year…your FAFSA EFC would NOT be $6,000 a year…I don’t think. It would be less…
I know it has to be under $40,000 so I’m just confused. It’s a huge bummer because the numbers are so close…
What is YOUR parent income? Not yours…your parents.
And separately…what is YOUR income?