Cal Grant B Problem :/ HELP COMPLETELY DESPERATE

Paying for College
1

Hi guys!
I’m an incoming student to City College of San Francisco and I had just recently graduated. I have applied for a FAFSA and have been approved for this upcoming semester (Fall 2015) for a Cal Grant B. But I decided not to use the Cal Grant B for this semester until I finish City College and use the Cal Grant B for a four year university ie: UC or state. My main problem is that I have been awarded a Cal Grant B but I do not want to use it. I have also recently received an email from fafsa saying that I should make corrections to my father’s tax returns to still be eligible for fafsa this year. My main question is how do I pause my cal grant (fafsa) for 3 or more years? Are these options possible?:

a) I leave my fafsa and not make corrections. (Basically not fixing tax returns) Will I still be eligible for four years of financial aid for a UC or state school down the line after I finsih my generals?
b) I sign up for a leave of absence (2 years minimum) (But I would like to have more than two years to finish my generals)
c) What if I make a “submit school change” ? and basically leave the cal grant b out there to hang? Will this affect my four year eligibility for cal grant b aid?

Your help would be truly appreciated. This whole situation is stressing me out and the reason why I would like to have more than two years to finish my generals is because I would like to brush up on my math and science. I want to face my fears and finally say NO to failing myself in these subjects! Again, thanks a lot!

2

You know, the Cal Grant stuff can be tricky. I highly recommend you contact the financial aid department at your community college and talk this out with them.

Keep in mind that there is no “pausing” a Cal Grant. You can reject it but that doesn’t mean you automatically get it 3 years later. You’ll have to re-apply and whether you receive the grant or not will depend on if you fit whatever qualifications are set at that time.

3

You can put your Cal-Grant on hold through your webgrants account at webgrants4students.org. For further instructions and clarification on this process, I would recommend contacting CSAC at 1-888-224-7268. As turtletime mentioned, you will need to meet the income ceiling requirements every year in order to use the Cal-Grant for that time period.