<p>Ok so in May, the California Student Aid Commission said that I would be receiving Cal Grant B which I was happy with. However, I qualify for both so my school gave me A instead. Now, I want to change it to B but they won't let me. They do not want to make up the difference if I change from Cal Grant A to B. They state that it is their policy to give the most "advantageous" award which is A since it awards 41k over four years while B awards only 37k. It is true that you would receive more money when receving B since they would increase the institutional scholarship to make up the difference. However, this case is only possible for people who qualified for B only due to low GPA and did not qualify for Cal Grant A. Since when was it a bad thing to be smart :( Is their any way I can get my Cal Grant B back?</p>
<p>The school cannot refuse your request to change from A to B unless you missed the deadline. It is your choice which one you receive if you qualify for both. If this was a very recent change after any deadline you were given, then you can use that in an appeal.</p>
<p>And yes, you will get more money with B than A. It looks on paper like you receive less, but that $10,302 that is missing for the first year is made up by the California college. Since you have UCB listed, Blue and Gold would come into effect at the very least. California public schools are hurting for money and I would not be surprised if the most “advantageous” option chosen was simply the one that cost the school the less money. It is supposed to be the advantageous option for the student.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d fight for it to be changed back to B. Good luck.</p>
<p>Does your family earn more than $70k? If so, that may be part of the problem. </p>
<p>Not sure, but if your family earns too much for Blue and Gold, then perhaps Cal Grant A is the only way to get your tuition covered?</p>
<p>Does anyone qualify for Cal Grant A (or B) that wouldn’t qualify for Blue and Gold? For instance, would someone whose family earns $80k, but has a large family or 2 or more in college, qualify for Cal Grants, but not Blue and Gold?</p>
<p>Income and asset ceilings for Cal Grant (A, B, and C):
<a href=“http://www.csac.ca.gov/facts/2010-11IncomeCeilings.pdf[/url]”>http://www.csac.ca.gov/facts/2010-11IncomeCeilings.pdf</a></p>
<p>You do need to have very low income to qualify for Cal Grant B. The lowest qualification level for Cal Grant A is slightly higher than the ceiling for Blue and Gold. However, the asset ceiling can trip people up quite easily.</p>
<p>It sounds like the OP has what I saw in my Cal Grant portal when I first qualified: notice that both were qualified for. Usually it says something along the lines of “qualified, not awarded” if I remember right. They do stop saying this after your first year since you cannot change from one to the other after money has already been dispersed. Mine just says “not qualified” on A now.</p>
<p>If the OP does still qualify for B, then they still qualify for Blue and Gold (and A for that matter).</p>
<p>Number in college, sadly, does not affect qualification for any of the income levels for Cal Grant. The size of your family itself does, though. One could have six in college, but if the family’s income exceeds $92,700, then they would not qualify for any Cal Grant.</p>
<p>How do I fight back to get my Cal Grant B? And yes, my family’s income is well below the ceilings (our income is less than 20k per year). The financial aid advisor said that it is the school’s policy to award the most advantageous award. Since I qualified for both, they will make the decision for me and give me A instead. They will notify the California Student Aid Commission that they will be giving me A even though the commission’s website states that I would be awarded B. Does the school really get to choose for me? Is there a law that states that I have the right to choose which Cal Grant I want to receive?</p>
<p>You should have a link in your Cal Grant profile that shows you how to request B instead of A. I’d screencap to show you, but I no longer have the link myself :(. The school can award you A, but they do not get final say. You have the right to request which one you want to receive.</p>
<p>A question, though: Which school is this for? UC, CSU, or California private? My first hand experience extends to the public schools (UC specifically), not the privates. The UCs make life so much more easy with Blue and Gold.</p>
<p>I am going to UC Berkeley. I did change it on the California Student Aid Commission’s website to Cal Grant B but the advisor from Berkeley still said that I will receive A. She will notify the commission that Berkeley will give me Cal Grant A :/</p>
<p>Haha, excuse my moment of fail. I should have realized you were going to UCB since I even mentioned it in an earlier post. My brain is a little fried from taking too many units this summer, but at least I’m in the last 2.5 week stretch. Sorry!</p>
<p>Anywho, call CSAC. UCB cannot give you A if you requested B. Ask them what the procedure is to ensure you receive the Cal Grant you have requested.</p>
<p>[Student</a> Scholarships, Financial Aid Scholarship, FAFSA Financial Aid - Contact Us](<a href=“http://www.calgrants.org/index.cfm?navid=18]Student”>http://www.calgrants.org/index.cfm?navid=18)</p>
