(CA) Cal Grant Comm. College Financial Aid

Paying for College
1

<p>Hey folks. I am enrolled in my second semester at community college. My parents want me to apply to for the cal grant, which I need to send in my GPA. </p>

<p>I am kind of worried because I don't understand the process, and the deadline is coming up.</p>

<p>The next day I will be at my Comm College is Friday, which I think the Financial Aid offices will be closed(not sure). Also on the school website they do not mention anything relating to the cal grants, only FAFSA - which sends me into this mindset that they cannot help me.</p>

<p>I only have 12 units which means I need to send in my High School GPA, which sucks. I would much rather send in my Comm College GPA, which is a 4.0 ATM. </p>

<p>I read at some places that there is a Sept 2nd deadline that I can meet(will have my 16unit requirement then, as opposed to the March2nd(4th) deadline.</p>

<p>Does anyone know anything about that?</p>

<p>My mom is pressuring me, but I want to make sure that both her and I know what we are talking about.</p>

<p>I have sent the FAFSA Already..</p>

2

<p>I’m only in high school so this may not help you but I had to fill out a form (provided by my school) giving the school permission to release my gpa. Then after I filled out my Fafsa I got an email from the cal grant website alerting me of my estimated grant. <a href=“http://www.csac.ca.gov/”>California Student Aid Commission - CSAC;

3

<p>Here’s how u apply found it on website "Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between January 1 and September 2 and submit a verified Cal Grant GPA anytime between November and the September 2 deadline. If you meet the income, eligibility, and GPA requirements, the cash is yours. The best part is, you can fill out the FAFSA online.</p>

<p>To submit a verified Cal Grant GPA, first check with your school to see if they will do it for you. If not, you can go online and download a GPA Verification form, fill out the student section and take it to your school."</p>

4

<p>Go here to get information about financial aid for California community colleges:</p>

<p>[California</a> Community Colleges | College Scholarships, Loans & Grants | I Can Afford College](<a href=“http://www.icanaffordcollege.com/]California”>http://www.icanaffordcollege.com/)</p>

<p>For additional information about Cal Grants, see here:</p>

<p>[Fund</a> Your Future](<a href=“http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/newi2_CAworkbook_interactive.pdf]Fund”>http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/newi2_CAworkbook_interactive.pdf)</p>

<p>I would not wait to get the information you need. Call your school financial aid office TODAY. (If it turns out that you need your high school GPA submitted by March 2, the sooner you know that, the better.)</p>

5

<p>Since you’re at a CC, you really need to look into this. I thought that CC students apply, but then the award is put in Reserve until they transfer to a 4 year college. </p>

<p>Look into this…even if you’re not given the actual award until you transfer, you may need to apply now (within a year after high school). Not sure of details, so check with your FA office at your school.</p>

6

<p>Cal Grant really doesn’t give you anything at the CCCs unless you get B. A will auto go in reserve while at a CCC, B can be put in reserve. They will only reserve it for a max of three years.</p>

<p>I would wait to apply until you know you’re transferring. There is another opportunity to apply for transfers as they transfer to a qualifying institution. This can be any number of years post high school as long as you’re under 28. The deadline is March 2. The later deadline is for CCC students continuing at a CCC and limited. The only guaranteed is by the March 2 deadline.</p>