<p>I tried using the simulator to see my grant for schools not listed as as my top 3 and I find instead of getting Cal Grant A I am awarded Cal Grant B. While on my top 3 schools I'm awarded Cal Grant A not B. I also can't change schools because I haven't graduated yet. Will this effect the amount of money I get? How can I change it so that I get Cal Grant A instead?</p>
<p>Grant Program: Cal Grant A Cal Grant B<br>
Total Annual Award Amount: $11,124 $1,551<br>
Tuition Fees: $11,124 $0<br>
Access Amount: N/A $1,551<br>
Books and Supplies: N/A N/A<br>
Award Status: Qualified Awarded</p>
<p>Cal Grant B usually ends up being the most beneficial. You can easily change it after you receive your financial aid packages - YOU have the final say about which Cal Grant you receive.</p>
<p>From the dollar amounts you list, you are planning on attending a UC. The benefit of Cal Grant B is that the UCs cover the difference the first year with UC grants and you get the $1,551 in cash to use for books and expenses. After the first year, you will receive A PLUS B ($12,675), and will still be able to use the $1,551 for expenses. Students who receive A only can only use the funds for tuition, not expenses.</p>
<p>Wait to see your financial aid package before changing from B to A. B generally provides more funds.</p>
<p>For some kids, getting Cal B gets them more money in the long run. The UCs are supposed to figure out which way gets kids the most money. Sometimes Pell and/or Blue and Gold cause a UC to choose one way over another.</p>
<p>thank you for the response. yes i indeed qualify. i wonder why i wasn’t awarded B instead my siblings all received it last year and prior years
do you know when we can change it? i’m so afraid i’m not even allowed to change it :(</p>
<p>It may be that in your case at your Cal State A is more beneficial than B, or it may be that they just don’t know that you qualify for B - they make estimates for the early aid packages - you should discuss it with the financial aid officer at your school before changing it.</p>
<p>Your package may have some combo of Pell, Blue and Gold/UC aid, Cal Grant, loans and work study. </p>
<p>Some of the top UCs seem to have institutional aid “UC aid” that they give which gives them some flexibility for their awards. maybe that’s what’s going on.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand what you posted here. Is this a sample from one school?</p>
<p>Grant Program: Cal Grant A Cal Grant B
Total Annual Award Amount: $11,124 $1,551
Tuition Fees: $11,124 $0
Access Amount: N/A $1,551
Books and Supplies: N/A N/A
Award Status: Qualified Awarded </p>
<p>@ alamemom; this is what my cal grant account says:</p>
<p>Award Status Summary<br>
Award Cycle ID<br>
Cal Grant A: Awarded - On Hold Entitlement (E1)<br>
Cal Grant B: Qualified - Not Awarded Entitlement (E1)<br>
Cal Grant C: Not Awarded Entitlement (E1)</p>
<p>School of Attendance: 00132100 00 UNIV OF CA - SANTA CRUZ</p>
<pre><code>Attendance Status: Full Time Housing Status: CAMPUS
Remaining Eligibility (years): 4.00 Grade Point Average (GPA) : #.##
Unmet Need $31,911 Total Award Amount: $11,124
Tuition/Fees: $11,124
Access/Books & Supplies: $0
</code></pre>
<p>is that enough information for me to “switch” to cal grant b?</p>
<p>i clicked the “award status summary” and apparently “Qualified - Not Awarded” means, “Although you qualified for this award, based on your current school of attendance, it was financially advantageous for you to receive another type of Cal Grant. You are only eligible to receive one Cal Grant type. Please see your financial aid representative with questions.”</p>
<p>i have been accepted at CSUs and UCs, if that matters. :)</p>
<p>As you say, it appears you qualify for either A or B. Your best bet is to contact the financial aid advisor at UCSC to ask why they feel A is more advantageous - it could be they do not have the grant funds to cover the difference the first year, or some other reason.</p>
<p>I would advise not to make any change until you have firmly decided where you will attend, and then discuss with a financial aid advisor at that specific school which is better for you. </p>
<p>In the meantime as you are making that decision, you can contact each school you are considering to see which Cal Grant they recommend. They uniformly do their best to advise the student to take the Cal Grant that provides the most benefit to the student, so be sure to listen carefully to their suggestions. If you still feel that you would prefer the other grant, let them (the school you will attend) know in writing. Be sure you have asked how your aid package will look if you do make the change.</p>
<p>m2k, that is Jello’s report from Webgrants for Students - the California Student Aid Commission - it only includes Cal Grant information. UCSC is the first Ca school listed, so it is referenced.</p>
<p>oh, okay, thank you very much alamemom!!! that is really reassuring advice :)</p>
<p>also, mom2collegekids, my efc is 00000. i believe i do qualify for the pell grant. i just want to make sure i can totally attend my first choice UCs!!! :X</p>
<p>then you’ll get a $5550 pell grant. you’ll also likely get a $5500 Stafford loan and maybe a small Perkins loan, some work-study, and maybe a UC grant. </p>
<p>It looks to me that they’re using your Cal Grant to cover the Blue and Gold req’t. </p>
<p>Last year, those with 0 EFCs that posted on CC seemed to get most of their need covered, so hopefully that will be the same this year. </p>
<p>I can’t remember if those who posted with 0 EFCs had any kind of summer earning contribution req’t. anyone know?.</p>
my siblings all received it last year and prior years
:)</p>