Cal Grant

Cal Grant awards - Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C - are State administered and awarded by the California Student Aid Commission to help pay for college expenses.

What is a Cal Grant?

Cal Grant awards are State administered and awarded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to help pay for college expenses. CSAC will require that you sign up for a Webgrants 4 Students account so you may regularly monitor your application status.

There are three types of Cal Grant Awards; Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C. CSAC will determine which Cal Grant award best suites your situation. 

​How do I Apply for a Cal Grant?

The FAFSA or California Dream Act are the applications to apply for this award. Students applying for the Dream Act are only eligible for in-state aid and must qualify for AB540 residency status. 

Submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, as soon as possible after October 1st or by one of the following deadlines:

  • High School and Transfer Entitlement Deadline: March 2nd (or whatever date is set by the CA Student Aid Commission).

  • Community College Entitlement Deadline: September 2nd
  • Competitive Deadline: March 2nd (or whatever date is set by the CA Student Aid Commission).
  • GPA Verification must be submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2nd and September 2nd.
    • Shasta College will electronically submit your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission if you have completed 16 or more units.
    • If you have not completed 16 or more units at Shasta College, then you will need to have your high school or previous college (where you completed 16+ units from) submit your GPA using GPA Verification Form found in your WebGrants4Students account. 

Once CSAC has notified you regarding a Cal Grant award status, you must create a Webgrants 4 Students account to make sure you have completed all verifications and selected your school of attendance. If you do not select Shasta College as your school of attendance, you will not be added to our roster. Additionally, your award will remain on hold if you do not complete all your verifications. 

When can I receive my Cal Grant Payment?

Cal Grant is state funded grant. Disbursements are released to students as soon as Shasta College has received funds from the CSAC. Disbursement dates can vary throughout the semester be sure to check our Disbursement Schedule for updates.

Please Note: Cal Grant is not awarded over the summer at Shasta College.

Eligibility

​The award payment amount is adjusted based on the number of units for which you are enrolled. Enrollment in 12+ units will allow you to receive the maximum award and you must be enrolled in minimum​ of 6 units to be eligible to receive​ an adjusted award.​ 

Common Questions & Answers

A: Shasta College Students (16+ units completed at Shasta College): If you've completed 16 or more units with us, our IT department will automatically submit your GPA electronically. You do not need to fill out GPA Verification Forms, and we cannot submit your GPA early upon request. This will be done before the CSAC deadline.

Students Who Attended a Prior College (16+ units from a prior college): If you haven't completed 16 or more units at Shasta College but did so at a previous institution, your prior college needs to submit your GPA.

Students Without College Units or Fewer Than 16 College Units:

  • High School Graduates: Your high school needs to complete the GPA Verification Form.

  • GED or Equivalent: If you didn't graduate high school but received a GED or equivalent, you should fill out your portion of the GPA Verification Form, then email it to studentsupport@csac.ca.gov along with copies of your test scores.

A: Shasta College will take care of that. Our IT department submits an electronic enrollment file each semester before certification. This will be done before the certification process.

A: Once your award has been certified, it will take several weeks for us to receive the funding from CSAC. Once we receive the funding, we will disburse it to you on one of our scheduled disbursement dates.

A: Are you taking any late-starting classes? If you are, those classes won’t be certified until after they reach their census date.

A: Are you taking any late-starting classes? If you are, those classes won’t be certified until after they reach their census date. If you are not considered full-time until the late-starting classes begin, you won’t receive any funds until after your late-starting classes reach census.

A: Are you in any late-starting classes? If you are, those classes won’t be certified until after their census date.

A: If you have no Cal Grant on your award letter, you are not on our Shasta College roster. You should create/login to your WebGrants 4 Students account and check:

  • Are you awarded?

  • Do you have Shasta College listed as your school of attendance?

  • Have you completed the required steps on WebGrants 4 Students?

  • Was your or your parents' income and assets too high?

If you were not awarded, you can contact CSAC to ask about the details at (888) 224-7268.

A: Login to your WebGrants 4 Students account to change your school of attendance. DO NOT complete the Grant Cancellation Form for this reason.

For More Information

Want to learn more about the types of Cal Grants? 
Visit the Cal Grant Programs website

Want to learn more about applying for the Cal Grant?
Visit the Cal Grant Application Process website

Sign in or Sign up for a Webgrants 4 Students account at: 
www.webgrants4students.org

Learn more about everything the California Student Aid Commission as to offer?
Visit www.csac.ca.gov website

Complete the FAFSA at:
www.fafsa.gov