I’d like to know what the odds are for being awarded a Cal Grant Competitive Award given the situation:
• Awarded the Cal Grant B Entitlement award back in 2011 while still attending high school. Never used it. • Re-established GPA: 4.0 Honors Community College in 2014 - 2015. • First To Obtain Degree • Disadvantaged Situation(s) In High School - Continuation HS listed on transcripts / graduation. Only .10 of the bulk of coursework. • -1500 SAI • Been at risk of homelessness - lack of savings, assets, connections, etc. • 8+ Years out of high school. • 32 - 33 years of age when transfer is completed. • Plan to further education: Masters or even Doctorate program (Why this grant is extremely important - necessary for savings).
Based on the 2024 - 2025 Scoring Rubric, the only 100 points I do not qualify for is dependents (as of now). My calculated score is .9 at the present time. I also fall well within the higher percentages for those who are awarded the grants (demographically speaking).
I plan to finish the required credits for transfer in approx. 1 year - well ahead of the est. time frames, enroll into the Honors program for the CCC - top transfer college for UCs, and bulk up the profile as much as possible for other options.
My concerns are as follows:
The possibility that I’m missing a factor they use to calculate eligibility.
A system they use to prioritize applications through organizations, schools, etc.
Missing a date / deadline. Not being within the first 1 - 5% of submissions.
I’d like an estimate or any advice to improve upon the odds or atleast so I can plan accordingly when the time comes if needed.
Have you considered applying to schools with generous need based aid policies that will meet need for transfer students? You might want to run the net price calculator at those to see if that could be another way to fund your undergraduate studies.
You are approaching this as if it is a contest and you don’t seem to understand that this is strictly a financial qualification issue. You need to have a qualifying GPA, tax forms, and proof of income or documentation.
Attaching the Cal Grant fact sheet.
One of your issues may be if you didn’t manage your Cal Grant, or contact the Cal Grant office in 2011, to indicate a leave of absence, they may have had to “cancel your file.”
The Calgrant B pays a freshman stipend of $1672 for the first year. You’ve already attended a CC without CalGrant money.
In sophomore year, as a Calgrant recipient, you might qualify and get the stipend, or not, depending on where you are attending (CCC or 2nd year/sophomore at CSU).
Junior year, if you are at a UC or CSU, you get tuition only. Senior year, it’s tuition funding. The stipend for books may not happen. California funds are finite and very limited. They have to know who is returning and who is not returning.
The State’s Calgrant program has thousands of students that they have to manage and account for each year. The budget is assigned by the State of California. Each year, every qualified student, is tallied. Managing your Calgrant used to be a few clicks on your computer.
If you don’t indicate, yearly, that you need funding, the monies aren’t held but are returned to the State.
Your situation needs to be assessed by the Calgrant office. You need to contact them.
