Cal Grant Verification
To be considered for a Cal Grant award, students must complete both of the following by March 2, 2013:
- Complete a 2013-2014 financial aid application (either the FAFSA for students eligible for Federal Student Aid, or a California Dream Act Application for students who meet the AB540 criteria, but do not have a valid immigration status) AND
- Submit a Cal Grant GPA Verification to the Student Aid Commission by March 2, 2013.
Current CSULB Cal Grant recipients are not required to submit the GPA Verification form; your Cal Grant award will automatically be renewed for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014, if you still have remaining eligibility and meet income, assets, and unmet need requirements.
Who Must Complete Your Cal Grant GPA Verification
In order to be considered for a Cal Grant, you must have your GPA verified by the appropriate college or high school office. The following information explains where to submit your GPA Verification form based on your current high school or college status. After reading these instructions, please contact our office if you have any questions.
Graduating High School Seniors and Students With Less Than 24 College Units Earned
To qualify for a Cal Grant, your high school must verify your GPA and submit it to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Cal Grant GPAs will be accepted only if certified by a school electronically or on the paper GPA Verification form. No transcripts will be accepted. The fastest and most secure way for you to submit a Cal Grant GPA is to have your school electronically upload the GPA directly to the Commission’s system. Please ask your school to submit your GPA electronically to the Commission by the March 2, 2013 filing deadline. If the school cannot submit the GPA electronically, the paper Cal Grant GPA Verification form must be certified by the school.
Continuing CSU Long Beach Students
The Office of Financial Aid will automatically send your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You are classified as a sophomore, junior or senior at CSU Long Beach
- You have a current FAFSA or California Dream Act Application on file at CSU Long Beach
- You have earned at least 24 units at CSU Long Beach – as of January 1, 2013.
Your GPA is calculated on all completed college work, excluding nontransferable units and courses not counted in computation for admission to a California public institution of higher education that grants a baccalaureate degree.
Prospective Transfer Students
If you have earned at least 24 college units and wish to apply for a Cal Grant to attend CSU Long Beach as a transfer student, you must submit your GPA Verification Form to your previous college or university for completion. Allow at least three weeks before the March 2 deadline to ensure sufficient time for processing.
Renewal Cal Grant Applicants
Cal Grants may be renewed for up to four years of full-time enrollment. If you are currently receiving a Cal Grant and wish to renew your grant for the next academic year, we recommend you complete your financial aid application (FAFSA or DREAM Act Application) by the March 2nd priority filing date. CSAC will automatically notify us if you are eligible to renew your Cal Grant. We will confirm your eligibility by reviewing your grade level, financial need and enrollment. We will include your Cal Grant renewal award as part of your total financial aid award package.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards Cal Grants to qualified California residents who meet minimum GPA requirements and demonstrate financial eligibility as determined by the FAFSA (for students eligible for Federal Student Aid) or the California Dream Application (for students who meet the AB540 criteria, but do not have a valid immigration status). Authorization to disburse Cal Grants is dependent on the governor signing the state budget and payment being sent by CSAC to CSU Long Beach.