January 2026

Financial Aid

Cal Grant Award Coverage

Types of Awards, 2026-27

Tuition Awards
Cal Grant A Provides full tuition coverage for students enrolled at public universities and tuition coverage up to fixed amount for students enrolled at private colleges and universities. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant B Provides full tuition coverage for students enrolled at public universities and tuition coverage up to a fixed amount for students enrolled at private colleges and universities. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent). Generally not available to students in their first year of college.
Cal Grant C Provides tuition coverage up to a fixed amount for students enrolled at private career technical education programs no shorter than 4 months or longer than 2 years. Available for up to two calendar years.
Access Awardsa
Cal Grant A Provides a fixed amount of nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private nonprofit institutions if they have dependent children or are foster youth. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant B Provides a fixed amount of nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private institutions. Provides larger grants to students enrolled at public or private nonprofit institutions if they have dependent children or are foster youth. Available for up to four years of full-time study (or its equivalent).
Cal Grant C Provides a fixed amount of nontuition coverage for students enrolled at public and private career technical education programs no shorter than 4 months or longer than 2 years. Provides larger grants to students enrolled at public or private nonprofit institutions if they have dependent children or are foster youth. Available for up to two calendar years.
   
Note: Although exact eligibility criteria vary by type of award, all these awards require students to meet certain financial criteria. See "Cal Grant Award Amounts" for the size of each type of award.
a Access awards generally may cover any living cost, including housing, food, transportation, books, and supplies. Cal Grant C awards for students attending private career technical schools may cover only books, supplies, and equipment.