• Cal Grant awards are state funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses.  The awards do not have to be paid back.  To apply for a Cal Grant Entitlement award simply fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• The FAFSA form is a federal form that must be filed by any student who wants to be considered for college financial aid.  For a Cal Grant, the FAFSA must be completed and filed with the federal processor by March 2nd of each year.  If you use a paper form, remember to make a copy before you mail it and obtain a 90 cent certificate of mailing from the post office so that you can verify the date you mailed the form.  You can also file it online.  For more information on FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. 

• You will need to file a verified grade point average (GPA) with the California Student Commission by no later than March 2.  Some high schools and colleges automatically file their students’ verified GPA’s with the Commission.  Some do not.  You must confirm whether your school will file your GPA for you, or obtain a GPA verification form, get it certified by a school official and mail it yourself.

• Some colleges also require students to fill out a financial aid form from the college as well.  Be sure to check with the colleges you are applying to be sure that you complete all of the necessary forms.  Be aware of financial aid deadlines as well, as these differ from one college to another.