California Financial Aid 2027–28: Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and the CA Dream Act

Key 2027–28 Dates

CSAC also notes that "some colleges have earlier deadlines," so check each school you're applying to.

FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application?

CSAC says you only need to complete one, and you file again every year. The FAFSA is for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, T-visa holders, and other eligible noncitizens, and it's the only way to get federal aid such as the Pell Grant. The CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) is California's own application for students who can't file the FAFSA and who meet the requirements for the nonresident tuition exemption (AB 540). CSAC lists:

• •Undocumented students
• •DACA recipients (valid or expired)
• •Students with a U visa
• •Students with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

CADAA filers can get state and college aid, including the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship. CSAC says CADAA information "is only used to determine eligibility for state financial aid" and is never shared with the federal government or used for immigration enforcement.

Mixed-status families. CSAC's mixed-status family page, written for 2026–27, says a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen whose parent or spouse is undocumented can complete the CADAA if they meet the nonresident tuition exemption requirements, and can still file the FAFSA later to be considered for federal aid. Check that page for any 2027–28 update before you choose.

The Cal Grant

There's no separate application. CSAC considers you when you file the FAFSA or CADAA on time, using your financial need, a verified GPA, the kind of California college you list, and whether you're a recent high school graduate. According to CSAC, you must, among other things:

• •Be a California resident attending a Cal Grant eligible school, enrolled at least half-time
• •Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, eligible noncitizen, or meet the AB 540 exemption
• •Be working toward your first undergraduate degree or certificate, with no bachelor's or professional degree
• •Show financial need and be under the income and asset ceilings
• •Have a verified high school GPA, college GPA, or test score on file with CSAC
• •Keep up satisfactory academic progress

The Cal Grant is available for up to 4 years of full-time attendance, with some exceptions such as teaching credential programs.

Three award types

You don't pick one. CSAC places you in the type that fits (award types):

Students with dependent children and current or former foster youth can get a larger access award: up to $6,000 with Cal Grant A or B, or up to $4,000 with Cal Grant C.

How much: the latest posted amounts

As of September 26, 2026, CSAC posts only 2026–27 maximums. 2027–28 amounts depend on next year's state budget. For 2026–27, the maximum Cal Grant A was:

Cal Grant B paid the same tuition amounts from the second year, plus the $1,648 access award. Cal Grant C paid up to $1,094 for books and supplies at a community college, or $2,462 for tuition and fees plus $547 for books and supplies at a private school. UC uses a cohort system: each incoming class gets its own amount, which stays the same for up to six years.

Entitlement vs. competitive awards

If you qualify for an entitlement award, you're guaranteed a Cal Grant. There's no cap on the number. Competitive awards are limited (award cycles).

• •High School Entitlement: current high school seniors and last year's graduates. Deadline March 2, 2027.
• •Transfer Entitlement: transferring from a California community college to a four-year school with no gap year, and under age 28 by December 31 of the award year. List the university on your FAFSA or CADAA. Deadline March 2, 2027.
• •Community College Entitlement: community college students who didn't get a Cal Grant A or B at high school graduation. Deadline September 2, 2027. It can move with you to a UC or CSU, but not to a private school.
• •Competitive: for students going to a UC, CSU, or eligible private school who don't get an entitlement award. Deadline March 2, 2027. Community college students can't get this one; Cal Grant C has its own competitive cycle with the September 2, 2027 deadline.

To keep any of these awards in later years, you must receive at least one Cal Grant payment in the first year (Cal Grant A held in community college reserve is the exception).

2027–28 Cal Grant Income and Asset Limits

CSAC posted the 2027–28 limits on June 24, 2026. They apply to new applicants and renewing recipients, and CSAC says they're "subject to change until the annual state budget is passed." (source PDF)

Asset ceilings: $117,500 for dependent students (and independent students with dependents other than a spouse), and $55,900 for other independent students.

The Middle Class Scholarship

The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) helps low- to middle-income undergraduates, including teaching credential students, at a UC, a CSU, or a California community college bachelor's degree program. It doesn't cover other community college programs or private colleges. There's no separate application; your school sends enrollment data to CSAC.

The dependent-student income limit rose from $250,000 in 2026–27 (2027–28 source PDF). The award amount isn't fixed. CSAC says it depends on your cost of attendance and other aid, how many students qualify statewide, and state budget funding. The exception is current and former foster youth, for whom it can cover the rest of the cost of attendance. It lasts up to 8 semesters or 12 quarters, and CSAC notifies selected students by mid to late August.

Deadline: CSAC says the MCS deadline is "typically March 2, but could change for some academic years." For 2026–27 it was March 2, 2026 for CADAA filers and March 3, 2026 for FAFSA filers. As of September 26, 2026, CSAC hasn't posted a separate 2027–28 MCS date, so plan on March 2, 2027.

Your Checklist Before March 2, 2027

1. 1 File the 2027–28 FAFSA or CADAA. List every California college you're considering, and if you're transferring, list the university.
2. 2 About a week later, create a WebGrants 4 Students account. That's where you see and manage your Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship.
3. 3 Check that your GPA is listed. CSAC says most high schools and colleges submit it automatically, "but it is your responsibility to confirm." If it's missing, contact your high school or college.
4. 4 Watch your email, including spam, for requests for documents.
5. 5 Starting in February, if you're offered a Cal Grant, confirm your school of attendance in WebGrants 4 Students, and your high school graduation if asked.

WebGrants 4 Students is separate from your FAFSA and college accounts, and CSAC says each has to be checked on its own.

If You Miss March 2, 2027

If you'll attend a community college, you still have until September 2, 2027. For the high school entitlement, transfer entitlement, and competitive Cal Grant, March 2, 2027 is the date, and the same goes for the Middle Class Scholarship unless CSAC posts a different one.

CSAC can extend a deadline by up to 30 calendar days, but students don't request it. It happens when a school district superintendent or college president formally requests it after a qualifying event, or when the Governor or President declares a state of emergency (deadline postponement).

Federal aid runs on a later clock. See what happens if you miss the FAFSA deadline, and our state aid deadlines guide for other states.