Cal Grant - A or B?

<p>So for UC Santa Cruz, my Cal Grant awards are:

[quote]
NEW Cal Grant A QUALIFIED - NOT AWARDED
Total Award Amount: $10,302
Unmet Need $30,750
Total Award Amount: $10,302</p>

<p>NEW Cal Grant B AWARDED - ON HOLD
Total Award Amount: $1,551
Unmet Need $30,750<br>
Total Award Amount: $1,551
Access/Books & Supplies: $1,551

[/quote]

I'm new to this financial aid stuff so I have no idea which to go with. >.< Their site doesn't provide a description for them..</p>

<p>When can I sign up for federal loans? Do I wait til I get the financial package from UCSC?</p>

<p>I already responded to your post about this in the UCSC subforum, but I’ll reiterate it here that you want Cal Grant B, not A. Do not have them change it to A. Trust me, it is worth just over $6k more than Cal Grant A after four years.</p>

<p>Cal Grant A just gives you the $10,302 tuition fee assistance. It can only be used for that. It is good for four years.</p>

<p>Cal Grant B gives you a $1,551 (for incidentals and such like transportation, books, housing, etc; this is paid directly to you rather than being applied to any balance on your account; it does say it’s for “books and supplies,” but you use it for whatever you need to use it for) for four years and then $10,302 for the last three years. While it seems like you’re getting less, California schools will meet that $10,302 you are “missing” during your freshman year by having B instead of A. It will be made up in grants, not loans.</p>

<p>I have B. Trust me. It is a much better option. UCSC’s financial aid office is very good about giving you the Cal Grant that will give you the most money and minimize the amount of money they have to use from institutional funds (that way it can be saved for those who may be California residents, but they may not have graduated from a California high school as one and therefore aren’t eligible for Cal Grant).</p>

<p>Ahh, okay! Thank you so much! (: I missed the other thread.</p>

<p>My financial aid offer was released but I had a few questions about it.

</p>

<p>So all the ones that says Loan on it, is what I have to pay back after I finish my 4 years at UCSC? I’m also going to grad school so I won’t have a full-time job to pay for all of that when I graduate UCSC. My parents can’t help with my tuition at all so the “Parent Loan Option” won’t apply to me. This is a little confusing…</p>

<p>wat was your efc?</p>