Award Types

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is available to remove the cost barriers that may prevent you from pursuing your educational goals. Assistance is available from a variety of programs funded by federal, state, university and private sources. Students who demonstrate significant financial need may qualify for grant aid while students with less need may obtain low cost loans. Financial need is determined through a federal formula that assesses the family’s relative financial strength and ability to contribute to meeting the student’s educational costs.

Financial Aid Award Programs

FAFSA applicants will be considered for all types of financial aid listed below. CA Dream Act applicants will be considered for the state funded programs denoted with an asterisk (*). Please note: Cal Grant and Scholarships may require an additional Cal Grant GPA verification form if the student is a new applicant.

Grants
Federal State
  • Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
  • Cal Grant*
  • State University Grant*
  • Educational Opportunity Program Grant*
  • Middle Class Scholarship*
Loans
Federal Direct Loans Other Loans
  • Subsidized
  • Unsubsidized
  • PLUS (Parent and Graduate) Loans
  • Private Loans
  • California Dream Loan

Other Sources:

  • Federal Work Study
  • Scholarships

Award Types & Things to Know

Scholarships & Grants

  • Make sure you understand the conditions you must meet (for instance, you might have to maintain a certain grade-point average in order to continue receiving a scholarship, or your grant amount can change if your enrolled units change).

 Federal Work-Study

  • You don’t have to pay the money back, but you do have to work for it, so take into account that that’ll mean less time for studying. However, research has shown that students who work part-time jobs manage their time better than those who don’t!

 Loan Programs

  • Federal Student Loans - You’ll have to repay the money with interest. Subsidized loans don’t start accruing (accumulating) interest until you leave school, so accept a subsidized loan before an unsubsidized loan.
  • Federal PLUS Loans - The borrower (parent or graduate student) will have to repay the money with interest. The PLUS loans interests rates are higher then the other Federal student loan programs and require additional steps to be awarded. 
  • California Dream Loans - Available to students with a valid AB540 Affidavit on file and who have filed a California Dream Act application by the priority filing date. Interest does not accrue while student is in school. Repayment begins six months after a student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment.
  • Private loans - Private educational loans have different terms and conditions compared to Federal Direct student loans. To better your search and obtain competitive interest rates we highly advise you to compare current Federal Direct student loan options prior to seeking private funding.

CSU Net Price & Cost Calculator (CSUNPCC)

Use the net price calculator to get an estimate of your financial aid eligibility.   NOTE: The use of the net price calculator does not constitute an actual application for financial aid. To receive financial aid from a California State University campus, you must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act (CDA) Application. See How to Apply.

Eligibility for financial aid is the amount that remains after the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the cost of education. The cost of education is the amount the University estimates the student will spend to attend college for the academic year. The cost of education includes the basic State University Fee, various campus-based fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses.