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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Admissions

I recently submitted my application. How do I know if it was received?

Once your application has been received by the campus, an acknowledgment email will be sent to the email address listed on your application. The email will include your student ID number, your selected major, your residency status, and information about your next steps.

How do I set up my Portal?

To access CSUF portal, use your CWID (Campus-Wide ID) and registration PIN that you received in the email from CSU (California State University) Fullerton. If you cannot obtain your CWID and PIN, you may go to the CSUF Office of Admissions to get this information.

Why am I classified as a non-California resident?

a. Residence status is based on the application for admission, Residence Questionnaire, Reclassification Request Form, or as submitted by the student.

b. A student who fails to submit adequate information to establish classification as a California resident will be classified as a nonresident.

Do I need an associate degree for Transfer to meet the admission requirements?

  1. No, an Associate’s Degree or an Associate Degree for Transfer is not needed to meet the admission requirements.
  2. Transfer students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements a semester prior to enrollment.
  3. CSUF does not accept lower division transfers (less than 60 semester/90 quarter) units.
  4. A major must be declared when completing the application; alternatives are not considered.

Is there a minimum GPA I need to have?

  1. First-Time Freshman:
    1. California residents and graduates of California high schools will be eligible for admission by earning a 2.50 or greater “a-g” GPA.
    2. Non-California residents may be eligible for admission to the CSU by earning a 3.00 or greater “a-g” GPA along with other supplemental factors utilized by the individual campus, including those outlined by impacted campuses and programs.
  2. Transfer Students:
    1. Have an overall college GPA of at least 2.00.  In high-demand majors and campuses, a GPA of 2.00 may not be sufficient to be admitted.
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Financial Aid

Can I get assistance with completing my FAFSA/CADAA application?

Yes. The Office of Financial Aid offers FAFSA Form/CADAA Form workshops throughout the Fall and Spring semester. For more information on these workshops, visit the Applying page to view dates/times, register for workshops, and Zoom drop-in meetings.

If I am not eligible for aid-based need, is there anything else available?

Yes, some scholarships are not based on need and there are two federal non-need-based loans available: 

  1. Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
  2. Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students

These loan programs require the submission of the FAFSA Form, and a separate loan application and/or promissory notes.

How are my grants and loans applied towards my semester registration?

Grants/Scholarships are automatically credited towards your registration fees and applicable housing bill. Federal Loans ARE NOT automatically credited towards your registration fees and applicable housing bill.

  1. You must accept your loans online through your student portal.

What is verification?

It is a randomized process the university uses to confirm that the data reported on a student’s financial aid application is accurate. If selected, the student must provide additional documentation that supports the information reported.

  1. Required items will be listed on your Student Center > To Do List. Check your student account to determine what may be needed.

If I do not live with my parents, will I be considered as an independent student?

No. The federal government has specific criteria to determine your financial aid dependency status. If you are an undergraduate student less than 24 years old but have special circumstances, a financial aid counselor will require specific documentation and review your case individually.

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Scholarships

Can I apply for scholarships if I do not submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act?

Yes, may apply for merit-based scholarships, but you would not qualify for need-based scholarships. Please refer to the eligibility of each scholarship before applying.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen or a California resident to apply to scholarships?

Some scholarships may require a certain residency or immigration status for applicants to be considered eligible. However, CSUF has multiple scholarships available for most residency and immigration statuses, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens.

I just received another scholarship; will my financial aid be adjusted?

Your financial aid cannot exceed your estimated cost of attendance. If your offered scholarship is need-based and meets or exceeds your cost of attendance, we will need to reduce your other financial aid to make room for your scholarship.

Does CSUF offer scholarships for study abroad programs?

  1. There are many scholarship opportunities to help with the costs of Study Abroad and Global Engagement (SAGE) programs at CSUF.
  2. General school-based scholarships are open to most students (eligibility requirements vary by scholarships) and can be applied to CSU/CSUF (SAGE) programs. 

What will happen to my scholarship if I go from full-time to part-time?

This depends on your scholarship, please contact the scholarship office directly to confirm your eligibility.

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Student Business Services

Are there payment plans available?

  1. Yes, students may enroll in a payment plan online through the Student Homepage.
    1. Tuition Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) splits tuition & fees into three payments for the Fall and Spring semesters. Please visit the Tuition Installment Payment Plan page for more information.

What if I do not make a sufficient payment by the deadline?

  1. Courses may be subject to be dropped, if payment is not made on time.
  2. For those that are enrolled in a payment plan, they may be subject to a $20 late fee ($30 late fee for housing charges).

When is my next payment deadline?

Payment deadlines may vary depending on your registration appointment or if you are enrolled in the Payment Plan. After enrolling in courses, check the deadline on the Account Inquiry section in your Student Homepage to see the specific payment deadline.

I dropped some courses; will I receive a refund?

  1. Refunds can only be issued if the total unit count drops from full-time (7+ units) to part-time (0-6 units) by the drop deadline.
    1. Refund amounts depend on the drop date. A pro-rated percentage of fees retained may be applied to refunds if courses are dropped after the term has already started. Information can be found on the refunds page.
    2. Non-resident tuition may be refunded based on the enrolled units if courses are dropped by the refund deadline.

I am eligible for VA Educational Benefits; how do I use them to pay for my fees?

Eligible benefits must be authorized by the Veterans Resource Center before they can be applied to your account. Documentation must be submitted at least two weeks before the payment deadline. If your benefits are not authorized before the payment deadline, then you must make an out-of-pocket payment to protect your courses.

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