Glossary

Cal Grant A and B

Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B are awards funded by the State of California and administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). UCSB is responsible for verifying that Cal Grant recipients continue to meet the eligibility requirements in the renewal years.

Cal Grant and Census Date Units: Each quarter's Cal Grant is partially based on whether an eligible student is enrolled full-time (12 or more units), 3/4-time (9-11.5 units), or 1/2-time (6-8.5 units). This measurement will be taken at census date (one day after the last day to add classes on GOLD). Students who are enrolled less than full-time on census date will have their Cal Grant for that quarter reduced to a level that reflects their enrollment level.

Cal Grant A

  • Awarded to students form low and middle income families.
  • Provides tuition assistance only. Maximum program length is 4 years

Cal Grant B

  • Awarded to students from disadvantaged and low income families.
  • Provides an “access grant” only for subsistence expenses in the first year; thereafter, Cal Grant B recipients get the access grant as well as tuition assistance. To distinguish between these components, UCSB splits Cal Grant B awards into two awards:
    1. “Cal Grant B: Tuition” for that portion that partially covers mandatory UC tuition; and
    2. “Cal Grant B: Stipend” for that portion that is an “access grant” to cover subsistence expenses.

Cal Grant B recipients may elect to receive the full disbursement of their Access award to use towards educational expenses or have it applied to any outstanding balances on the student's BARC account. By choosing the first option, Cal Grant B recipients are responsible to resolve any account balances with BARC. Please contact the Cal Grant Coordinator for more information.