State Aid

Each year, the state of California invests millions of dollars in helping the state’s residents achieve their higher education goals. Of the programs offered, the most common are the Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B, Cal Grant Dream Act, and Chafee Grant. These funds are not guaranteed. The state reserves the right to change, reduce, or eliminate any of the programs described below based on state law and budget limitations.

State Aid is available in the following categories:

  1. Cal Grant A
  2. Cal Grant B
  3. Cal Grant Dream Act
  4. Chafee Grant for Foster Youth

The following information is a general guideline; learn more on the California Student Aid Commission website. Be advised that funding from all of the sources listed is not guaranteed. Budget limitations may reduce or eliminate any of the awards described without notice. Also, on rare occasions the amount of financial aid originally offered may end up reduced or eliminated due to federal, state, and/or institutional policies. See the Stacking Financial Aid policy for more information on possible restrictions.

Important Cal Grant Disclosure:

A Cal Grant award is limited to four academic years, except as provided in subdivision (c) of the California Education Code Section 69433.6. A student needs to take 15 units per semester, or 30 units per academic year, in order to graduate within four years.

Cal Grant A

First-Time Recipients

Qualifications

  1. California resident
  2. Graduated from a California high school
  3. 3.0 high school GPA
  4. Family’s income and assets are under ceilings established for that year
  5. Enrolled at least half time
  6. Student is not already receiving other scholarships and/or grants that pay exclusively for the total cost of tuition and fees.

Yearly Amount

  • At APU, the estimated amount for first time recipients is $9,220 
  • The award amount will be prorated if the student is enrolled less than full time (9-11 units at 75 percent, 6-8 units at 50 percent).

How to Apply

  1. Complete the FAFSA for the appropriate school year by the March 2 deadline prior to fall enrollment.
  2. Complete the GPA Verification Form for the appropriate school year by the March 2 deadline prior to fall enrollment.

Disbursement

  • Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the Cal Grant A usually disburses into the student’s APU account during the first month of the semester (first half of the grant in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.

To Retain Eligibility

  1. Must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) per semester1
  2. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  3. Must have remaining eligibility per the state
  4. Must meet the state’s financial eligibility requirements
  5. In conjunction with other scholarships/grants received the student must have sufficient financial need per the information reported on the FAFSA. “Need” is defined as the cost of attendance minus expected family contribution. Per the state’s requirements, some of the other scholarships or grants originally offered to the student may be reduced if there is not sufficient need.

Renewal Recipients

Qualifications

  1. Must have met the qualifications to receive the grant in a previous school year
  2. Must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) per semester1
  3. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  4. Must have remaining eligibility per the state
  5. Must meet the state’s financial eligibility requirements
  6. In conjunction with other scholarships/grants received, the student must have sufficient financial need per the information reported on the FAFSA. “Need” is defined as the cost of attendance minus expected family contribution. Per the state’s requirements, some of the other scholarships or grants originally offered to the student may be reduced if there is not sufficient need.
  7. Student is not already receiving other scholarships and/or grants that pay exclusively for the total cost of tuition and fees.

Yearly Amount

  • Full award amount offered is determined by the state.
  • Award amount will be prorated if the student is enrolled less than full time (9-11 units at 75 percent, 6-8 units at 50 percent).
  • The amount also may be reduced or eliminated if any of the above qualifications are not met.

How to Apply

  • Complete the FAFSA for the appropriate school year prior to fall enrollment.

Disbursement

  • Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the Cal Grant A usually disburses into the student’s APU account during the first month of the semester (first half of the grant in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.

To Retain Eligibility

  1. Must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) per semester1
  2. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  3. Must have remaining eligibility per the state
  4. Must meet the state’s financial eligibility requirements
  5. In conjunction with other scholarships/grants received, the student must have sufficient financial need, per the information reported on the FAFSA. “Need” is defined as the cost of attendance minus expected family contribution. Per the state’s requirements, some of the other scholarships or grants originally offered to the student may be reduced if there is not sufficient need.

Cal Grant B

First-Time Recipients

Qualifications

  1. California resident
  2. Graduated from a California high school
  3. Student’s high school GPA meets the requirement set by the state.
  4. Family’s income and assets are under ceilings established by CSAC for that school year
  5. Enrolled at least half time
  6. Student is not already receiving other scholarships and/or grants that pay exclusively for the total cost of tuition and fees.

