To get a Cal Grant, filing the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application isn't enough -- the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) also needs a verified GPA on file. Most high schools and colleges send it automatically, but CSAC is explicit that confirming it is your responsibility. Get both in by March 2 and, if you qualify, you receive an entitlement award: a guaranteed Cal Grant with no cap on how many are given. Miss that path and the fallback, the Competitive Award, is limited.
Step 1: Make sure your GPA is on file
CSAC requires a high school GPA, a college GPA, or a qualifying test score (SAT, ACT, GED, TASC, or HiSET). To check:
- File the FAFSA or CADAA.
- About a week later, create a WebGrants 4 Students account. It shows whether CSAC has your GPA.
- If it's missing, contact your high school or college financial aid office.
Your GPA also sets which Cal Grant you can get: 3.00 for Cal Grant A and 2.00 for Cal Grant B from high school -- see Cal Grant A vs. B vs. C.
Step 2: Know which entitlement award you're in line for
Entitlement awards are guaranteed to everyone who meets the requirements. CSAC runs three:
| Award | Who it's for | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| High School Entitlement (E1) | Current high school seniors and last year's graduates | March 2 |
| Transfer Entitlement (E2) | Community college students transferring to a 4-year university within one academic year, under 28 by December 31 of the award year | March 2 |
| Community College Entitlement (E3) | Students at a California Community College who didn't receive a Cal Grant A or B at high school graduation | September 2 |
A few rules that trip students up:
- E1: once you get a preliminary offer, you must confirm your college (starting in February) and your high school graduation in WebGrants 4 Students, or make sure your school does it for you.
- E2: you must list the four-year university on your FAFSA or CADAA and complete the Transfer Entitlement Certification form in WebGrants 4 Students. There's no gap year allowed between community college and the transfer.
- E3: you can carry the award to a UC or CSU, but not to a private college -- transferring to a private school withdraws it, and you'd be reconsidered for E2 or a Competitive Award only if you applied by March 2.
- All three: to renew, you must receive at least one Cal Grant payment in your first award year (Cal Grant A held in community college reserve is the exception).
Step 3: If you miss the entitlement path -- the Competitive Award
Students who don't qualify for an entitlement award can be considered for a Competitive Award (C1), also with a March 2 priority deadline. It's open to students going to a UC, CSU, or eligible private college -- not community college students -- and awards are limited. Students are ranked on CSAC's competitive scoring matrix, so meeting the requirements doesn't guarantee one. If you're disqualified for a Competitive Award, CSAC says you'll need to reapply the next year.
The timeline for a fall 2027 student
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 onward | File the 2027-28 FAFSA or CADAA |
| About a week after filing | Create WebGrants 4 Students; confirm your GPA is on file |
| March 2, 2027 | Priority deadline for E1, E2, and Competitive Awards |
| From February | Confirm your school of attendance in WebGrants 4 Students |
| After March | Most awards are processed; check your status |
| September 2, 2027 | Deadline for community college students (E3) |
What this means for you
- Treat March 2 as a hard date, not a priority suggestion. It's the line between a guaranteed award and a limited one -- an example of how state aid deadlines work.
- Log in and check your GPA. It's the step students most often assume someone else handled.
- Transferring? List the four-year school on your FAFSA, don't take a gap year, and finish the certification form.
- Check your income against the 2027-28 ceilings -- the entitlement guarantee only applies if you're under them.