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Important Information for Cal Grant Recipients (February 2009)
Information for Cal Grant Recipients
The State Controller's Office has received the following information on the effect of a 30-day delay of payments to the Cal Grant program. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. Students with questions or concerns should contact their institution's Financial Aid Office for specific information.
University of California
A 30-day delay of payments to the Cal Grant program is expected to have no practical impact on UC students. A January 28 letter from the President of the UC system directed UC chancellors to take temporary measures to fund Cal Grant through the end of this fiscal year.
California State University
A 30-day delay in payments to the Cal Grant program is expected to have no practical impact on CSU students. A January 15 letter from the Chancellor to CSU presidents directed universities to cover Cal Grant A payments by deferring student payment of the University fee. Students who receive a cash stipend through Cal Grant B will be covered by Pell Grant awards and be given access to short-term emergency loans to manage the shortfall. These actions are expected to fully cover all students through at least the initial 30-day deferral period.
CSU press release on Cal Grants
Community Colleges
Our office has been informed that a 30-day delay of payments to the Cal Grant program may impact a small share of community college students. Community College students receive these payments at the beginning of a term, and with 106 of 110 community colleges starting in January, most of these payments have already been made. For students at the three community colleges on a quarterly system, the Chancellor of Community Colleges is taking steps to mitigate impacts on the remaining students.
Private Institutions
Our office has been informed that private colleges and universities are trying to mitigate the impact of the delayed payments by borrowing from internal funds and seeking loans from banks. The overall impact is expected to be minor.
General Information on Cal Grants
For general information on the Cal Grant program, including how to apply, please see the California Student Aid Commission's CalGrants.org Web Site.