Cal Grants

If you’re a student with dependent children, you may qualify for additional support through Cal Grants. This extra aid helps cover the costs of raising a family while attending college, providing an increased award amount to assist with both educational and living expenses.

Cal Grant students attending a University of California, California State University, California Community College, or private non-profit institution who have dependent children may be eligible for an access award of up to $6,000. The Students with Dependent Children (SWD) Grant increases the Cal Grant award by up to $6,000 for qualifying Cal Grant A and B recipients and up to $4,000 for qualifying Cal Grant C recipients.

To qualify, the student must have dependent children that are under 18 years of age for whom they provide more than half of their financial support during the academic year.

For more information please:  Students with Dependent Children (SWD) FAQs

Additional Benefits:

• Increased Award Amount: Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C recipients with dependents may qualify for additional funds to support family-related expenses.
• Flexible Usage: The extra funds can be applied to any cost of attendance, such as childcare, housing, and transportation.

How to Qualify as a Student with Dependents:

1. Submit the FAFSA or CADAA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and indicate your dependent status.
2. List Your Dependent Children: Ensure your children are listed on the FAFSA or CADAA. They must be 24 years or younger, and you must provide at least 50% of their support.
3. Meet General Eligibility Requirements: You must still meet standard Cal Grant eligibility criteria, such as income limits, GPA verification, and California residency.
4. Complete the Dependent Questionnaire: After submitting your application, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will review your information. If you qualify as a student with dependents, CSAC will contact you with instructions to complete a questionnaire on the Webgrants 4 Students portal. It's essential to fill out this questionaire to confirm your dependent status and secrue the additional funds.

The Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award provides additional financial assistance specifically for current and former foster youth pursuing higher education in California. This award helps foster youth access funds that support their college journey, covering tuition, fees, and other essential costs.

Eligibility for the Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award

To qualify for the Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award, you must meet the following requirements:

Current or Former Foster Youth Status

• You must have been in California foster care for at least one day after your 13th birthday.

Age Requirement

• Eligible students must be 26 years of age or younger by July 1 of the award year.

Complete the FAFSA or CADAA

• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Indicate your foster youth status to ensure you are considered for this award.

Meet Cal Grant Eligibility Requirements

• You must still meet general Cal Grant eligibility criteria, such as income limits, California residency, and GPA verification.

Benefits of the Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award

The Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award provides enhanced financial support to help with the unique needs of foster youth, including:

• Extended Eligibility: While regular Cal Grants have a 400% Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) limit, foster youth are eligible for up to 800% LEU, allowing them to receive Cal Grant support for up to eight years of full-time enrollment.
• Flexible Use of Funds: Similar to other Cal Grant awards, the funds can be applied to tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.
• Increased Access to Funding: Foster youth recipients may receive additional Cal Grant B funds to further support their educational journey.

How to Apply for the Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award

Submit the FAFSA or CADAA

• Complete either the FAFSA or CADAA and indicate your foster youth status. Make sure your application is submitted by the March 2 priority deadline.
• In the Student Personal Circumstances section of the application, make sure to check the box that states, "At any time since you turned 13, were you in foster care?" This will that you are considered for the Foster Youth Award.

Submit GPA Verification

• Chabot College will electronically submit the GPA to the California Student Aid Commission for Cal Grant consideration if students have enrollment in the past two years at Chabot College and completed at least 24 semester units at Chabot College at the time of submission.  To confirm the fulfillment of GPA requirement, students may check their account at Webgrants 4 Students portal.

Track Your Application

• Use the WebGrants 4 Students portal to track your Cal Grant status and view any updates or requirements specific to the Foster Youth Award.

The purpose of the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) award is to provide Cal Grant recipients with additional financial aid to help offset the total cost of California community college attendance and to encourage completion at a faster pace by requiring full-time enrollment. Funds are limited and are awarded on a first come first served basis.

• SSCG1C will pay $2596/year ($1298/per semester) to students who are enrolled in 12-14 units.
• SSCG2C will pay an additional $5404/year ($2702/per semester) to students who are enrolled in 15 or more units.
• Students enrolled in 15 or more units will receive both grants, with a combined value of $8000/year ($4000/per semester).

The award amount is based on the student's financial need and shall not exceed the total cost of attendance.

In order to qualify for a SSCG, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be awarded a Cal Grant B or C award and be eligible for payment
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress – based on applicable federal standards
• Be a California resident or be exempt from paying non-resident tuition
• Be enrolled in at least 12 units per term (college level courses). Must have completed/earned 12 or more units for retro payment. 

