Does the State University Grant get taken off the Financial Aid package once the college is notified you are eligible for the Cal Grant A and B? I am getting the Cal Grant B(1648.00) first year(they say its more advantageous for the student) then I understand the second through fourth years I will get the Cal Grant A 5400.00 plus the Cal Grant B 1648.00.
However I was told that the State University Grant 5400.00 will be dis-awarded once the university sees that I am getting the Cal Grant B. Which takes away a huge chunk of funding. This makes it impossible to attend without that larger grant. Any advice or does the State University Grant stay on then is replaced by the Cal Grant A next year? UGH>> Cant get through to the Fin Aid dept.
You cannot get both Cal A and Cal B, you either qualify for one or the other as they have different income thresholds and GPA levels. For Cal B, you get the 1648 stipend your first year, then you are awarded the maximum amount for the school you are at, which appears to be $5400 for sophomore through senior years. I’m not overly familiar with how state/UCs spchoose to award thei Cal grants combined with other aid that might match it, so I can’t help you here.
However, looking at an example - Cal Poly Pomona will cancel a students state grant eligibility if they see a student qualifies for a Cal grant. It appears hat it serves as an award for students who are lower income but may not qualify for Cal.
Who said it’s more advantageous? Whether or not it benefits you depends on what other grants you’re receiving. You need to compare your total grant aid (over four years) with Cal Grant B to what it would be with Cal Grant A. And by “total grant aid,” I mean Cal Grant, CSU grant, Pell grant, and any other scholarships or grants you’ll be receiving.
And, yes, as @kgos16 explained, once the larger Cal Grant B kicks in your sophomore year, your CSU grant will be reduced accordingly. It’s just there so you have enough to cover tuition & fees your first year.
I"m not sure if you are getting your question answered. You will get the same amount each year (5400 + 1648). It is just that the 1st year, the 5400 will be labeled a university grant and the 3 remaining years it will be labeled cal grant. Of course, you probably should call you fin aid office to verify, but this is how it worked for us 5 years ago.
@jbourne, it isn’t merely “labeled” one or the other. The money during freshman year actually comes from the CSU’s own coffers, and in subsequent years, it comes from the CSAC coffers.