Cal Grant Eligibility Estimator
GPA, family income, and family size all gate different Cal Grant types — see which one likely fits (2026-27 award year).
Cal Grant A/C requires a 3.00 high school GPA and a higher income ceiling; Cal Grant B requires just a 2.00 GPA but uses a lower income ceiling. Both have separate asset limits.
Enter your GPA, family income, and family size to see your likely Cal Grant type.
Cal Grant Eligibility Estimator
Your Likely Cal Grant Result
How this is calculated
The tool checks your GPA against both the Cal Grant A/C threshold (3.00) and the lower Cal Grant B threshold (2.00), and separately checks your family income against each grant type's income ceiling for your family size (Cal Grant B's ceiling is lower/more restrictive than Cal Grant A/C's for the same family size, since it targets lower-income students).
Both GPA and income must clear the corresponding grant's bar — a high GPA doesn't help if your income is over the Cal Grant A/C ceiling, and vice versa. This tool doesn't check the separate asset ceiling (about $111,900 for dependent students, $53,300 for independent students) or Cal Grant C's separate career/technical program eligibility — confirm those directly with the California Student Aid Commission.
In practice, you don't apply separately for each type; filing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application is what puts you in consideration for whichever grant you qualify for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GPA requirement for a Cal Grant?
Cal Grant A and C require a minimum 3.00 high school GPA (or 2.40 college GPA for transfer applicants). Cal Grant B has a lower bar — a 2.00 high school GPA, or 2.0-2.40 college GPA depending on the specific award type.
What's the difference between Cal Grant A, B, and C?
Cal Grant A covers tuition/fees at a UC, CSU, or qualifying private/independent college for students with a higher GPA and income ceiling. Cal Grant B is for lower-income students and includes an access stipend for living expenses in addition to tuition help in later years. Cal Grant C is for career/technical training programs.
Are Cal Grant A and B income ceilings the same?
No. Cal Grant B uses a lower (more restrictive) income ceiling than Cal Grant A/C for the same family size, since it's specifically targeted at lower-income students.
Is there an asset limit for Cal Grants?
Yes. For the 2026-27 award year, dependent students face an asset ceiling of about $111,900, and independent students face a lower ceiling of about $53,300. Certain assets, like a primary home and retirement accounts, are generally excluded.
Do I need to fill out a separate application for Cal Grant?
No separate application in most cases — filing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by the deadline, along with your school submitting your GPA, is generally how you're considered for a Cal Grant.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not affiliated with the California Student Aid Commission. Confirm your exact eligibility, deadlines, and asset ceilings at csac.ca.gov.