Grants

Cal Grant

Cal Grant is a tuition-specific, state-funded award provided by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). It does not need to be repaid and is available to eligible California residents who demonstrate financial need.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for a Cal Grant, students must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Be a California resident
  • Demonstrate financial need (based on FAFSA)
  • Meet income and asset ceilings
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA (varies by award type)
  • Attend a Cal Grant-participating California college or university
  • Be in a program leading to a degree or certificate
  • Meet Selective Service requirements (if applicable)
  • Not have a prior bachelor’s or professional degree
  • Not be incarcerated or in default on a student loan

Important: Submit both the FAFSA and a verified GPA by March 2 for priority consideration.

Types of Cal Grants at PLNU

Cal Grant A

  • Covers tuition and fees for students with at least a 3.0 GPA.
  • Entitlement: Guaranteed for recent high school graduates who meet all requirements.
  • Transfer Entitlement: For community college students transferring to PLNU with a GPA of 2.4+ and under age 24.
  • Competitive: For students who meet all criteria but are not recent graduates. Awards are limited and based on a composite score (GPA, income, family background, etc.).

Cal Grant B

  • Primarily for students with exceptional financial need and at least a 2.0 GPA.
  • First-year students may receive an access grant for living expenses, books, and transportation.
  • Starting in the second year, Cal Grant B may also cover tuition and fees, equal to Cal Grant A.
  • Entitlement: Guaranteed for eligible recent high school graduates.
  • Transfer Entitlement: For community college transfers (GPA 2.4+, under age 24).
  • Competitive: Limited awards based on similar criteria as Cal Grant A Competitive.

How to Apply

  1. Submit the FAFSA by March 2
  2. Submit a verified GPA to CSAC
  • High school seniors or students with 24 or fewer college units: GPA must be submitted by your high school.
  • College students with more than 24 units: GPA must be submitted by your college (PLNU or previous institution).
  • Homeschooled students may submit ACT, SAT I, or GED test scores instead.

Learn more about the FAFSA »

Renewal Requirements

  • Submit a FAFSA each year
  • Maintain financial eligibility
  • Demonstrate at least $1,500 of need
  • Meet satisfactory academic progress
  • No GPA submission is needed for renewal

If you’re transferring to PLNU with an existing Cal Grant, be sure to submit a school change request at webgrants4students.org or call CSAC at (888) 224-7268.

California Residency Requirements

Residency depends on your age and dependent status:

Under 18, unmarried: You’re a resident if a parent or legal caregiver is a California resident.

18 or older, or married: You must establish your own California residency and legal presence in the U.S.

Pell Grant 

The Federal Pell Grant provides need-based aid to undergraduate students with high financial need.

Award amounts are determined by: 

  • Your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) (as calculated by the FAFSA)
  • Your enrollment status (full-time or part-time)

This grant does not need to be repaid.

Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG)

Eligible students enrolled in a CTC-approved teacher preparation program, including pupil personnel services credentials, may receive up to $10,000 through the Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG).

Recipients must:

  • Complete their program and earn their credential within 6 years of receiving the first grant disbursement.
  • Commit to teaching for 2–4 years in a California priority school or in a California State Preschool Program (CSPP), as outlined in their Service Agreement.

Please note: Work completed prior to earning your credential does not count toward the service commitment.

Important: Eligibility and award amounts for the 2025–26 academic year are subject to change based on the finalized State Budget in July 2025. 

Visit the GSTG Overview for the most current details.

Cal Grants for Teachers

Cal Grant A & B: Teaching Credential Program Extension

Planning to become a teacher? If you received a Cal Grant A or B as an undergrad, you may qualify for one additional year of Cal Grant funding while completing a teaching credential program in California.

Who's Eligible?


To qualify for Cal Grant TCP (Teaching Credential Program) benefits, you must:

  • Have earned a bachelor’s degree
  • Be enrolled in a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing–approved program within 15 months of your last Cal Grant payment
  • Not yet hold or have applied for an initial teaching credential (e.g., preliminary or clear)
  • Maintain financial need
  • Be enrolled in at least 3 units (MAT students are full-time at 6+ units)
  • Submit Form G-44 to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)

Note: If tuition is less than your Cal Grant award, the grant may be reduced to match.

How to Apply

Step 1: Retrieve your FSA ID

Needed to file the FAFSA. Lost it? Recover it at studentaid.gov.

Step 2: File the FAFSA

Submit a new FAFSA each academic year. 
PLNU School Code: 001262

Step 3: Submit Form G-44

Complete the G-44 Form within 15 months of receiving your bachelor’s degree or exhausting Cal Grant funds. CSAC must approve it before PLNU can apply the funds.

More Info: csac.ca.gov
 

California Dream Act

The California Dream Act of 2011 allows certain undocumented and documented students to access state financial aid, including Cal Grants, at eligible California colleges and universities.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, students must:

  • Attend a California high school for at least three years
  • Graduate from a California high school or earn a GED or CHSPE
  • Be enrolled at an accredited California college or university
  • Submit an affidavit (if required) to legalize immigration status when eligible

How to Apply

Students can apply for financial aid through the secure California Dream Act Application.

📅 Apply by March 2 to be considered for Cal Grants and other forms of state financial aid.

Note: Dream Act application data is not shared with federal databases. Student and parent information is protected under the same privacy laws as all other Cal Grant applicants.

Learn More

To explore specific programs, award amounts, income and asset ceilings, or eligibility requirements, visit: 

CSAC administers Cal Grants and other state-funded financial aid programs.

Federal TEACH Grant

The Federal TEACH Grant offers up to $4,000 per year to students preparing for a career in teaching. To receive the grant, you must agree to:

  • Teach for at least 4 full academic years
  • In a high-need field (view list)
  • At a school or educational agency that serves low-income students (view list)

Annual Amount

Award YearDisbursement DatesMax AmountReductionFinal Award
2024-25Oct 1, 2024 – Sept 30, 2025$4,0005.70%$3,772
2025-26Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2026$4,0005.70%$3,772

Requirements


FAFSA: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • GPA: Minimum 3.25 GPA (or qualify based on undergrad/transfer GPA for new students)
  • Programs: Must be enrolled in one of the following:
    • 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
  • Entrance Counseling: Complete annually
  • Agreement to Serve: Sign annually, committing to meet the teaching requirements
  • Course Enrollment: Must match your approved program plan
  • Aggregate Limit: $8,000 total for graduate students


Important

If you don’t fulfill the service obligation, your grant will be converted into a Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan, with interest charged from the date you received the funds.

Learn more at the U.S. Department of Education TEACH Grant page.