Financial Information
Choosing to live on campus at Cal State Fullerton is a significant financial commitment. All students applying for housing are expected to read and understand their financial responsibilities before submitting an application.
As a resident, you are responsible for knowing your charges, monitoring your installment dates, and ensuring all payments are made on time. Failure to meet financial deadlines may result in late fees, account holds, or referral to collections.
Understanding Housing Charges
Housing charges generally include:
- Your assigned room and housing community
- Utilities and internet
- Residential services and amenities
- Required meal plan
Additional charges may apply for situations such as:
- Cleaning
- Damages
- Key replacements
- Lockouts
These additional charges are assessed only when applicable.
- Housing is not guaranteed
- Charges vary by community and room type
- Installment payments must be made on time
- Additional fees may apply as needed
- Financial aid does not typically cover all housing costs
- Students remain financially responsible for all charges on their account
Financial Aid and Housing
Students who qualify for financial aid will have those funds automatically applied to their student account once all requirements have been met.
It is important to understand that:
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Financial aid applies to tuition and fees first
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Housing charges are applied second
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Additional non mandatory charges are applied last
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Federal Financial aid packages do not cover the full cost of tuition and housing
This means students will still have an out-of-pocket balance after financial aid is applied.
The Office of Financial Aid is solely responsible for awarding and disbursing financial aid. Students should regularly check their Student Homepage for financial aid tasks and updates.
Housing staff only has access to a summary view of financial aid and can assist with general questions about how aid applies to housing charges.
How Financial Aid Is Disbursed
Once a student completes all financial aid requirements, funds are applied in the following order:
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University tuition and mandatory campus fees
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Housing room and board charges
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Other non mandatory student account charges
If any credit remains after all charges are paid, the remaining balance is refunded to the student by direct deposit or paper check.
Financial aid disburses once per semester. Annual aid is divided between the Fall and Spring terms.
Student Loans
Many students use loans to help cover housing costs. Loan options may include:
Federal and PLUS loans are applied to student accounts through the same financial aid process. Private loans may be disbursed either directly to the student or to the university, depending on the lender.
What am I eligible for?
First-Time First-Year Students (Recent High School Graduates)
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- Residence Halls
- Suites
- Double Apartments
Non-First-Year Students (Returning, Transfer, Graduate)Suites
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- Double Occupancy Apartments
- Single Occupancy Apartments
How Payments Work
All housing related charges are posted directly to your student account through Student Business Services. Housing does not accept payments directly.
For mandatory housing fees, the total semester balance is posted to the student account at once and automatically divided into multiple installment due dates. This is not a traditional monthly rent structure. Instead, the semester balance is paid within the first part of the semester.
After the installment period ends, no additional room and board payments are due for the remainder of that semester unless extra charges are added.
If extra fees are assessed, those charges are due immediately and may be paid separately from room and board.
