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Golden State Education and Training Grant Program
Home > Student Services > Financial Aid > Types of Aid > Grants > Golden State Education and Training Grant Program
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Golden State Education and Training Grant Program

Home > Student Services > Financial Aid > Types of Aid > Grants > Golden State Education and Training Grant Program

Golden State Education and Training Grant Program

This program is designed to encourage and support individuals who suffered COVID-related job loss to enter, continue and complete college and job training programs. The program was established and funded in the 2021 California Budget Act, mainly with one-time federal COVID recovery dollars, to offer this one-time financial incentive. Half of the funds must go to individuals supporting dependent children (a student parent).

This new program was approved by the Legislature in July 2021. Since then, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has been designing a phase-in strategy to focus outreach on, and make dollars available to, specific populations of individuals, with the intent to expand outreach to additional populations, on a quarterly basis, throughout 2022.

How Much Can A Student Receive?

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) intends for awards to be $2,500. 

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

To be eligible for the Golden State Education and Training Grant Program (GSETGP), a student must:

  • Have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Have not been able to find an equivalent paying job since
  • Not have been enrolled in an education or training program at the time of their job loss
  • Meet the income and asset requirements associated with Cal Grant A eligibility

Do students have to be enrolled full time in for-credit instruction?

No. Students need to be enrolled but there is neither a minimum unit requirement nor a satisfactory academic progress requirement. Noncredit students are eligible for the grant and encouraged to apply.

How do I Apply?

Beginning in mid-March 2022, individuals will be able to apply online at https://gsetg.csac.ca.gov/landing.

Students will be asked to login to their existing CSAC account, or be asked to create one.

Students with a FAFSA or California Dream Act application on file will not need to provide financial information. Those without those financial aid applications on file will be required to complete a short, supplemental application form to verify financial eligibility for this program.

The application form will ask up front if a student and/or their children are receiving support from their local county CalWORKs program. If they certify “yes” the application will bypass the need to input income and asset data.

What happens after I Apply?

  • The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will process the applications. 
  • The Financial Aid Office will verify and report students enrollment to the Commission.
  • Students funded will be contacted once their check is in and will be required to come in to the Financial Aid Office and present their valid government issued photo identification (i.e. Driver's License, State ID Card, Military ID, Passport or a Passport Card) to pick up their check.
    • Checks arrive at the campus at least 6 to 8 weeks after the school verifies and reports students' enrollment to the Commission.

Additional Information

Website: https://gsetg.csac.ca.gov/landing

If you have any questions regarding the program, please email GSETGP@CSAC.CA.GOV.