Cal Grant Program

Cal Grants are free money for college that you don't have to pay back. You can use your Cal Grant at any qualifying college in California. Depending on the Cal Grant you receive, the money can be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, food and even transportation costs to and from classes. You must submit your FAFSA and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the March 2.

College of the Canyons submits most GPA verifications electronically. Check with the Financial Aid Office to verify that your GPA will be included in the submission. Otherwise, a GPA verification form completed by your high school or prior college would be required by March 2.

Cal Grant A or B Entitlement Grant for High School Senior

Starting with the 2000-2001 graduating class, every high school senior who meets the academic requirements may be eligible to receive a Cal Grant A or B Entitlement award:

• 3.0 GPA for Cal Grant A
• 2.0 GPA for Cal Grant B
• Meet the qualifying income & asset ceilings
• Apply by the deadline
• Starting Fall 2007, all students offered a Cal Grant B Entitlement must complete the California High School Graduation Certification Form;

In addition, eligible students have an opportunity to compete for 22,500 Cal Grant A or B Competitive awards. Of the awards set aside for competitive Cal Grant A and B, half are for community college students who apply by a second deadline of September 2.

Cal Grant A and B California Community College Transfer Entitlement Grant

Every community college student who meets the admission requirements for California State University, is under 24 years old, meets other requirements, and applies by the deadline may be eligible to receive a California Community College Transfer Entitlement award to attend a four-year college.

Cal Grant C

Students that are vocationally oriented, enrolled at least half-time in a course of study to acquire marketable job skills in a recognized occupational program, and falls within the established income and asset ceilings, and applies by the deadline may be eligible to receive a Cal Grant C award!

To be eligible for a Cal Grant, a student must:

• be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
• be a California resident attending an eligible college in the state
• have financial need at their college
• maintain satisfactory academic progress
• be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate, and not currently have a bachelor's or higher degree
• be attending school at least half time
• have registered with the US Selective Service, if required
• have a valid social security number
• not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant
• not have a delinquent or defaulted federal student loan
• not be incarcerated
• not have a family income and assets above the ceiling

If you need help understanding the qualified student definition, first check your course transferability status for UC/CSU using your COC College Catalog. Or, you may contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

For further info contact the Financial Aid Office. Click here to go to the California Student Aid Commission website for learn more about the Cal Grant Program.

If you need help understanding the qualified student definition, first check your course transferability status for UC/CSU using your COC College Catalog. Or, you may contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.