I had a tough time during high school and my grades suffer also. I am eligible for Cal Grant B but not Cal Grant A. My GPA was 2.41. I am doing better now and I believe that later on I am able to maintain a higher GPA in college. I will be attending a Community College this upcoming Fall and plan to transfer within 2 years. I am still lost in the process of the FAFSA. When reapplying, does the FAFSA still reflect my high school GPA or will it reflect my college GPA?
The community college you will be attending can help you with the FAFSA form. Go to the main office or check online to find where you can get help filing it.
It’s your community college GPA they’ll be looking at, not your high school GPA. See here:
Did you apply to Calgrant through your high school? Some California high schools automatically do this.
FAFSA is an application form. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid’s information is sent to the Calgrant offices in California.
Because you will be attending a California community college, that information was sent to the CC that you listed on your FAFSA form. Your Calgrant form was signed and sent in by March 2nd. We know because you already know that you are receiving CalGrant B.
FYI: This March 2nd date is important because for your next 4 years, you need to remember that date: March 2 or no funding at your California universities; they run out of money. Priority is given to people who get their forms in on time.
Do you understand the Calgrant definitions? http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=905
Cal grant A is
used for the four-year colleges. Can be used for 2 year colleges but generally isn’t.
** Cal Grant A has a GPA requirement** of a minimum of a 3.0 HS GPA
Cal grant B is generally used for CC students but will transition with the student to the university level.
** HS GPA requirement is 2.0 and above.**
So, you won’t transition to a CalGrant A while you are at a 2.41 HS GPA.
Your entering future university (in 2 years/junior year 2018) may or may not reclassify you to a CalGrant A with your college GPA.
Right now, you are not eligible for more funds because you won’t be attending a college with high-cost tuitions. They fund what your current costs will be and that isn’t the $12K that, I assume, you want from the Calgrant A. If your school doesn’t cost $12K, they aren’t going to fund you for $12K.
Cal grant b is more generous. Be sure you understand that. It is meant for lower income students and it gives a bit more money to your for books etc. any money that it doesn’t give at first is made up by the school so you are always getting more from cal grant B.
Get it explained by your advisor.
I want to make sure that you understand a couple of things.
- Fafsa never uses gpa, only cal grant does. Fafsa just is a form to fill out that sees if you are qualified for various aid. Federal aid is not dependent on HS gpa. Just on family income.
- Understand cal grant just uses FaFSA income numbers for eligibility. Filling a FAFSA qualifies you for federal aid and state aid and university aid. Cal grant does have a gpa qualifier but you made it for B!
- Cal grant b is better than a, so you don't want to change or 'transition'.
- Talk to an advisor to make sure you treat your cal grant award the best way. Likely you want to put it on hold and get a BOG waiver.
I can’t stress enough to all
Cal grant B gives MORE MONEY (about 2k for expenses)
…to LOW INCOME people
…and qualifies you at a lower gpa
But if you are going to start at a CCC, you need to reserve it for your transfer and keep a gpa up. Otherwise it won’t go well, likely.