<p>I would also ask a financial aid officer at UCB why they feel that A is more advantageous for you than B. Obviously if you qualify for B, you qualify for Blue and Gold. Politely request a detailed break down of why they believe A is better than B for you. I’m honestly curious what their answer will be since all the math I’ve done on it still points to B as being the better option.</p>
<p>Cal Grant A would give me 41k over 4 years while Cal Grant B would give me 37K. That was their reasoning for why A is more advantageous than B. They do not count the institutional scholarship amount into the total for B though which is totally unfair.</p>
<p>That reasoning is a load of <insert a=“” lot=“” of=“” naughty,=“” not=“” allowed=“” words=“” on=“” this=“” website=“” here=“”>. You’ll receive grant money from Blue and Gold (and probably institutional grants) that will cover the $10,302. The money from Cal Grant A is only for tuition/fees. Cal Grant B gives the same (after the freshman year) plus just over $6k in living expenses over the course of four years that can be used for anything. Blue and Gold does the same thing as Cal Grant A: pays for the fees.</insert></p>
<p>Part of me cannot believe UCB is doing this to you under the guise that it is the most “advantageous” for you, but then I remember they were one of the UCs that publicly stated they wanted more out of state students because of the increased amount they must pay. It is only my opinion, but I truly do believe they are looking at what will cost the UC system and the school itself the least amount of money. From a business perspective, I can understand this. But I do not understand claiming it is to the benefit of the student when it is really to the benefit of the school. It may matter to them where the money comes from, but all that matters for you as a student is that you receive money to cover your fees.</p>
<p>Because you’ll be at a UC, your fees are guaranteed (because you meet the eligibility requirements) covered for the year you would not have tuition/fee assistance from Cal Grant B. It’s a good position to be in and I hope CSAC will be as disgusted as I am with UCB’s choice in this matter. I know the words of a stranger do not mean much, but I highly encourage and support you to fight this by contacting CSAC. Cal Grant money is not controlled by the schools, it is controlled by CSAC. It really seems like UCB does not want to have to foot the bill for your first year’s fees and is attempting to hide this fact =/.</p>
<p>Good luck. Please keep us updated since, as a fellow Cal Grant recipient, I have a vested interest in this even if it does not affect me (my Cal Grant can no longer be changed as it has already begun being paid out). Make sure to keep records of everything (including your Cal Grant B eligibility). I’m curious how CSAC will react to this.</p>
<p>I have a question, even if I receive Cal Grant B, wouldn’t the total amount of aid that I receive be the same each year? Even though I will receive 11k the second year if I have Cal Grant B, my school will decrease the amount of institutional scholarship based on my need? Therefore, my total package will equal the same each year? Correct?</p>
<p>So we missed getting a Cal Grant my first year because we were just slightly over the income level. 2nd year my Mom’s had a 20% salary cut due to economy and we were under the income threshold but after the first year it becomes “competitive” and not “entitlement”. Competitive grants are far fewer and take into account family size, etc. So I don’t get it. My question: its seems once you qualify the first year for an “entitlement” grant (given to anyone who meets the income threshold), even if your income INCREASES for subsequent year you keep getting the grant without having to qualify salary wise. How is this fair?</p>
<p>Has anyone looked into this? I was eligible for Cal Grant A and B my freshman year and assumed Berkeley would choose the one best for ME. Apparently, this is not the case (as they chose Cal Grant A) because they did not want to foot the bill via their Blue and Gold Opportunity plan.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>It is not “their” B&G program. </p>
<p>B&G is just a state-wide promise that if you earn less than $80k, then your fees will get covered. Schools use Cal Grants, Pell, UC grants to do this. They are NOT likely going to use UC grants to cover your fees AND then also give you a Cal Grant. They use their money to bridge the gaps, not to cover the entire fees.</p>
<p>I still don’t see how Cal Grant A was more beneficial to me. </p>
<p>Blue and Gold promises to have my tuition and fees covered with grants/scholarships. </p>
<p>Although Cal Grant A technically gives ‘more’ money; this money is not going to me, but the school.</p>
<p>Cal Grant B gives ‘less’ money, but guarantees that I get a stipend of $1,554 each year for books and miscellaneous items. The difference in tuition and fees would then have to be covered by the Blue and Gold through other venues, such as UC Grants or Berkeley Scholarships. </p>
<p>Can someone explain to me how I did not leave 1,554x4 on the table?</p>
<p>Hey guys, I have a quick question…</p>
<p>Berkeley awarded me the Cal Grant B…
But the Cal Grant website awarded me the Cal Grant A.</p>
<p>Does anyone know which award I’m eligible to receive, if any?</p>
<p>Thanks!!!</p>