Cal Grant

 Cal Grants are state-funded grants for California college students who need help paying for college. They are free money that you do not need to pay back.

You can apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet income, GPA, and eligibility requirements.

Most Southwestern College students who qualify will receive a Cal Grant B, which provides money to help cover books, supplies, and living expenses while you are here. CSAC determines which type of Cal Grant you receive based on your FAFSA or CADAA, your GPA, your financial need, and your college of attendance. 

The Cal Grant A Access Award can be awarded at SWC for students who have certified their SWD eligibility on WebGrants4Students.

Application Deadlines

To be considered for a Cal Grant for the first time, you need to do two things: submit your FAFSA or CADAA, and make sure your GPA has been sent to CSAC. Both have their own deadlines. Missing either one could mean missing out on your Cal Grant. Students who apply on time and meet all requirements are guaranteed an award. Students who miss the deadline may still be considered, but funding is limited and awards are not guaranteed.

Not sure if your GPA was submitted? Check your WebGrants4Students account. If your GPA is not listed, contact your high school to request a submission or complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form yourself online.

If you are renewing an existing Cal Grant, you only need to submit your FAFSA or CADAA each year. No GPA submission is required.

March 2: GPA Deadline for High School Students

If you are a current high school senior or you graduated last year, your GPA must be on file with CSAC by March 2. Most high schools send this automatically, but it is your responsibility to make sure it was received. Log in to WebGrants4Students at mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov to confirm your GPA is listed.

Important: If you graduated last year and did not receive a Cal Grant at that time, you cannot use the GPA your high school sent during your senior year. You must submit it again before March 2.

April 2: FAFSA or CADAA Deadline for High School Students

If you are a current high school senior or you graduated last year, your FAFSA or CADAA must be submitted by April 2. Both Entitlement and Competitive awards are considered through this deadline.

September 2: Deadline for Community College Students

This is the main deadline for most SWC students. By September 2 you must have both your FAFSA or CADAA submitted and your GPA on file with CSAC.

If you have completed 16 or more degree-applicable units at SWC, the college will send your GPA to CSAC automatically. If you have fewer than 16 units completed, you will need your high school to submit your GPA or you will need to complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form yourself. Either way, it is your responsibility to make sure your GPA was received before the deadline. Check your WebGrants4Students account to confirm.

If you transfer to a UC or CSU, your Cal Grant comes with you. You can use your remaining eligibility at your new school.

If you transfer to a private college or university, it works differently. Your Cal Grant cannot automatically transfer to a private institution. Instead, you would need to be reconsidered for a Transfer Entitlement or Competitive Cal Grant for that school.

Understanding Your Cal Grant

Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award (E1)

Eligibility for a High School Entitlement Award:

• Includes current high school seniors and last year's graduates
• Must meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements
• Must apply with FAFSA or CADAA by March 2nd
• Minimum High School GPA must be submitted by March 2nd:
  Cal Grant A: 3.0
  Cal Grant B: 2.0
• If no GPA, test scores from SAT, ACT, GED, TASC, & HiSET may be submitted if:
  Pass/Fail system
  Home-schooled

Click on the following link for additional information:
Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award

Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award (E2)

This grant is for students who plan to transfer directly from a California Community College to a 4-Year University that offers a bachelor degree in the academic year that they are applying for the award.

Deadline is April 2 and applicants must:

• Submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.4.

Eligibility for a Transfer Entitlement Award:

• There cannot be a gap in enrollment between attendance at the California Community college and the 4-Year University.
• Students who are under the age of 28 by December 31 of the award year.
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements.
• Students who graduated from a CA high school after June 30, 2000 and were California residents (or if you applied through the Dream Act application, living in California) at the time of high school graduation.

