Late submitting cal grant gpa + out of state w/ ab 540

Hey all,
So I’m an out of state transfer, accepted to UCSB, and am late submitting my cal grant gpa. The reason being is that I’m an out of state transfer so I assumed I wouldn’t qualify for cal grant/Middle class scholarship etc. However I recently found out that I’m eligible for AB 540 and that AB 540 students qualify for these scholarships. Do you think this is a good enough reason to submit a late GPA verification? The form specifically asks for a reason beyond my control, I think this is more of just being in the dark about qualifying, what are your thoughts? Also if anyone else is AB 540, what was the process like for you? Everyone keeps saying I “may” qualify which seemse oddly vague to me.

Also if anyone knows, do I calculate all repeat courses in the GPA? I retook a class and failed it the second time, but got a C the first time. Can I ask my school to use the C instead of the F for my cal grant GPA?