Why am I only getting the Cal Grant B even though I qualify for Cal Grant A?

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A student may meet the eligibility requirements for both the Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B awards, however a student may be paid for one type of Cal Grant award at a time. Cal Grants pay different amounts, dependent on whether the student is attending a UC, CSU, community college or private institution. Cal Grant A pays the same tuition & fee amount each year for up to four years. Cal Grant B pays a stipend only in the freshman year. For subsequent years, a student may receive the stipend, plus tuition equal to the Cal Grant A, for a total of four years.

2021-22 Award Amounts

Cal Grant A (per year): up to

  • $12,570 at University of California
  • $5,742 at California State University
  • $9,220 at qualifying private non-profit California colleges, WASC for-profit California colleges
  • $4,000 at non-WASC accredited for-profit institutions
  • If you attend a California community college, your Cal Grant A is held on reserve until transfer.

Cal Grant B (per year):

  • $1,648 stipend your first year for books and supplies, then increases after the first year to total the stipend amount plus tuition and statewide fees, in the same amount as Cal Grant A listed above at the respective school.

For example: Cal Grant B vs A at UC

Grant Type Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Total Award
A. Tuition $12,570 $12,570 $12,570 $12,570 $50,280
B- Stipend
     Tuition
$1,648
$0
$1,648
+$12,570
$1,648
+$12,570
$1,648
+$12,570
$44,302

For example: Cal Grant B vs A at CSU

Grant Type Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Total Award
A. Tuition $5,742 $5,742 $5,742 $5,742 $22,968
B- Stipend
     Tuition
$1,648
$0
$1,648
+$5,742
$1,648
+$5,742
$1,648
+$5,742
$23,818

If you feel it would be in your best interest to switch from the Cal Grant B to the Cal Grant A, please contact your Financial Aid Advisor (FAA) at your school. CSAC requires the student to meet with their FAA who will review the student’s financial aid package to see if it would be in the student’s best interest to switch Cal Grant awards. Some factors that the FAA might consider are tuition-only scholarships, tuition remissions, veterans’ benefits, or other sources of funding, prior to switching from a Cal Grant award.