Click on the following link for additional information:
Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award

Community College Entitlement Requirements (E3)

 Eligibility for a Community College Entitlement grant:

• Students attending a California Community College (CCC)
• Apply with FAFSA or CADAA by September 2nd
• Students who receive a Cal Grant CCC (E3) will be permitted to retain their remaining Cal Grant eligibility when transferring to a UC or CSU so long as they continue to meet income and academic requirements
• Minimum High School GPA:
  Cal Grant A: 3.0
  Cal Grant B: 2.0
• If no GPA, test scores from SAT, ACT, GED, TASC, & HiSET may be submitted if:
  Pass/Fail system
  Home-schooled

Minimum Community College (CC) GPA:
Cal Grant A: 2.4
Cal Grant B: 2.0

Minimum Re-established CC GPA:
Must complete at least 16 units at CCC with at least a 2.0 GPA.

Click on the following link for additional information:
Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award

Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award for Current and Former Foster Youth

• The Cal Grant B Foster Youth award allows students who are current and former foster youth to be eligible for increased Cal Grant eligibility. Foster youth have until their 26 birthday to apply. On July 1, 2018 California expanded the Cal Grant Program to allow students who are current and former foster youth to be eligible for increased Cal Grant eligibility.
• Foster youth students may renew their Cal Grant B awards for the equivalent of eight years of full-time attendance in an undergraduate program.
• Foster youth students have until their 26th birthday to apply for the Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award.
• Foster youth students attending a California Community College can apply for a High School Entitlement award through September 2nd (rather than March 2nd).

Click here to apply for the Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award

To Apply

All students must file a FAFSA or CA Dream Act application (if you are a DACA student or a student without legal citizenship status ion the U.S.) and submit a GPA verification to CSAC by the deadline.  Students who have completed 16 degree applicable units will have their GPA automatically calculated and submitted to CSAC. Students attending a CA community college can now qualify for a CC Entitlement Cal Grant (E3) during the September 2nd award cycle if they have a completed application (FAFSA/CADAA) and a matched GPA received by 09/02/26.

Eligibility Requirements

Cal Grants are for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training, and do not have to be repaid. In addition to meeting the financial criteria and Cal Grant requirements, you must:

• Submit the FAFSA or CADAA application and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
• Be a California resident for 1 year
• Attend a qualifying California college
• Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree
• Have financial need at the college of your choice
• Have family income and assets below the minimum levels
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half time
• Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan
• Not be incarcerated
• Maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school. Recipients who do not meet the standards are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment.

Amounts

Cal Grant B – $1,648: You can use your $1,648 access award as a living allowance to help pay for books and other community college costs.

Cal Grant C – $1,094: A student must be enrolled in an occupational or technical program to qualify for the Cal Grant C. (e.g. automotive technician, court reporter, etc).  The amount offered can be used for books, tools, equipment, and other community college costs.

Students With Dependent Children
Cal Grant students with dependent children attending Southwestern College may be eligible for an access award of up to $6,000 for qualifying Cal Grant B recipients and up to $4,000 for eligible Cal Grant C recipients.

The Cal Grant A Access award (including CCC reserve students) yearly maximum amount $6000
The Cal Grant B Access award yearly maximum $6000
The Cal Grant C books & supplies award yearly maximum $4000

 More information about Student with Dependent Children click the following link:

Students With Dependent Children Frequently Asked Questions

Community College Grants

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

The SSCG became effective in Fall 2018. It is awarded to CCC students who receive the Cal Grant and enrolled full-time. Student must enroll in 12 or more units, meet both college and federal SAP standards, and be exempt from nonresident tuition.

California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant

Cal Grant B Service Incentive Grants up to $4,500 per year (up to $2,250 per semester)
Eligible students must perform at least 150 hours per semester of community or volunteer service and attend a California public or independent institution
CSAC administers the program- for more information, visit the CSAC website

To be considered a student must:

• Complete and successfully submit a CADAA application
• Be enrolled at a Cal Grant eligible school
• Have an active Cal Grant B Award for the corresponding academic year through a CADAA application
• Sufficient financial need to qualify

Cal Grant GPA Verification

A GPA is required to be considered for a new Cal Grant award. Forms must be emailed or postmarked by the date below to be considered on time.

