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Cal Grant B - Competitive Award Quick Guide

This quick guide explains the Cal Grant B Competitive Award in a clear, easy-to-read format, so both candidates and staff can understand how the award works, when payments are made, and what happens if a candidate withdraws.

1.  Cal Grant B - Competitive Award Overview

The Cal Grant B Competitive Award is a need-based state financial aid program for the undergraduate candidate (California ONLY) administered by the California Candidate Aid Commission (CSAC). It is available to undergraduate candidates who meet Cal Grant B eligibility criteria but did not receive an entitlement award. Competitive awards are primarily for candidates who are not recent high school graduates or who do not meet the time-out-of-high-school requirements for entitlement awards.

Key Points:

  • Need-Based Aid: Designed for candidates with significant financial need.
  • Selection Criteria: Based on GPA, financial need, family income and size, parents’ education level, and other factors.
  • Annual Availability: Up to 13,000 new awards annually, with 11,250 offered to California Community College candidates.
  • First-Year Benefits: Provides an Access Award for living expenses, books, supplies, and transportation. May include tuition/fee support for four-year institutions.
  • Subsequent Years: Can include both the Access Award and tuition/fee coverage, depending on enrollment and charges.
  • Renewability: Up to four years (or equivalent) if the candidate continues to meet financial need, maintains satisfactory academic progress, and submits the FAFSA or CADAA on time each year.

2.  How Payment Amounts Are Determined

The table below shows how your Cal Grant amount is calculated based on the timing of your first payment:

If Initial Payment is made...

...then Cal Grant amount is based on:

Before Census

Enrollment at the time of Disbursement*

At Census or After Census

Enrollment Status at Census

3.  What Happens If You Withdraw?

If you withdraw from school, the handling of your Cal Grant and Title IV funds depends on the timing of your withdrawal and the amount of aid you have earned. The process follows federal and state guidelines to ensure any unearned funds are returned appropriately.