<p>Okay, I've seen a lot of various threads about this so far but I feel like I wanna make my own thread since all the answers will be particularly towards my questions.</p>
<p>First, I'm attending a CAL STATE. </p>
<p>I checked out my grant online and it says that I'm qualified for Calgrant A but not awarded (and it says code #1 underneath it - what is that mean); Qualified for Calgrant B but "on hold".</p>
<p>Which grant is better?
Calgrant A, what does it cover?
Calgrant B, what does it cover? I've read opinions that this grant covers tuition and living expenses which cost $1700 something for the next three years but not my first year. Then, how am I supposed to pay my first year in CSU? Tuition is like $7000 and the housing is like $11,000? :/ </p>
<p>As of now, I have pell grant which is $5,500 and a Calgrant B of $1,700 something. :/</p>
<p>From what I understand, this is the description:</p>
<p>Cal Grant A covers tuition and fees at a 2 yr CC or 4 year university. Some cal grant A’s are based on your gpa. CC students receive less money. Each university has it’s own codes. Contact the FA office at your Cal State to ask for the status of your Cal A. More than likely, your tuition will be covered. </p>
<p>Cal Grant B’s cover books and living expenses for low income students. After the first year, these fees can be used to cover your tuition and fees. On hold status needs to be checked at FA office. They may be disbursing your books directly through your bookstore.</p>
<p>End result: you have to contact the financial aid office and find out why they haven’t told you your amounts yet.</p>
<p>Thank you. But it still answer my questions. I’m planning on contacting them tomorrow I think. Thank you again.</p>
<p>Any more answers will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Marlon: The Cal Grant A-that is on hold-is supposed to cover your tuition+fees at your Cal State. You need to find out how much that is. This grant is for 4 years.</p>
<p>the Cal grant B covers everything else, (BOOKS, PARKING, SUPPLIES) including fees the first year. AFTER your first year, you can use the Cal Grant B for both books and or fees or tuition. This grant is for 4 years.</p>
<p>Aunt bea: but the cal grant A I got is not “on hold” though. 
I’m only qualified but not awarded. Does that still pay for my tuition?
If not, then I only have the cal grant B. so in the end, I have to take out some of my parents money to pay for my housing and tuition, right? :/</p>
<p>I appreciate your help. I’m just really confused and nervous. I’m the first in my family to be in a university so…</p>
<p>Cal Grant B is better. As noted by CalvinBrave above, over the course of your four years in school, it was net you slightly more than the CalGrant A.</p>
<p>So, what happens the first year, when CalGrant B does NOT cover tuition and fees? Your college will pick up the difference! Your first year, you will be eligible for a grant directly from your CSU. In subsequent years, the full amount will be covered by the Cal Grant B.</p>
<p>Aunt Bea was mistaken - you do not get both A and B. It’s one or the other. In your case, you were offered the better grant. (Had you been awarded “A” instead, you could have requested to be switched to “B” - but now you don’t need to be bothered with that! :))</p>
<p>Your CalGrant B will remain “on hold” only until you actually enroll in a school, at which point you will receive notification regarding your full award (including aid from the school.)</p>
<p>Just for clarification, CalGrant B is specifically designed for students with the lowest income - and the most need. It would make absolutely NO sense to leave them high and dry with no pay to pay fees and tuition the first year . . . and that’s not what it does!</p>
<p>Dodgersmom: thank you. It’s a littl clearer now 
So in other words, the CSU I’m going to attend will cover the difference if I couldn’t pay my housing and tuition during my freshman year plus the living cost and books for the next 3 years, right? But what grant is the one from first year? Do I need to apply for that? Is that a Calgrant or just from the CSU money? Does that mean that they will automatically going to offer me that? Sorry for more questions </p>
<p>Thank you Calvin Brave :)</p>
<p>First year:
[ul]
[<em>] Tuition & Fees: covered by CSU
[</em>] Books & Supplies: covered by Cal Grant B[/ul]</p>
<p>Years Two, Three, and Four:
[ul]
[<em>] Tuition & Fees: covered by Cal Grant B
[</em>] Books & Supplies: covered by Cal Grant B[/ul]</p>
<p>The CSU grant will be automatic. You don’t need to apply for it. When you enroll, they’ll get your award info from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), which will tell them that you’re a Cal Grant B recipient, so they’ll automatically award you a grant for tuition & fees for your first year.</p>
<p>Edited to add: The Cal Grants are not the only grants paid by the State of California. There’s also a State University Grant (SUG) that is awarded based on student financial need. Your first year tuition & fees will probably be covered by the SUG (or a combination of the SUG and a federal Pell grant). In subsequent years, the SUG gets replaced by the Cal Grant B. Anyway, it’s all automatic. So long as you filed FAFSA by March 2, it’ll all be taken care of.</p>
<p>Oh THANK YOU! that is much clearer now I greatly appreciate your help!</p>
<p>Housing on campus is not included in the tuition and fees, right? So I have to pay that on my own?</p>
<p>Correct - housing is not included. If you need to pay for housing, you could use a federal student loan to pay part of that expense. But I’d advise against borrowing ANY money unless it’s absolutely necessary.</p>
<p>Also, we cross-posted, so you may not have noticed that I added something to Post #11. :)</p>
<p>Oh that sucks which grant do you think would be better for me? I’m pretty my parents can’t afford the housing payment and also my parents don’t want me to take out loans. In that case, do you think Cal grant A would be better? What is the benefit of A grant if I choose it?</p>
<p>You can switch to Cal Grant A if you want - your choice. But Cal Grant A gives you LESS money!</p>
<p>There is no advantage to Cal Grant A for a low income student. It does not include the “books & supplies” stipend that comes with Cal Grant B. It covers tuition & fees only.</p>
<p>As for housing, you’re expected to attend the CSU that’s closest to your home. In other words, if you live in San Jose, you attend San Jose State, not CSU Los Angeles! And you’re expected to use part of the “books & supplies” stipend to help pay your transportation expenses so you can get back and forth to class every day.</p>
<p>If you don’t live anywhere near a CSU, and can’t afford the cost of housing, then it would make sense to start at your local community college, and transfer to a CSU for your junior and senior years only. The purpose of the Blue & Gold Promise (including the Cal Grants) is to make college affordable for you . . . but you also have to do your part by finding an affordable college.</p>
<p>You can ask at your CSU if there is any kind of grant that would pay your housing expenses. I’d be surprised if there is . . . but it doesn’t hurt to ask!</p>
<p>Thanks Dodgers Mom, it’s been awhile since I had a cal grant!</p>
<p>Marlon, you probably qualify for other Cal State scholarships; call or go to FA and ask about other grants/scholarships you may qualify for.</p>
<p>I live in San Fernando Valley and the closest CSU is Northridge State. The problem is I didn’t apply there because they don’t have a good biology or biochem program. They’re more focus on education and business. </p>
<p>So, I applied to Chico State and I got in. I can say I like the school and I’m planning to go in there. But it’s 7-hour drive from my house. </p>
<p>Community College is not in my option at all. Also my parents are against it They want me in a university.</p>
<p>As Dodgesrmom already pointed out, Cal Grant B, along with a Chico State, will cover tuition, books, and fees. </p>
<p>The source to cover room and board (dorms or an apart) will depend on your EFC.</p>
<p>(Total Cost of Chico State - All Grants/Scholarships - work study - EFC) = amount in Stafford/Plus loans</p>
<p>So if your EFC is 0, your room and board (dorm or an apartment) may be completely covered via Stafford/Plus loans. You do not have to take out the MAX loans your qualify for. You also can reduce the amount of loans by working part-time or if your parents can help.</p>