<p>I used to qualify for and receive the Cal Grant B, but I no longer do since my mother's income went up just enough to go over the income ceiling and disqualify me.</p>
<p>I do, however, seem to qualify for the Cal Grant A. Is it impossible for me to switch in the middle of my college career? I'm a junior currently, about to apply for financial aid for my final year. Is there anything I can do?</p>
<p>No, unfortunately, once you’ve accepted funds from either A or B, it’s too late to switch. People ask about this all the time, and it’s just not possible.</p>
<p>Contact your school financial aid office to see what other options you might have.</p>
<p>Actually, from what I have seen, people are being switched to A when they cease being qualified for B. This is because of the new requirements that have recipients needing to meet stricter qualifications than they had to previously for renewal. Previously one only had to have a very minor amount of need for renewal. Now you must meet all the ceilings again.</p>
<p>Contact your school’s FA office and CSAC if you encounter any issues. I have no personal experience with this as the one time the new rules affected me, I stayed qualified for B. But I have seen others on these forums say they have been switched and it’s also only logical that they wouldn’t leave you high and dry when you still qualify for one of them.</p>
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<p>I’m not sure that logic trumps state budgetary constraints . . . :rolleyes:</p>
<p>But it’s true, the rules have changed. It used to be the case that one needed to meet financial qualifications for either Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B only in the first year one received it. After that, financial need of $100 was all that was needed to renew.</p>
<p>At the same time, it was also clearly established that one could not switch between A and B:</p>
<p>[**Can</a> I accept Cal Grant A in my first year and switch to Cal Grant B in my second year? </p>
<p>No, once funds are disbursed, you cannot switch your Cal Grant program.**](<a href=“http://www.fao.ucla.edu/calgrant.htm][b]Can”>http://www.fao.ucla.edu/calgrant.htm)</p>
<p>Now, there are continuing eligibility requirements that must be satisfied each year that one remains in school. The same income and asset “ceilings” that determine eligibility in the student’s first year of Cal Grant eligibility now determine the student’s eligibility to have his or her grant renewed. I have searched extensively and cannot find a clear answer to the question posed here: Under these new rules, is one now allowed to switch programs?</p>
<p>I hate to say it, but the only answer may be to telephone (or email) the [California</a> Student Aid Commission (CSAC)](<a href=“http://www.csac.ca.gov/]California”>http://www.csac.ca.gov/) and ask. According to the CSAC website, their Customer Relations Branch accepts phone calls Monday through Friday from 10 am to 11:45 and from 1 pm to 4:45. Telephone: 1-888-CA-GRANT (1-888-224-7268).</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I definitely have not been switched as I got 0 in CalGrant this year despite receiving the award my first 2 years. I didn’t realize this until after all the FAFSA deadlines and whatnot, though, and my FA office couldn’t do much. I hope what you’re saying, Kender, is true, and that it is actually possible to switch. I’m just trying to figure out what I need to do early on. I guess I’ll try to call CSAC even though I’ve never been able to get through by phone. And I’ll be heading to my financial aid office even though they haven’t been very helpful when I’ve brought this up in the past.</p>
<p>This just makes my blood boil. If I qualify for Cal Grant A why the hell haven’t I been automatically switched?! Also, some things I read make it seem like it’s only possible for recent high school graduates and community college students to apply for Cal Grant A.</p>
<p>It is only possible for recent graduates or community college students to file a new application for Cal Grant A.</p>
<p>The questions is whether, under the new rules for renewal, you’d now be permitted to switch. You try to find out. I’ll try to find out. And whoever gets an answer first should come back and post it here!</p>
<p>And, straight from the horse’s mouth (CSAC helpline):</p>
<p>A student who qualifies for (and accepts) Cal Grant B during one year, and thereafter exceeds the income ceiling for Cal Grant B in a subsequent year will automatically be switched to Cal Grant A, assuming the family income is below the threshold for Cal Grant A and all other requirements for Cal Grant A (GPA, etc.) are met.</p>
<p>If income later drops, the student would NOT be switched back to Cal Grant B.</p>
<p>dodgersmom: What you linked was the rules before they made these fun changes to requirements for renewal. I’m glad to see you found what I was talking about, though, in your latest post. THAT is all I was referring to. I know the rest about not being able to switch quite well as I’ve often been the one to tell people they can’t several times in the past on these forums ;). See? Despite budget issues there is logic at work to some degree! Makes me happy :)</p>
<p>When the rules were first changed (a surprise for many of us), this was my biggest concern. I knew I would continue to qualify, but I also was aware of the high possibility of the negative effect this could have on those who might find themselves suddenly no longer qualifying. And we received no word for months regarding what was happening. I hoped before I saw those who confirmed they were switched that the special circumstances of such a situation of no longer qualifying for B (but still for A) would be recognized and addressed.</p>
<p>I did not elaborate, but I only was talking about B to A, not A to B. A to B would be silly and does not fall into the special circumstances of suddenly losing all aid. One wouldn’t be losing A if one had income drop to B qualification levels. But one can lose B if their income goes above those thresholds even if they remain under those for A.</p>
<p>I know a lot of people thought the rules unfair (especially on these forums) that one continued to qualify as long as they had a very minimal amount of need and had far fewer qualifications to meet than to obtain the grant in the first place, but the new rules combined with some of the continuing rules create just this sort of confusion and trouble :(. It was much simpler how it was before.</p>
<p>followmearound: Color me confused… but are you saying that you were not switched for the current year? Perhaps I originally misread. I thought you meant for the upcoming year. You really should have been moved to A (assuming you met all of A qualifications) as I already stated and as dodgersmom has now confirmed herself. I hope this gets sorted out.</p>