I go to community college I am living off campus with my parents and on the school website it says that I am getting $6,195 from Pell Grant and $1,672 from cal grant B but the school is splitting it down my the semester. In total I am getting $9,255 (with the addition of the BOGG Fee Waiver. Am I actually getting that much money in my bank? And do I get to keep it?
You have to pay for the school first. Every school does it differently but typically:
The monies, from the grant, go to the school. Then you sign that you are receiving the grant and you sign off to pay the CC tuition. Then, any left -over money from the grant (after paying your fees), is “refunded” to you by whatever means you have selected at the school (electronic transfer to your bank, paper check, etc). That money should be used for your books, lab fees, transportation, and anything else involving school. They try not to give you the “yearly” amount because you have to pay for the second semester of fees. They don’t want you to run out of money. Don’t overspend because you may need those funds during finals for additional supplements from the professor.
Caveat: your CalGrant funding runs out after 8 semesters of school (8 sem=4 years). So your Cal Grant money is only there for 4 years, total, and that is all. Some students try to apply for CalGrant money for summer sessions. Be careful if you decide to do that because you need to understand if CalGrant will use that money as one of your semesters. Each school is different. Don’t run out of eligibility!
https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/understanding_my_cal_grant_-_updated_11.21.17.pdf
When you transfer to a 4-yr university, in two years, the CalGrant funding typically continues but, you will only have 4 semesters left of what was funded in CC. So, if you use the CalGrant for two years at the CC, then you will only have two years of your CalGrant funding left for the university expenses. Once that runs out, it is gone, so use your time wisely at both the CC and the Uni.
Don’t be shy about contacting the Student Aid Commission. They are very helpful and want you to understand your CalGrant.https://www.csac.ca.gov/contact-us