Gilroy
– High school seniors have until March 2 to file to receive up
to $8,300 in free money for college from the state.
California’s Cal Grant program this week launched its latest
campaign to help qualified students secure financial aid for
tuition and other fees at post-secondary institutions.
Gilroy – High school seniors have until March 2 to file to receive up to $8,300 in free money for college from the state.
California’s Cal Grant program this week launched its latest campaign to help qualified students secure financial aid for tuition and other fees at post-secondary institutions. To be eligible, students must meet certain financial requirements, have a minimum 2.0 grade point average and be a California resident. Students do not have to pay back the money but are required to fill out and send in two application forms.
The first form is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which can be obtained from high school counselors or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The second form is the Cal Grant GPA Verification form, also available from high school counselors. Students are required to fill out Section B of the verification form and have it signed by a counselor before mailing it in.
Between now and the deadline, the state will hold a number of evening and weekend workshops for parents and students to complete the forms and go through application process with financial aid professionals.
Several workshops will be held in early February in various locations in San Jose, including the Alum Rock Youth Center, San Jose City College, the National Hispanic University and Willow Glen High School. For a complete listing of workshop times, dates, locations and contact information, call 866-476-8787 or visit www.californiacashforcollege.com.
There are several different types of Cal Grant awards. Cal Grant A can be used for tuition and fees at public and private colleges and also some occupational and career colleges. At California State University and University of California schools, Cal Grant A covers up to the full systemwide fees of $2,046 and $4,984, respectively. The grant pays up to $9,708 towards tuition and fees at private colleges.
Cal Grant B provides low-income students assistance with living expenses, books, tuition and fees. Most first-year students receive an allowance of up to $1,551. After freshmen year, this grant helps pay tuition in the same amount as a Cal Grant A.
Cal Grant C helps contributes $576 for tuition, books, tools and equipment at occupational or career colleges. Funding is available for up to two years.
Also available are Cal Grant A and B Competitive Awards, which are for students who aren’t eligible for the awards explained above and are not guaranteed. Cal Grant A Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are from low- and middle-income families. Cal Grant B Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 2.0 GPA who are from low-income families.
The Cal Grant program is the state’s merit- and need-based financial aid program and is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Last year almost 250,000 students in California received Cal Grants, including more than 63,000 high school seniors.
For more information about Cal Grants, call 888-CA-GRANT (224-7268) or visit www.calgrants.org. For more information about applying to colleges in California, visit www.californiacolleges.edu.
