Cal Grants are entitlements for California students who meet the eligibility requirements. Students must have a qualifying grade point average, meet the income cap and attend a California accredited institution to receive a Cal Grant. Many Cal Grants are renewable if students continue to meet eligibility requirements. Cal Grants can only be used for "fees" or tuition.
The FAFSA is the application for a Cal Grant, but students must also have verified their grade point average with the California Student Aid Commission to qualify. Both the FAFSA and the Cal Grant gpa verification form must be filed by March 2nd each year.
The FAFSA can be filed at http://www.fafsa.gov/ .
The Cal Grant gpa verification is done first by completing a form (located under 'forms' on this website) and taking it to your school registrar's office. Most California high schools submit the gpa to the California Student Aid Commission electronically.
College freshmen must also have their high school submit their gpa for Cal Grants. College students can download the form, complete it and mail to their high school registrar's office.
