How to apply for a Cal Grant
Students who have been California residents may be eligible
for a grant from the State of California, otherwise known as
a Cal Grant. Currently, the Cal Grant provides up to $9,708
in tuition assistance. Eligibility is based upon several factors
including demonstrated financial need and grade point average.
If a student is a California resident, the College will project
his Cal Grant eligibility as part of his financial aid package.
If the student fails to apply for a Cal Grant, or applies too
late, he may be responsible for paying that portion of his tuition,
room and board which would have been paid by the Cal Grant.
As a consequence, it is extremely important that California
residents submit the necessary paper work by March 3, 2008.
The steps for applying for a Cal Grant are laid out in detail
in the GPA Verification Form published by the California
Student Aid Commission (CSAC). The GPA Verification Form
is available from college counseling offices at most high schools,
Thomas Aquinas College's Financial Aid Office, or directly from
CSAC by calling (888) 224-7268. The GPA form is also available
on the CSAC website at www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?ID=1177.
In brief, it takes two forms to apply for a Cal Grant. A FAFSA
must be submitted to the federal processor by no later than
March 3rd and a GPA Verification Form must be submitted
to CSAC by no later than March 3rd. The FAFSA form should
be filed as early as possible after January 1st, so that any
necessary corrections can be made prior to March 3rd. The GPA
Verification Form can be filed as soon as the forms are
available in the preceding fall. File early, make
photocopies of all submissions and request a "Certificate
of Mailing" ($1.05) from the Post Office when mailing
the FAFSA, GPA Verification Form, or any related
item. If you transmit your FAFSA on-line, print a copy
of it and print a copy of the Submission Confirmation Page.
We cannot over emphasize the importance of keeping a copy of
both the FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form
and obtaining evidence that both were transmitted or mailed
by March 3rd. Each year one or more of our California students
need to document for the State that they submitted the appropriate
forms on time.
CSAC specifies that Cal Grant applicants who do not have
a grade point average from a high school must provide
an ACT, SAT or GED test score in lieu of a GPA. CSAC defines
"high school" as a secondary school accredited
by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
or another regional accrediting association if the secondary
school is not in the WASC region, or a school which has
a University of California approved course list.
Home-schooled students must submit an ACT, SAT or GED test
score in lieu of a GPA unless the student has been part of an
independent study program administered by a high school as defined
above. In this latter case, the high school, not the
parent, must complete the GPA Verification Form.
Are you wondering if your Cal Grant GPA has been received by
the Commission? If you have filed a 2008-2009 FAFSA, you can
go on-line and check the status of your Cal Grant application
by logging on to https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov
and creating an account.
If you have any questions regarding the Cal Grant program,
please call the College's Financial Aid Office at (800) 634-9797,
extension 5936 or call the California Student Aid Commission
at (888) 224-7268. Either office will be happy to help you.
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