Grants

Cal Grant

Cal Grant is a tuition-specific, state entitlement award, funded by California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). You must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, financial need, and be a resident of California.

The following are Cal Grant award types PLNU participates in:

  • Cal Grant A Entitlement
  • Cal Grant A Transfer Entitlement
  • Cal Grant A Competitive
  • Cal Grant B Entitlement
  • Cal Grant B Transfer Entitlement
  • Cal Grant B Competitive

CSAC notifies new Cal Grant recipients whether they have been awarded an Entitlement or Competitive Cal Grant. Before a Cal Grant award can be added to a student's Financial Aid Award Letter at PLNU, the Student Financial Services Office must review the data provided by the student and parents on the FAFSA to make sure that the student is financially eligible.

Applying for the Cal Grant

A student applies for a Cal Grant by submitting both a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a verified grade point average (GPA) on or before the statutory deadline. For most students, the deadline is March 2. Receipt of both the FAFSA record and the GPA, by CSAC, constitutes a complete Cal Grant application.

Read more about the FAFSA.

GPA Verification

At PLNU, a high school senior or a student with 24 or less units of college credit, the GPA verification needs to be requested of and submitted by the student’s high school. For an applicant who is a college student with more than 24 units (36 quarter hours) of college credit, the GPA verification needs to be requested of and submitted by their current college/university which may be PLNU or the college from which the student is transferring from.

Test scores can be submitted in lieu of a GPA in certain circumstances. This would most likely apply to students that have been homeschooled. The acceptable tests are the General Educational Development Test (GED), the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I). CSAC does not accept the SAT II subject tests or the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).

Renewal Cal Grants

Renewal Cal Grant recipients must requalify under the financial income ceilings each subsequent academic year. In addition, renewal Cal Grant recipients must maintain at least $1,500 of need (based on the FAFSA) for each subsequent academic year. Students may renew a Cal Grant award for up to four academic years (eight semesters). Submission of a verified GPA is not required to renew a Cal Grant. Students who received a Cal Grant at another institution and are transferring to PLNU will need to submit a school change with CSAC. This can be done at webgrants4students.org, completing a Form G-10 (Grant Record Change Form for Schools), or contacting CSAC at (888) 224-7268.

General Cal Grants Eligibility

To be eligible for and receive payment for any Cal Grant award, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
  • Be a California resident
  • Attend a Cal Grant participating California college or university
  • Demonstrate financial need at his or her college
  •  Have family income and assets below the ceilings
  • Have met U.S. Selective Service requirements
  • Be in a program leading to an undergraduate degree, certificate or first professional degree
  • Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree before receiving a Cal Grant (except for extended Cal Grant A or B awards, teaching credential programs)
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant
  • Not be in default on any student loan
  • Not be incarcerated

Initial eligibility for a Cal Grant award is based on information from the student’s FAFSA.

California Residency for Cal Grant Eligibility

California residency for unmarried students who are not 18 years of age by the application deadline cycle for which they are applying, is based on the residency status of a parent or non-parent adult responsible for their direct care and control. To qualify as a non-parent adult, he or she must have had continuous direct care and control of the student for at least two years prior to the application cycle deadline for which they are applying. Unmarried students under 18 are legal California residents if:

  • a parent is a legal California resident at the application deadline for which the student is applying, or
  • the student has lived for two years with a responsible non-parent adult and that adult is a legal California resident at the application cycle deadline for which he/she is applying.

For example, students whose parents are living overseas are considered California residents if they are minors and have been living under the direct care and control of a California resident for at least two years as of the application cycle deadline for which they are applying or their parents have maintained their California residency during their absence from the state.

All married students, regardless of their age, and all unmarried students 18 or older must establish their own residency. If they will be 18 on or before the application cycle deadline for which they are applying, they must be a legal California resident at the application deadline for which they are applying. They also must be in the United States legally and be able to establish U.S. residency based on their status with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Cal Grant A

Cal Grant A benefits provide for tuition and fees at PLNU. Award amounts are determined through the state budget process and may change annually. There are three Cal Grant A awards: Entitlement, Transfer Entitlement and Competitive.

Cal Grant A Entitlement Award

Every graduating high school senior who has at least a 3.0 high school GPA, meets all the Cal Grant requirements, is a California resident at the time of graduation, and applies by March 2 either the year that he/she graduates or the following year is guaranteed a Cal Grant A Entitlement award.

