(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, Cal Grant A awards and Cal Grant B awards may be renewed for a total of the equivalent of four years of full-time attendance in an undergraduate program, provided that minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist. Commencing with the 2001–02 academic year, the total number of years of eligibility for grants pursuant to this section shall be based on the student’s educational level in his or her course of study as designated by the institution of attendance when the recipient initially receives payment for a grant.

(b) (1) Commencing with the 2014–15 academic year, a recipient who was determined to be ineligible for a renewal award in the 2012–13 or 2013–14 academic year because he or she exceeded the maximum household income or asset level established by subdivision (k) of Section 69432.7, or failed to meet the minimum need threshold established by paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, shall be eligible to receive a renewal award if the recipient meets all program eligibility requirements for the program from which he or she was previously disqualified and the recipient has remaining renewal award eligibility. For purposes of determining a student’s remaining renewal award eligibility, an academic year during which a student was ineligible shall reduce his or her renewal award eligibility by one full-time equivalent year.

(2) Commencing with the 2015–16 academic year, a recipient who is determined to be ineligible for a renewal award because, during the immediately preceding academic year, he or she exceeded the maximum household income or asset level established by subdivision (k) of Section 69432.7, or failed to meet the minimum need threshold established by paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, shall be eligible to receive a renewal award if the recipient meets all program eligibility requirements for the program from which he or she was previously disqualified and the recipient has remaining renewal award eligibility. For purposes of determining a student’s remaining renewal award eligibility, an academic year during which a student was ineligible shall reduce his or her renewal award eligibility by one full-time equivalent year.

(c) For a student enrolled in an institutionally prescribed five-year undergraduate program, Cal Grant A awards and Cal Grant B awards may be renewed for a total of five years of full-time attendance, provided that minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist.

(d) (1) A Cal Grant Program award recipient who has completed a baccalaureate degree, and who has been admitted to and is enrolled in a program of professional teacher preparation at an institution approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is eligible for, but not entitled to, renewal of a Cal Grant Program award for an additional year of full-time attendance, if minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist.

(2) Payment for an additional year is limited to only those courses required for an initial teaching authorization. An award made under this subdivision may not be used for other courses.

(3) A student’s Cal Grant Program renewal eligibility shall not have lapsed more than 15 months before the payment of an award for purposes of this subdivision.

(e) (1) For a current or former foster youth, Cal Grant B awards may be renewed for a total of the equivalent of eight years of full-time attendance in an undergraduate program, provided that minimum financial need, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 69432.9, continues to exist.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “current or former foster youth” means a person whose dependency was established or continued by the court on or after the date on which the person reached 13 years of age.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 33, Sec. 12. (AB 1809) Effective June 27, 2018.)