The 2027-28 Cal Grant income limit for a dependent student in a family of four is $151,800 for Cal Grant A and C, and $79,800 for Cal Grant B, per the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). The asset limit is $117,500. These ceilings apply both to new applicants and to students renewing a Cal Grant, and they're adjusted each year for the change in California per-capita personal income -- up roughly 5% from 2026-27. CSAC notes they can still change until the state budget passes.
2027-28 Cal Grant income ceilings
Dependent students (and independent students with dependents other than a spouse):
| Family size | Cal Grant A and C | Cal Grant B |
|---|---|---|
| Six or more | $175,500 | $96,400 |
| Five | $162,700 | $89,300 |
| Four | $151,800 | $79,800 |
| Three | $139,700 | $71,800 |
| Two | $136,400 | $63,700 |
Independent students:
| Cal Grant A, B, and C | |
|---|---|
| Single, no dependents | $55,700 |
| Married, no other dependents | $63,700 |
2027-28 Cal Grant asset ceilings
| Student | Asset ceiling |
|---|---|
| Dependent students (and independent students with dependents other than a spouse) | $117,500 |
| Independent students without dependents | $55,900 |
When reporting assets on the FAFSA or CADAA, CSAC says not to include home equity, retirement funds, prepaid tuition plans, or life insurance.
How 2027-28 compares to 2026-27
| Measure | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Grant A/C, family of four | $144,700 | $151,800 | +$7,100 |
| Cal Grant B, family of four | $76,100 | $79,800 | +$3,700 |
| Independent, single | $53,000 | $55,700 | +$2,700 |
| Dependent asset ceiling | $111,900 | $117,500 | +$5,600 |
A family a few thousand dollars over last year's line may fall under this year's.
What the two income lines mean
Cal Grant A's ceiling is roughly twice Cal Grant B's because the two serve different students: A is for low- to middle-income students, B for low-income students. B's lower line comes with a benefit A doesn't have -- a $1,648 access award for non-tuition costs. If you're under both lines, the type you're paid depends mostly on the college you attend; see Cal Grant A vs. B vs. C.
Income alone doesn't decide eligibility. You also need financial need as determined by CSAC and your college, a verified GPA, and an FAFSA or CADAA filed by the deadline -- see the full Cal Grant overview.
What this means for you
- Use the column for your family size and your likely Cal Grant type. A family of four earning $100,000 is over Cal Grant B's line but under Cal Grant A's.
- Leave home equity and retirement accounts off your asset figure -- they don't count here.
- Over the Cal Grant ceiling? File anyway. The Middle Class Scholarship goes to families earning up to $262,000 at UC and CSU.
- File by March 2, 2027, or September 2 for community college.