Cal Grant
How do I apply for Cal Grant?
Cal Grants are administered through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and can provide up to $9,358 (subject to change based on California budget) annually to pay for California college expenses.
To be considered for a Cal Grant A or B, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a California Resident for 1 year
- Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
- Demonstrate financial need (determined by CSAC)
- Have a family income and assets below the minimum levels
- Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree
- Attend an eligible California post-secondary institution
- Not be in default on a student loan
- Not owe any federal or state grant refund
- Be enrolled at least half-time
- Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
- Not be incarcerated
- Maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress
To apply for Cal Grant, two forms must be completed by the following deadlines:
- March 3rd: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the upcoming school year that can be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa beginning December 2024 or the CADAA (California Dream Act Application) at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/.
- March 3rd: Cal Grant GPA Verification Form completed by National University. Students must authorize release of GPA through the Student Portal. GPA verification cannot be submitted without this release.
For California Undergraduate students only, the GPA Release Authorization form is available in the Student Portal (https://login.nu.edu). Log in and locate the window in the Portal home page with the title “CAL GRANT GPA” which has a link that directs you to the GPA Release Authorization form.
The Cal Grant GPA Verification Form can be completed by National University and sent to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). However, you must have the following requirements completed prior to GPA submission:
- You have been officially evaluated by the Registrar’s Office. Your advisor can assist you with verifying if you have been officially evaluated.
- You have completed at least 24 semester units or 36 quarter units of undergraduate college course work prior to February of the submission year.
- You must be enrolled at least half-time at National University prior to GPA submission. If you are not currently scheduled for courses, you must work with your advisor to update your schedule.
Additional important points of the Cal Grant GPA submission:
- If you have completed less than 24 semester units or 36 quarter units, you must contact your high school to submit your high school GPA to CSAC.
- The GPA that is submitted by the Registrar’s Office is cumulative of all collegiate coursework, including courses taken at National University.
- Once your GPA has been submitted, it will not be resent if your GPA improves or if you complete additional classes.
- National University is only responsible for submitting student GPAs. Approval or denial of Cal Grant monies is determined by CSAC.
To find out additional information on the Cal Grant program please go to www.csac.ca.gov.
For information on Cal Grant Income and Asset ceilings please go to www.csac.ca.gov/post/cal-grant-income-and-asset-ceilings.
We hope this program will assist you in achieving your educational goals. If you have any questions, please contact your student finance advisor.
The following table describes the student Academic Level associated with the number of units earned on a student’s record that CSAC will determine:
- Freshman – 0 to 36 total quarter units earned
- Sophomore – 37 to 72 total quarter units earned
- Junior – 73 to 108 total quarter units earned
- Senior – 109 or more total quarter units earned