Cal Grant

The majority of financial aid granted to Caltech undergraduates comes from grants.  Grants are considered "gift aid": they do not have to repaid or earned.  Because of this, grants are the most beneficial form of financial aid.

All scholarships and grants at Caltech are need-based, as the Institute does not have a merit aid program.  Undergraduate students who fill out a financial aid application will be automatically taken into consideration for scholarships and grants from Caltech and the federal government.  Awards are also available from state governments, but the application process varies by state.

Eligibility Criteria/ Scholarship Guidelines

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards provide to residents of California.  California residents who apply for financial aid at Caltech are required to apply for a Cal Grant.  There are two types of Cal Grants:

Cal Grant A: awarded based on financial need and academic achievement.  The program is meant to assist with the cost of tuition and fees.

Cal Grant B: awarded to students from disadvantaged/low-income families.  First-year Cal Grant B recipients are granted a monthly stipend for living expenses.  In subsequent years, Cal Grant B recipients will receive tuition and fee assistance in addition to the monthly stipend.

How to Apply

To apply for a Cal Grant, California residents must:

File a FAFSA.

Return the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to CSAC.