​

Cal Grant Information & SCC Cal Grant Policies

General Cal Grant Eligibility Requirements

Cal Grants Grant Awards are for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training, and do not have to be repaid. In addition to meeting the financial criteria and Cal Grant requirements, you must:

For more information about the Cal Grant eligibility requirements, go to https://www.csac.ca.gov/students

Types of Cal Grant​

There are three types of Cal Grant: A, B, & C.  The types of Cal Grant a student may be eligible for will be determined based on a combination of student's responses while completing the FAFSA or Dream Act Application, the GPA Verification, Financial Need, and type of California College listed on the FAFSA or Dream Act Application will determine which Cal Grant they may be eligible.

Cal Grant A:

• For low to middle income students
• 3.00 high school GPA minimum
• 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

For more information regarding eligible institutions and Cal Grant A Awards Amounts go to: https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/what-are-cal-grant-award-amounts

Cal Grant B:

• 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 baccalaureate degree or certificate of at least 24 semester units or the equivalent
• Includes an additional annual Access Award amount (living expenses)
• Sophomore through senior years the student will receive tuition and fees plus Access Award at tuition charging institution

For more information regarding eligible institutions and Cal Grant B Awards Amounts go to: https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/what-are-cal-grant-award-amounts

Cal Grant C:

• For low to middle income students
• No GPA requirement
• For Occupational or Technical training programs of least4 months in length
• Offers an award amount to assist with tuition and fees, also includes an additional annual book and supplies amount

For more information regarding eligible institutions and Cal Grant C Awards Amounts go to: https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/what-are-cal-grant-award-amounts

Applying for Cal Grant​

Step 2: 

File a verified grade point average (GPA) with  the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC): In addition to the FAFSA or Dream Act Application, a school certified Grade Point Average (GPA) must be submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by the filing deadlines, in order to be considered for a Cal Grant award. CSAC will only accept GPAs by one of the following methods:

• Certified by high school or college electronically.  The fastest and most secure way for a student to submit his or her Cal Grant GPA is to have their school electronically upload the GPA directly to the California Student Aid Commission's system.
• Certified by a school official on the paper GPA Verification form. The paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form must be certified by the school if the school cannot submit it electronically. Click on the following link Cal Grant GPA Verification Form - California Student Aid Commission to download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form and have the registrar in Admissions & Records certify the GPA. The GPA Verification form must be postmarked no later than the deadline date(s) as describe below. No transcripts are accepted.

Should your high school submit your GPA? Students who have less than 16 completed college units are required to have their High School submit their GPA.  An applicant who does not have a High School GPA or whose GPA is more than 5 years old may submit a test score from the General Educational Development Test (GED), the American College Test (ACT) or the SAT Reasoning Test (SATI), in order to be considered for a Cal grant Award.

Should your college submit your GPA? Student who have completed 16+ college units can have their GPA submitted by the college they are attending or have attended.

Santiago Canyon College (SCC) Policy for submitting GPA Records​

SCC will automatically submit GPAs to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for:

• California Resident Students & AB540
• Student Type is “Regular" with Admissions & Records. Students who change enrollment status from the Career Advance Placement Program (CAP) into a first-year freshman college student, must make sure to complete a new Admission Application with their High School Graduation Status updated.  Students in the CAP Program will not have their GPA submitted to CSAC by Santiago Canyon College.
• Attending/has attended college credit classes at SCC and their last semester was completed no later than 3 years from the GPA deadline date
• Have completed at least 16 units on the student transcript as “RSCCD Degree Applicable Units" Transfer units may be included only if the official transcript was evaluated and included in “RSCCD Degree Applicable Units" before the time SCC submits the GPA electronically.

​​

Student's Responsibility for GPA Submission​

Students Identified as Resident: In order for a GPA submission record to be submitted students must make sure their High School Graduation Date and Social Security Number is listed accurately on their Admissions & Records Record.  It is the student's responsibility to make sure that Admissions & Records is reflecting their correct Social Security Number and High School Graduation Date at least three weeks prior to submission deadline.  If either one of the components are invalid by the GPA Submission Date; the record will be rejected by CSAC. 

Students identified as AB 540 Dreamer & Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): In order for a GPA submission record to be submitted, students must make sure their High School Graduation Date and other data elements in lieu of a Social Security Number are listed accurately on their Admissions & Records Record.  Instead of a Social Security Number, students who meet the AB 540 requirements, will have other data matches submitted to CSAC such as address, date of birth, e-mail address, etc. in lieu of a social security number, along with their GPA by the March 2nd Deadline.  AB 540 & DACA students must make sure that these data elements match between Admissions & Records and their Dream Act Application. 