Yearly Amount

  • Students in their first year of college typically are only offered the Cal Grant B Access award of $1,648
  • The award amount will be prorated if the student is enrolled less than full time (9-11 units at 75 percent, 6-8 units at 50 percent).

How to Apply

  1. Complete the FAFSA for the appropriate school year by the March 2 deadline prior to fall enrollment.
  2. Complete the GPA Verification Form for the appropriate school year by the March 2 deadline prior to fall enrollment.

Disbursement

  • Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the Cal Grant B and/or B Access award usually disburses into the student’s APU account during the first month of the semester (first half of the grant in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.

To Retain Eligibility

  1. Must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) per semester1
  2. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  3. Must have remaining eligibility per the state
  4. Must meet the state’s financial eligibility requirements
  5. In conjunction with other scholarships/grants received the student must have sufficient financial need per the information reported on the FAFSA. “Need” is defined as the cost of attendance minus expected family contribution. Per the state’s requirements, some of the other scholarships or grants originally offered to the student may be reduced if there is not sufficient need.

Renewal Recipients

Qualifications

  1. Must have met the qualifications to receive the grant in a previous school year
  2. Must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) per semester1
  3. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  4. Must have remaining eligibility per the state
  5. Must meet the state’s financial eligibility requirements
  6. In conjunction with other scholarships/grants received, the student must have sufficient financial need per the information reported on the FAFSA. “Need” is defined as the cost of attendance minus expected family contribution. Per the state’s requirements, some of the other scholarships or grants originally offered to the student may be reduced if there is not sufficient need.
  7. Student is not already receiving other scholarships and/or grants that pay exclusively for the total cost of tuition and fees.

Yearly Amount

  • After the initial year, Cal Grant B recipients are generally eligible to receive the full Cal Grant B award, estimated to be $9,220 for renewal recipients, in addition to the Cal Grant B Access award of $1,648.
  • Award amounts will be prorated if the student is enrolled less than full time (9-11 units at 75 percent, 6-8 units at 50 percent).

How to Apply

  • Complete the FAFSA for the appropriate school year prior to fall enrollment.

Disbursement

  • Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the Cal Grant B and/or B Access grant usually disburses into the student’s APU account during the first month of the semester (first half of the grant in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.

To Retain Eligibility

  1. Must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) per semester1
  2. Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  3. Must have remaining eligibility per the state
  4. Must meet the state’s financial eligibility requirements
  5. In conjunction with other scholarships/grants received, the student must have sufficient financial need, per the information reported on the FAFSA. “Need” is defined as Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution. Per the state’s requirements, some of the other scholarships or grants originally offered to the student may be reduced if there is not sufficient need.

How the Cal Grant B Access Award is Processed at APU

The access award is designated for costs including living expenses, transportation, supplies, and books. Azusa Pacific University policy states that all access grants will be transferred directly to the student’s institutional account and applied toward any owing balance. The student has the right to request in writing a direct refund of the access grant and that it be excluded from paying the outstanding balance on the student account. If the written request is received after the access grant has already been applied to the student account, any future access grants will be awarded directly to the student. Please note: This may cause an outstanding balance on the student’s account. An outstanding balance may prevent students from registering for courses.  Students enrolled in less than six units (1-5 units) are not eligible to receive the Cal Grant B Access award.

Cal Grant Dream Act

The California Dream Act is a combination of three California state assembly bills: Assembly Bill (AB) 540, AB 130, and AB 131. Collectively, these bills allow undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to be treated the same as resident students. Called the California Dream Act, this allows these students to apply for and receive Cal Grants.

How to Apply

  1. Complete the California Dream Act Application for the appropriate school year by the March 2 deadline prior to fall enrollment.
  2. Complete the GPA Verification Form for the appropriate school year by the March 2 deadline prior to fall enrollment.

For information on qualifications, yearly amount, disbursement, and how to retain eligibility, see the Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B information listed above.

Chafee Grant for Foster Youth

Contact the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for more information on the qualifications needed, how to apply, yearly amounts, and disbursement information. For more information, visit CSAC’s Chafee Grant page.

1

Seniors with remaining Cal Grant eligibility in their final term of a degree program may be eligible for a portion of remaining Cal Grant funds for the final term needed to complete their degree program, even if they are enrolled less than half time.