Cal Grant A California Community College Transfer Entitlement Award

High school seniors who graduate after June 30, 2000, attend a California Community College, and then transfer to a qualifying baccalaureate degree-granting institution may be eligible for a California Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant A. Eligible students must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA (of at least 24 semester units, or the equivalent, of degree credit), meet the financial and eligibility requirements, be under age 24 at the time of transfer, and apply by March 2.

Cal Grant A Competitive Award

Other students who meet all the Cal Grant eligibility requirements and who have at least a 3.0 GPA may compete for a Cal Grant A Competitive award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration family income, parents’ educational level, GPA, time out of high school, high school performance standards and other factors, such as whether the student comes from a single-parent household or is a former foster youth.

Cal Grant B

Cal Grant B is for students with exceptionally high need (based on the FAFSA). The award for most first-year students covers living expenses, books, supplies and transportation, but not tuition and fees. When renewed or awarded beyond the freshman year, the grant covers tuition and fees. The tuition and fee award amounts are the same as those for Cal Grant A. Award amounts are determined through the state budget process and may change annually. A very limited number of new recipients may receive a Cal Grant B for tuition and fees, in addition to an access grant, for their first year. These students have exceptional financial need and have been determined to be among the most disadvantaged. Coursework must be for at least one academic year, and students must be enrolled at least half time. There are three Cal Grant B awards: Entitlement, Transfer Entitlement, and Competitive.

Cal Grant B Entitlement Award

Every graduating high school senior who has at least a 2.0 high school GPA, meets all Cal Grant requirements, is a California resident at the time of graduation, and applies by March 2 either the year that he/she graduates or the following year is guaranteed a Cal Grant B Entitlement award.

Cal Grant B California Community College Transfer Entitlement Award

High school seniors who graduate after June 30, 2000, attend a California Community College and then transfer to a qualifying baccalaureate-degree granting institution may be eligible for a California Community College Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant B. Eligible students must have at least a 2.4 community college GPA (of at least 24 semester units, or the equivalent, of degree credit), meet the financial and eligibility requirements, be under age 24 at the time of transfer and apply by March 2.

Cal Grant B Competitive Award

Other students who meet all the Cal Grant eligibility requirements and who have at least a 2.0 GPA may compete for a Cal Grant B Competitive award. Selection is based on a composite score that takes into consideration family income, parents’ educational level, GPA, time out of high school, high school performance standards and other factors, such as whether the student comes from a single-parent household or is a former foster youth.

Cal Grants for Teachers

Cal Grant A and B Awards for Use in Teaching Credential Programs

Students enrolled in a qualified teaching credential program may be eligible to renew their Cal Grant A or B award for an additional year after receiving their bachelor’s degree. Teaching Credential Program (TCP) participants must continue to meet Cal Grant A or B program requirements and demonstrate financial need. This is a benefit extension to an existing Cal Grant program award. Students must submit a Request for Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program Benefits Form (G-44).

Cal Grant A and B recipients are eligible to be paid Cal Grant TCP benefits for use in a teaching credential program if they:

  • Have received a bachelor’s degree
  • Are accepted and enrolled in a professional teacher preparation program at a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved institution within 15 months of the end of the term for which the recipient last received a Cal Grant payment
  • Have not received or submitted an application for an initial teaching credential, such as a preliminary or clear credential
  • Do not currently possess any other initial teaching credential
  • Maintain financial need for Cal Grant renewal
  • Will be enrolled in at least 3 units as an MAT student. MAT students are considered full time at 6 or more units. Students whose tuition charges are less than the Cal Grant award amount may have their award reduced to match the tuition amount.

Follow these steps to apply for Cal Grant TCP:


Step 1: Federal Student Aid ID     
Retrieve your Federal Student Aid ID you received when filling out the FAFSA. If you no longer remember your ID, you can retrieve it on the Federal Student Aid website.
 

Step 2: FAFSA on the Web
After retrieving your FSA ID, you are able to fill out the online version of the FAFSA. A new FAFSA must be filed for each school year attended. Please file your FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure timely processing of your financial aid package.

PLNU’s School Code: 001262


Step 3: Form G-44
The Request for Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program Benefits Form (Form G-44) must be submitted to the California Student Aid Commission within 15 months of either exhausting undergraduate Cal Grant benefits or of receiving a B.A. or B.S. degree. The commission must approve the G-44 application prior to PLNU awarding the Cal Grant.

For additional information about Cal Grants, visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) online at csac.ca.gov.
 

