Cal Grant B is a California financial aid program designed for students from low-income families. It provides two types of money: a living allowance (called an “access award”) to help cover books, transportation, and other non-tuition costs, plus a tuition and fee award starting in the second year of college. The program is an entitlement, meaning every eligible student who applies on time and meets the requirements receives the grant. You do not need to pay it back.
How Cal Grant B Differs From Cal Grant A
California offers two main Cal Grant programs, and they target different groups. Cal Grant A covers tuition and fees only, requires a minimum 3.00 high school GPA, and is aimed at students heading to four-year universities. Cal Grant B is built for students with greater financial need and a lower academic threshold, requiring just a 2.00 high school GPA. It starts with a cash stipend for living expenses in year one, then adds tuition coverage in subsequent years.
If you attend a California community college, Cal Grant B is especially relevant. Community college tuition is already waived for many low-income students through the California College Promise Grant, so the Cal Grant B access award gives you money for the other costs of attending school, like textbooks, supplies, and getting to campus.
Award Amounts for 2025-26
Cal Grant B has two components, and the amounts depend on where you go to school.
The access award is $1,648 per year regardless of which type of school you attend. You receive this starting in your first year of college.
The tuition and fee award kicks in starting your second year. For the 2025-26 academic year, those amounts are:
- University of California (UC): Up to $14,934
- California State University (CSU): Up to $6,450
- Private nonprofit colleges: Up to $9,358
- Private for-profit colleges (WASC accredited): Up to $8,056
- Private for-profit colleges (non-WASC): Up to $4,000
- California community colleges: No tuition award (tuition is typically covered by other fee waivers)
So a Cal Grant B recipient who starts at a community college collects the $1,648 access award each year, then picks up both the access award and the tuition award after transferring to a four-year school. Over a full college career, that can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in free aid.
Income and Asset Limits
Cal Grant B targets students from lower-income households, and the California Student Aid Commission sets specific ceilings each year. For the 2026-27 award year, the income limits for Cal Grant B depend on family size.
For dependent students (those who report their parents’ finances) and independent students with dependents other than a spouse:
- Family of two: $60,700
- Family of three: $68,400
- Family of four: $76,100
- Family of five: $85,100
- Family of six or more: $91,900
For independent students who are single with no dependents, the ceiling is $53,000. Married independent students with no dependents other than a spouse can have income up to $60,700.
Asset ceilings also apply. Dependent students (and independent students with dependents) can hold up to $111,900 in assets. Independent students who are single or married without other dependents face a lower cap of $53,300. Assets include savings and investments but typically exclude the home you live in and retirement accounts.
GPA and Eligibility Requirements
You need a minimum 2.00 high school GPA to qualify for a Cal Grant B entitlement award. That’s a C average, making this grant accessible to students who may not have had the strongest academic record but are ready to pursue higher education. Your high school will typically submit your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission, though you should confirm with your counselor that this has been done.
Beyond GPA, you must be a California resident, attend a qualifying California college, be enrolled at least half-time, and maintain satisfactory academic progress once you’re in school. U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens qualify through the FAFSA, while undocumented students who meet California residency requirements can apply through the California Dream Act Application.
How to Apply and Key Deadlines
There is no separate application for Cal Grant B. You apply by completing the FAFSA (or the California Dream Act Application if applicable) and making sure your school submits your verified GPA. The California Student Aid Commission uses the information from these forms to determine which Cal Grant you qualify for and automatically places you in the best grant available to you.
The priority deadline for the 2026-27 school year is March 2, 2026. Filing by this date gives you the best chance of receiving an entitlement award. California community college students get an extended deadline of September 2, 2026, though some individual colleges set earlier cutoffs, so check with your school’s financial aid office.
High school seniors should complete their FAFSA or Dream Act Application as early as possible after it opens in the fall. If your high school hasn’t automatically sent your GPA to the Student Aid Commission, you may need to submit a GPA verification form. Missing the GPA submission is one of the most common reasons students lose out on Cal Grant money they were otherwise eligible for.
How Long the Award Lasts
Cal Grant B can cover you for up to four years of full-time undergraduate study, which aligns with the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree. If you start at a community college and transfer, the clock includes your community college years. Students who attend less than full-time may have their award prorated but can sometimes extend the number of years of eligibility.
You need to maintain satisfactory academic progress at your college to keep receiving the grant each year. That generally means staying in good academic standing and completing a reasonable percentage of the courses you attempt. Your school’s financial aid office sets the specific standards.
What Happens After You’re Awarded
Once you receive a Cal Grant B award, the tuition portion (starting in year two) is sent directly to your college and applied to your bill. The $1,648 access award is disbursed to you, usually split across the fall and spring terms. At most schools, any aid that exceeds your tuition and fees is refunded to you by check or direct deposit, so you can use it for books, rent, food, or transportation.
If you transfer to a different qualifying California college, your Cal Grant transfers with you. The tuition award amount will adjust to match the new school type. Contact the financial aid office at your new school to make sure the transfer is processed smoothly.