Short answer: Cal Grant and most state aid: March 2, 2027. California Community College Cal Grants: September 2, 2027. The federal deadline is June 30, 2028, but state money is limited, so file well before the state date.
California state aid deadlines for 2027-28
| Deadline | Applies to | Details |
|---|---|---|
| March 2, 2027 | Cal Grant and most state aid | Submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application no later than March 2, 2027 (date postmarked). Cal Grant also requires a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2027. This is also the Middle Class Scholarship deadline. |
| September 2, 2027 | California Community College Cal Grants | For additional community college Cal Grants, submit your FAFSA or CADAA by September 2, 2027 (date postmarked). |
| June 30, 2028 | Federal deadline | 11:59 p.m. Central time. Corrections due by September 12, 2028. |
State programs
- Cal Grant (California Student Aid Commission)
- Middle Class Scholarship
- California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for noncitizen students without a Social Security number or with one issued through DACA
What to know
- Your high school usually uploads your GPA, but confirm with your counselor. If it doesn't, you can submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form yourself.
- March 2 is also the priority financial aid deadline at most California colleges.
- Colleges can set their own, earlier priority dates. Check each school's financial aid office.
Sources
- Federal Student Aid: FAFSA deadlines (2027-28)
- California Student Aid Commission: important dates and deadlines
- CSAC: Cal Grant GPA Verification Form 2027-28
Checked November 2, 2026 against the official pages above. Deadlines can change, so confirm on the official site before you file.
See FAFSA deadlines in other states (Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan), or read how to pay for college with the FAFSA, Pell Grants and state aid.