Cal Grant Info Clarification

Paying for College
1

<p>So there has been a lot of confusion regarding the Cal Grants, why one appears on the financial aid estimate and the other doesn't, etc...So I called the CSAC to clarify a few things:</p>

<p>1) You can only receive ONE Cal Grant (either A or B) all 4 years. So you choose one and then stick to it.</p>

<p>2) Cal Grant B is usually the one that is on the financial aid estimate. Why? Because in the long run, that is, over the course of 4 years, it's more beneficial. </p>

<pre><code> Here's how:

Cal Grant B offers an "access cost" of $1,551. That is money that you the student can use yourself on books, bonfire wood, bracelets, basically buying benefits. It's essentially an allowance, so you just get the $1,551 to spend.

WAIT, THERE'S MORE! The following information is what confuses people most, and it's hard to uncover the real facts because all the so-called explanations are peppered with financial aid jargon that I, for one, don't understand.

For your freshman year, you receive this allowance of $1,551. However, for your SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, AND SENIOR YEAR, you will get $6,636 per year IN ADDITION TO the stipend "allowance" of $1,551!

Cal Grant A only pays for tuition. It gives you $6,636 a year for four years. It SOUNDS ideal, but of course things don't always go the way you want it to.
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<p>3) When you add up the totals after 4 years, this is what it breaks down to:
Cal Grant A: $26,554
Cal Grant B: $26,112</p>

<pre><code> So yes, Cal Grant A gives more money by $432. HOWEVER, the catch I foreshadowed above is this: your freshman year, if you choose Cal Grant A, you will get $6,636 in Cal Grant A form. Unfortunately, this means that your individual school will lower THEIR OWN grant. This means (eg...if you go to a UC) it will be the UCLA grant, UCSD grant, UCI grant, etc... It will lower to match exactly what you had before you switched from Cal Grant B to Cal Grant A.

In conclusion, the CSAC "auto-accepts" Cal Grant B, even if you are qualified for Cal Grant A, because in the end, you get more money. That $432 is made up in the fact that your own school's grant will cover that first year in which the Cal Grant B gives you only the "access cost" allowance. In years following your freshman year, you get both the benefits from A and B: tuition coverage and a stipend, respectively. Cal Grant B is better because it's not restricted to paying for tuition only.
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<p>I HOPE THIS CLEARS THINGS UP FOR EVERYONE WONDERING ABOUT CAL GRANTS!</p>

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<p>thnx good info.</p>

3

<p>Quick question: If one chooses Cal Grant B, then the school won't lower their own grants?</p>

<p>Thanks for your post, it's extremely helpful!</p>

4

<p>That really cleared things up for me as well, thanks.</p>

<p>A quick question:</p>

<p>Do i have to call the school i am going to about my Cal Grant award? or are they already notified?</p>

5

<p>thanks that was really good information. now i don't have to call and wait forever.</p>

6

<p>The school won't lower their own grant if you choose Cal Grant B for the first year. It "makes up" for the funds that you miss out on in Cal Grant A, so yes, choosing Cal Grant B lets you keep your school grants. However, that might not go that way the following years. </p>

<p>If your preliminary financial aid estimator thing says "possible cal grant A/B" then they will know. If it doesn't, but you know for sure that you got one then you have to call them. And also you have to call them if you want to switch grants from the one that shows up on your estimated package.</p>

7

<p>I know I’m bringing back an old post, but I was wondering can I still sign up for cal grant B if I was to late this year. It says applicant must be a new freshman that completed no more than 16 units or a full time semester. I’m confused because I will be completing 2 semesters and way more than 16 units by fall of 2012. So will I be able to sign up next year?</p>

8

<p>You can apply each year, even if you didn’t apply or weren’t eligible the previous year. But make sure you meet the deadlines - fafsa, and your GPA verification. Read the rules carefully. I printed out the GPA verification form, filled out my part, and had to take it back to my high school for them to fill our their part and send it in.</p>