California Dream Act

The California Dream Act of 2011 allows undocumented and documented students who meet the requirements to apply for and receive CA state financial aid.  

Who is Eligible?

  • Students who have attended a CA high school for a minimum of three years
  • Students who graduate from a CA high school or pass the CA High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or get a General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • Students who are enrolled at an accredited and qualified CA college or university
  • Fill out an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as eligible

Students can apply online for a Cal Grant and other state aid using the CA Student Aid Commission's secure CA Dream Act Application at caldreamact.org. Apply for a Cal Grant by March 2.  

Your CA Dream Act application information is not shared with federal databases. Dream Act student and parent information is protected by the same privacy and information security laws and safeguards as all other Cal Grant Applicants.


Most of this information is extracted from the most current California Grant Manual (last published September 2004). For more information regarding California State aid and for income and asset ceilings, please visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website at csac.ca.gov or calgrants.org. CSAC administers the Cal Grant and other financial aid programs. Each program has specific eligibility requirements, award amounts, and selection requirements. 

Federal and State Grants

Federal Grants

Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant assists undergraduate students who have high financial need. Award amounts are based on the student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Formerly known as "Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab)," Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) helps students to pay tuition and mandatory fees. In addition, VR&E can sometimes be used to help pay for books. Award amounts are based on information provided by the student to the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office and must be verified by the issuing agency. If the student has filed a FAFSA, VR&E is treated as need-based aid. This means that if the student is receiving other federal, state, or institutional need-based aid, VR&E may cause other aid to be reduced or canceled to avoid the student from being funded in excess of demonstrated financial need.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act 

On March 23, 2018, the President signed Public Law 115-141, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which included an amendment to Section 473(b) of the Higher Education Act, authorizing the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship. Under this scholarship, beginning with the 2018-19 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC (up to 5486 for the 2018-19 award year), and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC and continues to be an eligible student.

For purposes of the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, a public safety officer is:

  • As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b); or
  • A fire police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event.

If you believe you are eligible for this federal scholarship, please contact Student Financial Services at gpsfinaid@pointloma.edu.

Federal TEACH Grant

The Federal TEACH Grant program provides funds to students who are completing coursework needed for a career in teaching and agree to teach, for at least four complete academic years, in a high-need field (see this federal list) at an elementary/secondary school or educational service agency (view a definition) that serves students from low-income families (see this federal list).

Annual Amount

Award Year Impacted Awards Statutory Maximum Scheduled Award Amount Percentage Reduction from Statutory Award Amount Dollar Reduction From Statutory Award Amount Adjusted Maximum Award Amount
2022-23 First disbursed on or after October 1, 2021, and before October 1, 2022 (FY22 Sequester) $4,000 5.70% $228 $3,772
2022-23 First disbursed on or after October 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2023 (FY 23 Sequester) $4,000 5.70% $228 $3,772

TEACH Grant Information

Entrance Counseling: As a condition for receiving a Federal TEACH Grant, you must complete annual entrance counseling, which informs you of your rights and responsibilities.

Agreement to Serve: As a condition for receiving a Federal TEACH Grant, you must sign an annual Agreement to Serve, promising to teach in a high-need field at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

Aggregate Limit: $8,000 for graduate students

Application

File the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (fafsa.gov), and indicate your interest to the GPS SFS office.

Who is Eligible

Students with at least a 3.25 GPA in these Graduate or Credential programs (New students qualify through their cumulative undergraduate or transfer GPA.):

  • MA in Teaching
  • MA in Special Education
  • Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential
  • Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential
  • Mild/Moderate Preliminary Teaching Credential
  • Moderate/Severe Preliminary Teaching Credential

Eligible Courses

Since the Federal TEACH Grant is designed for specific programs leading to highly qualified teachers, your enrollment must fall within your submitted program course listing.

Important: If you do not complete your service obligation, all Federal TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the Federal TEACH Grant was disbursed.

Learn more on the Department of Education’s website.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Formerly known as "Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab)", Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) helps students to pay tuition and mandatory fees. In addition, VR&E can sometimes be used to help pay for books. Award amounts are based on information provided by the student to the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office and must be verified by the issuing agency. If the student has filed a FAFSA, VR&E is treated as need-based aid. This means that if the student is receiving other federal, state or institutional need-based aid, VR&E may cause other aid to be reduced or cancelled to avoid the student from being funded in excess of demonstrated financial need.