How do I make sure I am considered for a Cal Grant?

This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. It also answers "How do I verify my GPA for Cal Grant?"

What does the state need from me?

Two things, both by the deadline (CSAC Cal Grants):

1. Your California Dream Act Application. This is the form for students who cannot use the FAFSA. It is open to undocumented students, DACA recipients (valid or expired), U visa holders and TPS holders who meet the AB 540 school rules. You do not need DACA.
2. A verified Cal Grant GPA. The state does not take your word for your grades. Your school sends your GPA to CSAC.

If one is missing on the deadline, you are not considered. It does not matter how good your grades are. That is why we say: check both, do not assume.

When is the deadline?

March 2, 2027 for the 2027 to 2028 school year. CSAC calls it the absolute deadline for the application plus GPA.

If you will go to a California community college, you have until September 2, 2027.

Apply early anyway. The same March 2 date also counts for the Middle Class Scholarship, and many colleges use it for their own aid. More dates are on When is the Dream Act deadline?

I am in high school

You are in the best spot. Seniors and recent graduates can get the High School Entitlement award, which means every student who meets the rules gets one.

• By law, public high schools, including charter schools, send seniors' GPAs to CSAC electronically by October 1, unless the student opted out (Education Code 69432.9). Social Security numbers are not sent with it. CSAC has a separate file layout for students without one, so you are not left out.
• Ask your counselor to confirm your GPA was sent. If you or your parent ever signed a Cal Grant opt out form, tell your counselor now and ask to have it sent before March 2. Schools must send the opt out notice by January 1 of 11th grade. Until you turn 18, only a parent can opt you out. After that, only you can.
• File your application before March 2, 2027.

I am at a community college

• Staying at community college: you can get the Community College Entitlement award. File your application and get a verified GPA to CSAC by September 2, 2027.
• Transferring to a four year university: look at the Transfer Entitlement award. It is for students who move straight from a California community college to a university that offers a bachelor's degree. You need at least a 2.4 GPA. The deadline is March 2.
• Ask your community college financial aid office whether they sent your GPA. Many colleges send it once you have enough units. Palomar College, for example, sends it after 16 degree applicable units. If you have fewer, ask whether your high school GPA can be used.

What if I do not fit an entitlement?

You can still be considered for a Competitive award. These go only to students who did not get an entitlement award. There are 13,000 a year for the whole state, so file early. Cal Grant C is for job and technical training programs and has no GPA requirement.

The state also looks at your family's income and assets. The limits change each year, and the 2027 to 2028 limits were not posted on CSAC's site when we checked on October 21, 2026. Check the Cal Grants page or ask your financial aid office before you rely on a number. Do not skip the application because you think your family earns too much. Apply and let the state decide.

How much is a Cal Grant worth?

For 2026 to 2027, the largest Cal Grant tuition award for a new full time student was $15,588 at UC, $6,838 at Cal State and $9,358 at a private nonprofit college. Some students also get an access award for costs like books and housing: $1,648, or $6,000 for students with children and current or former foster youth (Legislative Analyst's Office). Amounts for 2027 to 2028 depend on the next state budget.

Example (fictional, to show why the checks matter): Jasmine, a senior in Redwood City, filed her Dream Act application in December. In January she logged in to WebGrants and saw no GPA. Her counselor found that her mother had signed an opt out form in 11th grade. The counselor sent her GPA in February, and Jasmine saved a screenshot once it showed up. She was considered for a High School Entitlement award. Without that check, she would have missed it.

How do I verify my GPA?

1. Make your WebGrants 4 Students account. After you file, CSAC emails you a nine digit Dream ID. Use it to sign up at WebGrants 4 Students.
2. Look for your GPA and status. WebGrants shows whether you are being considered for a Cal Grant and what your next step is.
3. If your GPA is not there, go to your counselor or your college's financial aid office right away. Ask them to send your Cal Grant GPA to CSAC. CSAC has used a paper Cal Grant GPA Verification Form that a school official fills out, but the newest one we found online is for 2020 to 2021. Ask your school or CSAC for the current version before you send anything.
4. Check again a week or two later. Keep a screenshot once it shows up.
5. Fix the small stuff. In WebGrants you can list or change your college and update your address.

Graduated a while ago, got a GED, or were home schooled? Ask your old school, your college or CSAC at (888) 224-7268 how to send a GPA in your case. We could not confirm one current method that fits everyone.

Anything else that can stop me?

• A missing parent signature. If your application asks for parent information, one parent must sign. CSAC will not process it without that. Parents can sign at the parent signature page.
• Not meeting AB 540 yet. Your aid is only paid if you meet the AB 540 rules. Check Do I meet the AB 540 requirements?
• Wrong aid year. Use the 2027 to 2028 application for school from July 2027 to June 2028.

Worried about your information? CSAC says what you put on the California Dream Act Application is used only for state financial aid. It is not shared with the federal government and is not used for immigration enforcement.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Your high school counselor: your GPA, your opt out status and the application.
• Your college's Dream Center or Dreamer Resource Liaison. Every community college and Cal State campus must have one.
• California Student Aid Commission: (888) 224-7268, studentsupport@csac.ca.gov. Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Related questions

• When is the Dream Act deadline?
• How do I apply for the California Dream Act?
• Can undocumented students get state financial aid?

Two checks today can open the door to years of help. You have worked hard for those grades. Make sure they count.