CAL GRANT

• Enrolled at least half time (6 units) in order to receive a portion of the payment
• Receiving Cal Grant B or C award
• Maintaining federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• California Resident or is exempt from paying nonresident tuition

To apply for Cal Grant and Student Success Completion Grant you must complete both steps by the MARCH 2nd Deadline. (extended to April 2nd for 24-25 year)

Step 1

• Complete FAFSA or Dream Act Application

Step 2

• Submit GPA Verification Form

Deadlines and Application Process

The deadlines are March 2nd (extended to April 2nd for 24-25 year) and September 2nd of each year for community college students.

What happens next?

After you submit your FAFSA or Dream Act Application and your GPA Verification Form to the state they will determine if you are eligible and give you a temporary award. Once you receive your award it is important to create a Webgrants account to ensure you do not have to complete any additional forms or confirm your school of choice. 

Note: The state generally will do this starting in the month of May but can award you throughout the year.

To be eligible for a Cal Grant, a student must:

• Submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline;
• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen or meet AB540 criteria;
• Be a California resident for 1 year;
• Attend a qualifying California college;
• Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate, and not currently have a bachelor's or higher degree;
• Have financial need at your college;
• Have family income and assets below the established ceilings;
• Be attending school at least half time;
• Not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant;
• Not have a delinquent or defaulted federal student loan;
• Not be incarcerated;
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Meet any minimum GPA requirement;

Can be used for tuition and fees at public and private colleges as well as some occupational and career colleges. The only students eligible to receive a disbursement are individuals who have a child under the age of 18 years old that they are supporting.  To get this Cal Grant, you need to be working toward a bachelor's degree.

• For low to middle-income students
• 3.00 high school GPA minimum
• It May be used for a program that is at least two academic years in length resulting in an associate or baccalaureate degree of 48 semester units or the equivalent
• Can only be used for tuition and fees

Student's with dependent children under 18 years old 

Annual Award Amount 

You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level. 

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Cal Grant A at the University Level

The Cal Grant A can only help you pay tuition at the university level only. 

Note: If awarded at a California Community College, will be held in reserve up to two academic years until student transfers to a tuition charging institution 

Provides low-income students with a living allowance and assistance with tuition and fees. Students receive an allowance of up to $1,656 for books and living expenses and students with a dependent child under the age of 18 will receive an allowance of up to $6,024. 

• For low-income students
• 2.00 high school GPA minimum
• May be used for a program that is at least one academic
  year in length resulting in an associate or certificate of at least 24-semester units or the
  equivalent
• Includes an additional annual Access Award amount (living expenses)

Annual Award Amount

You can receive this disbursement both at the community college and university level.

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Student's with dependent child(ren) under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

 
Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Awards help pay for tuition and training costs at occupational or career colleges. This $1,094 award is for books, tools and equipment. You may also receive additional funds for tuition at a school other than a California Community College. To qualify, you must enroll in a vocational program that is at least four months long at a California Community College, private college, or a vocational school. Funding is available for up to two years, depending on the length of your program.

Annual Award Amount

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Student's with dependent child under 18 years old

Annual Award Amount

Disbursement Amount by Semester - Fall / Spring

Cal Grant C Priority Occupational List - Students pursuing an occupation from this list receive priority points in the selection criteria for Cal Grant C awards

Cal Grant C Occupational List - Occupations on this list meet the Cal Grant C program criteria per Senate Bill 1028

Cal Grant A and B Competitive Awards are for students who aren't eligible for the entitlement awards. The main difference is that these awards are not guaranteed.

Cal Grant A Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 3.0 GPA  who are from low-and middle-income families. These awards help pay tuition and fees at qualifying schools with academic programs that are at least two years in length.

Cal Grant B Competitive Awards are for students with a minimum 2.0 GPA who are from disadvantaged and low-income families. These awards can be used for tuition, fees, and access costs at qualifying schools whose programs are at least one year in length. If you get a Cal Grant B Competitive Award it can only be used for access costs in the first year. These costs include living expenses, transportation, supplies, and books. Beginning with the second year, you can use your Cal Grant B Competitive Award to help pay tuition and fees at public or private four-year colleges or other qualifying schools.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A CAL GRANT

• Be a California Resident or AB 540 Eligible
• Submit the FAFSA or Dream Act Application and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by the deadline
• Are attending or going to be attending a qualifying California college
• Have not already earned a bachelor's or professional degree
• Have financial needs at your college
• Have family income and assets below the ceilings
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress at your college
• Are in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
• Are enrolled at least half-time
• Have registered with the U.S. Selective Service, if required to do so
• Do not owe a refund on any state or federal grant
• Are not in default on any student loan

To renew your Cal Grant, you must re-apply for financial aid, continue to have financial needs, make satisfactory academic progress, and be enrolled in at least 6 units.

Applicants must file a FAFSA and GPA (Grade Point Average) Verification form by the deadline.  A GPA verification form must be completed by your high school or by the last college you attended. GPA's are sent electronically to the California Student Aid Commission by the Oxnard College Financial Aid Office for students who have at least 16 degree-applicable units at Oxnard College and have attended Oxnard College in the last year.  It is the students responsibility to verify with the Financial Aid Office that their GPA was sent electronically.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

• Enrolled Full time (12 or more units)
• Receiving a Cal Grant B or C award
• Maintaining federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• California Resident or is exempt from paying nonresident tuition 

To apply for Cal Grant and Student Success Completion Grant you must submit both applications by the MARCH 2nd DEADLINE. (extended to April 2nd for the 24-25 year) 

1. FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
2. Grade Point Average (GPA)Verification

Note: The Cal Grant competitive deadline is SEPTEMBER 2nd.

With the Student Success Completion Grant, the more classes you take, the more money you’re eligible to receive. You can get up to $4,000 a year to help cover education and living expenses. That means you can work less, take more classes and stay on track to get your degree faster. Dream future, here you come!

PLAN FOR SUCCESS

Schedule an appointment with our Counseling Department to set up an education plan that fits your goals. An education plan will help you choose classes carefully and avoid taking unnecessary courses. It is important to remember, to earn an associate degree in two years, students must take at least 15 units each semester. 

To schedule an appointment call (805) 678-5816 or come to the Counseling Front Desk located in the Student Services building.

For further information please contact the Financial Aid office at (805)678-5828 or e-mail us at ocfinaid@vcccd.edu