Cal Grants

Cal Grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). There are three different Cal Grants. Each category of Cal Grants may be renewed, but each has a different renewable policy. Cal Grants are no longer automatically renewed. Students must be eligible based on the established income and asset eligibility requirement and information based on the results of a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

To apply for a Cal Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and turn in any additional documentation needed to complete the file. In addition, students must submit a Grade Point Average Verification form, as follows:

• Stanbridge University will submit GPAs for current students to CSAC who completed at least 36 quarter credits or 900 clock hours at Stanbridge University by March. The Financial Aid Office will electronically submit GPA by March 2^nd.
• Students who have not yet completed 36 quarter credits or 900 clock hours of college coursework, at Stanbridge University must have the GPA Verification form completed accordingly.
  • If the student never attended college prior to enrolling at Stanbridge University, the form must be completed by their high school.
  • If the student attended and earned at least 36 quarter credits, 900 clock hours, or equivalent of college coursework at other colleges prior to enrolling at Stanbridge University, the form must be completed by college where credits/clock hours were earned.
  • If the student attended other colleges prior to enrolling at Stanbridge University but did not earn the equivalent of 36 quarter credits or 900 clock hours, the form must be completed by their high school.

Both the FAFSA and GPA Verification form must be mailed by March 2nd, to meet the Cal Grant deadline.

Cal Grant A

Cal Grant A is awarded to students based on financial need and GPA.

Cal Grant A is for students enrolled in a program of instruction of not less than two academic years that leads to an associate or baccalaureate degree requiring 48 semester units or that results in eligibility for transfer from a community college to a baccalaureate degree program.

There are three Cal Grant A awards: Entitlement, Transfer Entitlement, and Competitive

• Cal Grant A Entitlement Award
  • Graduating high school senior who has at least a 3.0 high school GPA
  • California resident at the time of graduation
  • Meets the March 2 deadline
• Cal Grant A Transfer Entitlement Award
  • High school seniors who graduate after June 30, 2000
  • Attend a California Community College, and then transfer to a qualifying baccalaureate degree-granting institution may be eligible for a California Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant A
  • Must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA (of at least 24 semester units, or the equivalent, of degree credit)
  • Meet the financial and eligibility requirements
  • Are no more than 27 years of age during the time of transfer
  • Meets the March 2 deadline
• Cal Grant A Competitive Award
  • Other students who meet all the Cal Grant eligibility requirements and who have at least a 3.0 GPA may compete for a Cal Grant A Competitive award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration of family income, parents’ educational level, GPA, time out of high school, high school performance standards and other factors, such as whether the student comes from a single-parent household or is a former foster youth

Cal Grant B

Cal Grant B is for students from disadvantaged or low-income families. The award for most first-year students covers living expenses, books, supplies and transportation, but not tuition and fees. When renewed or awarded beyond the freshman year, the grant covers tuition and fees. The tuition and fee award amounts are the same as those for Cal Grant A. Award amounts are determined through the state budget process and may change annually. Coursework must be for at least one academic year, and students must be enrolled at least half time.

There are three Cal Grant B awards: Entitlement, Transfer Entitlement, and Competitive

• Cal Grant B Entitlement Award
  • Every graduating high school senior who has at least a 2.0 high school GPA
  • California resident at the time of graduation
  • Meets the March 2 deadline
• Cal Grant B California Community College Transfer Entitlement Award
  • High school seniors who graduate after June 30, 2000
  • Attend a California Community College and then transfer to a qualifying baccalaureate-degree granting institution may be eligible for a California Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant B
  • Must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA (of at least 24 semester units, or the equivalent, of degree credit), meet the financial and eligibility requirements
  • Are no more than 27 years of age during the time of transfer
  • Meets the March 2 deadline
• Cal Grant B Competitive Award
  • Other students who meet all the Cal Grant eligibility requirements and who have at least a 2.0 GPA may compete for a Cal Grant B Competitive award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration family income, parents’ educational level, GPA, time out of high school, high school performance standards and other factors, such as whether the student comes from a single-parent household or is a former foster youth

Cal Grant C

Cal Grant C helps vocationally oriented students acquire marketable job skills within a short time. Training must lead to a recognized occupational goal—diploma, associate degree, license qualification or certificate, which indicates at least an entry-level job skill. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in a course of study at least four months in length. Funding is available for up to two years, depending on the length of the program, as long as academic progress is satisfactory. Cal Grant C recipients may attend occupational, career, or technical training courses at any California Community College. In addition, the awards may be used for nursing and allied health programs at a hospital school, selected courses at several independent colleges and specialized courses at eligible proprietary colleges. Cal Grant C is not for students seeking a broad general education background and may not be used for a four-year degree program, graduate study, course prerequisites, or general education. All applicants who did not receive a Cal Grant A or B award and who are eligible at the first Cal Grant C-eligible school listed in their FAFSA will be sent a Cal Grant C Supplement form as part of the competition. The Supplement must be completed by the student, endorsed by the appropriate school representative or the student’s employer, and returned to the Commission by the May 15 deadline if the student wishes to remain in the competition. Supplements are scored with an emphasis on educational background, vocational or occupational experience and aptitude. Additional points come from vocational or educational endorsements and grades. A counselor’s review of the completed Supplement is recommended.

Certifying Cal Grant

 Cal Grant awards will be certified only if the student has reached full-time enrollment, which is the midpoint of Stanbridge terms and meet the following criteria:

• State resident – California Resident only
• Award Year FAFSA
  • All verifications and C-codes have been completed/cleared
  • Income Ceiling
  • Asset Ceiling
• Transcripts
  • Verify GPA
    • Minimum 2.0 GPA
    • 4 Community College GPA for Transfer Entitlement (E2)
  • Education Level Verification (if required): EL verification only required if students are selected for verification by Cal Grants Commission and only for students that are getting Cal Grant B.

CAL Grants and Eligibility

*For WebGrants System EL verification purposes, if a student has completed the required number of credits they will be certified for the next grade level (36 credits completed will be certified as Level 2 Sophomore)

• Cal Grant Award
  • Correct Award Type
    • Cal Grant A- AA, BA
    • Cal Grant B- Certificate (at least 1 year in length), AA, BA
    • Cal Grant C- Certificate (at least 4 months length), AA
  • Minimum Need
    • Cal Grant A: Maximum program award amount plus $1,500
    • Cal Grant B: $700
    • Cal Grant C: Maximum program award amount plus $1,500

CAL Grant Refund Policy

Cal Grant policies state that if a student is charged tuition that meets or exceeds the Cal Grant award, the Cal Grant does not need to be adjusted based on a withdrawal or leave of absence. However, Cal Grant recipients may want to rescind their Cal Grant and notify the California Student Aid Commission of their leave or withdrawal in order to preserve their eligibility for a future term. Students can process a leave of absence request with the California Student Aid Commission online at www.csac.ca.gov and click the link “WebGrants4Students.” In this case, the student would be responsible for covering the tuition balance on his/her student account. If a student is dismissed or withdraws from school, all unearned Title IV funds will be refunded to the Department of Ed, and any unearned funds will be returned to Cal Grant or State Funds and lastly, to Private Loans accordingly.