Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth
Offered by California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) · Free to apply
Foster youth who receive a Cal Grant can also receive an Access Award of up to $6,000 a year toward living costs, which is significantly more than the standard access award other students receive. There is nothing extra to fill in: foster status is verified automatically with the California Department of Social Services, so a student who qualifies for a Cal Grant and has the right foster history simply receives it. It attaches to both Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B, not only to B as is often assumed. Because it is an automatic supplement rather than a competition, there are no odds to calculate here.
Other deadlines near this one
- Cal Grant A (High School Entitlement)Due March 2, 2027 · Full systemwide tuition & fees at UC/CSU; $9,358/yr at private nonprofits (2025-26 rate)
- Cal Grant A/B Competitive AwardDue March 2, 2027 · Follows the Cal Grant A and B award schedules
- Cal Grant B (High School Entitlement)Due March 2, 2027 · Up to $1,648/yr access award every year; adds full tuition & fees from year 2
How hard is the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to California residents
- Fewer rivalsRequires a specific life circumstance
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of California
- Must attend a college in California (the award does not travel out of state)
- Open to high school seniors, current college students, and transfer students
- For current or former foster youth
- Age 26 or younger
- You must already qualify for a Cal Grant. This is a supplement to Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B, not a standalone award.
- Requires having been a dependent or ward of the court in out-of-home foster placement at any time since age 13.
- Must be under 26 as of July 1 of the award year.
- There is NO separate application. Foster status is verified automatically with the California Department of Social Services.
- Undocumented and AB 540 students apply using the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) instead of the FAFSA. The window runs October 1 to March 2.
Personalized matching
Does your student actually qualify?
Not sure your student clears every rule above? Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is March 2, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around March 2 each year. Applications open October 1. Nothing extra to submit. File your FAFSA or CADAA and Cal Grant GPA by March 2 and this is added automatically if you qualify.
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
- Applications close
- March 2, 2027
Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.
Common questions about the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth
How much is the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth worth?
The Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth awards up to $6,000 per year, on top of your Cal Grant and is renewable in later years.
When is the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth deadline?
The current deadline is March 2, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around March 2 each year. Applications open October 1. Nothing extra to submit. File your FAFSA or CADAA and Cal Grant GPA by March 2 and this is added automatically if you qualify.
When do Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth applications open?
Applications open October 1, and close March 2, 2027. Nothing extra to submit. File your FAFSA or CADAA and Cal Grant GPA by March 2 and this is added automatically if you qualify.
Who is eligible for the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of California; Must attend a college in California (the award does not travel out of state); Open to high school seniors, current college students, and transfer students; For current or former foster youth. 1 more criteria are listed on this page.
Does the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as qualify and receive, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.
Is the Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth free to apply?
Yes. The Cal Grant Access Award for Foster Youth is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- Cal Grant B (High School Entitlement)Up to $1,648/yr access award every year; adds full tuition & fees from year 2 · due March 2, 2027
- Cal Grant CAbout $3,009/yr for up to 2 years (access award up to $4,000 for foster youth and students with dependents) · due March 2, 2027
- CalVet College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents (Plan A)Waives all systemwide tuition and fees at any CCC, CSU or UC campus · due June 30, 2027
- CalVet College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents (Plan B)Waives all systemwide tuition and fees at any CCC, CSU or UC campus · due June 30, 2027
- CalVet College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents (Plan C)Waives all systemwide tuition and fees at any CCC, CSU or UC campus · due June 30, 2027
- CalVet College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents (Plan D)Waives all systemwide tuition and fees at any CCC, CSU or UC campus · due June 30, 2027
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.