Students may inquire about the details of submitted GPAs after the submission deadline in the Financial Aid Office. 

Application Cycles & Deadlines​

Deadlines

March 2 Deadline – for California Community Colleges (CCC), CSU's, UC's or eligible private colleges.  It is for consideration of the Entitlement, the first competitive Cal Grant cycle, or Cal Grant C programs. 

September 2 Deadline - is only for students who will be attending a California Community College (CCC).  It is for the second competitive c​ycle and is only for students who have completed 16+ units who will be attending a California Community College (CCC)

Cycles​

Cal Grant High School Entitlement Award Cycle March 2^nd Annually:

Who is considered for a High School Entitlement Award?

• Current High school seniors and last year's high school graduates
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements

Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award Cycle March 2^nd Annually

Who is considered for a Transfer Entitlement Award?

• Students who plan to transfer directly from a CA Community College to a 4-year University that offers a bachelor degree in the award year. There cannot be a gap in enrollment between attendance at the California Community College and the 4-Year University.
• Students who are under the age of 28 by December 31 of the award year.
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements.
• Students who graduated from a CA high school after June 30, 2000 and were California residents (or if applied through the Dream Act application, living in California) at the time of high school graduation.
  
  OR

• Students that did not graduate from high school, but were a California resident on their 18th birthday (if applied through the Dream Act application, living in California) on their 18th birthday.

Cal Grant Competitive Awards Cycle March 2^nd & September 2^nd Annually:

• March 2^nd Deadline - All California Community Colleges, CSU, UC or eligible Private College students
• September 2^nd Deadline - California Community College Students Only

Who is considered for a Competitive Award?

• Students who are not awarded a Cal Grant Entitlement award.
• Students who meet the general Cal Grant eligibility requirements.

SCC's Process for A​​​warding/Disbursing Cal Grant Awards

Determination of Required Documents & Awarding

Students offered a Cal Grant by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) must have a completed financial aid file before the Santiago Canyon College Financial Aid Office (SCC FAO) processes the student's Cal Grant. This means that all the required documentation being requested by the SCC FAO must be turned in and the Financial Aid Analyst assigned the file finalizes the file as "Awarded."  To find required information log into Self-Service . 

• Selected for Verification by the Department of Education – The student must submit all of the required documents in order for the SCC FAO to complete the verification process.  California Dream Act Application Verification Status will be selected by (CSAC) - not the Department of Education.

• Not selected for Verification/Conflicting Information – The student must submit all required documentation that SCC is requesting to resolve any conflicting information.

• Not selected for Verification/No conflicting information – The SCC FAO has determined that there are no additional documents required.  In this case, the student's financial aid file will be automatically awarded.

All Cal Grant students may check for any required documents, their SAP Status, and the status of their Financial Aid File by logging on to Self-Service under the Financial Aid Menu.  Dream Act students must also file an affidavit with the college stating that he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so (California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request). 

Upon completion of the financial aid file, the SCC FAO will add the Cal Grant award to the student's award as long as the student meets the income and asset ceiling as outlined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).   A Financial Aid Office Notification  will be emailed at that time.  If the student no longer meets the income and assets ceiling requirements, the SCC FAO will inform CSAC to have the Cal Grant award withdrawn. 

​​Income & Asset Ceilings

 ​

Academic Year 2022/23

Academic Year 2023/24​

Disbursement Policy & Census

The Santiago Canyon College Financial Aid Office (SCC FAO) only disburses:​

• Cal Grant A Access Funds to students who certify they support dependents at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/. Cal Grant A eligible students will not certify dependents will not receive Cal Grant A while attending SCC.  They will remain on “Community College Reserve" for two years. If they will do transfer after two years, they must appeal for an extension with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
• Cal Grant B Access Funds to all eligible Cal Grant B students.
• Cal Grant C Book & Supplies awards to all eligible C students who certify they are not in a transfer program and are enrolled in an Occupational/Technical or Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement.  Cal Grant C Student must submit a Certification Form to the Financial Aid Office.

The SCC FAO does not disburse any Cal Grant funds for tuition.  Cal Grant will only be disbursed on students with complete financial aid files without any outstanding required document or conflicting information.  Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for the term being disbursed.