PRIORITY DEADLINES:

April 2nd, for the following students:
If you were not able to submit your GPA on time for this deadline, you can still submit a GPA using the GPA Verification Form and explaining the reason why in the Late Submission Appeals section no later than May 18th, 2026.
For Cal Grant C and Competitive Students, Late Submission Appeals must be submitted by March 23rd, 2026.

• Recent High School Graduate
• Community College Transfer Student
• Cal Grant C
• Competitive Student

September 2nd, for the following students:

• Community College Student (SWC students)
• Foster Youth (Community College)

Renewal Cal Grant Student: no GPA submission required

Not sure if your GPA was submitted? Check your 2026-27 Cal Grant tab in Webgrants 4 Students 
GPA Verification Form should only be used by students whose school has not submitted a GPA on their behalf.  

Cal Grant Verification form

  Full Time: 12 + Units

Type Cal Grant	With Dependents Annual	No Dependents Annual	With Certified Dependents Per Term	No Dependent Per Term
A	$6000	$0	$3000	$0
B	$6,000	$1,648	$3,000	$824
C	$4,000	$1,094	$2,000	$547

Three-Quarter Time: 9 to 11.99 Units

Type Cal Grant	With Dependents Annual	No Dependents Annual	With Certified Dependents Per Term	No Dependent Per Term
A	$4,500	$0	$2,250	$0
B	$4,500	$1,242	$2,250	$621
C	$3,000	$820	$1,500	$410

Half Time: 6 to 8.99 Units

Type Cal Grant	With Dependents Annual	No Dependents Annual	With Certified Dependents Per Term	No Dependent Per Term
A	$3,000	$0	$1,500	$0
B	$3,000	$824	$1,500	$412
C	$2,000	$547	$1,000	$274

Less Than Half Time: <6 Units

Type Cal Grant	Dependent or No Dependent
A	Ineligible
B	Ineligible
C	Ineligible

SWC CAL GRANT DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULE
​For disbursement dates, refer to the Disbursement Schedule.  All Cal Grant funds will be disbursed through the Southwestern College District's 3rd Party Service, BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.  

Additional Considerations & Requirements When Receiving Cal Grant Award Funds:

For Cal Grant Award RENEWALS
• Students must complete the FAFSA Application or California Dream Act Application annually for CSAC to determine their renewal eligibility.
• Students must meet the annual income & asset ceilings as set by CSAC.
• Cal Grant B students who will be transferring to a four-year institution may want to ensure they keep at least 200% of their Cal Grant eligibility for when they transfer. Cal Grant B pays part or all of their tuition (depending on if the institution is public or non-public) at a four-year California school. If a Cal Grant B student has 200% or less remaining eligibility, they should consider taking a Leave of Absence to save that award. Leave of Absences are a maximum of two years.
• It is a student's responsibility to track their own remaining Cal Grant eligibility, and renewal is not guaranteed even if a student places their Cal Grant on a Leave of Absence (LOA). A student can do this online at WebGrants.

Additional Cal Grant Information:

Grade Level Certification

Southwestern College will certify grade levels for students who are awarded Cal Grant for the first time.  They are as follows:

• Grade Level 1 (Freshman) Completed <30 units beginning the academic year
• Grade Level 2 (Sophomore) Completed 30+ units beginning the academic year 

Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award Claiming Process

Confirmation of school attendance: Students have the capability to select the "Confirmation of School of Attendance" link in WG4S to confirm the school whey will attend during the 2023 - 2024 academic year.

High School Graduation Confirmation: Beginning the first day of the month of the student's graduation, students will have the capability to select the "Submit High School Graduation Confirmation" link in WG4S to confirm high school graduation.

For More Information

Visit the CSAC Website.

Use the WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) website, which allows you to manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee account(s) online by letting you view updates, make school changes, make address changes, make corrections, and post leave of absence requests. It is important for you to understand that your WG4S account does not replace your School or FAFSA accounts. Each account must be monitored and managed independently.