Cal Grants

California’s Investing in You

The Cal Grant program makes college affordable for middle and low-income Californians through state funds administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

Cal Grant Application

The deadline to apply is early March. Visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website for more information.

How to Apply

  1. Complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application
  2. Complete a GPA Verification Form*

For more information about who should complete the GPA Verification Form, please visit the section “More About the GPA Verification Process” in Berkeley’s Cal Grant Frequently Asked Questions link.

​Eligibility Requirements

If you are a California resident, a California high school graduate or equivalent, and meet the Cal Grant eligibility requirements, you are guaranteed a Cal Grant award.

UC Berkeley administers the Entitlement and the Competitive Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B programs and the additional CSAC programs.

Good news! CSAC will automatically consider you for the Competitive Cal Grant program if you do not qualify for the Entitlement Cal Grant award. For more information on all of the Cal Grant programs, refer to the Cal Grant Program Comparison Chart.

​Cal Grant Frequently Asked Questions

All California residents who apply for financial aid are expected to apply for a Cal Grant.

Reviewing the California Student Aid Commission’s Cal Grant Frequently Asked Questions can answer most of your questions. Explore additional information with these resources:

Learn More