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.
In short, to ensure you apply in time to receive the Cal Grant, you should submit your FAFSA or CADAA by March 2 and your GPA verification by March 3, with one exception. Namely, if you're a current Solano Community College student who intends to only enroll in SCC or any other California community college for the next aid year. In this case, you can submit your FAFSA or CADAA by September 3 and SCC will automatically submit your GPA verification to CSAC for you. You can view your GPA verification status through WebGrants 4 Students. For a more comprehensive breakdown, see the following section.
High School → Solano Community College or Any Other California Higher Education Institution
If you're a high schooler who is graduating soon or you have recently graduated from high school (i.e., you have not taken any college level courses since you graduated) and you intend to enroll in any college, including SCC, you need to submit your FAFSA or CADAA by March 2 and you may need to submit your Cal Grant GPA verification by the next day, March 3. While many high schools—especially high schools in California—automatically submit student GPAs to CSAC for verification, not all do. It is your responsibility to ensure your GPA verification is completed by March 3. You can view your GPA verification status through WebGrants 4 Students.
Solano Community College → Solano Community College or any other California community college
If you're a community college student at SCC and you intend to continue to be a community college student for the next aid year, you need to submit your FAFSA or CADAA by September 2. You do not need to submit a GPA verification as SCC submits them automatically. You can check your WebGrants 4 Students portal for the status of your GPA verification to verify that this has occurred.
Other Community College → Any California Higher Education Institution
If you're a community college student at a community college that isn't SCC, you need to submit your FAFSA or CADAA by September 2 and you may need to submit your Cal Grant GPA verification by 6 months prior, March 3. While many community colleges—especially community colleges in California—automatically submit their GPAs to CSAC for verification, not all do this. It is your responsibility to ensure your GPA verification is completed by March 3. You can view your GPA verification status through WebGrants 4 Students.
Solano Community College → Any California Higher Education Institution
If you're a community college student at SCC and intend to apply for a 4 year university or other higher education institution that is not a community college, you need to submit your FAFSA or CADAA by March 2. You do not need to submit a GPA verification as SCC submits them automatically. You can check your WebGrants 4 Students portal for the status of your GPA verification to verify that this has occurred.
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
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. As stated above, it is important to stress that, while the majority of eligible students are awarded the SSCG, awards cannot be guaranteed due to limited funding. Taking 15 or more units will not guarantee that you receive the $4000 SSCG.
If eligibility for the $4000 SSCG as opposed to the $1298 SSCG is the deciding factor for whether you choose to take 12 units or 15 or more units, please keep this in mind.
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 any length of time 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.
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.