To be eligible to receive a Cal Grant award under this chapter, a student shall be all of the following:

(a) A citizen of the United States, or an eligible noncitizen, as defined for purposes of financial aid programs under Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Secs. 1070 et seq., as from time to time amended).

(b) Not incarcerated.

(c) Not in default on any student loan within the meaning of Section 69507.5.

(d) (1) For purposes of Article 2 (commencing with Section 69434), Article 3 (commencing with Section 69435), and Article 4 (commencing with Section 69436), except as provided in subdivision (d) of Section 69436, at the time of high school graduation or its equivalent, be a resident of California.

(2) A student who does not meet the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent in the academic year immediately preceding the award year, but who meets the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent by December 31 of the academic year immediately following the date of application, satisfies any requirement for obtaining high school graduation or its equivalent for the purposes of this chapter as of the first day of the academic term immediately following the term in which the requirements for the high school diploma or its equivalent are met.

(3) No student shall receive an award for a term that begins before satisfying any requirement for obtaining high school graduation or its equivalent.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 262, Sec. 8. (SB 169) Effective September 23, 2021. Conditionally inoperative as prescribed in Section 69475 (if it becomes operative). Repealed conditionally pursuant to Section 69475 (if it becomes operative).)