Financial Aid Information
IMPORTANT: The annual California deadline for the FAFSA is MARCH 2
Financial Aid Websites:
- FAFSA - Free Application For Federal Student Aid - the most important financial aid application you can fill out for college. Schools, scholarships, federal and state government use this document to determine eligibility for aid.
- Cal Grants - California financial aid for students. If eligible, you do not have to pay this money back.
- California College's Finance Guide - This page will help you understand college costs and financial aid as well as give you tools to develop your own college financing plan.
- Fin Aid - A website dedicated to financial aid information.
- Financial Aid Facts - Information from financial aid counselors who were troubled at the amount of inaccurate financial aid information there is out on the internet.
- Financial Aid Finder - Check out "Top 7 Financial Aid Mistakes Students Make"
- CSU Fullerton's Financial Aid Office - For general financial aid information, as well as more specific information for CSU Fullerton students.
Financial Aid Websites for Parents:
- NACAC's Parent's Guide to Financial Aid - A great introduction to financial aid for parents.
- MSNBC's "Paying for college without breaking the bank"
- Fin Aid's tips for parents
- College Board's financial aid information for parents
- Financial Aid for Single Parents
- Tax Incentives for Education-related Expenses - Learn how to maximize tax incentives while your student is in college.
Financial Aid Vocabulary:
These are general explanations intended to help you understand financial aid terms. As with any legal document, make sure to read your papers carefully. If you need help, call the college financial aid office, bring your papers to your Upward Bound Representative, or call us at the office: (657)278-8545.
- Expected Financial Contribution (EFC): What you and your family are expected to contribute for the cost of your college education, based off the information you put into the FAFSA.
- Grants: Free money! Usually based on financial need or G.P.A., you automatically apply for grants when you fill out the FAFSA.
- Scholarships: Free money! The money comes from different organizations (government, schools, private foundations/organizations, individuals), and each application process is different.
- Interest: The percentage at which the bank charges you for borrowing money. The higher the percentage, the more money you will have to pay back.
- Loans: Money you borrow that you MUST
pay back. There are several different types of loans:
- Public/Federal Loans: Money you borrow from the
government. There are two different types of federal loans:
- Subsidized Loans: The government will pay the interest while you are enrolled in college, so if you borrow $3000 at the beginning of your freshman year, you will still owe $3000 in your senior year of school (assuming you never left school).
- Unsubsidized Loans: The government will NOT pay the interest while you are enrolled in college, so if you borrow $3000 at the beginning of your freshman year, assuming the interest rate was 8.5% (the maximum interest possible) and you made no payments for the four years you were in school, you would owe $4,159 the end of your senior year.
- Private Loans: Money you borrow from a private institution, such as a bank or credit union. The interest rates are generally higher than federal loans, and private loans also charge interest while you are attending school.
- Public/Federal Loans: Money you borrow from the
government. There are two different types of federal loans:
- Work study: Money to work at school.
For more financial aid terms, click here.