The SSCG1 and SSCG2 refunds are paid after census each term and are based on the number of units of official enrollment at the time of awarding and disbursement. Award payments may not exceed unmet need.

Cal Grant A provides funds to help cover tuition and fees at qualifying institutions. This grant is ideal for students attending four-year institutions and can also be held in reserve for community college students planning to transfer.

• University of California (UC): $13,752 per year
• California State University (CSU): $5,742 per year
• Private Non-Profit Institutions: $9,358 per year
• Private For-Profit Institutions (WASC Accredited): $8,056 per year
• Private For-Profit Institutions (Non-WASC Accredited): $4,000 per year
• California Community Colleges (CCC): Award is held in reserve until transfer 

Cal Grant B is designed to support low-income students with additional resources for educational expenses, particularly during their first year. For students in their second year and beyond, Cal Grant B covers tuition and fees as well as a small living allowance.

First-Year Students at All Institutions: $1,648 per year (for living expenses only)

Second-Year and Beyond:

• UC: $15,400 per year (includes $1,648 access award for living expenses and $13,752 for tuition and fees)
• CSU: $7,390 per year (includes $1,648 access award for living expenses and $5,742 for tuition and fees)
• Private Non-Profit Institutions: $11,006 per year (includes $1,648 access award for living expenses and $9,358 for tuition and fees)
• Private For-Profit Institutions (WASC Accredited): $9,704 per year (includes $1,648 access award for living expenses and $8,056 for tuition and fees)
• Private For-Profit Institutions (Non-WASC Accredited): $5,648 per year (includes $1,648 access award for living expenses and $4,000 for tuition and fees)
• California Community Colleges (CCC): $1,648 per year (access award for living expenses only)

Cal Grant C supports students enrolled in vocational, occupational, or technical training programs. This award is specifically designed to cover the costs of supplies, tools, and books that are essential for career education.

• Vocational and Technical Programs: Up to $1,094 per year for books, tools, and equipment

• No. Cal Grants are gift aid and do not need to be repaid.

• No, students typically qualify for one based on their financial need and educational background. The California Student Aid Commission determines your award type.

• If you’re a community college student, you have until September 2 to apply. However, it’s best to apply by March 2 for priority consideration.

• Yes, Cal Grants A and B can be used at select private institutions in California, although the award amounts may differ.

• Visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) at csac.ca.gov for detailed information, including updates on eligibility and award amounts.

• To qualify for a Cal Grant, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, including California residency, financial need, and a minimum GPA requirement. Submit the FAFSA or CADAA and GPA verification by the deadline. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will determine your eligibility.

• Yes, if you qualify for both, you can receive both a Cal Grant and a Pell Grant. These awards can work together to help cover tuition, fees, and other expenses.

• If your GPA falls below the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, you may lose eligibility for your Cal Grant. However, if you improve your GPA and meet SAP requirements in the future, you may be able to reinstate your Cal Grant by reapplying.

• Yes, Cal Grants are transferable between eligible California institutions. If you plan to transfer, log into the WebGrants 4 Students portal and update your school of attendance to ensure the funds are directed to your new school.

• Yes, you can take a break by requesting a Leave of Absence through the WebGrants 4 Students portal. This will pause your Cal Grant usage for up to one academic year, allowing you to resume your award upon returning to school.

• Yes, you need to reapply by submitting the FAFSA or CADAA each year and ensuring your GPA is verified. Reapplying helps confirm your financial situation and continued eligibility.

• If you exceed the 400% Cal Grant limit and still need more time to complete your program, you may no longer receive Cal Grant funds. However, you may still be eligible for other forms of financial aid, such as federal loans or work-study.

• Yes, eligible undocumented students can apply for Cal Grants by completing the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) instead of the FAFSA. AB540 students are eligible for state-funded financial aid, including Cal Grants, if they meet the requirements.

• For assistance, you can reach out to Chabot College’s Financial Aid Office. We’re here to help answer any questions you have about eligibility, managing your award, and completing your application.

• No separate application.  However, students must create a WebGrants4Student account and fulfill all the requirements for further award consideration. Be sure to designate Chabot College as your 'School of Attendance' in order to receive your Cal Grant.

• “Preliminary” award notification will be sent to students via email starting in May or June.  Students are urged to create a WebGrants4Student account and fulfill all the requirements for further award consideration. Be sure to designate Chabot College as your 'School of Attendance' in order to receive your Cal Grant.