Generally, the SCC FAO only disburses Cal Grant one time during each semester (Fall and Spring Only). The SCC FAO will not disburse Cal Grant prior to the Admissions & Records Add/Drop Census Date (see A&R's instructional calendar for these dates on their website: Admissions & Records ). During disbursement, the SCC FAO will exclude classes that have not passed census. Within the semester, the SCC FAO may increase a Cal Grant disbursement only when the student adds units for late start classes and are actively attending. Disbursements for late start classes will take place later in the semester and only after the Admissions & Records Census Date in order to reflect the maximum eligibility of earned units during the semester.  The SCC FAO will disburse Cal Grant for all Title IV eligible units that student is actively attending at the time of disbursement excluding classes dropped with a “W", in order to assist Cal Grant eligible students to be able to retain their Cal Grant lifetime remaining eligibility percentage.  The policy for disbursing after the A&R Census Date is to prevent the student from having to pay back Cal Grant funds that would have been received as an overpayment for classes that were cancelled. The SCC FAO will not retroactively pay for dropped classes at the time of disbursement.

​SCC's Cal Grant Disbursement Amounts & Schedule​

For disbursement dates, refer to the disbursement schedule.  All Cal Grant fund will be disbursed through the Rancho Santiago Community College District's 3rd Party Service BankMobile.  Students must make a refund selection via Self-Service​ by clicking on “Choose your disbursement option (BankMobile)"  

Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG)

Full-time California Community College students who are eligible for Cal Grant B & C and are attending full-time (12+ units) may also be eligible to receive an SSCG of up to $8,000 per academic year.  This award is sponsored by the California Community College Chancellor's Office (CCCCO).  

• A maximum of $2,596 annually at six hundred forty-nine dollars ($1,298) per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll and attend 12 through14.99 units per term
• A maximum of $8,000 annually at two thousand dollars ($4,000) per semester, or quarterly equivalent, for eligible students who enroll and attend 15 units per term

The Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) follows the same policy guidelines as Cal Grant. SSCG Funds are limited (in other words, they can run out); therefore, disbursement cannot be guaranteed.

Additional Considerations/Requirements When Receiving Cal Grant ​

For New Cal Grant Entitlement Awards

Before Cal Grant funds can be disbursed go to https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/  

1.  Confirm the college you will be attending 
2.   Submit high school graduation status

For Renewal Cal Grant Awards

• Students must complete the FAFSA Application or California Dream Act Application annually in order for CSAC to determine their renewal eligibility.  
• Students must meet the annual income & asset ceilings as set by CSAC.  
• Cal Grant B students who will be transferring to a four-year institution may want to ensure they keep at least 200% of their Cal Grant eligibility for when they transfer. Cal Grant B pays part or all of their tuition (depending on if the institution is public or non-public) at a four-year California school. If a Cal Grant B student has 200% or less remaining eligibility, they should consider taking a Leave of Absence to save that award. Leave of Absences are a maximum of two years.  
• It is a student's responsibility to track their own remaining Cal Grant eligibility, and renewal is not guaranteed even if a student places their Cal Grant on a Leave of Absence (LOA). A student can do this online at https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp.

Additional Important Information

Grade Level Certification

Santiago Canyon College will certify grade levels for students who are awarded Cal Grant for the first time.  They are as follows:

• Grade Level 1 (Freshman) Completed <30 units beginning the academic year
• Grade Level 2 (Sophomore) Completed 30+ units beginning the academic year

Assembly Bill-2248 Notification

Cal Grant award is limited to four academic years, except for students enrolled in an institutionally required five-year undergraduate program or for student with baccalaureate degrees admitted to and enrolled in a program of professional teach preparation.  A student needs to take 15 units per semester or quarter, or 30 semester units or the equivalent quarter units per academic year, in order to graduate within four years. Confidentiality:  “The California Student Aid Commission has strict security and confidentiality policies and procedures to protect the integrity and confidentiality of student records."

Questions & Contacts:

SCC Financial Aid office

(714) 628-4876

Go to: Financial Aid Office for Office Hours

California Student Aid Commission

(CSAC) (888) 224-7268

More information regarding Cal Grant:

California Student Aid Commission - CSAC

*Student link to sign-i n to WebGrants:

https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/

(*supports PC and Laptops using Internet Explorer 7 and higher & Mozilla Firefox 2 and higher)

​ ​