Cal Grant
What is the Cal Grant?
The Cal Grant is a state-funded cash aid program. It is one of the largest sources of cash aid to students, after the Pell Grant, and is the largest source of cash aid available to undocumented students.
We highly encourage all students to educate themselves about the Cal Grant and ensure that their verified Cal Grant GPA is submitted by the appropriate deadline so that they can be considered for the Cal Grant.
There are several kinds of Cal Grants, and they change slightly from year to year. For most students, these distinctions are not relevant as students apply for all available Cal Grants when they submit their FAFSA or CADAA.
How do I apply for the Cal Grant and what are the deadlines?
It depends on what school you're enrolled in right now and what school you're intending to enroll in for the next aid year. To apply, you need to complete the FAFSA or CADAA and ensure that your GPA verification was sent by the deadline.
The deadline for anyone going to a 4-year or private institution is March 2 of the leading year. This means that, if you want to receive the Cal Grant for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, you would have to submit the FAFSA or CADAA by March 2, 2026. The deadline for students only intending to go to a California Community College (such as SCC) is September 2. We do not recommend waiting past the March 2 deadline as this will limit your options and because applying earlier will give you the most time to take care of any necessary steps and receive your funds as early as possible.
You can view your GPA verification status through WebGrants 4 Students. Is it the student's responsibility to ensure that their GPA verification has been sent. If you discover that your school failed to send your GPA verification in time, there is an extended deadline that you may appeal for. This extended deadline is only for the GPA verification portion and not your FAFSA or CADAA submission.
Who sends my GPA verification and how do I ensure it was sent by the deadline?
If you are a high school senior who is graduating, it would be your high school. If you took a gap year, it would be your high school. If you have previously gone to community college, but have completed fewer than 16 units, it would be your high school. If you have previously gone to a 4-year or private institution, but have completed fewer than 24 units, it would be your high school.
Note that you may need to contact your high school in this instance to request them to send the GPA to CSAC as they may not be aware that they need to. That is, even if you've been out of school for many years, you may need to contact your high school to have them send your GPA to CSAC if you've completed fewer than 16 community college level units or 24 4-year or private institution units.
If you have between 16 and 24 community college units, it would be your community college who sends your "reestablished GPA."
If you have 24 or more college units, it would be your college.
You can view your GPA verification status through WebGrants 4 Students. Is it the student's responsibility to ensure that their GPA verification has been sent. If you discover that your school failed to send your GPA verification in time, there is an extended deadline (about 3 more weeks) that you may appeal for. This extended deadline is only for the GPA verification portion and not your FAFSA or CADAA submission.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Cal Grant?
- Submit the FAFSA or CADAA and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the appropriate deadline.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
- Have been a California resident for at least 1 year
- Be attending or will attend a qualifying California college
- Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree
- Be eligible for financial need at the college of your choice
- At Solano, this means meeting SAP standards and not being in default or overpayment
- Have family income and assets below a certain threshold which changes from year to year
- Be enrolled or plan to enroll in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
- Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half time
- Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan
- Not be incarcerated
- Maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school. Recipients who do not meet the standards are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment.
- Have a HS diploma or equivalent
CSAC Table of 2025–26 Cal Grant General Eligibility Requirements.
Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)
What is the SSCG?
The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) is a state grant to support the persistence, resilience, and achievement of full-time students who have received a Cal grant B or C award. Students taking additional units beyond full-time (15 or more) receive extra funding for their education. The SSCG at 15 or more units is one of the larger financial aid programs we offer, so it's worth serious consideration.
What are the eligibility requirements for the SSCG?
The SSCG has the same eligibility requirements as the Cal Grant, with the addition of a full-time enrollment status requirement. Like the Cal grant, students must submit their FAFSA or CADAA by September 1 of the leading year of an aid year (for 24–25, this would be September 1, 2024) in order to be considered for the SSCG. You cannot apply directly for the SSCG; you apply automatically with the FAFSA or CADAA and will be awarded the SSCG if you meet eligibility criteria and there are funds available.
Important: The SSCG is not guaranteed to all eligible students.
SSCG funds are limited and vary by year, so while this award is awarded to most eligible students, it unfortunately cannot be guaranteed to all eligible students. Additionally, eligibility is determined for each semester and not by year. This means that receiving a SSCG disbursement in the fall does not guarantee that you will receive one in the spring.
How many units should I take?
From 12–14.5 units, students receive $1,298 per semester. For 15 or more units, students receive $4,000 per semester.
How do I apply for the SSCG?
Like the Cal Grant, students must submit their FAFSA or CADAA by September 1 of the leading year of an aid year (for 24–25, this would be September 1, 2024) in order to be considered for the SSCG. You cannot apply directly for the SSCG; you apply automatically with the FAFSA or CADAA and will be awarded the SSCG if you meet eligibility criteria and there are funds available.
When will I know if I've been awarded the SSCG? When will I receive my SSCG?
The SSCG is awarded and disbursed at the same time. The SSCG is typically disbursed around the midpoint of the semester, after Cal Grants.
Where can I learn more?
More information is available on the CCC website.
Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
What is the Chafee?
The Chafee is a grant for former or current foster youth and for those who were placed in out-of-home care by a tribe or tribal organization. It provides a maximum of $5,000 per year for up to 5 years to eligible students and may be used at any eligible career or technical school, university, or college.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Chafee?
Eligible students must be:
- 25 years or younger on July 1 of the award year
- As confirmed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), either
- Current or former foster youth who was a ward of the court and in foster care for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18
- Current or former youth who was placed in out-of-home care by a tribe or tribal organization for any length of time between the ages of 16 and 18
- Enrolled in at least 6 units (half time) at an eligible career or technical school, university, or college
- This includes out-of-state institutions who meet certain eligibility criteria
- Meeting SAP standards
- Not have received the Chafee in 5 or more different aid years
- Unlike other forms of financial aid, the Chafee is counted by aid years and not units. Receiving the Chafee for only a single term counts as receiving the Chafee for that entire aid year
How do I apply for the Chafee?
The Chafee application is available online until August 1 of the academic year's trailing year (for 24–25, this would be August 1, 2025). All foster care information will be verified by the CDSS. You must also apply for the FAFSA or CADAA for the same year. After applying, create or log into your WebGrants4Students account to view your application status and award. You will also be notified via email. After applying once, your eligibility will be automatically renewed each year.
How do I know if I've been awarded the Chafee?
As the Chafee Grant has a limited budget, awards are not guaranteed, even if you meet all the requirements. Once you complete your application, you will be considered for a preliminary award. Students selected for an award will be notified via email.
How is the Chafee Grant Award Distributed?
Due to the Chafee Grant having a limited budget, awards are not guaranteed. Awards are distributed to students according to the ranking below.
- Paid renewal students under age 25 as of July 1st of the award year. These are students who have received at least one payment in a prior year.
- New and non-paid renewal students who will be age 25 as of July 1st of the award year.
- Non-paid renewal students. These are students who have had active Chafee applications in a prior year, but have not been paid.
- New Chafee students. These are students who have applied for the first time in the current award year.
Keep in mind that payments are made on a first-come first-served basis. Unclaimed awards older than 30 days with no payment request will be recycled and the student will be placed on a waitlist pending additional funding.
Where can I learn more?
Please visit the Chafee section of the CSAC website for more information. If you're having trouble with the Chafee, feel free to reach out to the Financial Aid Office.