CAL GRANT 2008-2009 INFORMATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) offers Cal Grants for students pursuing an undergraduate degree and for students who have been accepted into a preliminary teaching credential program.

Cal grant A is a grant that pays $2,772 per academic year. Eligibility is based on Grade Point Average (GPA) and financial aid criteria established by the California Student Aid Commission and SF State Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA).

Cal grant B is a grant that pays a stipend of $1,551 per academic year for the first year of eligibility and $4,323 for the following years. Eligibility is based on GPA, parents'highest educational level and marital status and financial aid criteria as determined by CSAC and OSFA.

Students who are awarded a new Cal Grant in their Freshmen year will have 8 semesters of eligibility. Students who are awarded a new Cal Grant after their Freshman year will have reduced eligibility based on the grade level at the time of the first award.

Students who receive a Cal Grant A ($2,772) or the maximum Cal Grant B ($4,323) will not be eligible for the State University Grant.

It is critical that students meet the March 3, 2008 filing date for the FAFSA in order to be considered for Cal Grants.

CURRENT CAL GRANT RECIPIENTS:
Students currently receiving the Cal Grant A or B only need to file the FAFSA by the deadline to renew their awards. New CAL Grant applicants must review the GPA Verification procedures below.

NEW CAL GRANT APPLICANTS:
One of the eligibility factors considered by the CSAC for the Cal Grants is the applicant's Grade Point Average (GPA). There are two ways to report your GPA to CSAC:

1. Electronic Verification of GPA for Cal Grant A or B applicants:
   In order to facilitate the consideration of eligible SF State students for the Cal Grant A and B Programs for the 2008-2009 academic year, the Office of Student Financial Aid will electronically verify the GPA of students who applied for financial aid for the 2007-2008 academic year and are attending SF State with over 24 units completed prior to Fall 2007. This electronic verification with CSAC eliminates the need to file an individual GPA verification form.

2. Paper verification of GPA for Cal Grant A or B applicants:
   Undergraduate students who were not enrolled at SF State during the Fall 2007 semester must file a paper GPA verification Form for New Cal Grant A or B consideration. You must have the school you attended prior to SF State certify your Grade Point Average on the form. Forms are available at the web site of the California Student Aid Commission - www.csac.ca.gov and must be postmarked and mailed to the California Student Aid Commission by March 3, 2008.

   FOR ALL CAL GRANT PROGRAMS, GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW APPLICANTS MUST:
   

   
   
   • Be a California resident and certify to these questions #18, #19, and #20 of the FAFSA, or parent must be a California resident and certify to these questions #68, #69, and #70 of the FAFSA. (If 18 years or older by 09/20/08, student must have lived in California for at least one year before 09/20/08);
     
   • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible noncitizen;
   • Complied with the Selective Service requirements if required to do so;
   • Attend an eligible California School;
   • Not be in default on any Federal Student loan or owe a refund on a state or federal grant;
   • Not have earned a BA or BS degree;
   • Be enrolled at least half time and making satisfactory academic progress;
   • Not be incarcerated;
   • Meet the FAFSA postmarked deadline of March 3, 2008.

   To Check on Your Cal Grant A, B application status. Please call...(888) 224-7268