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After Applying for Financial Aid 

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After you apply, your financial aid application will be sent to the CSUF Office of Financial Aid within 7 to 10 business days after you complete it. Your application will be processed by CSUF as long as:

  • You listed CSUF school code 001137 on your application for financial aid
  • For  FAFSA  applicants, you provided the correct Social Security Number to CSUF and on your FAFSA
  • For  CADAA  applicants, the name (last, first and middle) and date of birth on record (CSUF admissions application) with CSUF matches the name and date of birth on your California Dream Act Application

Additional Documents Requested

CADAA applicants - additional requirements to confirm your eligibility as an AB540 eligible student and receive financial aid. Complete forms below for the  Office of Admissions

    1. Submit a Residency form to determine your status and eligibility for AB540/CADAA financial aid: Initial Classification Form
    2. Financial aid will be delayed until students status is reviewed and confirmed by the Office of Admissions.

Financial Aid Notification

You will receive a financial aid award offer after your file has been completed and reviewed and your eligibility for aid has been finalized. The offer states the types and amounts of aid for which you qualify, and the semester for which the aid can be used.

Current CSUF students will begin receiving their aid notifications end of June, after  Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)  has been reviewed.

Remember, we may request additional information from you before we can finalize your offer. Be sure to check your email and CSUF Student Portal.

Making Corrections to FAFSA/CADAA

If you need to make corrections to your financial aid application, first contact us for guidance on best practice to make necessary updates. As making corrections may cause potential financial aid delays. 

Verification Submission

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Verification is a process required by the U.S. Department of Education and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that is intended to improve the accuracy of the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

If your financial aid application is selected for verification, you will be required to submit additional documentation. We will send you an email, as well as update your "To Do" list on your CSUF Student Portal. 

Email notifications of required documents are sent beginning in April.

Deadline for 2025-26

The document deadline is May 30, 2025. Documents received after May 30, 2025, will be reviewed in the order in which they are submitted and may lead to delays in financial aid disbursement and disqualification of state grants.

Continuing students will not have access to view their financial aid until all verification documents are submitted  and  reviewed. 

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Financial Aid Disbursements

The Office of Financial Aid works in conjunction with  Student Business Services (SBS) to pay accepted financial aid awards to students. The payment(s) are called "disbursement" and begin the week before classes start each semester.

With the exception of Chafee Grant, all financial aid, including Parent PLUS loans, will first be applied to all charges, which includes but not limited to: mandatory state, campus fees, and housing charges, if residing on campus. Any remaining financial aid after all charges are paid are refunded  to the student. Please see  SBS regarding issuing refunds or making payments.

Important Policy

  1. The Repeated Coursework Policy affects the student's disbursement as well. Please review the repeated coursework policy page for your knowledge.

  2. All student's financial aid will be re-evaluated at the census date, established by Admission and Records - based on locked enrollment. Student can be billed if enrollment drop below full-time.

2025-26 Disbursement Dates

Disbursement Dates
Semester First Disbursement Date
Fall 2025 August 13, 2025
Spring 2026 TBA

*MCS funds for the Spring semester will be released after census date.

Units of Enrollment Requirement for Disbursement Per Semester

Pell Grant Disbursement Requirement

Pell Grant Disbursements
Units Enrolled Enrollment Intensity Enrollment Status Equivalent
 12 (or more) 100%  Full-Time
 11 92%  Three-Quarter Time
 10 83%  Three-Quarter Time
 9  75% Three-Quarter Time
8 67% Half-Time
7 58% Half-Time
6 50% Half-Time
5 42% Less-than-Half-Time
4 33% Less-than-Half-Time
3 25% Less-than-Half-Time
2 17% Less-than-Half-Time
1 8% Less-than-Half-Time

*Important Note: A higher Student Aid Index (SAI), requires more units of enrollment to be eligible for a Pell disbursement.

FSEOG and Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS) Disbursement Requirement

FSEOG and Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS) Disbursement Requirement
Enrollment Status Number of Units Enrolled Percentage of Disbursement Amount
Full-Time 12 or more units 100%
Three-Quarter-Time 9-11 units 100%
Half-Time 6-8 units 100%
Less-Than-Half-Time 1-5 units Not Eligible

A graduate student taking 500 level or higher course(s) that is considered 4 units, meets the 6 units requirement for a loan disbursement.
*Courses that are 500 level or higher, the units are counted 1.5 times more.  Independent study course(s), the units are not counted 1.5 times more.

EOP Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and Cal Grant Disbursement Requirement

EOP Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and Cal Grant Disbursement Requirement
Enrollment Status Number of Units Enrolled Percentage of Disbursed Amount
Full-Time 12 or more units 100%
Three-Quarter-Time 9-11 units 75%
Half-Time 6-8 units 50%
Less-Than-Half-Time 1-5 units 0%

State University Grant Disbursement Requirement

State University Grant Disbursement Requirement
Actual Units of Enrollment Requirement Disbursed Amount
7 or more units of enrollment Full-Time Tuition Fee*
6 units of enrollment Part-Time Tuition Fee*
1-5 units of enrollment Not Eligible

*Tuition Fee can be found on  Student Business Services.

Direct Deposit and Payment Options

CSUF offers a variety of payment options outside of financial aid. For additional information or questions regarding other payment options, visit Student Business Services (SBS).

Direct Deposit and Payment Options
Resource Type Description
Direct Deposit Enroll in Direct Deposit through your  Student Homepage with an active checking or savings account from the United States. After the account is verified, you will receive your funds sooner and more securely than checks in the mail. Allow 2 to 5 business days to activate your Direct Deposit. 
Tuition Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) The TIPP breaks up Tuition Fees (State fees) or Non-Resident Tuition Fee (Out-of-State fees) in monthly installments. There is a $33 non-refundable fee to enroll per semester.
Payment Deadlines View information on registration and payment deadlines. 
Payment Options Find out more regarding the options and fees you have to pay the rest of your balance through your bank account, debit/credit card, international funds, etc.  
1098-T Instructions on retrieving a students 1098-T.