2008 Woodie Awards
Cal Grant deadline approaching
Joe Thomas, Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/22/06 Section: News
How would you like to have an extra $1,260 in your pocket every semester? Books, rent, tuition, and food, are all a part of the educational experience, and the costs certainly pile up. This would be more than enough to cover books and the Friday night beer run. All you need to do is complete the necessary forms by the Mar. 2 deadline, and you could be on your way to making serious bank.
Unlike a loan, the Cal Grant is "free money" that students do not need to pay back. Students may receive a Cal Grant if they have a GPA of 2.0 or greater, meet certain financial requirements, and submit two forms. Students who wish to apply for the Cal Grant must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by Mar. 2.
According to Susan Gutierrez, the director of financial aid, students who currently have a Cal Grant do not have to submit a new GPA to CSAC but must still file a 2006-07 FAFSA.
"Most current SSU undergraduates who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors will automatically have their GPA verified and sent to CSAC as long as SSU has received the results of your 2005-06 or 2006-07 FAFSA by the end of February," said Gutierrez.
The Cal Grant is funded by the State of California and it is administered through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). The CSAC started as a small state scholarship agency in 1955. Their main goal was to make post-secondary education affordable to high school graduates. Presently the CASC administers more than $3.5 billion in grant and loan money.
There are two different types of Cal Grants, the first being Cal Grant A that pays $2,520 per academic year, or $1,260 per semester. Cal Grant B is a bit more complex, for the first year of eligibility recipients receive a stipend of $1,551 for the academic year. For every year of eligibility thereafter the grant pays $3,683 per academic year.
Students who are awarded a Cal Grant have eight semesters of eligibility. Those who receive a new Cal Grant after their freshman year will have reduced eligibility based on their grade level.
Unlike a loan, the Cal Grant is "free money" that students do not need to pay back. Students may receive a Cal Grant if they have a GPA of 2.0 or greater, meet certain financial requirements, and submit two forms. Students who wish to apply for the Cal Grant must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by Mar. 2.
According to Susan Gutierrez, the director of financial aid, students who currently have a Cal Grant do not have to submit a new GPA to CSAC but must still file a 2006-07 FAFSA.
"Most current SSU undergraduates who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors will automatically have their GPA verified and sent to CSAC as long as SSU has received the results of your 2005-06 or 2006-07 FAFSA by the end of February," said Gutierrez.
The Cal Grant is funded by the State of California and it is administered through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). The CSAC started as a small state scholarship agency in 1955. Their main goal was to make post-secondary education affordable to high school graduates. Presently the CASC administers more than $3.5 billion in grant and loan money.
There are two different types of Cal Grants, the first being Cal Grant A that pays $2,520 per academic year, or $1,260 per semester. Cal Grant B is a bit more complex, for the first year of eligibility recipients receive a stipend of $1,551 for the academic year. For every year of eligibility thereafter the grant pays $3,683 per academic year.
Students who are awarded a Cal Grant have eight semesters of eligibility. Those who receive a new Cal Grant after their freshman year will have reduced eligibility based on their grade level.