- Complete and submit the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For a Cal Grant, the FAFSA must be completed and filed with the federal processor by March 2* of each year.
- File a verified grade point average (GPA) with the California Student Aid Commission by no later than March 2*.
- DACA/Undocumented students who meet AB540 requirements must complete the CA Dream Act Application by March 2 deadline.
Once you submit your completed FAFSA/CADAA and high school/college GPA, CSAC will consider you for the appropriate Cal Grant award based on GPA, financial need and college of attendance.
Up to13,000 Competitive Cal Grant Awards are offered to students who meet the March 2 filing deadline if not awarded an entitlement award. Students are scored based on information provided on their FAFSA and their GPA. Scoring components include: GPA, parent education level, access equalizer, student or parent household status, family income and household size. CSAC uses Competitive Scoring Matrix. Competitive Cal Grants may only be awarded at California State Universities, Universities of California or eligible Private Colleges. Students attending a California Community College will not be considered.
*Missed the March 2 deadline? There is a secondary deadline, starting Fall 2021, a new Cal Grant Community College Entitlement Award is for students attending California Community College . Submit the GPA and FAFSA/CA Dream Act Application before the September 2 deadline to be considered for this specific Cal Grant.
GPA Submission:
It is student's responsibility to ensure GPA was submitted by the deadlines. Student can check on the status by creating an account on www.csac.ca.gov "WebGrants for Students" to confirm GPA was received at least 2 weeks before the deadlines.
San Joaquin Delta College submits GPA electrically at least 2 weeks before the deadline if you meet all of these requirements:
- You have provided a valid Social Security Numbers to Admissions and Records prior to the date the school submit the GPA verification (not required for undocumented students*); and
- You have completed at least 24 degree applicable/transferable credits at Delta College (considered for Entitlement and Competitive Cal Grants) or 16 degree applicable/transferable credits at Delta College but less than 24 credits (considered for Competitive Cal Grant B only); and
- 3You have completed at least one semester at Delta College within the past 5 years.
*GPA verification for student without SSN will be submitted separately if the student meets units requirements. DACA student who has provided DACA SSN or any student who has submitted the invalid SSN must check in with school to have GPA submitted manually before the deadlines.
If you do not have enough credits at San Joaquin Delta College, but have previously attended other college(s), you must confirm whether your prior school will file your GPA for you, or obtain a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, get it certified by a school official at your prior college, and mail it yourself.
Senior high school or 1 year out of CA high school students should check with your high school for GPA submission.
Submitting all the required items does not mean you are guaranteed to receive a Cal grant. Your eligibility will be determined by the California Student Aid Commission after the required items have received. Please visit California Student Aid Commission web page to learn more about the process and requirements at http://www.calgrants.org/